Good Reads Can you tell us a two-sentence horror story?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer Sherry would have planned her solo cross-country trip differently if she had known that the only restroom along this 150-mile stretch would be in a service station that had been abandoned due to the quadruple murder that took place here last year. She couldn't help but feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up as she sat there looking at the body outlines on the floor and reached for the toilet paper before exclaiming, "No toilet paper!"

 

Good Reads If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer The hundred-acre woods. It seems like a peaceful place and I'd love to hang out with Winnie the Pooh and his friends. And what would I do? Well, write of course.

 

Good Reads What books are on your summer reading list this year?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer I know this is a terrible answer for a writer to give to this question. But the truth is, my summer will be more focused on writing than reading. LOL... I'm so far behind that I need to buckle down and get to work writing. In general, I read a lot of young adult fiction and fantasy as well as articles on almost anything.

 

Good Reads Who is your favorite fictional couple, and why?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer It may seem silly; however, I think I would have to say Beauty and the Beast. The level of devotion even when they are still at odds with each other, combined with the way they connect on a deeper level is inspiring to me. Too many relationships these days are missing those qualities.

Great question. Thank you for asking.

 

Good Reads How do you get inspired to write?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer Pretty much anything can inspire me. I find the world fascinating and tend to be inspired by simply looking around me. Sometimes my dreams will spark a topic, but usually, it is the world around me and those in it that gives me the most inspiration.

 

Good Reads How do you deal with writer’s block?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer I clean the house or do something physical that doesn't take a lot of thought. By doing this I am able to feel like I have accomplished something tangible during the day and clear my head. When I come back to my writing after doing this the words just start to flow. The trick is to not take too long avoiding writing or you'll feel like you're procrastinating. If you run out of chores and still don't feel the writing vibe, sit down and do it anyway. The dam will break and the words will flow. At least that is how I do it. 

 

Good Reads What’s the best thing about being a writer?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer The freedom to escape whatever is happening in life for a brief period of time. I love being able to express myself through creativity or opinion whether someone else reads it or not.

 

Good Reads What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer Don't give up. It doesn't matter if you're rejected a million times, just keep writing and submitting. Also, do your homework when it comes to submissions. Make sure you are not wasting time submitting material of the wrong topic or genre to the wrong publishers. I would completely suggest going through the self-publishing process at least once just to have a greater understanding of the multifaceted processes involved with publishing a book, especially in this digital age.

 

Good Reads What are you currently working on?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer (Updated Answer 5/3/2023) Currently I am working with Woodhall Publishing on the promotional aspects of my new novel The Town that Time Forgot, which scheduled release date is September 5, 2023. Additionally, I am working on writing the sequel, Oakwood Sacrifices.

 

Good Reads Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

 

Elizabeth Donley-Leer (Updated answer 5/3/2023) My Most recent book, The Town That Time Forgot was inspired by a PTSD nightmare.