Leone' Sweet Interview Published on: 06, Jan 2020
Being a former law major, when did you decide to turn into a romance writer?
At sixteen I wanted to write, I didn’t know then that I wanted to become a writer I just like to write. I would walk around with a binder in my backpack and a pencil box filled with pencils and every chance I got I would pull out my binder and write. Three years ago I started writing the Under His Control series and I enjoy the freedom to express my creativity in writing.
Since how long have you been living in the Midwest?I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. No matter where I am in the world, I will always call Chicago home.
Who was your favorite romance author at the age of fourteen?The late Beatrice Small was my favorite author at fourteen. The very first romance novel I read was one of my mother’s and it was the historical romance “Adora” by Beatrice Small. Soon after I started to read every book of Mrs. Small’s that my mother had and a lot of other authors.
What full-time job do you have? Do you ever plan to start writing full-time? I work in law and I love what I do.I know when I retire I will have the time to write full-time but for now, I have to balance my writing, my full time job and school.
What kind of research is involved while writing a romance book? What is the most unusual fact you have learned while researching for your book?My research would depend on the type of romance novel I’m working on. My books Alex and Lance have elements of BDSM so for me I’ve had to form new friendships and talk to people that live in that lifestyle.
The most unusual thing that I’ve found in doing research for my choice of erotic romance is the taboo and misconceptions of the romance genre especially erotic romance. Some people either think romance writers have to be horny all the time in order to create the sensual art that they do or that romance writers who appreciate or live their life with elements of kink are degenerates. Neither of these are true, at lease not for me.
What motivated you to take the path of writing after turning into an English major?I first started writing and then I decided to return to school to work on a MFA. I love school and I want to have the knowledge and the understanding of the different writing styles and the art of literature in creative writing.
How did you come up with the idea for your book, Alex? What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?When I started reading historical romances the men in those novels seemed so raw, dominant and commanding, at least the ones I’ve read and I like that. Alex is a culmination of fantasies I’ve had and my idea of a fantasy man. He’s rich, sexy, dominate to a point, he has swag and doesn’t know it cause it’s a part of him, he can be broken and if his heart is bruised and he has issues that’s okay.
I want the readers to be able to feel the stories and not just see words on a tablet or a page when they read one of my books. I not only want the readers to enjoy my books, but I want them to see every scene play out in their minds from the point of view of the characters long after they finish one of my books. I want the readers to experience emotion while reading my books. Whether those emotions are like or dislike for a particular character, they enjoyed the play scenes too much or not enough, that’s okay, at least it’s a reaction and I will get better.
I want the readers to understand that I’m attempting to create fantasy splashed with a little bit of realism and sensuality.
Who inspired the character of Lancelot “Lance” Howard in "Lance"?You can say I have a very detailed and particular imagination. Lance like Alex are both products of my fantasies. I think if I met a man identical to either Lance or Alex I would be at a lost for words and for a writer that’s dangerous.
I can appreciate a good man. I can appreciate and respect whole-heartedly diversity in erotic romance novels and the cover models on Alex and Lance aren’t hard on the eyes either.
How did you come up with the idea for "Under His Control" series? Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?Under His Control series is my first series. I’d originally written a one fifty-chapter book, but I felt it was too long so I divided it up into three books. Because each hero in each book is big, dominant, bossy, they love and respect their women and their women love them that way. It was easy to come up with the Under His Control series title.
When I wrote this series I found out that I would rather write an entire series and then release it one book at a time. I like to develop characters and interesting storylines and I want to tie each character together in a series with at lease one common goal and that is in the case in my Under His Control series. Their common goal it to finally get, and take care of their woman and of course have a happy ending.
Have you ever written a character based on a hot stranger you saw in public? How do you usually create your characters, from real life people or entirely from your imagination?No, but I can only hope.
My character’s looks and body types are entirely from my imagination and my appreciation of a healthy, sexy body, whatever body type that may be. But don’t get me wrong, if I see a sexy man out at the grocery store, I’ll stop, look and appreciate. If they have a certain hair cut that I like or the tone of their voice is sexy if I hear it, I’ll most definitely use those bits to imagine my new hero.
What about the genre of romance do you love as a writer?To me, romance, especially erotic romance is so raw, imaginative, strong, sexy, and can be over the top sensual. I like writing romance because I like creating fantasies, adding sensual scenes and I love a happy ending.
How have the good reviews on “Lance” inspired you to write more and better?I am so happy that Lance came out to good reviews. I can say that I have tried to put into words some of the stories I have created in my mind to create a novel worthy of a readers review. I hope to get better in my writing, better at developing and writing storylines and better at entertaining the reader.
How do you feel about the rise in digital books in the recent years?Digital books the same as print books gives the reader a choice. The rise of digital books means that more writers are able to get their books published that otherwise may not be published traditionally. This gives these writers a chance.
Would you like to explore any other genres in the future?Oh yes.
I started reading historical romances as a teenager and after the last book in the Under His Control series, Book Three, I’ve decided to take some old notes and write my first historical, erotic romance.
What has your All Author experience been like so far? What are some highlights?For an indie author, the promotional support I get from All Author is more then I expected. From the banners, the author directory, the tools for social media and its marketing tools. All Author has exceeded my expectations.
All Author allows new indie writers like myself to use a promotional platform to reach readers.
