An Interview with Leah Joanne
Leah Joanne has many passions, but two of them have now become a necessary part of her life: writing and traveling. Fiction has always been Leah’s coping mechanism of choice when life tastes sour. Traveling has opened her mind and heart. She combines those two passions to create a world for readers to escape to when they need to jump into a new life for an hour or two. Leah loves to entertain her readers while sneaking in powerful messages about complex human emotions. She writes with all heart and no fluff. Leah Joanne is currently working on the next installment of the Onyx series, a world of characters that readers are already addicted to. She takes her craft seriously, traveling with intention to the locations where her books take place, but sometimes she binges one of her favorite character dramas (as an excuse for more research and inspiration of course). You can’t get more messy and complex than Gilmore Girls after all.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
After my first real breakup, I opened up a Word document and this character named Valletta appeared; she lived in San Diego, CA and her life was a mess. Fiction has always served as the perfect escape. This WIP sat on the back burner for ten years, only being written here and there throughout my life changes and adventures. As my life experiences expanded, so did my perspective on the world, and I knew the story I wanted to write: A novel about a messy, complex protagonist who gets in her own way but in the end learns to trust her instincts. I’m passionate about people and their interactions with each other as well as how the handle their demons. I wanted this story to pull readers into a whole new psyche; somehow equally relating and widen their perspective.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Waves the Color of Onyx. It came to me halfway through my first draft. This name is very symbolic, and it would click for you when you get to a certain scene in the book. Both ‘waves’ and ‘onyx’ have layered symbols for Valletta Skye (the protagonist.) I can’t tell you the specifics because it would spoil the read!
Describe your dream book cover.
I have my dream cover. My goal was for the reader to feel haunted and intrigued but also a have it be beautiful. My cover artist Reuben Upton was able to accomplish just that. I wanted the cover to feel emotional in a way. I didn’t want it look like a ‘book cover’ but rather a piece of art. Unfortunately, it makes it difficult to market amidst the traditional covers, but I love my cover so much I don’t care! (My readers love it too!)
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
Love this question!
– Risk by Gracie Abrams
– Busyhead by Noah Kahan
– In A Perfect World by Dean Lewis and Julia Michaels
– Highlights by Sasha Alex Sloan
– Blue by Billie Eilish
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
I haven’t been reading too much because any spare brain energy I have goes into writing due to the fact that I have to still work full time. So, I watch TV at night with the hubby to chill. When we are exhausted we throw on a show like Gilmore Girls and the night’s complete! But I have read a couple of books this year by other indie authors, one being Songs of Desideria by Cady Lee.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I am a cosmetologist and have been working a salon for the past thirteen years! I started there one month after graduating high school!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
All I can tell you is I used to write all the time as a kid. I can’t remember when it started honestly, but I’ve always had a story in my head. I think it runs in the family. My mom’s the same way and my great grandfather published a book of poems. As far as what influenced me to publish…I would say the desire to keep traveling. I would love to earn an income as I travel and write more about the world.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I guess my sunroom because I have a nice set up but I if I was to be totally honest, I’m way to comfortable writing on my couch.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
There’s no cheat code. You need to go through all the tedious steps to get to the next step.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
Even if you think you see the full picture, you don’t know what’s under the surface.
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