Today, we’re speaking with Inkubator Books’ author Leah Cupps. Leah Cupps is the author of One Last Bite and You Are Not Alone.
Inkubator Books: When did you start writing?
Leah Cupps: I started writing just after my fortieth birthday. I received James Patterson’s Masterclass as a birthday gift. Taking his course is what really inspired me to start writing. Before that, I was an avid reader, but never thought it was possible that I could actually write my own novel. Once I started writing, I knew it was something I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life.
IB: What does a typical day of writing look like for you?
LC: I like to write in short bursts, for a few hours a day. I actually dictate much of the first draft of my novels. I’ll often find myself driving to pick my kids up from school, while dictating a chapter for a novel into my phone. Getting the story down that way can go very quickly. Then I spend a lot of time editing on my computer, usually the next day after the I’ve had time to let the ideas percolate in my head.
IB: Do you base your characters off people you know or are they all the product of your imagination?
LC: Most of my characters are solely from my imagination. However, inspiration for those characters can come from anywhere, from my next door neighbor to a character I’ve seen in a movie.
IB: What’s the most difficult part of your writing process?
LC: The most difficult part of the writing process for me is navigating the middle of the story. Usually I have a twist or an ending I am working towards as I write the story. Because I know where I am going, I tend to rush through the middle of the story, so I often have to tell myself to slow down and let the characters have room to develop.
IB: What comes first for you – plot or characters?
LC: The plot comes first along with the story idea or twist. For me, part of the fun of writing the story is to see how the characters develop inside of that idea. It’s so interesting to me when I get towards the end of the story to see how the characters have come to life.
IB: Which of your books is your favorite? Why?
LC: I don’t have enough books under my belt to have a clear favorite. However, in One Last Bite, it was fun to live vicariously through Sadie as she achieved her dream of becoming a chef. I enjoy cooking, and I love gourmet food so I enjoyed playing with that part of the story.
IB: How would you describe your ideal reader?
LC: My ideal reader is someone who loves a quick paced, psychological thriller with a juicy twist.
IB: What are you doing when you aren’t writing?
LC: Spending time with my three kids and my husband. I also have two e-commerce businesses that I run with my husband as well as a hobby farm where we keep our horses. Between the kids, the businesses, the farm and my writing obsession, life stays pretty busy!
IB: What does your writing space look like?
LC: I have a home office with a beautiful wooded view. I do most of my editing there. But as I mentioned earlier, I often dictate chapters while I’m driving in my car, too.
IB: Have you ever traveled to research for a book?
LC: I’ve never traveled specifically to research a book. However, I travel often with my family and several of my books have been inspired by those adventures.
IB: What genres do you like to read? Who are some of your favorite authors?
LC: I like to read psychological thrillers, domestic thrillers and crime novels. I also enjoy historical fiction from time to time.
IB: How do you come up with names for your characters?
LC: A lot of the first names for characters come from people I’ve met. I don’t have a specific naming strategy, just whatever comes in my head and seems to fit the character.
IB: What was your favorite childhood book?
LC: I had a series of Indiana Jones books when I was a kid that I loved. I’ve always been a big fan of the film series.
IB: Have you ever abandoned a book you were writing? How did you know it was the right thing to do?
LC: No, even if it wasn’t working, I’ll finish the book and then rewrite it. As a personal motto, once I commit to something, I finish it.
IB: Do you have any tips for first-time authors?
LC: Finish your manuscript! Even if you feel your writing is terrible, get your thoughts down on paper and ask someone for feedback (preferably a great editor).
IB: Who inspires you?
LC: I’m inspired by a lot of different authors like Dan Brown, James Patterson, Freida McFadden and Kiersten Modglin. I love to see established authors continue to succeed and new authors break into the market.
IB: Do you have any pets?
LC: We have three dogs and five horses.
IB: How do you approach your genre in a unique way?
LC: I try to come up with interesting settings that are perhaps different than what you’d find in most psychological thrillers. For example, One Last Bite was set in a gourmet restaurant.
IB: How do you manage the “whodunit” aspects of your story as far as clues and revelations? Do you outline?
LC: I typically have a rough outline when I start writing. I use that to navigate through the story, but a lot of clues and revelations happen organically. It’s really fun to arrive at the end of the story and go back and knit together all the clues so that they make sense.
IB: How do you relax?
LC: I enjoy a glass of wine and a delicious meal with my husband.
IB: Who are your first readers when you write a new book?
LC: I usually have a developmental editor read my first draft.
Thanks to Leah Cupps for sitting down with us today.
Want to read Leah Cupps books? Check out Leah Cupps’ titles on Amazon.
You can find her at the following places:
Website: www.leahcupps.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leahcuppsauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leahcuppsauthor
