M.Leighton: Nope. Not at all. And yes, tell everyone to watch the stairs. They're tricky. :0
M.Leighton: I'm loving these names BTW. Wonder_woman, I'm hearing your theme music. :)
M.Leighton: And all the lovers! I feel like I'm in the right place:)
LoverTiffany: So..for every question to get answered I’m going to go down the line of people &
call you out to ask a question to our lovely Michelle! :)
M.Leighton: Okay
LoverTiffany: HAHAHA
Wonder_woman: LOL
LoverTiffany: Michelle we're going to start in 3 min? That ok? Some people are experiencing
difficulties.
M.Leighton: Sure, that's fine. Margaritas are welcome, too! I was just too lazy. D
LoverKaren: Tequila
LoverTiffany: Welcome! For those joining I will be calling out your name from the list to ask
your question. Also if you have a longer question (since there is a word limit) please use “…” to
reference you are not speaking. Thank you! :)
Bethanylopez: Hello!
M.Leighton: All right, bring on the questions! Hi, Bethany! *waves* Got your wine?
LoverTiffany: Alright and we are starting! First off thank you all for joining us!! We're super
excited!
M.Leighton: Hi everybody!!!!!
LoverTiffany: Those joining I will be calling each of you for a question to avoid chaos haha
:) Adriane, what's your first question for Michelle?
Adriane_taitboyd: My question... Do you prefer to cast before you write a new book, during or
after?
M.Leighton: Adriane, I cast as I go. I usually have at least the two main characters in my head,
but everyone else just sort of pops up as the story goes. I write them down and develop them as
they come up.
M.Leighton: *excited giggle* I AM! i typed right up until this chat began! I'm so, so excited!!
Adriane_taitboyd: O.o Yes, you can share any time you're ready, M. LOL!
Bethanylopez: Hints...
M.Leighton: Hmmm, how about the first line of the blurb. I think it says quite a bit.
LoverRosette: YES!!!!
LoverKaren: Please.
Adriane_taitboyd: Absolutely!
M.Leighton: One girl. Two brothers. In a love triangle...that's not. LOL Is that confusing?
LoverTiffany: HAHAH ^
Adriane_taitboyd: You know it never ends good if brothers are involved. :-/
M.Leighton: It is about 2 twins named Cash and Nash. Cash is a baaaaad boy, Nash is not. But
let me tell you, there is a twist in this story that you will never see coming!
LoverTiffany: Awwwww!!! I like it already!!
Adriane_taitboyd: Cash and Nash... Can we place our dibs now or do we have to wait???
M.Leighton: The guys' mother had a thing for Nashville. Obviously:) I am in love already! It's
crazy!
Adriane_taitboyd: She's not telling y'all the truth. The female's name is Adriane. SHH!
LoverTiffany: HAHAH i was going to say the same thing too!! “I bet her name is Tiffany!”
M.Leighton: I am shooting for sometime around the first part of October. The first or second
Tuesday
LoverRosette: Yippee!
Adriane_taitboyd: WOO!
C_mk_brookshire: Yes!
Teresamaryrose: *eeep* October isn't too far... I think I'll make it.
M.Leighton: I'll put out some REALLY good teasers soon! I'm so excited!
C_mk_brookshire: Yes.. So why UGA? I get excited when authors use places from where I am.
LoverTiffany: :)
M.Leighton: For the most part, I write what I know. And I know the South. And I love
Georgia!!
LoverTiffany: ^ !!!! :)
M.Leighton: And the cover! OMG I can't wait to show you the cover.
C_mk_brookshire: YES ^^
Teresamaryrose: ^^^^^ hahahaha The Wild Ones made me wanna leave NYC
LoverRosette: :-)
M.Leighton: Yes, there sure will, Teresamaryrose. If you're interested in participating, just EM
me!
Wonder_woman: :)
LoverKaren: :)
Batgirl: :D
Adriane_taitboyd: Guess what cover will go onto my FB timeline?! OOOooo... Can you share the
title or...is it too early?
