LeeAnne Hansen Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Well, LeeAnne Hansen is actually two people. There is me, LeeAnne and Hansen. He writes under the name (when solo) as Dr. Oolong Seemingly. We met while working in a warehouse (him running customer service, and me running Logistics. We managed merchandise for over 50 bands. Our biggest band was Bon Jovi.
How many hours a day do you write?
Oolong said Hours written per day fluctuates depending on freelance writing I’m engaged in as well as writing needed for my part-time job or various contests I enter. Ideally 10-15 hrs. per week. LeeAnne- My career has taken off narrating audiobooks, so hours writing is a lot less than I would like. I am hoping to find time soon. So I would say a couple of hours a week but wish I had more hours in a day.
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
We have 3 1/2 books as LeeAnne Hansen (co-writes), 1 childrens book ( All Things I Can Do) as Lilly Rowe. 3 novels as Dr. Oolong Seemingly, 1 collection of short stories edited and some written as D.H. Larry, 1 co-write as Larry D. Hansen w/Carole Marie and two partially started new novels one by Dr. Oolong Seemingly, one as LeeAnne Hansen (co-write).
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Goodness, if we have a lot of time to work, I would say (edited and proofed and ready to publish) Two months. Where did you get the idea for your recent book? Ideas spring from many different sources – things I see on the internet, read in mags hear on the radio, or overheard in conversation. Many of my friends are very creative so just shooting the shit with them brings up all kinds of thoughts to explore. Although LeeAnne did have dream that led her to one of the beginning scenes of Yonder.
LeeAnne Hansen How did you develop your plots?
We only plot very loosely, preferring to be as surprised as the reader to what’s going to happen next. The characters enter the story and take over. Sometimes they even name themselves. Other times I scan a list of names on the internet, especially if it’s a foreign based or time period-based story. Fantasy and Sci-fi stories are the most fun because you can make up whatever you want and no one can argue.
How do you select the names of your characters?
They just kind-a-walk in and tell us their name. It is like they were waiting for us to remember them. If you didn’t write, what would you do for work? For Oolong: If I didn’t write I’d either be in a band or a radio DJ. And for LeeAnne, she runs an after school drama program and narrates audiobooks, so I guess she would seek to fill that missing whole in those projects but it would be a tough whole to fill.
How did you get inspired to write your recent book?
For me, it was a Rock-n-Roll Horror anthology (Rock-n-Roll Nightmares, Do You Fear Like We Do?) I wrote a whole comedy piece where I took real experiences from my Merchandise days and set the lead as a Merch Girl vending at a concert and chaos happens. It’s groovy.
LeeAnne Hansen What is your favorite childhood book?
For Oolong- My favorite early childhood book was Harold and the Purple Crayon. Later I loved The Hardy Boys series and Encyclopedia Brown series.. The book that influenced me most as a writer was The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. His story telling style was so poetic and succinct and the way he wove different stories into a unified tapestry was very inspiring. LeeAnne- Peter Pan and 1984.
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction? What are you currently working on?
We are working on Beyond, our third novel in the Southern Haunting Series. Also have some ideas we are tossing back and forth.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
Not too swayed by reviews at this point. I’m writing for that person (or hopefully persons) who really connect with what I’m doing. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer? I would say Chasity Bowlin and Eve Silver. I have narrated audiobooks for them but came to them as a fan. They just blew me away and taught me so much!
What’s your advice for aspiring writers?
My advice to writers is read and write as much as you can. Also develop a tough skin because people are going to be mean at times and no one escapes that. Also write what you want to write don’t try to write for the current fad, it’ll change before you even start. I have a phrase that I say to myself a lot, “The hardest part of doing something, is doing it.” Lights that fire to get me to complete what I am working on.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
The best money I ever spent as a writer was buying the lifetime subscription to ProWriting Aid – a self-editor and story analyzer. Invaluable!
How to Make Money Online Quick with a Niche Blog?
What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Getting the stories out of our head! lol. Also, that wonderful moment when everything falls in place and right as if taken by a muse. We call it Channeling. Will you have a new book coming out soon? We are hoping to have Beyond release sometime later this year. It is a good story. Part of us are sad, since we have fallen love with these characters but it will be great to see how resolve their issues and ghosts.
What is your preferred method to have readers get in touch with or follow you (i.e., website, personal blog, Facebook page, Goodreads, etc.) and link(s)?
We have our website, www.LeeAnneHansenBooks.com for my narration work, www.LillianYves.com and for Dr. Oolong, www.ZenRage.com
What you want to say about our website?
It is a great site for writers and offers so much helpful advice and guidance. A true jewel!