Author Interview with Leigh Evans
The Trouble With Fate is about a Barista who happens to be half fae and half
werewolf. Was there a lot of research for the mythology of the novel?
Oh, oodles. I read one entire article on Wikipedia before I decided research was too
much damn work. Which is a very good thing because I still managed to get the details
wrong in my notes. And now, for the rest of my life, I’m going to have to live with the
knowledge that at any moment, someone might tap me on the shoulder to inform me
that I made three itty bitty mistakes about the Asrai.
Yup, that’s the downside to research—what if you got it wrong? What if you developed
a character based on shaky notes? Like Merry, the amulet with an attitude, who was an
Asrai that suffered an enchantment that left her rice-sized and trapped inside a hunk
of amber. You can understand how the experience might have left Merry a tad peevish
in nature and inclined to be somewhat proactive in dealing with bullies. Also? She’s not
too keen about water.
These Wiki people—why didn’t they highlight the phrases “aquatic fairy” and “time and
shy” in their article?
Your protagonist, Hedi Peacock, sounds pretty kick ass. How do you relate to her
personally?
We both have asses, have thoughts about asses, and know a multitude of ways of using
the word ‘ass.’
The Trouble With Fate seems like it includes a lot of amazing action. Did you find the scene writing
came to you easily?
I loathe writing action sequences. They take a long time to write, complicated by
the fact that contemplating violence leads me to endless hours pacing the hall, hand
flattened over my queasy stomach. I know there are a lot of writers who enjoy killing
someone, but that’s not me. I’ll never find satisfaction in choking, shooting, hitting,
stabbing, drowning, smashing, throttling, knee-capping, jewel-bashing or knifing
someone. Doesn’t matter if it’s a good or bad guy—no one deserves that level of
retribution leveled at them. Though, I did get enormous satisfaction out of flattening
someone with a maniacal washing machine. Okay, except for that one exception,
violence is bad…
What was your inspiration for writing The Trouble With Fate?
I chuckled when you described Hedi as kick-ass, because my intent was to write about
a girl who was not drop-dead gorgeous, wouldn’t know how to use a sword or gun if it
was placed in her hand, and who was decidedly round versus thin and tall. Enter Hedi
Peacock, whose first choice in any confrontation would be to haul ass.
Do you like cheese? The safety of the universe hinges upon your answer.
Meet the writer under deadlines’ favorite food group: cheese and Tim Horton’s takeout
chili.
There’s some serious romancing happening in The Trouble With Fate. What’s most
interesting to you about the romance between Hedi and Robson Trowbridge?
She’s a smartass. He thinks he’s a bigger smartass. [Dumbass.]
What was your favourite scene when writing The Trouble With Fate?
The courtyard scene between Hedi and her best friend, Merry. I cried writing it, but itcame out clean. I won my agent with that page.
The Trouble With Fate
My name is Hedi Peacock and I have a secret. I’m not human, and I have the pointy Fae ears and Were inner-bitch to prove it. As fairy tales go, my childhood was damn near perfect, all fur and magic until a werewolf killed my father and the Fae executed my mother. I’ve never forgiven either side. Especially Robson Trowbridge. He was a part-time werewolf, a full-time bastard, and the first and only boy I ever loved. That is, until he became the prime suspect in my father’s death…Today I’m a half-breed barista working at a fancy coffee house, living with my loopy Aunt Lou and a temperamental amulet named Merry, and wondering where in the world I’m going in life. A pretty normal existence, considering. But when a pack of Weres decides to kidnap my aunt and force me to steal another amulet, the only one who can help me is the last person I ever thought I’d turn to: Robson Trowbridge. And he’s as annoyingly beautiful as I remember. That’s the trouble with fate: Sometimes it barks. Other times it bites. And the rest of the time it just breaks your heart. Again…
Leigh Evans
I was born in Montreal, Quebec but now live in Southern Ontario with my husband. I’ve raised two kids, mothered three dogs, and herded a few cats. Other than that, my life was fairly routine until I hit the age of 50. Some women get tattoos. I decided to write a book. A little tardy, but then again, Mum always said I was a late bloomer.
Kat Kennedy
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Jenni @ Alluring Reads
I love how many times the word ass makes an appearance in this interview! I can see how it would be difficult to do your research for your novel on Wikipedia and just online in general. There is so much conflicting information out there and any Joe can upload whatever they want, it would be hard to know what to take for truth. I love cheese!
Leigh Evans
Sisterhood: bonded by a love of cheese:-)
Sam @ Realm of Fiction
Twitter: RealmofFiction
She’s a smartass. He thinks he’s a bigger smartass. [Dumbass.] –> Love that! 😀
I don’t think I have come across this before, but you have my attention! I really like the sound of it, and the cover is pretty nice too. Great interview, ladies!
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