Interview with Lesa Howard
Published 2014-10-29.
When did you first start writing?
In tenth grade I wrote a short story for my Language Arts class. It scored the highest in the entire sophomore class. And although it was a shock, mostly because I thought everyone's imagination was as whacked-out as mine, it took fifteen years before I worked up the courage to really seriously try to write.
What's the story behind your latest book?
The two Amanda Noble books, Amanda Noble, Zookeeper Extraordinaire and Amanda Noble, Special Agent, were released in print in 2007 and 2008. Then I played around with several other manuscripts, releasing one under the pen name Lesa Howard, before I decided to make the Amanda books available in ebook format. I have a third Amanda story, Amanda Noble, Swamp Thing, that will be available soon.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I believe there's an audience for my books and I'm grateful for the opportunity to hunt for them!
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
Smashwords has literally made it possible to put my stuff out there. What an amazing time to be a writer!
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
That's tough. It's a toss up between the creating and sharing what's been created.
What do your fans mean to you?
It's a pleasure to have someone view my characters the way I do. I love when they relate to them and even go beyond what's written on the page, knowing the characters in ways I never did.
What are you working on next?
A YA about a girl who's tired of being a pawn and everyone's meal ticket and determines to break free of her derelict family and their unscrupulous ways.
Who are your favorite authors?
I'm an extremely eclectic reader. But here area few across genres. Joan Bauer, Laurie Halse Anderson, Alex Flynn, Rick Yancey, Jennifer L. Armentrout, John Flanagan, Simone Elkeles, Kenneth Oppel, Katie McGarry. Janet Evanovich, Joshilyn Jackson, Nicholas Sparks, Clive Cussler, Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, Michael Crichton, Julie Garwood, Victoria Holt, Gaelen Foley.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Life! Forest Gump said it. You never know what you're gonna get.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Reading and daydreaming about other stories.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Friends, library recommendations, and blogs.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes. It was about a girl who was jealous that her boyfriend was spending too much time with Annie. She sets out to get even and it goes downhill from there. It was a comedy!
What is your writing process?
Frenetic and unorganized. But I'm working on that.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
Books by This Author
Phantom's Dance
by Lesa Howard
(5.00 from 1 review)
For Christine Dadey, finding a kindred spirit in the charismatic Erik couldn't have come at a better time. Despite the disfigurement that forces him to conceal his face, Erik gives Christine the confidence she needs as he helps her rediscover her love of dancing. But as Christine grows closer to the wounded dancer she fears he may be hiding more than his scarred appearance behind the veiled mask.
