Best Selling Author-Tamara Leigh

 

Welcome Tamara, can you share a little about your recent book –

THE VEXING: Book Six (Age of Faith) will be my 30^th published book when it releases this May. And let me tell you, I’m excited. THE LONGING, the fifth book in this series, released May of 2014, so this story—fondly known as Sir Durand’s tale—was three years in the making. My only regret is that my wonderfully redeemed hero, who has perched on my shoulder all these years prodding me with his Wulfrith dagger, now belongs to The Vestal Widow (well, vestal no longer—we have wedding bells!).

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write because I cannot NOT write. Though there have been times in this 24-year writing career when I’ve said, “That’s it! I shall write no more. It’s over. I’ll tie my hands behind my back, shut down this imagination with hours of news-induced reality, and go back to earning a living as a speech pathologist.” But, fellow authors, you know how that goes. It doesn’t. As for my books’ theme/message/goal, it comes down to what has always been in my heart, even when I wrote for the general market in the 90’s and love scenes were required—penning tales of hope and encouragement that present, as realistically as possible, a healthy romantic relationship that leads to a sigh-worthy Happily Ever After.

How long have you been writing? And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract?

In 1992, while working as a speech pathologist, I began writing my first published book. In early 1993, I signed with an agent, and after making her suggested changes to the manuscript of what would be published as WARRIOR BRIDE (nope, not my title), she shopped it around New York. A few weeks later, she had several offers and I chose Bantam/Doubleday who offered a 4-book contract. Yes, something of a fairytale. Want a little more? On the same day I received “the call,” I received another. At long last, my husband and I were to be parents—and I had a means of staying at home and raising our family.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Ooh, I’m not prolific. Some authors can write a novel-length book in 1-3 months. Mine typically take 6-9 months. However, once they’re written, they’re so thoroughly edited, they’re close to being publishable.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

Monday through Saturday, I’m at Starbucks before 7:00 a.m. for administrative work and editing of the previous day’s writing. I return home around 10:30 a.m. when the house is usually all mine and silence is beautifully pervasive. With breaks for refreshments, doggie walks, and email checks, I write until around 4:00 p.m. After a work out, I sometimes slip in another hour of writing, then there’s dinner and hubby time. Before bed, I might tackle a bit more administrative work. Oh, this empty nest!

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I have several, but I’ll share the EHCM that starts every writing day. It’s one of many quirks Ronie Kendig and I discovered we have in common during a writer’s retreat this past February. What is this EHCM? Extra Hot Caramel Macchiato courtesy of our friendly baristas at Starbucks. Kicks us into gear!

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Not surprisingly, the calls received in March of 1993, dropping in my arms the blessing of a 4-book contract and, hours later, the blessing of pregnancy.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

How about years? Between 2001 and 2005, in between bouts of “I’m done writing” and “I cannot NOT write,” I struggled with the decision to transition from the general market to the inspirational market as I felt God was leading me to do. Having enjoyed great success in the general market, I knew the sales and distribution would be limited in the inspirational market, but I longed to write God-honoring romances. In 2006, my first inspirational romance, STEALING ADDA, made the transition a reality. There was a bit of a dark moment there, too. Though my agent believed I would be able to bring my medieval romances to inspirational readers and several publishers were interested in signing me, in the end the publishers were wary of a time period they didn’t believe would sell well. So when they asked for “something else,” I gave them a humorous contemporary romance. I really enjoyed writing in this genre, though my first love has always been—and will always be—medieval romance.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Oh goodness, which of our sons is my favorite? WARRIOR BRIDE holds a special place in my heart for being my first traditionally published book, STEALING ADDA for being my first traditionally published inspirational book, and DREAMSPELL for being my first independently published book that marked my return to the medieval romance genre.

Who is your favorite author to read?

I eat up the tomes of Sharon Kay Penman who so beautifully novelizes medieval history, especially that of King Henry and his amazing queen, Eleanor of Aquitaine.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened too?

This will sound cliché, but it’s true: read a lot (in the genre you’re writing); write a lot (every day); learn a lot (hone your writing craft); explore a lot (attend writer’s conferences and network); and love a lot (it will show up in your writing).

Read a lot, write a lot, learn a lot, explore a lot, and love a lot-Tamara Leigh Share on X

Do you have a favorite character in one of your books?

Oh dear, another “Which son do you love more?” Stamped on my heart, perhaps a bit larger than the others: Baron Garr Wulfrith of the first Age of Faith book, THE UNVEILING; Baron Fulke Wynland of DREAMSPELL; and Baron Bayard Boursier of BARON OF GODSMERE (I do like barons, don’t I?)

Where do you get your ideas?

The ether. Mwahaha! Seriously, my ideas often drop in on me, especially during bouts of insomnia (red eye alert!). Sometimes it’s a flash of a scene, other times it’s a line of dialogue.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

Being firmly entrenched in indie publishing and having no plans to “unentrench,” when asked this, I often surprise recipients by telling them to explore traditional publishing first. If you can break into traditional, your name will be discovered more quickly and gain readers’ trust. But here’s the caveat—once your writing has attained a level of professionalism, as evidenced by agent and publisher interest and feedback from contests, don’t spend years on end chasing traditional publishing. Venture into indie publishing and be patient as you build one reader at a time. Go for it!

 

 

Tamara Leigh: https://www.tamaraleigh.com

Since 1994, Tamara Leigh has been published with Bantam Books, HarperCollins, Dorchester, and RandomHouse. She is the award-winning, USA Today best-selling author of thirty novels, including Stealing Adda, Dreamspell, The Unveiling (Age of Faith), Baron Of Godsmere (The Feud), and Lady Of Conquest. A former speech and language pathologist, Tamara lives near Nashville with her husband, a Doberman who bares his teeth not only to threaten the UPS man but to smile, a German Shepherd who has never met a squeaky toy she can’t destroy, and a feisty Morkie who keeps her company during long writing stints.