1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

Hello! My name is Robin LeeAnn. I’m a writer and editor. I post book reviews, writing advice, poetry, and more on my WordPress blog. I’m also a copy editor and proofreader for Unsolicited Press. 

2. What do you write (genre, length)? 

I mostly write fantasy and sci-fi. I’m editing through a fantasy novel right now and writing a couple of short stories. I also write some poetry.

3. What is/are your current project/s? Please give us some details. 

My main project is my novel called Memories. It’s a YA fantasy that surrounds the question: What if the hero lost? It’s set in the world of Tempriana where humans, dragons, water spirits, and other magical creatures live. It’s a multi-POV story that involves found family, LGBTQIA+, and mental health elements.

I also have a short story in the works about a bounty hunter for the afterlife. I haven’t finished it yet, but I’m hoping to finish it soon. 

4. Who (author or otherwise) or what book inspired you to write?

I don’t have a particular author or book in mind. Instead, I have my mom and nana to thank. 

When I was in second grade, my reading level was below average. So, my mom took it upon herself to read to me every night. She knew I was a picky reader, but she had heard that Harry Potter was a good series. We read Harry Potter together from book one until the last one. She got me into reading books again.

My nana, around the same time, always loved the stories I would come up with. I used to take her and my papa into the backyard, have them sit down, and tell a random story that came into my head. Sometimes I used what was around me (like the inflatable spaceship tied to their tree) or I’d just come up with a story on the spot. One day, she sat me in front of a computer and encouraged me to write those stories down. 

5. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

The writing world is super subjective. What works for one person may not work for another. That fact can be intimidating, but it’s more about finding the people who vibe with your stories the most.

Just because you got rejected doesn’t mean your story shouldn’t be told.

6. What do you do for a living?

I’m a proofreader for a communications company in Dallas. I proofread anything from a postcard to a forty-four-page benefits guide.

7. Who is/are your favorite author(s)?

My favorite authors are Marie Lu, Cassandra Clare, and Neal Shusterman.

8. What is/are your favorite book(s)?

I have many favorite books from The Book Thief to It’s Kind of a Funny Story to the Warcross Series to the Unwind Dystology to The Infernal Devices and more.

9. What’s the best compliment someone can give you as an author?

I always like it when people say they connect with my stories well or that my stories make them think differently about the world. 

10. What is the strangest/most interesting/coolest/weirdest/scariest thing you’ve had to research for a book or short story?

I’m not 100% sure on this one, but I know I’ve had to look up different effects from blood loss. In one of my books, a character gets extremely injured, and I wanted to portray that accurately. I’ve researched different swords and mythical creatures to learn more about them, which I thought was cool.

I did have to look up and learn the term anachronistic as well, which means something that belongs in a different time period than the time period the story is set in. For example, using electricity in a book set in the 1700s. A good example of this is the movie Titus.

11. What is the most difficult part of writing for you? Why?

Beginnings. I sometimes tend to start the story off in the wrong spot.

12. What is your favorite genre to read? Why?

I’ve always loved reading fantasy and sci-fi. I like the different worlds that other writers create. They’re all new possibilities to escape to. They also give me a lot of inspiration for my own work.

13. What are some little-known facts about you? Hobbies, talents, anything?

I speak four languages: English, ASL, Japanese, and Italian. I’m not the greatest at them. I’m still learning, especially since kanji is a whole difficulty of its own. But I love practicing and learning languages.

I also play piano and guitar in my free time. I love to play video games. All that jazz.

14. Do you like physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks better? Why?

I prefer physical books. There’s just something meaningful about holding the book in your hands. I’m also growing a small library at my house. So far, I have almost two bookcases full of books.

Find Robin LeeAnn at the links below!

Website: robinleeann.com

Twitter: @1RobinLeeAnn

Facebook: @1RobinLeeAnn