Author Interview with Eddy Lefey

Welcome to Tyler May Books and thank you for taking the time to play with us.

Tyler: What inspired you to start writing?

I always wanted to write. I was pretty good at it in high school. Problem was, my worst critic was… well, me. I couldn’t finish anything I started because I didn’t think it was good enough. I stopped trying.

It took my interest in fanfic and my favorite ship to go on hiatus for me to get the bug again. I had online friends needing a fix, so I published it for all to see. People liked it. I wrote more.

Two friends of mine had decided to write original stuff. They asked me to beta for them and I did. In the course of this, both of them started encouraging me to write my own originals. I did. I submitted one to publishers and it got accepted on the second try.

So, Tyler, I have a lot to thank you and JR Barten for. Don’t I?

Tyler: Can you tell us about your current project?

I have a short story called the Proposal coming out in the Wayward Ink Publishing Anthology Three is Not a Crowd this September. It’s another “throuple” story as I like to it, and it’s about a guy who just received a proposal from his two best friends. He has to convince the three parts of himself, his mind, his heart and his “little friend” that this proposal is right for him.

I also have a few other WIPs on the go.

Tyler: Do you notice a difference in people, good or bad when you tell them what type of books you write?

Most people I’ve told know I was gay, so when I told them I wrote erotic romance they assumed I meant gay romance. Some of my friends were surprisingly skittish about it, but hey… whatever.

I was surprised at the number of people, especially my straight male friends who said they were going to read my novel Loved Cubed… which is the most racey of my works (so far published J)

All in all, a good response, surprisingly.

Tyler: Can you tell us about your writing process?

I’m not the most organized of writers. I liked to call my process “organic”. I don’t write down a detailed outline. I tried that once, and when I started writing the ouline when right out the window. All that work was for naught, so I keep my ideas in my head.

I stew about my ideas a lot. I know that when I’m having difficulties, I will switch to something else and write. In my head, I’m still thinking about the other story, even though I’m concentrating on writing another storyline, which I’ve thought and rethought about.

It’s a messy system, I guess, but it works for me.

Now, once I write something. I will let it sit and then reread it. Changes are inevitable. I will of course let my trusted writer friends read my work and consider their comments.

I’m usually sitting at my computer, but I find that I do work better if I use a mobile device and go sit somewhere else, like under one of my apple trees, or of my back porch.

Tyler: I know trying to pick a favorite character of yours is like trying to pick your favorite child. But if you had the chance to sit down at dinner and converse with one of your characters, who would it be and why? Don’t forget to mention which book he(she) is from.

This is a hard one. I have quite a few characters close to my heart, some of whom I can’t share yet, because the stories aren’t quite done.

If I had to pick, I’d pick Callum. The Guardian angel from my short story the Guardian, which may be coming out on its own soon, but for now can be found in the Wayward Ink Publishing anthology Of Heaven And Hell.

I’d pick him for several reasons. He’s cute. He’s mysterious. He has a direct connection to God. I would ask him what that feels like. I’d ask him if he could describe god to me.

I just think it would be an amazing conversation.

Tyler: Who inspires you, whether professionally or personally?

Now I’m embarrassed. Tyler May inspires me. You know very well, that’s who I’d pick. You’re an amazing writer with great ideas. You’re marketing skills are second to none.

I’ve learned a lot from you, and I know I can learn a more.

Even when you’re struggling, you are an inspiration. You keep me going.

Tyler: I’m a fan girl first, so who is the one author that is a must read for you?

Well, aside from you and JR Barten, I enjoy L.A. Witt. A lot. She’s an amazing writer. I’ve reread the books I’ve read of hers, over and over.

But I can’t list just one.

I’ve done the same with Mercedes Lackey and Marion Zimmer Bradley, who are Sci-fi/fantasy novelist; same with J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling.

There are many more, too many to count or list here.

Tyler: Do you base your characters on real life people?

Yes. All the time. The Characters of Loved Cubed are loosely based on a few people I met in college.

Also, I tend to write in myself as well. If you read my stories, and you knew me, I’m sure you could guess which character was based on me.

I find it cathartic. I tend to write about situations that at one point or another, and to some degree or another, affected me personally.

Tyler: What can we expect from you in the future?

I have several projects on the go. I’m working on another “throuple” novel, tentatively titled “What is Love?” I’m also working on another college themed novel, currently untiled.

Tyler: What’s your advice to new authors that might not have the courage to go for it?

Just do it. I had the advantage of friends pushing me forward. Find a few. They’re out there. There are on-line forums and chat groups aplenty. Join a few. Make friends. Become a beta reader of an established author. You’ll learn a lot.

Most importantly, don’t let your ego keep you down. That little voice inside your head telling you nothing is ever good enough? Stop paying too much attention to it. Be brave. Share your work with others. Constructive criticism is good. Hear it, and work on the things you need to work on. Don’t give up.

Let’s have a little fun!

Speed Round: no thinking and answer the first thing that comes to mind.

Coke or Pepsi? Neither, I hate cola. It makes be sick.

Salty or sweet? Sweet

log cabin or beach house? Log Cabin

kiss or hug? kiss

Walk or run? Walk. It’s slower , but you get to stop and smell the flowers occasionally.

Book or Movie? Book

Wine or Beer? Wine

Favorites: List your favorite to the subject listed.

Pizza topping: cheese, minced turkey/beef/pork, peppers, onions, olives

Movie: E.T

Book: The Lord of the Rings

Television Show: Star Trek: The Next Generation

Song: Halleluiah by Leonard Chen

Sport: Diving

Animal: Tied between cat and dog

Quote: Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

Food: anything with goat cheese

Firsts: Name your firsts.

First love: His name was Daniel

First kiss: her name was Nicole… it was like kissing a sister…

First M/M book: Angel of Darkness by Tyler May

First drink of alcohol(age and kind): I was eighteen. It was legal in Ontario at the time, and it was a Labatt’s blue beer bought by my Dad.

First car: a 1986 Ford Tempest.

First vacation you remember: Camp Mataquak near Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. I was seven. I remember running a away from a swarm of yellow jackets (wasps) that had just swarmed and stung my little brother. It was a terrifying Bugs Bunny moment.

Well that was fun!

Now to finish this blog interview, what can you tell us about yourself that we would want to know?

Let’s see. Almost seven years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer. For a long while, I was in so much discomfort that I could hardly sleep. I started watching videos and playing games at all hours to keep my myself from going crazy. I discovered my favorite gay characters, then FB fan sites, fanfiction, and with them Tyler and Jen. So, must give a thank you to cancer.

Thank you again for stopping by! I know I can NOT wait to read what is coming next from you.