Author Leslie Martin

Author Leslie Martin

Tell us a little bit about you outside of being an author.

I am a single mother with two boys ages 10 & 15. I'm a bit of a sports nuts or I should say Chicago BEARS nut. I was born in Manhattan NY, raised in the western suburbs of Chicago and currently live in the Dallas area.

What is your earliest writing memory?

I used to write really bad poetry in high school. lol Then went on to write my own standup comedy routines and then skits and scripts for intustrials.

What feelings do you experience once you are satisfied with your completed manuscript(s)?

I don't know that I am ever completely satisfied with something I write.

In your upcoming release or newly released book, how did you come up with the idea of your main character(s)?

It's a memoir so I just wrote about what was happening at the time in my life.

Tell us a little bit about your work in progress and/or your upcoming release.

Think "Tuesday's with Morrie" with a twist. My book is a memoir, written in the spirit of Julia Sweeney's "God Said Ha,” Geralyn Lucas’s "Why I wore Lipstick: To My Mastectomy,” and Margaret Edson’s “Wit” which all use unconventional humor to tell the story of their serious medical issues.

It chronicles how one week after September 11, 2001, while the rest of the nation struggled with the attacks on our country, I realized during a phone conversation that my 63 year old father was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In the midst of a midlife crisis trying to balance my life as a wife, mother and struggling standup comedian, that phone call added caregiver of my father and his 89 year old mother, to my already over loaded plate. (The book also contains a history of family abuses, the redemption of a family’s black sheep, porn talk with a parent and the fact that I perfected the art of going nutty-buckets and shaving my head long before Britney made it chic.)

It is the story of the insanity, bureaucratic nightmare, inner, reverse, and stereotypical racism, along with the headaches and heart breaks which became part of my family’s daily lives. The story is told through my shocked, newly opened and sometimes inappropriately twisted eyes.

I’m a big believer that word of mouth creates more sales than advertisements. Let’s say I’ve never read any of your books before, how would you pitch the idea of your latest release to me?

It's a hard subject but one of the craziest books you'll ever read. It can make you laugh and cry in the same sentence. Even if you don't have any family members with Alzheimer's you can still appreciate the dynamics of the "Black Sheep" of the family dealing with being the only who can help those who have labeled her so. Plus, I guarantee you have never read a book with an ending like this.

I consider myself a tough critic when reviewing books. What do or would you do when you receive a mediocre or less than average rating from a reviewer or reader?

I try and take it with a grain of salt. Everyone has an opinion and not everyone shares mine.

What authors influence your writing dreams, goals and aspirations?

None really. Writing this book was something that happened out of a habit of writing things in my daily life down for standup comedy.

What books would you recommend on writing?

I haven't read any so I can't answer that. Writing is just something I do for myself and hope others appreciate it.

If you could change one thing you did during your road to publication, what would it be and what would you have done different?

Probably paid more attention to editing. I am "the queen of typos". lol

What advice would you give an aspiring author?

Never give up.

Where can readers learn more about you and your books?

Myspace/authorleslienmartin

Leslie, thanks for hanging with us and sharing. We wish you much success in your future endeavors.