BookWenches

Interviewed by Teagan

I am very excited to be talking with Leanna Renee Hieber. Leanna’s novel “The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker” coming out in August 2009. I had the pleasure of reading it and was blown away by Leanna’s talent.

Good day Leanna, I am so glad to have you here. I can’t wait to find out what makes you tick!

Thanks so much, I’m thrilled to be here!  If I’m ticking I’ll try to disarm the detonator. J

I can easily use the word “enthralled” when I talk about The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. I was hooked from page one. How did you come up with the idea for this book?

*thinks back* I began this ‘book of my heart’ as they call it, nearly nine years ago.  I’d been writing since I could hold a pen but this was the first idea I wanted publish.  I was working long hours as an acting intern for the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.  Shakespeare’s prose and poetry filled my ears day and night (quite a fine companion and soundtrack, hence all the Shakespeare references in the book). I read Neil Gaiman, J.K. Rowling and watched Jane Austen movies.  I began adapting Lewis Carroll’s work into a one-woman show I wrote for the CSC called The Alice Adventure.  The Victorian Era captivated me since childhood.  I made it a focus in college and yearned to write pieces and act in shows set in the 19^th century. It was in the midst of this swirling soup of influences (and having recently seen the first Harry Potter film) that I was struck at 2am with an idea that would keep me awake at night for nearly the next decade, an idea that would merge what I love about historical, Gothic and fantasy literature into one set of books.  I’ve begun saying that this book is my love-letter to the world.  It truly is.

Percy's appearance is fascinating. Is there anything in particular that led you to have her look this way?

The purpose was always two-fold for me.  I felt it was good for her to be different.  An outsider.  We have all felt different, an outsider, unwanted and unloved at times in our lives, Lord knows I have.  There’s nothing more gratifying than a story where someone who feels like somewhat of a freak is shown that they can be cherished for who they are and can find their purpose, calling and place where they belong.  That gives us all hope in our dark times.  Secondly, I was coming up with ghost stories before I could write them down. Ghosts have always fascinated me.  I wanted a character that was a literal and figurative lynchpin between the living and the dead.  Her appearance continues to provide intrigue and conflict through the rest of the series.  I’d say it was the best choice I ever made, but then again, I can’t say I consciously chose it, Percy appeared to me much like a ghost might appear through the wall, just as she was, and sweetly asked if I would be so kind as to write a story about her.  How could I refuse?

Alexi is my type of Mr. Darcy. Dark and brooding. I feel like it gives me a bit of two of my favorite characters, Darcy and Snape. What or who was your inspiration for this character?

Well, my dear, you’ve quite named them and I’m so glad we agree.  J  Alexi is the embodiment of all my literary love-affairs wrapped into one striking, compelling, infuriating, dreamy package.  It’s hard for me to imagine that I’ll ever love another hero as much as I love him.

What is the most memorable thing that has happened to you since you became a published author?

I’ll never forget my mother bursting into happy tears on the phone when I told her that after so many years of trying to break in, I’d landed a two-book deal.  Then, getting my first cover quotes from C. L. Wilson and Kathryn Smith.  I’m such a fan of them both. Their genuine, continuing support of my work- put into two beautiful quotes on the front and back of my book- was a staggering gift to me.  Then my first reviews. J What a thrill!

You write in the fantasy genre, what pulls you to that type of novel? Do you find it easier to write since there are no absolutes in a fantasy world?

Fantasy was my favourite genre before I understood what genre was.  The genre defines me as an artist and a dreamer.  Sweeping magic and power; expecting the unexpected in a setting where the world is not exactly as it seems makes more sense to me than the modern world as I think I know it.  It’s the best thing Carroll taught Alice via Wonderland: nothing is impossible.  Is it easier?  Oh yes, I’ve no shame in admitting that I love being able to bend the rules of a universe to my will.  My beloved friend Isabo Kelly (read her books, she’s great) tends to say “I like playing God” and she’s on to something there.  There’s nothing more exciting than seeing what your imagination can fashion.  One must play by the rules one creates, but setting up those rules is a thrill I continue to crave.  What’s so much fun about Historical Fantasy is that you can use actual facts to your advantage, dive in to an era, vernacular and aesthetic that calls to you, and then make it your own with a healthy dose of- in my case- the mythic supernatural.

I was so excited to find out that you are doing a Strangely Beautiful series, can you at least give us a taste of what's to come?

I’d love to!  My title is currently TBA but I can tell you that the sequel will release 2/24/2010 and it will pick up exactly where the first book leaves off.  We’ll meet crucial new ghosts and discover that finding the prophesied seventh member of The Guard was only the beginning for Percy and Alexi.  Next comes a Whisper-World war and I can tell you that not only is dear Alexi not happy about his newfound love’s dangerous calling, but everyone is tested to drastic limits.

Can you share with your fans what else you enjoy doing besides reading?

I love poking about museums, singing in choir, spending time with my live-in, real-life hero (who is such a good sport he’ll sometimes do spot-on Alexi impressions for my entertainment) adventuring about New York City- a town full of wonders, and cuddling my rescued lab rabbit, Persebunny, Queen of the Undereverything. (She’s all white just like Miss Percy Parker and we call Persebunny “Percy” for short.  Don’t tell her but she thinks I named the book after her rather than the other way around.)

What authors do you credit with being your inspirations to become a writer yourself?

C. S. Lewis, Tolkien, the Brontë sisters, Austen, Stoker, Lewis Carroll, Stephen King, Poe, all the 19^th century Gothics, Neil Gaiman, Alan Moore and most certainly J.K. Rowling.  I’m now blessed by a slew of talented colleagues in this business who continue to inspire me.

Please tell us how to find you on the web.

Website:  www.leannareneehieber.com

Blog: www.leannareneebooks.blogspot.com

Strangely Beautiful Facebook page: www.tinyurl.com/sbfbfan

Twitter: www.twitter.com/leannarenee 

Is there anything you would like to add that you would like your fans to know about?

I hope you adore The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker as much as I adored writing it!  Thank you Teagan and BookWenches for the opportunity to be here!  Please join me for exciting release-week opportunities such as my Haunted London Blog Tour and my Contest!  (Details at my website.) Strangely beautiful blessings to you all and I hope you’ll pick up the book on August 25^th!

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Leanna,

That was a simply divine interview. My only complaint...is that the next book doesn’t come out til next year! The Haunted Blog Tour sounds wonderful and I can’t wait to follow it. Thank you for taking to the time to talk with me. It was a joy.