Hello everyone! Welcome to a Spooky Author Spotlight! These will be posts where I discuss and showcase, predominantly women and people of color, their writing talents and published works. So without further ado let’s get on with the Spooky Author Spotlight!
Meet the Spooky Author
LaLa Leo is a 33-year-old mother of 3 residing in southern Virginia with her family. Her debut publish was “Manifest Destiny” as part of Fredric Shernoff’s Atlantic Island Universe in December 2019. She recently published Genesis (Book 1) of her new trilogy on Memorial Day 2020 and Revelation (Book 2) will publish in October 2020! She is currently working on her own personal projects as well including OsDio and Trapped, her first horror novel.
What and when started your love for writing?
My unconditional love for writing began at a very early age. In elementary school, I quickly excelled as an accelerated reader. Cool prizes such as free personal pan pizzas, etc. were all the incentive I needed at that time. I started writing poetry, journaling, and reading chapter books early as well, such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
And, I learned something life-changing about myself… I wanted to be able to create the magical worlds and lands I loved so much. To create my own stories that affected readers the way so many wondrous books have affected me. However, I didn’t face that reality until I was about 31-years-old, shortly after giving birth to my youngest son.
Of all of the book genres, what drew you to write about yours?
Honestly, I truly believe that I am a natural poet and a horror writer. Among the many stories I’ve read throughout my life, nothing quite stuck out to me like those two. Stephen King is one of my favorite authors of all-time and I pride him on the ability to make just about anything horrifyingly scary.
Currently, I write horror, thriller/suspense, flash fiction, poetry/songs/lyrics, historical fiction, nonfiction, urban romance, YA, fantasy, science fiction, time travel fiction, dystopian literature, post-apocalyptic fiction and I aspire to write so much more! Every genre if at all possible.
What’s your favorite Halloween/Horror/Mystery story or character?
I specifically remember loving Scooby Doo as a kid. I really enjoyed the dynamic of a group of kids ghosthunting as friends but also in possible legitimate danger. I even named my first dog Shaggy. She was a Collie.
Out of those characters, my favorite was Velma because she always took the most intelligent and oftentimes scientific approach to try and solve the mystery. She never truly believed in the paranormal, which in my opinion, is a realistic standpoint, even for a cartoon character.
If you could meet your favorite author who would it be and why?
I personally would love to meet and greet with Stephen King. As one of the greatest masterminds of horror to ever write, I am positive that any advice he offers would be invaluable.
Mr. King has always been my favorite author and I’ve read nearly all of his work. I can’t wait to read The Institute. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about it. Lastly, his talk “On Writing” was one of the best talks I’ve watched about writing and becoming a published author.
What is one thing about Halloween or the spooky season that you can’t stand?
Two words. Killer clowns! I have always been terrified of clowns and I don’t think that’ll ever change.
What makes your book(s)/writing special?
I would say…how much heart and thought I put into each and every single word. You won’t believe how many times I’ve backspaced or erased a word that I felt was overused or didn’t convey what I was trying to imply.
The late nights, freak out sessions, and hours of intensive research are also something that I have etched into my creative writing process. I don’t necessarily possess a muse like many other writers. I am my own muse and she’s different every day. Writing books is everything to me and almost just as important as breathing. When I go for an extended amount of time without writing, it feels as if I’m suffocating or drowning. After a writing session, I always feel as if a weight has been lifted. Therefore, I can comfortably state that it is therapeutic for me just as reading is for readers.
So…what are you working on now?
After I finish rewriting and editing Revelation (Book 2 of my new Destiny trilogy of Atlantic Island), I will begin a new project which I can’t discuss just yet! However, I will be prepping during October for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November. Last year was my first time ever participating and I worked on 4 different projects (OsDio (Book 1) – epic urban fantasy fiction trilogy, Trapped (my first horror novel attempt which is temporarily available to beta read on Wattpad, etc.), Genesis – Book 1 of the Destiny trilogy, and finishing the end of “Manifest Destiny”, my prequel for Fredric Shernoff’s Atlantic Island Universe (my debut publish anthology). This year, I will be working on Book 3 of Destiny during NaNoWriMo. I have halted writing OsDio to meet contractual obligations but I will be excited to return soon. I have so many different project ideas. I just hope that I am able to complete them all during my lifetime!
LaLa as been a supportive author buddy of mine, and I’m so glad to finally have are spotlighted on my blog! I’m wishing her all the best in her amazing writing journey. If you want to get in contact or connect with her you can through:
Thank you all for reading and remember:
Live. Love. Laugh.
