Author Spotlight on Leanne Shawler

July 2004

Sharyn: This month I managed to catch up with the talented Leanne Shawler. Having just finished her spicy Regency novella, Restrained Hearts, I was really looking forward to this interview.

Leanne, thanks for joining me. When did you first start writing?

Leanne: Ever since I could string two sentences together, I think. Seriously, I think I was about eight when I wrote my first story. I've been writing ever since. My first stab at writing for publication was back when I was *cough*21*cough* and the book went under the bed on its first rejection. My second stab at writing for publication forced itself upon me about 6 years ago.

Sharyn: Who or what compelled you to take the first step to become an author?

Leanne: Instead of giving me candy when I was good, my Mum brought me Golden Books. My Gran also always encouraged my writing, and it was an outlet of fun with two of my high school buddies--and you really can't beat that instant gratification.

Sharyn: Let’s talk a minute about your spicy romance, Restrained Hearts. It’s set in the Regency time-period. How does it differ from other Regencies?

Leanne: There are two kinds of books set in the Regency period. One kind is known as the "traditional" Regency and is short, about the size of a Harlequin or Silhouette romance. The other kind is the Regency-set historical. Now, sex turns up in both of them, more frequently in the Regency-set historical than in a "trad", but the sex is still what I call "romance-sex". It's not particularly explicit (although Emma Holly is breaking this barrier), unlike the erotic romances put out by Amber Quill Press. Also, as a short story, mine is Waaaay shorter :)

Sharyn: This is something I’ve always wondered about...what makes a Regency a Regency?

Leanne: It's partly the set-dressing -- you have those delicious high-waisted gowns, tight breeches. It's the time when romantic love is becoming a valid choice. It's a time of flux between two periods: the outrageous Georgians (think Scarlet Pimpernel) and the Victorians (who were laced up in more ways than one). One of the signature points of a Regency is its wit in dialogue. And then you have the heroes: the Hornblowers, the Sharpes, and men like Byron and Wellington.

Sharyn: When did you fascination for the Regency time-period first begin?

Leanne: I have to confess it was a movie adaptation of a Barbara Cartland book starring Helena Bonham Carter. Then I got into Georgette Heyer (finding her a more satisfying read than Dame Cartland) and finally read some Jane Austen.

Sharyn: According to your website, your first full-length Regency will be available in May 2005. What was it like learning your book had been accepted? Did you do anything special to celebrate?

Leanne: Or April 2005, the date keeps changing! What was it like? It was a real roller coaster. It took a couple of days to actually make the sale, and then wheee! I didn't do any work for the rest of that day (my editor called me at work) and I didn't accomplish anything significant for about a week afterwards. I'm lucky I still got paid! *wink* To celebrate, my hubby and I went out to Donovan's, which is the primo steakhouse here in San Diego, but the best bit for me is a dessert wine they have from Australia called "Sticky". It is to die for.

Sharyn: On your website, (which is absolutely stunning, by the way), you mention you met your husband on the internet and moved from Australia to California. First off, wow. What was that like? Was it a big culture shock?

Leanne: The first thing that struck me about coming to the US was that water went down the toilet in the opposite direction. (How I failed to notice this on two prior trips to Europe is beyond me!) The culture shock wasn't so big--we get a lot of US television Down Under -- but it was little things that got me, like the driver's seat being on the left hand side, the amount of junk food you could get in a 7/11. And the language barrier! Oh boy, that was an education for both me and my hubby. I still come out with things that confuse him.

Sharyn: You recently returned from a trip to England. How was it? Get plenty of ideas for your next book?

Leanne: I looooove going to England. When I found out my hubby was going on business, I was going. He wasn't making that trip without me! I got an idea for a book, during the first half. The second half I spent in Bath, which is the setting for a book I'm working on right now, and I hope it'll give me the accuracy and realism that it needs to be fully fleshed.

Sharyn: Every writer needs a good support base, who’s in yours?

Leanne: First and foremost, my husband. He's the one who rallies me when I get a rejection. He's the one who tells me to get my butt back in the chair when I stomp about the house declaring I write crap. Then there are a whole host of other people: my editor at Amber Quill; a local romance author Janet Wellington who has been like a guiding light for me; Judy Laik and Teresa Burnham who sold to Kensington the same time I did; I have a new circle of Golden Heart finalists who are wonderful with cheering on each other and providing support, and of course the RWA chapters I belong to.

Sharyn: I’ve noticed many writers are a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). Do you think it’s a good thing for writers to be involved in? Have you gotten a lot out of being a member?

Leanne: Yes, yes and yes. (Wait, you only asked two questions. Oh well!) Joining RWA is essential if you're serious about becoming published in any form of romance or women's fiction. First off, it's something to add into your query letter, and editors/agents know on reading that you're a member, that you've been educated in how to submit a manuscript and write a compelling story. That's the other side of the coin: there is tremendous opportunities to learn about different aspects of writing, both in formal workshops and seminars as well as networking with other members. They have a new strata of membership now called PRO: all you have to do is prove you've been rejected and you're applicable to join a whole host of other chat sessions and workshops. Being a member is invaluable.

Sharyn: Do you think it’s important for an author to promote herself both in person and online, especially in this day and age?

Leanne: Extremely important. The toughest part for me is getting people to come visit my website. No, actually, the toughest part is finding time to do the promotion work. I've let it slip the last few months, but I'm attempting to build up steam again. I am a little shyer about promoting my erotic Regencies in person than I am online, but I'm upping the in-person stuff with my first full-length book and hopefully there'll be some follow-through to my erotic Regencies.

Sharyn: Restrained Hearts is available from an e-publisher. What is your take on the future of e-publishing and would you still consider publishing with one?

Leanne: I don't think anyone can foretell the future of e-publishing. I think once a standard is set in e-book format and one e-book reader wins out above all others, then we'll see tremendous growth. At the moment, we still seem to be in the experimentation with format, and with educating the general public about how to download and read an e-book.

As it happens, I'll have another erotic Regency short story coming out with Amber Quill Press called Rainbow's Desire. It hasn't got a release date yet, so stay tuned. I have to get to work on my revisions!

Sharyn: What is the best advice you’ve ever been given in regards to your writing?

Leanne: "There is no try, there is only do." (Yoda). That, and you have to write from the heart, which is advice Jill Limber gave me.

Sharyn: Leanne, now that I’ve forced you to think, I’d like to take a minute and have some fun. You’re very fond of the Regency era, if you could go back in time and participate in any event what would it be?

Leanne: Oh gosh. It would be the Congress of Vienna. Naturally, the trip back in time would gift me with fluent French, so I could talk with everybody. That was a huge party: complete with intrigues, quirky characters, great food, lots of drink and all these handsome men fresh from a war and looking for fun. Yummy--who could ask for anything more?

Sharyn: What’s your favorite way to relax after a hard day’s work of writing and designing websites (and I know from experience designing websites is work)?

Leanne: M*A*S*H* reruns currently. I usually settle in front of the tv and channel surf. Or I'll be chatting online with friends. I spend *far* too much time in front of the computer.

Sharyn: Glad I'm not the only one. *g* Final question, who is your favorite hero of all time?

Leanne: King Arthur--the real, pre-Mallory version. (It'll be interesting to see the film coming out this month.)

Sharyn: It's one of the movies I'm looking forward to seeing. Leanne, thanks again for joining me today. I had a lovely time talking with you and visiting your website.

Leanne: Thank you Sharyn! I'm glad you enjoyed the website and thanks for having me here at In the Library Reviews!

For more information on Leanne, her published works and upcoming books, visit her website: www.leanneshawler.com.

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