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Hi readers,
Today we have the pleasure of having Lee-Ann Graff-Vinson Author sharing her work and her writing process.
Hi Lee-Ann, can you please tell
us a little bit about yourself
I am married with two children now finally in school full-time.
As a writer working from home, I dreamed of the time when both kids would be at
school all day, allowing me silence and solitude to write the days away. Unfortunately,
I attended the first PAC meeting of the year and happily volunteered for just
about everything under the sun. Those blissful days of writing and reading and
basically catching up on all of my “to do” projects are again pushed aside – at
least until I can obtain some type of order in my life. Although, I must say,
(and I know all you parents reading this will agree with me) having your
children in school full-time is like a mini-vacation five-days-a-week.
How
did you decided to enter the world of writing?
I often wonder that myself. As a child, I was creative in many
arenas. I loved to sing and dance (at home of course, never in front of
anyone.) I put on plays for my family (insert eye-roll here) and loved watching
art shows on television. I would grab any supplies I could get my hands on to
recreate the project myself. It never turned out looking anywhere close to what
the artist made, but I had fun and was proud of my “creations.”
As I got older, I was introduced to my love of writing in
English class. The world opened up when you could “pretend” the day away
creating magical and silly stories. I think that was when I first thought about
“writing” as an art form to add to my list of performances. When I was
twenty-nine, my mother passed away. Part of me insisted I tell her story, for
her as much as for me. My Mother’s Life, the
very first piece I penned, still sits unpublished and unedited. It is a raw
account of the life of a sick woman (both mentally and physically) and when I
feel I can do the story justice, I will go back and breathe new life into the
story that started it all.
What
does your family think of your writing?
Hmm . . .well, I’m not sure how to answer this question. What
does my family think or what do I think my family thinks? When I started out on
my path, I believe most of those who are close to me thought I was taking on a
nice hobby. I’m sure some still do think this way. In some aspects, gaining
recognition and approval from family members is more difficult than gaining the
acceptance of your readers. Fortunately, I am not one to care about what others
think about my “hobby.” I believe, one day soon, I will be on the best-seller
list for a few of my works. Baby, that’s good enough for me.
Where
do you get your ideas?
Topics of interest to me generally stem my plotlines. My
daughter takes up the rest of the room in my ideas folder. She is an amazing
and creative child and the reason my Queen Emily series was born. I write in
many genres as I cannot seem to settle on a stereotype version of who I am
supposed to be as an author. I write what I’m in the mood to write. Period. As
such, I have penned military/romance; military/suspense; erotic romance and
children’s picture books thus far. I am currently working on a YA series which
I hope to have published early next year.
Can you tell us
a little about your book?
I
can tell you a little bit about a few books. Love and Liberty, published under Gypsy Shadow Publishing, is a military/erotic/romance. The novella holds strong scenes of both love and war. My characters are hard
core, both male and female. I am currently editing the sequel Love Under Fire, which is a military
romance novel – at least I guess that is where this would be marketed.There is
little in the way of true romance and more in the way of difficult situations
military personnel
face on a daily basis. Romance does occur, but it is not the
true meaning behind this story.
Queen Emily’s Enchanted Kingdom –
Litterbug,
published under Great Minds Think Aloud Publishing, is the second in my
children’s picture book series. Queen Emily deals with many issues in her kingdom.
With the help of her trusty stuffed advisors, she is able to deal swiftly with
any problems which arise and teach the citizens of her fair kingdom valuable
lessons. Basically, these are fun stories with morals for young children. My
daughter plots the stories and draws some of the pictures for the books. I
simply write them.
What is your
writing process?
Oh,
look! I have thirty minutes. I’m going to sit down and write/edit/review. There
is no process. If I can get to a computer and focus my mind, the words flow. If
I’m really lucky, magic happens.
What
was the hardest part for you when working on your book?
Next
to finding the time to sit down and write, I find editing to be incredibly
difficult. The process of editing my own work is excruciating. I find errors
upon errors in my sentences which weren't there the day before when I looked
them over. I find I ruminate on the editing I've already done and waste what
time I had to continue through the story on rewriting what I've already edited!
What
influenced or inspired you to write?
My
Mother inspired the ignition. My daughter feeds the fire.
Was
there a scene that you didn't add or you removed in your finished work?
No,
but I wish I had.
Do
you have a favorite character (from you're book)? Why?
So far, I would have to say Danika from Love And Liberty is my favorite. She is tough, no-nonsense and will
kick the ass of anyone who messes with her family.
She’s my kind of girl.
Do
you already know what to write next? Can you tell us?
Currently,
I have five projects on the go. Two are YA, one is a script, and two more are
military/romance.
Where
can we find more information about you and your books?
You
can find me here:
Lee-Ann it has been a pleasure learning all about your book and your writing. Thank you for visiting and sharing with the readers. Do
you have any last words?
Yes, but I will save them for my epitaph. J
Fun
Questions ~
I
love weekends because?
I don’t have to say “hurry up!” to anyone.
I
hate?
Lazy people. Not hate per say, dislike would be a better word.
I
want to buy?
My house. The day my mortgage line reads paid-in-full is the day
the dreams come true.
My
favorite song is?
“Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman”, by Bryan Adams. This is
the most romantic, heartfelt song I’ve ever heard. I melt every time I listen
to it.
My
favorite precious stone is?
Sapphire.
I
want to travel to? Why?
Everywhere. I want to see the world and experience all it has to
offer.
I
want to meet? Why?
The creators, imaginers and inventors of our time and thank them
for all they have given to our lives.
I
want to invite -------------- to dinner.
Why?
My Mother and Father. They died before getting the chance to
meet my children. I would like to have the chance for my kids to meet their
grandparents. To have us all sit down together at a table and watch my parents
laugh at my son’s jokes and marvel at my daughter’s creativity. This one gift would
fill a large void in my life.
My
dream is to?
See my name in lights! Or, at least on the best-seller list. I’m
not picky.
My
favorite book is?
The Peculiar Miss Picket, a Scholastic
book my older sister got many years ago. I made her read it to me over and over
again. I have it now and have read it to my daughter (over and over again.)
This is the book that opened my eyes to the wonderful world of magic and
creativity. I hold it dear to my heart.
