DASTARDLY DEEDS AND A WICKED GOOD ONE by Leanna Sain

WICKED WEDNESDAY

Please welcome my guest, Leanna Sain.

Being an author is a special kind of great. What other profession lets you create some really “wicked” characters, let them do their evil deeds and then either punish them like they deserve or else, let them get away with it so they can continue their dastardly deeds? It’s like being a master of your own little universe. Heady stuff, indeed. 

The only downside that I can see is that you tend to get emotionally attached to the characters you birth into being. Even the wicked ones. It’s hard to “kill your darlings,” as William Faulkner urges. Since authors put so much of themselves into their work—yes, even the “baddies”—that it's like killing a little part of yourself each time you need to do it. Masochistic? Maybe…to an extent. 

I’m one of those people who like things to end “happily ever after.” I hate books and movies that leave you hanging, or where you have to make up your own ending. I mean, with all that’s going on in this world, I read or watch a movie to ESCAPE reality. 

Yes, there has to be conflict…lots of it. That’s what makes the story exciting. It needs multiple smaller climaxes, all building to THE MAGNIFICENT CLIMAX, but at the conclusion, all the loose ends need to be tied up to make a satisfying experience. At least that’s my philosophy. 

I tend to write in first person POV. It helps me be in the character's skin, to see through their eyes. Even if I change POV, I'm always seeing, thinking, tasting, smelling, sensing through that character. I sort of like it when it's the bad guy. It’s a way to "act out" without getting in trouble for it. :o) 

Sometimes it makes me feel like I have multiple personality disorder. That happens when the character pushes me out of the driver's seat, and takes over, veering the plot off in an amazing twist I never saw coming. It makes for a more vivid tale, helps readers “become” the character, but it’s a little disorienting. The first time it ever happened, I was startled to find tears running down my cheeks as I typed. I was “feeling” the emotions of my character. To be honest, it freaked me out a little.  

In my newest mystery, Red Curtains, one of my characters is a homeless woman. I know, I know; depressing, right? And what did I know about homelessness? Before I did my research, the answer was, "Not much.” Now, I know way more than I really want to know. The statistics are staggering, but what can we DO about it? Well, readers who buy my book will be helping me help. I’ve decided to donate a portion of book sales to the “Stand Down” program I mention in the book. Raising awareness through an enjoyable read, combined with raising funds for them…it might not be much, but it's something. 

Red Curtains has it all.  Wicked villians? Yes, both the ones you might expect and the ones that surprise you. Wickedly funny scenes? Those too. I’m a romantic comedy lover. I prefer snarky comedy. I expect to have my readers smiling a lot, giggling often, and sometimes even laughing out loud. To top it off, I have some wickedly delicious recipes included at the end of the book. Red Curtains will more than satisfy all your “wicked” needs. For more information about me or my books, visit my website: www.LeannaSain.com

Like my author page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leannasbooks

 

Buy link: http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/all-titles/4594-red-curtains.html