Interview with an Author featuring Leslie O’Sullivan

Scroll to the bottom for a special surprise!

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is Leslie O’Sullivan! Her debut book, Pink Guitars and Falling Stars (Rockin’ Fairy Tales Book 1) released January 6th 2022.

What inspired you to start writing?

I adore stories. I’ve been a bookworm my whole life as well as a huge movie fan. Imagining myself in the stories I loved set me on a course to create my own characters and journeys.

What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

I am a Post-it notes hoarder. Color-coding the scenes, beats, turning points, etc. for each book is my happy place. I create a new color palette for every new story. Full disclosure, I’m also a journal collector, and yes, they are color coordinated to match each individual Post-it palette.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I wrote and queried four YA novels which were fantastic learning experiences, before switching to adult romance. PINK GUITARS AND FALLING STARS, my Rapunzel/Romeo and Juliet mashup, started out as a YA novel and then “matured” into an adult romance. I have a soft spot in my heart for PINK GUITARS AND FALLING STARS since it is my debut novel. As of now, I’ve written four adult romances with four more in the works, all of which will be published by the awesomeness that is City Owl Press.

How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?

World building is one of my favorite aspects of storytelling. I come from a theatrical design background and use the same design process as I would to create scenery or a lighting design for stage when I craft my worlds. Tapping into subtext and character motivations are a large part of my process when creating an environment and its moving parts. The emotional response of color and texture are an integral part of my world building as well. I will sketch images, locations, and create mood boards to find the right tone and synergy for the story I am telling. I even draft floor plans if I want to dig specifically into the lay of the land. If it’s a fantasy or sci-fi world, I work to embed connections to the now, so readers can build relationships with the new reality I present in my stories.

Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?

I am a debut author, so I’ve just begun forming relationships with readers. I’ve had a blast meeting people at virtual launch parties for other authors and through contests. It’s been a thrill to see sweet reviews pop up from folks I’ve never met. I’d love to hang out with some book clubs and chat. I’m really looking forward to this being the beginning of lots of future interactions with readers.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Fairy tales and myths have always been at the top of my list for inspiration. I’m a happily ever after kind of gal which makes writing and reading romance such a joy. The Lord of the Rings is my favorite saga of all time – Aragorn and Arwen SWOON. I’m a huge fangirl of the Outlander series as well – Jamie and Claire DOUBLE SWOON. My theater background sparked my love of Shakespeare.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

I love the challenge of peeking into every corner of a fictional world to see what gold nuggets are waiting for me to discover. Any character in a novel’s world has their own story to tell that can lead to delicious surprises. Writing romance is always a fresh hug to me. I indulge my hopelessly romantic side, exploring the many different ways, likely and unlikely of people falling in love.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

The next book in the “Rockin’ Fairy Tales,” series out this summer is GILDED BUTTERFLY, a King Midas and the Golden Touch/King Lear mashup, centered around a reality television show, starring a musical trio of Hollywood influencer sisters who happen to be witches. The first book in my “Behind the Scenes” series, HOT SET, will release in the fall. It’s the story of a fashion catalog copy writer who lands an assistant’s job on the writing staff of a television drama based on a wildly popular series of period romance novels and happens to catch the amorous attention of the show’s super heart-throbby star.

What advice would you give to other authors?

This one is easy peasy. NEVER give up. The writing journey as well as any creative endeavor requires a thick skin and patience. Surround yourself with friends and co-authors who can relate to your path, support you, and share in your successes. Never lose sight of joy in the writing itself.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

At the root of all my stories is a fairy tale vibe, whether it’s an actual fairy tale retelling, or a real-life fairy tale flavored journey. It’s an honor and a dream come true to have my stories out in the world. I so appreciate readers, reviewers, and the new friends I’m making on social media. Thank you all so much. Let’s keep this party going! Huge hugs to The Literary Vixen for this opportunity to chat for a spell.

 

Thank you Leslie O’Sullivan for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her release, Pink Guitars and Falling Stars today!

~Synopsis~

Zeli’s signature pop diva sound and image are nothing short of magical—literally. Her fame comes with hidden costs, a curse that could ruin her voice forever.

Aspiring indie musician, Justin MacKenzie, is determined to kick it to the top of the Rampion Records’ Summer Number One professional vs. amateur singing competition.

The favorite to beat in the annual televised contest is none other than the label’s smoking hot superstar, Zeli, whose crazy extensions flow the length of a football field. Those ridiculous extensions, coupled with her bubblegum brand of pop, are an affront to everything Justin loves about music until a stolen kiss blazes into a romantic encounter.

Once inside Zeli’s world, Justin discovers things are not as they seem. In their quest to allow the real Zeli, to step into the spotlight, the pair must confront the mysterious force behind the dazzle of Rampion’s success. If these star-crossed lovers can’t rally their own magic to defeat the darkness, they will lose everything—including each other.

Leslie O’Sullivan is the author of Rockin’ Fairy Tales, an adult romance series of Shakespeare/fairy tale mash ups set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s music scene. The first book in the series, PINK GUITARS AND FALLING STARS, a Rapunzel/Romeo & Juliet story is available now from the Mystic Owl imprint of City Owl Books. Coming this fall is her Behind the Scenes contemporary romance series that peeks into the off-camera secrets of a wildly popular television drama. She’s a UCLA Bruin with a BA and MFA from their Department of Theater where she also taught for years on the design faculty. Her tenure in the world of television was as the assistant art director on “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” Leslie is a California girl who loves to indulge her fangirl side at cons.

https://linktr.ee/LeslieOSullivanWrites

GIVEAWAY!!!

The amazing Leslie O’Sullivan is offering a special giveaway!

A random winner will win:

A signed paperback of Pink Guitars and Falling Stars!

To enter:

Sign up for Leslie’s Newsletter (link is in her Linktree)

Tag her on social media and say you heard about her on The Literary Vixen

Giveaway will run until March 17th