M.Leighton: I haven't settled on a title yet. It usually arises from the book itself, so...it'll come
along here any time now, I'm sure:)
Adriane_taitboyd: Woo!
M.Leighton: LoverKaren, I think I'm just now really finding my comfort zone, so I think
probably a more mature version of either paranormal romance or contemp romance is easier. Did
that answer your question? Or did I read that incorrectly? Forgive me if I do that. Just let me
know what you mean and I'll answer again:) I'm easy breezy:)
Loverofbooks: What or who inspired Trick's character? Was he difficult/easy to write? Why?
M.Leighton: Trick actually came to me based on his personality and i was like WOW, I can't
write a guy named Trick! But then I thought it could be short for Patrick. His personality was
clear as a bell to me and Trick fit it as if he was truly born with it. For that reason, he was very
easy to write. I enjoyed writing TWO more than I have most projects. It was incredible fun.
Adriane_taitboyd: Seriously, I will never look at the name Patrick the same way again. LOL!
Teresamaryrose: I think I speak for lots of people when I say.... we adore Trick!
M.Leighton: Thank you!! I'm so glad he resonated with y'all the way he did with me! That's
what.
LoverTiffany: HAHAHAH I know now I'll look at a Patrick and think, can I nickname him Trick
yay or nay?
M.Leighton: I truly hope there are some Tricks out there b/c DANG!!! Hehe
Adriane_taitboyd: If there isn't, then you've set the standard and raised them, M.!
M.Leighton: LOL Adriane, men will kill me for doing that! LOL Rosette, I was a nurse before I
quit to write full time. :) hehe
M.Leighton: I've done a little bit of everything, in and out of the medical field. I had to grow into
my true calling, I think. Or at least I HOPE this is my calling:)
LoverRosette: Do you think that nursing helped with connecting to your characters
LoverTiffany: *hugs
M.Leighton: I like to think so. I think the compassion that most people in the nursing field
innately possess helps me to really FEEL what my characters are feeling. Or at least enough to
write something about it. I try to get inside their head and feel it then convey it to y'all.
Adriane_taitboyd: Well, I know that you channeled that nursing into Fragile. Holy crapola! I
think I cried…through more than half that book!
M.Leighton: That story haunted me until I wrote it. I could almost see Miracle in my head!
M.Leighton: Me, too!! :) Gravity's next book will be out a little ways. I am trying not to plan
too far ahead b/c something (namely a book) always comes up and gets in the way. :D LOL
M.Leighton: Right? And I hate to disappoint by not keeping a date, so... I don't set very many:)
Teresamaryrose: Are you planning any more Trick and Cami? Or maybe a spinoff with Jenna?
M.Leighton: hehe I know how that goes! I am definitely planning more! The thing I am still
debating is to give Trick and Cami…
LoverKaren: Free Horse advice!
M.Leighton: another book or to just see them through Rusty and Jenna's eyes.
LoverKaren: Have real life horse whisper could pick his brain
M.Leighton: Karen, I will come calling when I have questions next time! I guarantee! I wish I
had known that sooner!!! Like two months ago. :D
Teresamaryrose: Ohhhh YAY.... either way you write it I’m sure it will be great.
M.Leighton: I've fleshed out a bit of a story for Rusty and Jenna and I'm really excited about it!
They are such interesting, vivacious characters, I think it will be so much fun!!
Vaawilliams: Hi! Vicki here. How detailed of a draft do you write out before continuing on
w/book & how long does it take you to finish a book?
M.Leighton: I write until the book is done. I tend to write fairly clean and refine as I go, so that
my first draft is actually the one that gets a final edit and goes out to ARCs. As for finishing a
book, it's never the same. I wrote one in 14 days, one in 21 days and then one took a full 3
months.
Vaawilliams: So no outline first?
M.Leighton: I don't outline or plot or anything like that. i sit down and I write.
Vaawilliams: Wow that's amazing! The stories must really speak to you then.
M.Leighton: They really do! I think about them all the time during a book. I make little post it
note about things as they come up and, by the end of the book, I have a disaster! LOL
Adriane_taitboyd: I do that too, M! I'd just like to go on the record and say that if you ever
change the cover for...The Reaping, I will cry!
