Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Years ago I was cleaning house and I thought I can change the sheets or write a book. I have no idea where that thought came from, but I wrote a book. It was a terrible book, but it ignited my passion.
How do you make time to write?
I get up early every morning and write while the house is quiet. Then I tend to my other stuff.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
No. Nora Roberts spoke at a conference and said (and I’m paraphrasing…) if you wait for the muse to strike, there is no muse. It’s just ‘sit your butt in the chair and write.”
Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.
I write romance – historical, historical paranormal, romantic suspense, crossover. I guess I just love love and a happily ever after.
How are you publishing your recent book and why? (*e.g. Indie, traditional, or both)
I’ve written fourteen books so far and I’ve published both traditionally and indie. I think I’ll try traditional again and if that doesn’t work out, I’ll self-publish.
Are you an Introvert or Extrovert? How does this affect your work?
I’m actually both. I can talk to a room of 1000 people just fine, but I am shy at small parties. I tap into both for my characters.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
Don’t quit!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Read everything you can in your genre and then read some more. And take workshops. There is always so much to learn. And each book you write should be an improvement over the last one.
Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?
Website: https://www.lesliehachtel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesliehachtelwriter/
Twitter: @lesliehachtel
Blog: https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leslie-hachtel
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/leslie_hachtel
Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?
This is from the first book in my “Morocco” series, Bound to Morocco…
Spring, 1713
The throbbing was relentless. Shera, Lady Edgerton, squinted and reluctantly peeked out from beneath her eyelids. She immediately regretted it. A thousand needles of light stabbed her with brutal fury and she quickly closed her eyes again to ease the misery. She drew in a deep breath, trying to quell the pounding in her head. Mindful of the pain, she very slowly opened her eyes again, fighting the agony of vicious brightness that assailed her. Sunlight pierced the room through a narrow slit in the wall high up in the small space and pooled about her. Nausea threatened but she swallowed hard and stiffened her spine.
Gathering her senses and forcing herself to focus, she looked around. Where was she? A small room made of wood? The walls were bare except for four sets of chains attached to the wood by rings hanging a few inches from the floor. Was this an area used to confine prisoners? But that did not answer why she was here. She was an innocent. Her being here must be a terrible mistake.
She heaved in a deep breath and listened carefully. Naught but a kind of creaking. Raising herself gently, she sat up. Her head spun and she took in a few shallow breaths to ease the dizziness. The space around her gradually took shape. She was indeed in a small room with walls of horizontal planked wood. Beneath her, the floor swayed gently back and forth. And the smell? It was the scent of despair. Someone had been held here before her. Or many someones. And there was also the unmistakable odor of the sea. I am aboard a ship? How is that possible? A slither of terror crawled up her back. Had she been kidnapped? Was her life at risk? Who did this and what did they want? The lack of answers was tormenting.
The Clog Blog 