eBook give-away and interview with a writer’s husband


I met Danyelle Leafty at a writer’s conference a couple years ago. A few days ago her husband emailed me and asked if I would like to interview her on my blog. I have to say I was impressed her husband was actively promoting her. If I had known I was going to be an author, I would have questioned all my boyfriends about their willingness to set up interviews for me. Alas, I didn’t have the foresight to ask that important question.

Anyway, I decided to do something different for this interview. You’ve all read lots of interviews with authors. By this point you know about our creative quirks, our into-the-night writing sessions, our despair at rejection letters, and you know about those times we forgot to pick up our children from (fill in the blank) _________ because we lost track of time while writing that awesome love scene. But have you ever heard an interview from an author’s husband–from those poor folk that have to deal with us? Neither have I, so this interview should be interesting.

Without further ado, here is Jadean Leafty, husband of Danyelle Leafty, author of The Fairy Godmother Dilemma: Catspell. We’ll be giving away one of her ebooks to a lucky commenter on the blog.

When did you realize Danyelle was a writer, and by then was it too late to do anything about it?

I am told that I should’ve realized it a lot sooner than I did. I have a bad memory. I first realized that she was a writer when I went off gallivanting with a bunch of freshly graduated high school kids in Texas. Which is also when I was being yelled at by men in uniform to whom I was their senior in age by quite a few years. Pretty much while I was away at basic training. I knew it was serious though when I was deployed to Afghanistan. Of course by then it was too late, but I wouldn’t trade her.

I once spent ten days dragging my husband around England to research castles for a novel that I still haven’t written. Has Danyelle ever dragged you into her research, and if so what did you have to do?

If by research, you mean the book store. YES. She doesn’t have to really drag us anymore. Our six year old gets put out when we don’t take the turns that would end us up at Barnes and Noble.

When I was writing romances, my husband once accused me of fantasizing about other men.
“Yeah,” I said, “but I’m getting paid to do it.” Then for my next romance I put my husband in the book as the hero. (What the Doctor Ordered) Which would have been a really sweet gesture if I hadn’t fired him from my romance four days later. My husband is too easy-going and he just wouldn’t argue and banter with the heroine. (Who incidentally was me. I did not fire myself from the novel as I am quite good at arguing and bantering.) Have you shown up in any of Danyelle’s books?

Bits and pieces of me do. The whole me has been in each of her dedications thus far. Usually some aspects of me are found in her prince charmings. I’m still trying to devour Catspell. But I have to fight the children for it. So reluctantly, I sneak chapters in while at church.

I am pretty sure that classifies as a sin–or true devotion to your wife. Either way, you are clearly a supportive husband. Do you read your wife’s drafts and offer suggestions?

Of course, time permitting. I have a keen eye for line editing. Heck, I even find mistakes in her “research” books.

Does she take kindly to your comments?

If they are valid, yes. She’s always right.

Any last advice for wives who are authors?

Love the author. And even though she calls you biased don’t believe it, her books are the BEST!

Those are words every author’s husband should learn. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win. To find out more about Danyelle you can go to her website at: http://www.danyelleleafty.com/

21 comments

  1. rosalyn
    December 7, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    I love the idea of this interview. I always wonder what my husband *really* thinks about my tendency to disappear in the fog when I’m writing (or thinking about writing).

    Btw, since we’re speaking of family members, I had the privilege of working with Asenath in Writing Fellows at BYU and she is an amazing girl. You got lucky! 🙂

  2. Janette Rallison
    December 7, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    I definitely did!

  3. Gayle
    December 7, 2011 at 3:44 pm

    I love this idea for an interview — it’s so interesting to see what the “other half” thinks!

  4. Kathryn @ Clean Teen Fiction
    December 7, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Thanks for the fun interview! My husband supports my writing by sleeping through the tapping on my laptop at 5:30 am!

  5. Shelby
    December 7, 2011 at 5:13 pm

    Ooh, ooh, ooh! I wants!
    Haha, I love the cover:)

    Great interview:)

  6. Elle Strauss
    December 7, 2011 at 6:03 pm

    Love this! *waves to Danyelle (and her husband) 🙂

  7. Tiana Smith
    December 7, 2011 at 8:32 pm

    Sometimes it seems like such a small online world … I met Danielle at a writer’s meet up and I think she’s full of awesome. Her husband sounds fun as well.

  8. Linda Kish
    December 7, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    A fun interview. I’d love to read the book, too.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  9. Douglas Cootey
    December 8, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Very clever idea, Janette. It was a nice twist. Having a supportive spouse is a precious gem.

  10. Jen
    December 8, 2011 at 11:36 am

    I love the idea for this interview. It’s really nice to see how families react to our weird writing quirks.

  11. Caryn Caldwell
    December 8, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    What a fantastic idea for an interview, and hilarious, too!

  12. Liz
    December 8, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    This was so darn cute!! 🙂 I LOVED hearing about things from the husbands POV.

    btw…totally diggin’ the cover! (by which I base all my book purchases..lol)
    *pick me! pick me!*

  13. lake
    December 10, 2011 at 1:09 am

    Thanks Janette. It was fun.  I’d like to thank each and everyone of you for your support. Hopefully you’ll be able to enjoy The Fairy Godmother Dilemma more than me. I’m loving it, but haven’t finished because this is my iPad but my kids claim it. To thank y’all for your support for every five honest reviews posted to amazon we will be giving away a gift card to a place of your choice with in reason and our budget. You pick the place, I pick the amount. We will give you until the twenty first of December. Once again thanks for hosting me blogger and thanks for all your support readers.

  14. lake
    December 10, 2011 at 1:10 am

    Ps. This was so fun. If anyone is ever interested in hosting me let me know.

  15. Tamera Westhoff
    December 11, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    That’s definitely different to interview the husband, although very fair!

  16. Lolawid
    December 12, 2011 at 8:25 am

    What a great interview!! Yay for supportive husbands!

    Can’t wait to read your upcoming book with castles in it… ;o)

  17. Alicia
    December 12, 2011 at 10:58 am

    Fun interview! I like to know how the support staff views it all. Looks like a great book, can’t wait to read it.

  18. Kayla :)
    December 12, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    Haha, this interview is awesome! And that book cover is gorgeous.

  19. Jennifer Sargent
    December 13, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    I enjoyed reading the interview. I’m am interested in reading the book too.

  20. lake
    December 15, 2011 at 7:25 am

    Congrats to  Jen and thanks to everyone who entered. Remember that you can still get Catspell http://goo.gl/qHWR6 . Plus as an added bonus to thank y’all for your support for 1of every 5 people who honestly review it there you will win a gift card of your choice. You have until the 21st of December. GO!

  21. Cassandra Day
    January 11, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    this is 1 word- COOL! I now hope my furure husband will be like that.

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