M.Leighton: It's like living with a bunch of roommates for a couple months. I love it!
M.Leighton: LOL Adriane, I think that one is staying just the way it is:D
Lynnrose: I've been reading "The Wild Ones. How did Trick and his story come to you?
Adriane_taitboyd: I can't resist looking at that cover, just because it freaks me out. LOL! I LOVE
it!
M.Leighton: Lynnrose, the story actually began as a story about a wild, rebellious girl and he
was the responsible one. But as I wrote them they had their own idea of who they were and Cami
ended up just being trapped when she didn't even know she was trapped. Until Trick came
along. He breathed life into her, even as I typed. It was an amazing book to write! It really was!
LoverTiffany: Theresa Forrest (@jelly848y) asks: Where did the cowboy/girl influence come
from &...is Trick modeled after someone you know?
M.Leighton: @jelly848y, the influence actually came from the song Wild Horses by the
Sundays. I knew Trick had to work with horses and guys like that tend to have a certain...feel
about them. Like a cowboy. And it spoke so much to the way they feel about each other. We've
probably all loved someone we thought wild horses couldn't drag us away from
LoverTiffany: 2nd Twitteer question: Dymps (@_dymps_) asks "how Tricks mom took the news
that they were back together at the end and then engaged? It was always a question unanswered
for me!"
Adriane_taitboyd: You mean guys like that have a certain amount of HOTNESS! LOL!
M.Leighton: The wine is fine, huh, Bethany? :) Yes, Adriane! LMAO @_dymps_ That is
something I will address in the next book, but I can tell you that she doesn't take it well. She will
be a significant obstacle for them. But nothing insurmountable. :)
LoverTiffany: Neda (@aminineda) asks, "Have you ever considered writing a sequel to Fragile?"
M.Leighton: His love for her outweighed that of anyTHING and anyONE in his life. She is
every thing to him.
M.Leighton: @aminineda No, I never considered a sequel to Fragile, but I have often considered
doing…
LoverTiffany: AND I LOVE HARDY TOO *blows kiss & hug & more kisses
M.Leighton: novellas that sort of "peek" in on my characters after the last book. Like in The
Reckoning and with Hardy and Miracle.
Lynnrose: Got to admit here that Jackson also is one of my fave book boyfriends!
Bethlehman: Ms. Glitter-awesome I want to know your writing process. Do you do it all by hand
and transfer or type?
LoverTiffany: You will make us all EVEN HAPPIER IF YOU DECIDE TO! :)
LoverTiffany: Hahaha
LoverRosette: MODC30 We have someone on Twitter if you are unable to connect to ask a
question.
LoverTiffany: Ok I'll be going down the list and will call on each for a question :)
Adriane_taitboyd: Come back to me, I need to go make dinner. Dirty looks abound from my son!
LoverTiffany: Haha got it! Bethany?
Bethanylopez: What would you say your favorite part about being an Indie Author is? Or thing...
M.Leighton: Freedom. I can write about what I want, at the speed I want. I can pick the cover I
want and the blurb I want and the price I want. The only down sides, to me, are not being able to
reach bookstores with ease, not having help with some peripheral stuff and not having a
limo. What's that? They don't all get limos? Then scratch that. LMAO
M.Leighton: ;)
M.Leighton: Nah, there are many good aspects to both. I can't say I would never go traditional if
all the conditions were right. There are many benefits to both. I love 'em all!
Bethanylopez: Yes, but you are doing Freakin' Amazing all on your own!
LoverTiffany: Shanna (@shanna319) wants to know if there will be a Catepillar sequel. She loves
Trent!
LoverTiffany: HAHAHA!! Ok now I’ll be like Michelle are you hiding in the Land of Leighton?
Bethlehman: Do you have some chocolate dipped rainbows to go with that? Hahahaha
M.Leighton: And that will mean that the drawbridge is up and the moat is full of alligators. :D
Taste the rainbow!
Bethlehman: Yes! I want to know about how long it takes you to write a rough draft?
