Member Spotlight: Gayle Leeson

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? I believe we have so much to learn from each other. What better way is there to walk in someone else’s footsteps?

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? I “what if” different scenarios–no matter how crazy–until something clicks. If that doesn’t work, I leave the manuscript and try to do something mundane. I was once washing dishes when I worked out a plot point and said aloud, “They’re going to have a car wreck.” My husband said, “Who?” I answered, “My main character and her sister.” LOL

What is your favorite time to write? Anytime I either have the house to myself or everyone else is sleeping. I know some people like to write at coffeehouses or while listening to music, but I need complete quiet to concentrate.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? One of the most recent was from Matthew McConaughey’s book Greenlights. In it–and I’m paraphrasing here–he says sometimes you create a work of art (painting, movie, book, article) for an audience of one: you. That really resonated with me because as soon as a book is released, I start looking at the numbers to determine whether or not it’s successful. That advice reminded me that sometimes success isn’t measured by the numbers but how something made you feel or how much you enjoyed doing it. If you’re happy with it, it’s successful.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? One good thing that has come out of the past couple of years is the increase in virtual meetings and conferences. I love talking with people from all over the world!

Gayle Leeson’s An Eyre of Mystery is out now with Grace Abraham Publishing.