Q&A with Leta Patton

 Welcome Leta! Thanks for taking some time to talk about writing. First, a few quick-fire questions: What is your favorite take-out dinner? What song always gets stuck in your head? And what is your beverage of choice while writing?
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 I’m a big fan of Indian take out. Either that or sushi (if it’s salmon, spicy tuna, or eel). I’m more of an instrumental music listener and usually listen to EDM or classical, so it isn’t often that songs get stuck in my head unless it’s the melody! My beverage of choice is always ALWAYS milk tea. If milk tea isn’t available, I like any kind of tea latte. Chai is my second favorite.
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My beverage of choice is always ALWAYS milk tea.
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 Describe your ideal writing space: Is it at home or out on the town? Is it indoors or out in nature? Do you prefer silence or are you inspired by music?
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 My ideal writing space is at a cafe with a unique/good atmosphere (not any chain place like Starbucks) with a good wifi connection, outlets, and not many people. A place that is open late or even open 24 hours is preferred since I get most of my writing done after 8pm at night. As for writing with music, it really depends on the story. In one WIP I’m working on, it’s of a more serious nature with a lot of action and dramatic moment, and I love writing it while listening to music. But my other WIP is more lighthearted with a lot of humor, and it’s easier for me to write that in silence. 
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My ideal writing space is at a cafe with a unique/good atmosphere (not any chain place like Starbucks)
​with a good wifi connection, outlets, and not many people.
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 Every writer gets to a point in their story where the writing process gets really tough. Maybe ideas aren’t flowing like they did or maybe other demands are being made of your time. What is the hardest part of writing for you and how do you manage to get through it?
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 ​I’m a creature of habit, so the hardest part of writing for me is having to do so in an unfamiliar place or when there are changes going on in my life. I don’t usually struggle with writer’s block but sometimes a new environment can throw off my inspiration and in those instances I do have to force myself. I know a lot of people say you shouldn’t force yourself if you’re not feeling it, but for me, I think it’s necessary under certain circumstances. Even if the outcome isn’t the best, it’s always something I can go back and edit. And I always feel better when I’m being productive, regardless of having to force myself or not. 
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 I know a lot of people say you shouldn’t force yourself if you’re not feeling it,
​but for me, I think it’s necessary under certain circumstances.
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 Your story L’Ange de la Mort (The Art of Revolution) is a smashing success as a Wattpad 2018 winner with over 180 000 reads. Do you have any advice for new authors interested in utilizing Wattpad as a platform to kick-start their career in writing?
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 Put in the work. I think a lot of people believe that just by posting on wattpad, you’ll get readers, and that just isn’t true. It was (and still is) a struggle to get traction on wattpad, so you have to make an effort. Join book clubs. Read works by other authors. Get involved with the forums. Enter wattpad user run contests. Anything that is going to get your work out there and create interest can get you more reads. On the flip side though I would advise against straight up advertising your work on people’s profiles or stories. No one is a fan of that, and it’s honestly just rude. 

 It’s also helpful to have a consistent update schedule. Even if you don’t update always on the same day, just letting readers know that you are consistent and will update soon helps draw in readers and keep them. With both of my completed stories, simply finishing them is what gave me the most traction of all. So finish your stories!

Join book clubs. Read works by other authors. Get involved with the forums. Enter wattpad user run contests.
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 Finally, take chances! I didn’t think I would ever get much attention for my story because historical fiction is not a popular genre on wattpad, but I posted anyway. I also thought I would never win a watty but I entered anyway, and ended up winning. This year, I entered a second book into the wattys thinking I would never win, and won a watty a second year in a row for that novel, too. So never self reject and take chances. 
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 L’Ange de la Mort is set amid the splendor of Versailles, France in 1789. Young Gabriel de la Marche, a french courtier determined to protect his younger sister from the corruption of court life, encounters a group of assassins determined to level the aristocracy. What was your approach to weaving historical and fictional elements into this tale of deception and intrigue on the eve of the French Revolution?
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​ Ha, this is something I still struggle with, but I like to think I’m getting a little better! I think especially for young adult (which is what I write) it’s important not to bog down your story with inconsequential details that have nothing to do with the plot or characters. I write for everyone, not just for people who are already fans of historical fiction. At the end of the day, my story is about the characters and their interactions with each other, and the historical setting is nothing more than the backdrop. I focus on my characters first and foremost and then weave in the information depending on my characters’ individual needs. There is tons of information I’ve learned with my research that I will never need or use simply because it isn’t relevant to the story. But this is something I am constantly working on to improve. 
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I focus on my characters first and foremost and then weave in the information
​depending on my characters’ individual needs. 
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 Few historical settings can rival the opulence of late 18th century France. While this is a feast for the reader’s imagination, it is also a daunting task for the writer. What sources did you find most helpful for period-appropriate dress and decor while writing L’Ange de la Mort?
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Versailles Palace, France

​ First, I love watching documentaries. I’ve seen a ton on Versailles itself as well as ones on clothes and customs in the 18th century. I watch any movie or TV series set in that time period I can get my hands on as well.

​I own multiple big coffee table type books on Versailles decor and 18th century fashion. I also have about a billion bookmarks on my computer of specific blog posts and articles and maps, and if all else fails, pinterest is also a great source for inspiration.
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 First, I love watching documentaries. I’ve seen a ton on Versailles itself
as well as ones on clothes and customs in the 18th century.
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 Before writing The Gatewatch, a fantasy adventure inspired by the Norse myths and Icelandic sagas, I took a trip to Norway which radically influenced many of the scenes and locations in the story. You recently announced a trip to visit France to research for your next book. What locations are you most excited to visit and what sort of things will you be looking out for?
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 I’ve since been to Europe and had an amazing experience. I wasn’t able to go to all the places I wanted and will be going back within the next year, but unsurprisingly my favorite place I went was Versailles. I took part in a private tour of the palace which was pricey but 100% worth it, and then spent two days exploring and writing in the gardens which was magical! I also went to the Louvre and got a good amount of inspiration from walking around the town of Versailles itself. During that trip, I went to Amsterdam as well, which inspired a historical fantasy novel set in Amsterdam during the 17th century that I’ll be starting next year. I’m counting down the days until I can go back to Europe and do more hands on research!
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...unsurprisingly my favorite place I went was Versailles. I took part in a private tour of the palace which was pricey
but 100% worth it, and then spent two days exploring and writing in the gardens which was magical! 
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​ Where can readers find out more about the exploits of Gabriel de la Marche and how can they stay up to date on your latest books?
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 Right now, I’m only on wattpad but am actively looking for a literary agent and will most likely be making an actual author site once I have one. 

Read Leta's stories on Wattpad and stay up to date on her latest publications through Twitter.