M.Leighton: Bethlehman, it varies. There have been a few oddities where I've had rough draft
done in 2 weeks, but that isn't the norm. I'd say on average it's a month to a month and a half.
M.Leighton: Bethlehman, I have only ever tried to work from an outline once. It was when I first
started out. My second book actually. I thought that was what I was supposed to do. By the third
chapter, it was nothing like my outline and I never did it again. It was a huge waste of time for
me. LOL I'm sure other people do much better that way, but not me. I might be faster, but my
creativity flows more naturally without one.
LoverTiffany: that's so incredible that it all just comes to you like that
Bethlehman: haha. I hear you. I didn't with my first but with the one I am doing now I am having
to some preplanning to drop the bread crumbs, so to speak.
M.Leighton: Sometimes I can even plan a simple scene and it turns out differently. That
happened in the book I'm working on now. I was like what the what??
Bethanylopez: That's always the best! Haha. I love when that happens. I find I get more depth if I
write by hand first.
Bethlehman: but I know others who only type. I think it's so cool how everyone works
differently.
M.Leighton: It's very different for everyone. I think no two authors write the same way. Yeah, I
only type. Other than post it notes.
LoverKaren: Which male lead did you have the hardest time writing? Is it easier to write a
paranormal guy or contemporary one?
M.Leighton: I should buy stock in 3M. No lie. I go through packs of those things.
M.Leighton: Karen, my hardest male MC was probably *thinks* Jackson I guess. He's so stand
offish at times. I'm not that way at all and it's hard for me to write him sometimes. For me, I
want him to do or say something that would be totally out of character for him. It's a fine line.
Loverofbooks1: What character have you written thus far you would say has the most of "you" in
them & why?
M.Leighton: Overall, I think contemp guys are inherently easier b'c they don't have all thes
extraneous creatures and problems that the "real world" doesn't encounter. Good question,
Loverofbooks. I'd say that Cami and Trick both have the most of me in them. I think. I let
myselfgo a lot with their personalities and their dialogue. In many cases, I totally I can totally see
that. abandoned good grammar for the sake of keeping in character. That was more like I think in
my head versus the way I know it should be written.
M.Leighton: Fire!
LoverTiffany: Heather (@javalotta) wants to know if there will be a third Fallen book or was she
told wrong.
M.Leighton: @javalotta I have considered doing a third book, but if I do, it will likely be a
novella.
LoverTiffany: YOU SEE Michelle! We just need you to keep writing and writing sequels!
hahaWE can't get enough!
M.Leighton: I love the thought of checking up on them to see where they are and what they're
doing, but I don't know if there will ever be another full length novel for them:)
M.Leighton: I love it! It's job security I hope!! LOL Y'all, please forgive my spelling. My
fingernails are too long, but I don't want to cut them short before Decatur. I’m so stupid!
LoverRosette: Can you tell who does that art for your cover?
M.Leighton: LoverRosette, with the exception of one cover, I do all my own cover work. The
pics are stock art, of course, but I do the covers. Is that what you meant?
LoverRosette: Many talents. Who is the male model for the Wild ones?
Bethanylopez: Gosh, I wish I could go to Decatur!!! :(
LoverRosette: Hahaha
M.Leighton: If you mean a specific photographer, I have many! LOL Me, too,
Bethany!!!!!!!! As for the male model for TWO, I have no clue! But if I ever find out, I am going
to pay him to do some modeling for me!!!!
LoverTiffany: WOW!!
LoverRosette: Hahaha
M.Leighton: Done!
Lynnrose: Yes.
M.Leighton: I'm loving this and ALL y'all for showing up! So awesome.
M.Leighton: My next event will be a signing with Shelly Crane and Amy Bartol and Georgia
Cates. Lynnrose, there will DEFINITELY be more Madly! I plan to do at least 3 more books.
Lynnrose: :-)
LoverTiffany: Amazing!
M.Leighton: Yes! More Jackson! To tie up the overarching theme, I'll have to have at least that
many, maybe a couple more. Depends on how it all plays out.
