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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

eBook give-away and interview with a writer's husband


I met Danyelle Leafty at a writer's conference a couple years ago. A few days ago her husband emailed me and asked if I would like to interview her on my blog. I have to say I was impressed her husband was actively promoting her. If I had known I was going to be an author, I would have questioned all my boyfriends about their willingness to set up interviews for me. Alas, I didn't have the foresight to ask that important question.

Anyway, I decided to do something different for this interview. You’ve all read lots of interviews with authors. By this point you know about our creative quirks, our into-the-night writing sessions, our despair at rejection letters, and you know about those times we forgot to pick up our children from (fill in the blank) _________ because we lost track of time while writing that awesome love scene. But have you ever heard an interview from an author’s husband--from those poor folk that have to deal with us? Neither have I, so this interview should be interesting.

Without further ado, here is Jadean Leafty, husband of Danyelle Leafty, author of The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Catspell. We’ll be giving away one of her ebooks to a lucky commenter on the blog.

When did you realize Danyelle was a writer, and by then was it too late to do anything about it?

I am told that I should've realized it a lot sooner than I did. I have a bad memory. I first realized that she was a writer when I went off gallivanting with a bunch of freshly graduated high school kids in Texas. Which is also when I was being yelled at by men in uniform to whom I was their senior in age by quite a few years. Pretty much while I was away at basic training. I knew it was serious though when I was deployed to Afghanistan. Of course by then it was too late, but I wouldn't trade her.

I once spent ten days dragging my husband around England to research castles for a novel that I still haven’t written. Has Danyelle ever dragged you into her research, and if so what did you have to do?

If by research, you mean the book store. YES. She doesn't have to really drag us anymore. Our six year old gets put out when we don't take the turns that would end us up at Barnes and Noble.

When I was writing romances, my husband once accused me of fantasizing about other men.
“Yeah,” I said, “but I’m getting paid to do it.” Then for my next romance I put my husband in the book as the hero. (What the Doctor Ordered) Which would have been a really sweet gesture if I hadn’t fired him from my romance four days later. My husband is too easy-going and he just wouldn’t argue and banter with the heroine. (Who incidentally was me. I did not fire myself from the novel as I am quite good at arguing and bantering.) Have you shown up in any of Danyelle’s books?


Bits and pieces of me do. The whole me has been in each of her dedications thus far. Usually some aspects of me are found in her prince charmings. I'm still trying to devour Catspell. But I have to fight the children for it. So reluctantly, I sneak chapters in while at church.

I am pretty sure that classifies as a sin--or true devotion to your wife. Either way, you are clearly a supportive husband. Do you read your wife’s drafts and offer suggestions?

Of course, time permitting. I have a keen eye for line editing. Heck, I even find mistakes in her "research" books.

Does she take kindly to your comments?

If they are valid, yes. She's always right.

Any last advice for wives who are authors?

Love the author. And even though she calls you biased don't believe it, her books are the BEST!

Those are words every author's husband should learn. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win. To find out more about Danyelle you can go to her website at: http://www.danyelleleafty.com/

14 comments:

Unknown said...

It's great to hear from a supportive husband. It is essential for writers to have a strong support system, and who better to be the foundation than their spouse. Good for you! Keep taking her out to Barnes and Noble...you can make it date night and research all in one! :D

Michelle
Author of Concilium, available July 2012
Concilium: The Departure, November 2012

www.Michelle-Pickett.com
www.Conciliumbooks.com

Jami said...

Would love to win!

Meggan Boren said...

This is so funny as my husband keeps telling me he wants to write a book about a husband whose wife is writing a book. Good luck to my sweetheart, It will be around 3 pages tops. Love ya though. Praise to supportive husbands everywhere!

Charissa said...

I would like to be entered to win, thank you.
CharissaJackson@yahoo.com

Annette Lyon said...

The whole "by the time I figured it out it was too late" thing cracks me up. A bit too true . . .

Meet the Authors! said...

I loved that you interviewed her husband. He sounds a lot like mine. Having a supportive spouse made the whole difference in my ability to write. Good for Danyelle for having such a guy!

lake said...

Thanks CJ.  I'd like to thank each and everyone of you for your support. Hopefully you'll be able to enjoy The Fairy Godmother Dilemma more than me. I'm loving it, but haven't finished because this is my iPad but my kids claim it. To thank y'all for your support for every five honest reviews posted to amazon we will be giving away a gift card to a place of your choice with in reason and our budget. You pick the place, I pick the amount. We will give you until the twenty first of December. Once again thanks for hosting me blogger and thanks for all your support readers.

lake said...

Ps. This was so fun. If anyone is ever interested in hosting me let me know.

Shirley Bahlmann said...

I have yet to drag Bob to England (where he has already been, as well as Holland and Germany, yet strangely has no desire to return) but I've warned him I'm going some day, and if he tags along, he must not grumble.
Bob is an invaluable proofreader, as brutal as they come. And isn't that just the way we like 'em?
I'd love to read these books, but I don't have an electronic-y reader thingy. I downloaded Kindle on my laptop yesterday, but it won't play my own personal supposedly formatted e-book. Ack and Argh.

lake said...

@Shirley, I am so sorry. If my kids let me break away, sometime today I will try it on an actual computer. What type do you have?

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen said...

So wonderful. Thanks for sharing. Makes me a little jealous, though. BUT I'm so glad my husband has the ability to think of creative ways to get out of messes. Soooo helpful for me and my characters. :)

Anna Maria Junus said...

It makes me wish for a husband of my own. I used to have one but he didn't work out very well. Sigh. The title of the book is intriguing.

Rachelle Christensen said...

What a great idea! I loved this interview and would love to read the book.

lake said...

Congrats to Rachelle  and thanks to everyone who entered. Remember that you can still get Catspell http://goo.gl/qHWR6 . Plus as an added bonus to thank y'all for your support for 1of every 5 people who honestly review it there you will win a gift card of your choice. You have until the 21st of December. GO!