Seasons Within, author, Lele Iturrioz joins us for our first session of the new series Book Talk. Plain Talk was part of Lele Iturrioz’s blog tour with Xpresso Book Tours.
When you develop characters and plot, do you already know who they are and what’s going to happen before you begin writing or do you let them develop as you go?
I’m a major planner. I have a huge binder with all the planning, ideas, outlines, characters, and everything for all of the five books. I plan everything and everyone ahead because if I know where my characters end up, it becomes easier for me to know how to get them there.
How did you get inspired to write your antagonist?
I got inspired by all those men who believed in something good that within time made them obsessed and turned radical.
Out of the protagonists you’ve written about so far, which one do you feel you relate to the most?
Everyone has a piece of me, even when I didn’t plan for it.
If you could spend time a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Veter (the wind wielder) and Priyam. I would fly and joke around all day.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
Synthia… it even stresses me out each time I write about her.
Tell us about the cover/s and how it/they came about.
The cover for Seasons Within has all the seasons on the First Tree. G is merged with the First Tree as she becomes a part of all the seasons.
Who designed your book cover? 
The illustration was made by a talented artist named Joanna Haber (you can find her on Etsy or Facebook on ABitofWhimsyArt)
And the design was made by an amazing designer named Ibet Sakoda (you can find her on inspiralia.com.mx)
What does your writing process look like?
I plan the chapters in advance, then I munch on cereal as I plot the characters’ adventures. Once I’m done I play some music and write until I reach my word count… or when I realize I haven’t left my computer in a day.
What book do you wish you could have written?
Harry Potter! That book is magic. Kudos to JK Rowling for sharing something so amazing with the world.
Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
I do!! They are a group of super badass Beta Readers that send me all types of notes and questions. Ignacio, Daniel, Adriana and Pao, they all know their stuff and the book would be so different without them and their intense point of views. One of them, Pao, usually sends me over 20 what’s app voice messages of 4 min each, love them!
How do you get over writer’s block?
Whenever I have writer’s block I go out to a crowded place where I can get inspired by something I hear or see. I also put on my headphones and hear to music that might trigger an idea. If that doesn’t work I read and edit what I have and my brain usually gets so excited to know what’s going to happen next that it starts brainstorming.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
To teleport! I could just jump from country to country. Bonus, I would skip traffic.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
I need to write faster now. A lot faster.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
On my book covers and my editors. Love them to bits! They are by far the best decisions I’ve made for my book.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
The hardest thing is to make them feel real. I know how a teenage girl feels because I was one, I can relate to them but a man… I can base my male characters on friends and how they react but it’s still hard since I can’t relate quite as well.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Learning that you can’t always wait for inspiration. There will be times when you have to write love scenes when you are angry and sad stuff when you are at your happiest moment.
Connect with Lele Iturrioz on Twitter | Facebook | Website | Goodreads
Click on the cover to purchase Seasons Within by Lele Iturroiz on Amazon.