M.Leighton: Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
LoverTiffany: Is Vaawilliams still there? She's up and then you're next Adriane :)
Vaawilliams: I just love how much you interact with us in the twitter community and show your
appreciation!
Vaawilliams: I find it very endearing and draws me to your books. I loved TWO, what should I
ready next?
LoverRosette: Ditto
Vaawilliams: Contemp.
M.Leighton: As for my stuff, I only have one other contemp, called Fragile. But I have a number
of other authors I'd be happy to recommend. I do loves you MADLY.
:D Vaawilliams, if you WANT to try paranormal, I have two for free right now. They are Blood
Like Poison and Madly.
Naomi_hopkins: It’s Naomi from Aus!! I just dumped the kids at school and rushed back!! I
made it!!
M.Leighton: Naomiiiiiiiii!
Naomi_hopkins: Hey Michelle!!
M.Leighton: Vaawilliams, I hope you love whatever you try! And please let me know!!!!
Adriane_taitboyd: And you should add Darkride by Laura Rede Bradley to your list as well,
Vaawilliams!
Adriane_taitboyd: How did the family take it when you announced that you would be leaving
your job to write full-time?
M.Leighton: Believe it or not, they were very supportive. They have all watched me struggle
with trying to fit into a "normal" job, so they were supportive of me trying something that might
make me happy:) I have a phenomenal support system!
Adriane_taitboyd: Aw! That is so wonderful!!! People still look at me like I'm half crazy when
they ask what I do and I tell them.
M.Leighton: Well, it's not to say that people don't snicker when I tell them I'm a writer. They
think I piddle at it and only THINK I'm a writer. Some people treat me like I'm delusional. hehe
Adriane_taitboyd: LOL! The ladies in my doctor's office are ecstatic that I'm a writer. LOL!
M.Leighton: Be sure to show some love to the Dentist's office ladies, too. ;)
LoverRosette: :-) Naomi do you have a question?
Naomi_hopkins: Can you tell us where there's an incident that occurred in the wild ones that
actually happened to you Michelle?
M.Leighton: LOL Good question, Naomi! And very perceptive. I was actually thrown from a
horse once as a child...Not in those circumstances, of course, but still...
Naomi_hopkins: Haha!!
LoverTiffany: Oh really!?
M.Leighton: It was! There was a storm coming and lightning struck a tree behind us and scared
the horse half to death.
Naomi_hopkins: It's great that you can use personal experiences in your writing!
M.Leighton: I've only been on a few since then. LOL I guess, as much as I think I DON'T do it,
no writer can really help but pull from bits and pieces of their life and their personality.
LoverTiffany: Ok anyone have any last questions, raise your hand please haha.
Adriane_taitboyd: I had a bruise on my booty for quite a while. Guess he either didn't like my
jeans or was curious as to what my butt tasted like!
LoverTiffany: The #lovers have a bonus round. ;)
M.Leighton: LMAO
LoverTiffany: HAHAHA
LoverTiffany: Ok the lovers have lightning questions for you Michelle, ready?
Naomi_hopkins: Will we meet Trick again in any future books, even if it is small?
LoverKaren: Next year can you schedule in RWA in July,? I will buy the first round.
LoverTiffany: Rosette :)
M.Leighton: Waffles with peanut butter and syrup. Don't say a word until you try it. :D
Bethlehman: I have. It’s good.
Naomi_hopkins: Haha!!
LoverTiffany: Elizabeth?
LoverElizabeth: what's your favorite drink and what's your favorite place to drink it?
LoverTiffany: ;)
M.Leighton: For whatever reason, Red Lobster has the best pina coladas (and sunset coladas)
I've ever tasted and nobody else can make them that way. NOBODY! Is that weird?
LoverRosette: Waiting...
Bethlehman: That's the way the margaritas are here in Nashville. I'll have to take you next year.
Bethlehman: Interesting.
M.Leighton: OMG! I am so gonna find that stuff! It is the best EVER! Thank you!!!
LoverElizabeth: I like the peach. I always have a Peach daiquiri or bellini every time I go.
LoverRosette: Yummy!
