Today I am SO excited to be a part of Curiosity Quills’ blog tour for Catch Me When I Fall, and today I am interviewing author Vicki Leigh!
Why did you want to become a writer?
Well, I’ve been a reader my whole life, and I’d written a few terrible things through junior high and high school. But I lost touch with my love for writing in college. So, in 2011, after two years of working a 9 to 5 job and hating it, I knew I wanted—no, needed—to do something with books. That January, I sat down and rekindled my love with writing, and it just took off!
How did you come across the world and ideas for your book?
For the longest time, I’d struggled with nightmares, to the point where I couldn’t fall asleep without some sort of night light. So, I’d bought a really bright clock, and then, one night, I looked up at my ceiling and saw what resembled the shadow of an angel, as if it were protecting me from the nightmares that kept me awake some nights. I’d thought, “Hey, that’s a good idea for a book—guardian angels!” But there were already so many great books about angels on the shelves. So, instead, I’d twisted it and asked myself: “What if the creatures who guarded us at night weren’t guardian angels but former humans who died sacrificial deaths? And what if nightmares weren’t just in our heads but actual creatures that feed off our fears?” And from those two questions, Catch Me When I Fall was born!
Why write for young adult instead of new adult or adult, and what do you feel is the difference?
My biggest reason for writing young adult is simple: I love it. Young adult books are my favourite to read, and you should write what you love! That said, there is something different about young adult—the characters in them still have that shred of innocence you lose in your adulthood. They feel stronger, love harder, act without thinking… I just love it.
As far as the biggest differences between YA and adult: Subject matter. There’s a fine line that can’t be crossed when it comes to vulgarity, such as more descriptive sex scenes or scenes of brutality, and, right now, I prefer to stay on the YA side.
Why make the jump to writer from editor, and how do you feel they’re different?
Once I started writing and began critiquing for my CPs, I found that I really enjoyed editing and decided to take it to a more professional level. Editing is different from writing in that I’m not responsible for building worlds or coming up with characters, etc. As an editor, I take my clients’ worlds, plots, and characters and make sure everything makes sense and is exciting. I like watching a book morph from a good story to a great one, and I always feel a sense of pride in my clients when they get to that polished piece, because I know it was hard work for them. It just makes me happy to see them happy.
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
Jennifer Lawrence. I heart her.
Who is your current favorite author?
Well, J.K. Rowling and Cassandra Clare will always be my favorites, but right now, I’m also super impressed with A.G. Howard. She has such a command over writing; she amazes me. Her characters jump off the page, her worlds are so vivid, and her descriptions are incredible. I never want to put her books down, and, just, wow. She’s amazing. I admit I have an author crush on her.
Cake or cookies?
Cookies! Chocolate chip, specifically.
Sam, Dean or Cas?
Dean. Definitely Dean. *swoons*