Author Spotlight: Leigh Taylor | CJC Photography

Author Spotlight: Leigh Taylor

Shot In The Dark by Leigh Taylor, Leigh Taylor author, Rachael Baltes model, CJC Photography, Florida photographer, book cover photographer, romance book cover photographer1)      How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
I’ve always been an avid reader and lover of the written word. I loved living in worlds written about in my favorite books but never imagined I was creative enough to build those worlds myself. Late last fall, I started seeing little mental movies play out in my mind about characters and thought it could be cool to see if I could manage to connect them all into a bigger storyline. Once I got started, I realized I have a lot of characters with stories to share with readers. I love that I can provide someone’s break from the daily grind and help them escape with a happily ever after.

2)      What hurdles have your overcome while striving towards your goals?
There are just never enough hours in a day. Writing doesn’t pay the bills for the bulk of authors so making time to write is often a juggling act. It can be a real struggle to carve out time to get creative when you’re also balancing a full time job and your home and social lives.

3)      Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
This is hard since I’m a new author but one of my current projects is my favorite at the moment. I’m working on Right Side, which is Beatrice Remington’s story. Readers meet Bea in my debut novel, Shot in the Dark, but to get to grow her character into a lead has just been so much fun. Bea is a lot more than the perky, fun loving chatterbox you first see in the series and it’s been amazing to see how well rounded her personality can be. Plus, there’s a big wedding in Right Side and who wouldn’t love planning a dream wedding? 🙂

4)      For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
Make sure you’re really passionate about your story. Most people have no idea how much goes into a book. The entire creative process with the cover and the actual story. The PR and marketing and fan interaction. It’s a lot of hustle for not a ton of initial reward. So love what you’re doing enough to stick with it. When you do start to make connections with readers who want more of your words, it’ll be so worth it.

5)      Favorite motto?
It’s so cliche but I love “Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle”. It’s so important to be a positive person and work to inspire others to be positive. Don’t let anyone bring you down with their negative vibes!

6)      In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
Heartfelt.

7)      Which author inspires you the most and why?
Hands down, Meghan March. She’s the ultimate indie author role model. She’s just beyond talented and I love how she creates a world within a book series and weaves characters in and out. Her writing is just so multidimensional. Plus, she was brave and took a chance on her writing and she’s turned her dream into a full time job. That’s the ultimate goal for any of us and she’s made it happen while also being an amazingly sweet person within the indie community.

8)      What is your writing process like?
I’m a little chaotic. Even when I try to outline and be organized, my characters tell me what scenes to write and when…and they don’t always tell me these things in chronological order lol I really just let the scenes develop in my mind and when they feel right, I capture it in written form and smooth it all out at the end.

9)      Goals for the remainder of the year?
My main goals for the rest of 2017 is to get Shot in the Dark polished up and perfected with some professional editing. And to get Right Side ready for an early January release. I’ll be doing cover reveals and blurb reveals and having a lot fun with the new story. I’m really excited to release Bea’s story and see what everyone thinks!

10)   What new projects are you currently working on?
I have four projects in the works. I know. I’m crazy. Right Side is the next of my Worth the Wait novels and it will also have a companion novella that goes with it so y’all will get a lot of cowboy love. I also have a secret project I’m working on. I’ll be announcing it soon but I will tell CJC fans first that I’ll be taking readers to Chicago for a sports romance. And I’m also working on a new series called The Cipher Society, which is a spy series. It’s going to be the grittier and sexier side of the South. I hope to have book one, Legend, out this spring.

11)   Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
I really hope that y’all will give my books a try and follow me to see what I get up to in the next few months. I’ve been working with CJC to curate some stunning photos for covers so keep an eye out for the fun!

Shot In The Dark is NOW available here! 

Add a comment





See Also