Chat With Lea Nolan

[Colleen]

Welcome to the group! Lea will be answering questions in January in this thread only. In the meantime, if you have a question for the author or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

[Colleen]

How did you get started writing?

[Colleen]

Is writing your first career?

[Colleen]

Do you write at home or somewhere else?

[Colleen]

What are your favorite types of books to read?

[Ashley]

Happy new year! Do you ever make book or writing resolutions and if so do you stick to them?

[Ashley]

What is your favorite genre to read?

[Colleen]

Any must-haves while you write?

[Colleen]

Do you have a favorite conference now that RT is gone?

[Colleen]

What's your favorite holiday and did you ever miss one because of a deadline?

[Lea]

Colleen wrote: "Welcome to the group! Lea will be answering questions in January in this thread only. In the meantime, if you have a question for the author or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in..."

Thanks so much for having me! This is so much fun!

[Lea]

Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing?"

It know it sounds crazy, but I read Twilight. I hadn't read fiction in years and a friend told me I needed to read this book about teenage vampires. I was skeptical at first, but then I read it and fell in love. It introduced me to the young adult genre and I couldn't get enough. I thought, why not try to write a book of my own?

[Lea]

Colleen wrote: "Is writing your first career?"

Nope! I've worked in health services research and health care policy since 1995. My specialty is in underserved populations and the providers that care for them, for example community health centers and public hospitals. I like to joke that I wrote hundreds of reports and articles that tens of people read. Sadly scholarly articles and reports don't get a lot of interest. It's a lot different than fiction!

These days, aside from an occasional consulting job, I teach graduate courses in health care management, finance, and health policy. It's nice to keep one foot in that profession as I continue to write fiction.

[Lea]

Colleen wrote: "What are your favorite types of books to read?"

I really love to read anything. Lately I've been on a women's fiction tear. I love all the new women's fiction stories out there, especially the thrillers that have a dark mystery that needs to be solved.

Of course I love YA and especially YA fantasy but I'll happily sink into a YA contemporary or contemporary romance.

I also can't resist a good historical, with or without romance, and contemporary romances will always entertain, no matter whether they're sweet or hot.

So I guess the answer to your question is that I'm a pretty promiscuous reader!

[Lea]

Ashley wrote: "Happy new year! Do you ever make book or writing resolutions and if so do you stick to them?"

Hi Ashley! I make resolutions every dang year and every year I manage not to meet them. I know, I'm disappointed in me too. But I keep trying to increase the number of books I'll read and write any way because one day I'll meet those goals. What's that saying--Shoot for the moon because if you miss it, you'll still be among the stars? I think that fits pretty well.

[Lea]

Trudy wrote: "What made this genre the one you knew you wanted to write?"

I think I started writing YA because it reminded me of when I was a teen and was a voracious reader. Books were my refuge from a difficult childhood and early adolescence. I want my books to give kids the same kind of respite I had.

I also write contemporary romance now and that was very definitely influenced by my adult experiences of falling in love and finding my perfect mate. We've been married for twenty-six years so I'd say I have a little something to say about that. :)

[Lea]

Ashley wrote: "What is your favorite genre to read?"

Oh gosh, I read everything! YA, romance, historical fiction, historical romance, thrillers, women's fiction, you name it. If the voice is good, it's well paced, and the story's interesting, I'll read it.

[Lea]

Colleen wrote: "Any must-haves while you write?"

So this will sound weird but I can't wear shoes when I write. I *hates* them, Precious. Shoes on my feet = not being able to think. So I write in socks.

Also, I need an iced tea and my laptop. Though if I feel like I'm being blocked, I'll pull out my notebook and write free hand with a gel pen. I dedicate one notebook to each book I write and it contains everything: my chapter ideas, daily word count, character sketches, etc.

[Lea]

Colleen wrote: "Do you have a favorite conference now that RT is gone?"

Aw, I really miss RT. That was such a fun, crazy conference and a great opportunity to meet book lovers. It was also a fantastic opportunity to meet a wide range of authors. I'm sorry to see it go, though I understand the new Booklover's Con is aiming to be a worthy replacement.

My favorite conferences have to be RWA's National Conference and Jennifer L Armentrout's Apollycon. I learn so much at RWA from all the workshops on writing craft, the publishing industry, marketing, etc. my head feels like it's going to explode by the end of the week. I also love seeing all my old friends and making new ones. It's a great professional development experience. Apollycon is also a ton of fun. There are so many fantastic authors across many genres and lots of enthusiastic readers who aren't just there to see their favorite authors, but to discover new-to-them authors as well. I highly recommend it.

[Lea]

Colleen wrote: "What's your favorite holiday and did you ever miss one because of a deadline?"

Without a doubt my favorite holiday is Christmas but Thanksgiving is a close second. I have so much to be grateful for and those holidays remind me to slow down and give thanks for all that's good in my life.

Thankfully I've never missed an official holiday because of a deadline but my wedding anniversary weekend trip was once totally screwed up because I was waiting on edits (that never actually came) and I spent most of that weekend stressed out and worried about how I'd be able to make the changes and get them back in time. Needless to say it wasn't the best anniversary ever--thankfully there have been many others that were great so my husband forgave me!

[Frederick]

Leah, you are, without a doubt, a stone-cold total babe!

How do you keep healthy/in-shape when you spend, I would assume, a lot of time being sedentary?

Thanks!

[Colleen]

Lea wrote: "Colleen wrote: "How did you get started writing?"

It know it sounds crazy, but I read Twilight. I hadn't read fiction in years and a friend told me I needed to read this book about teenage vampire..."

That is so weird! I was the exact same. I read the series and started writing. We are like twins!

[Colleen]

Lea wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Is writing your first career?"

Nope! I've worked in health services research and health care policy since 1995. My specialty is in underserved populations and the providers that ca..."

Woah. Sounds like you need to write a medical drama!

[Colleen]

Lea wrote: "Trudy wrote: "What made this genre the one you knew you wanted to write?"

I think I started writing YA because it reminded me of when I was a teen and was a voracious reader. Books were my refuge ..."

I think we're definitely twins. This year is my 25th anniversary.

[Colleen]

Lea wrote: "Colleen wrote: "Any must-haves while you write?"

So this will sound weird but I can't wear shoes when I write. I *hates* them, Precious. Shoes on my feet = not being able to think. So I write in s..."

I like the idea of a special notebook per book. It would be fun to doodle. I'm terrible at drawing but I love the idea of giving myself room to free write and word bubble.

[Colleen]

Frederick wrote: "Leah, you are, without a doubt, a stone-cold total babe!

How do you keep healthy/in-shape when you spend, I would assume, a lot of time being sedentary?

Thanks!"

That is so awesome! She is a stone-cold babe. hee hee =D

[Colleen]

Thanks to everyone and especially Lea for joining us this month! Our winner this month is Ashley! Don't forget to join next month's chat when my featured author is Wendy Higgins!