Leyla Leyton

I came into writing late in life and really wish I had discovered the joy of writing earlier. But its never too late and I am glad to have found it. I have written many hundreds of stories and feel I have improved my technique. But its like painting - the next one is always going to be better. I have had a few stories published which gives me great joy and I have written three children's books (as yet unpublished) and am writing a family saga.

I am a mother and a very proud grandmother of three grandchildren, two lovely girls and a boy.

Writing is my sanctuary; I can sit in my office on a cold miserable day and transport my mind to any place I like and during the time I'm writing I am lost in the story, sometimes so much so that I don't remember writing it! The story just seems to take over and almost writes itself!

Credentials

Leyla Leyton in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

1995 At home

What do you love about short stories?

That I can transport myself and hopefully the reader anywhere very quickly.

Do you write in other forms?

Novels, I have tried poetry also

What distracts you from writing?

Little

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

travel, reading, painting, cooking.

What is your favourite book?

My favourite stroy is The Dwelling Place by Catherine Cookson

Who are your favourite writers?

Dan Brown, Dean Koontz and Barbara Lee

Where is your dream location?

A deserted Carribean beach with the turquoise sea lapping the talcum powder white sand.

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Able people who park in disabled spaces

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Just do it - don't put it off! I at first thought 'who am I to write?' and then I thought 'who am I not to write?'