LoverTiffany: WHAT?! There’s almond joy ice cream?! HAHA you shocked us all! Haha
M.Leighton: We have a little ice cream shop down here that puts marshmallow cream in the
mixes for their ice cream and they make all sorts of wild flavors. That stuff is TO DIE FOR!!!
It's called Brusters! Thank you Elizabeth! I'm favoriting that now!!
LoverElizabeth: www.islandoasis.com
LoverElizabeth: I've been to one in Charleston...I had to move away, it was sin!
M.Leighton: You won't regret it! I hope it's the same place!!!
Naomi_hopkins: We have Cold Rock in Aus, they can put your fave choc, lollies, nuts in any flav
ice cream, they mix it all together right there for you.
M.Leighton: We have Cold Stone Creamery here, Naomi. They usually have choc cake batter,
too.
Adriane_taitboyd: I am hitting up Bruster's when I get to GA! I freaking miss that place!!!
Naomi_hopkins: Australia.
LoverTiffany: OMG I haven't been to Coldstone in so long!! Stop Michelle! Stop!! Haha
M.Leighton: If they have one and it's the same place, we need to go!!! Did I mention that I love
to eat? LMAO Like I needed to, right? Hahaha
Adriane_taitboyd: I stop at Cold Stone every time I go to the mall! LOVE their cotton candy ice
cream!
M.Leighton: I've already told hubby we are off to get some ice cream in a few. :D
Naomi_hopkins: Me too, and it's still breaky time for me!! Sounds like a good start to my day!!
Adriane_taitboyd: OOOOhhhh and if y'all shop at Kroger, you need to get their Caramel Praline!
So yummy!!
LoverTiffany: Jess :)
Bethanylopez: I like the Pistaccio Almond, but that cake batter sounds yummy
M.Leighton: I love cologne, but for whatever reason, every guy I've ever really been involved
with has never worn it. How bizarre is that? Maybe they have tons of pheromones. :D
Bethlehman: If you had to choose between chocolate or coffee, which one could you not live
without?
Wonder_woman: LOL
LoverTiffany: Haha ;)
Bethlehman: Pistachio.
LoverTiffany: Jessica
M.Leighton: Other people would probably like me better WITH coffee. LOL
Bethlehman: Bethany if you ever go to Florence, Italy. They have killer pistachio gelato.
Adriane_taitboyd: Clinique Happy for Men. If y'all have never smelled it on a man, you're totally
missing out!
Naomi_hopkins: I'm not a big Coffee fan, so it'd be choc for me!!
M.Leighton: Yikes! Probably The Anchorman and Will Ferrell. But I love so many others...
GAH! Tiffany, I'm not sure that's a fair question. Hehe just kidding.
Adriane_taitboyd: Stop lying, M! You know your favorite actor is Jensen Ackles! LOL!
LoverTiffany: Haha ;)
Naomi_hopkins: Mmm, Clinique makes great perfume. I have some of the Ladies stuff
Bethanylopez: Oh, I Looove Italy and their gelato! There is nothing like it!
M.Leighton: Favorite book written by someone else would be Wolf and the Dove. It's a long
time favorite that introduced me to romance. I will forever love it.
Adriane_taitboyd: Clinique is the only perfume I can wear. Everything else gives me a terrible
headache.
Bethlehman: No kidding. I had some every day when I was studying there.
M.Leighton: That's quite all right. It's been so much fun! Thank you so much for having me and
for all those who joined in!!! I love and appreciate every one of y'all!!
LoverTiffany: Thank you all SO SO SO MUCH for joining us!! Thank you Michelle for taking
time and chatting w/ your number 1 fans!! We adore you!!
Bethanylopez: If you could meet another writer, who would it be? *Wink* *Nudge*
Bethlehman: Thanks for hosting this and being your awesome self M.
M.Leighton: Bye, y'all!! Hope to see you / chat with you soon!!
LoverElizabeth: Thank you Michelle! I really had a good time just watching and learning!
Bethanylopez: Night.
LoverRosette: Thanks so much Michelle for doing this with is. I think this was very successful