Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Leslie Tall Manning

What inspired you to write “Rules of Falling”?

Manning: Thank you so much for having me here, and for bringing Rules of Falling to your wonderful readers.

Back when I was a high school teacher, I had a female student who suffered from "non-specific" syncope. In layman's terms, she fainted often, and without provocation. She was very depressed much of the time. I had fainted once, back in high school, and it terrified me. I can't imagine living my life never knowing when the next episode will hit. Years after I quit teaching to write full time, and a few books into my writing career, I asked my literary agent, "So, tell me, what are editors looking for these days?" He said, "Write a book with a disease, a mystery, and a romance." I laughed and responded, "Sure. No problem." Ten years later, behold Rules of Falling. It has gone through a rather long transformation to make it into the book it is today. From editors requesting changes, to title options, to the cover itself. The bottom line is this: I'm happy it became a story with an unlikely protagonist as the hero. She owns a cape but, like many unassuming people, she never realizes it until she has to put it on.

How did you come up with the names of your main characters?

Manning: Can you believe that no one has ever asked me that before about any of my books? This is such an interesting question, and you are the very first to hear the truth: I watch the end credits of a movie (every single time!) and I find a first name, and then as the list scrolls, I add it to a different person’s last name. Then I jot down on a Post-it the ones I like. I’ve been doing this for years! Sometimes the names stick, and sometimes they don’t. Every once in a while, a name will start out in one book but end up in another! I will add that I like to have at least one character whose name can be shortened into a nickname, Like Linds instead of Lindsay. Now my secret is out in the world! Do with it what you will. LOL

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Manning: I want readers to know that I work harder than any writer I know. I work hard to get my facts straight, doing a year (or more) of research and interviewing professionals in certain industries for every single book. I work hard to rephrase each sentence so it sounds somewhat lyrical. I work hard to cut and kill and gut any paragraph, scene, or entire chapter to make the story move forward more quickly. And I work hard to help my readers learn a lesson without knowing it, whether the book is contemporary or fantasy, adult or young adult. When I start a new story, it is for me. But by the end, it is for my readers. They deserve the best, and I work hard to give them the best.

When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?

Manning: Well, lucky for me, I’ve never EVER had writer’s block. Why not? Heck if I know! I’m a rare breed, that’s for sure. Maybe having a schedule helps me. I’ve been writing for twenty years now, Mon-Thurs, from 11-2. I pretend I’m clocking in for the day, like a doctor or a Google tech person. This schedule is so ingrained, that when I veer from it, I sort of freak out a little. Unless I’m on vacation. Then I allow myself a week or two of distraction! If you are suffering from writer’s block, try going back to the beginning of your story. Often times, we’ve made a mistake in the beginning, or we need to take the beginning, paste it somewhere in the middle, and start with chapter two. If you’re having writer’s block before you even get started, then you probably need to give yourself permission to write. A lot of authors are hard on themselves for writing, as if this chosen form of art wasn’t a type of work. But it is. So give yourself permission.

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Manning: Gosh. This is a packed question. I give library, conference, and school talks on the pains and joys of a writer’s life. If I had to share ONE piece of advice, it’s this: If this is what you are meant to do, never quit. Never let others dictate how or why you should or shouldn’t write. Ignore the part of your brain that tries to convince you you’d be better off NOT writing. And even if you don’t sell that first book (mine is in a box under my daybed), don’t stop! Write a second, and a third. If this is really what you want to do, then keep doing it! Life is short. Take it by the horns and drag it through the mud that you created.

What are you working on next?

Manning: Well, without giving specifics (I believe in jinxes) I have just finished a play version of one of my Young Adult novels so I’m submitting it to theatres as we speak; my agent is busy shopping a recent coming-of-age novel; and I am currently in the throes of editing a monster of an adult book written years ago that I have decided to breathe life back into. Fingers crossed on all counts!

Learn More About the Author and Rules of Falling here:

www.leslietallmanning.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8118702.Leslie_Tall_Manning
https://www.amazon.com/Leslie-Tall-Manning/e/B00VRZ3FOK?ref

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