This month’s guest is another writer that I’ve linked with over the past couple of years during lock-down. She lives in Virginia, USA and I live in Devon, UK; and we’ve only met online, but we have quite a bit in common. Despite a passion for writing from an early age, she pursued a career as a government analyst and substitute teacher; only turning to full-time writing in recent years. She has been developing her knowledge of the industry with Women in Publishing. And like me, she loves numbers and lives by her spreadsheets! I am delighted to be chatting this month to Leslie Eva Tayloe.

Hello Leslie and welcome to my blog. Let’s start by taking you back to childhood. What was your favorite subject at school—and which was the lesson you always wanted to avoid?

My favorite subject in school was math. I hated algebra. In college I took stats and spent hours and hours every night working on problems. Repetition helped me get through the class with a high grade—I definitely wouldn’t want to repeat that class. As an adult, I continue to love numbers. I have Excel spreadsheets on everything. You get the idea. I probably should have been an accountant!

If you had to escape from a fire what three things would you take with you?

If my partner Michael was right behind me, then I’d grab my two cats and dog and pass them to him. Then I’d grab my dad’s paintings. After my dad retired from Eastern Airlines, he began painting pictures. I have eight of his paintings.

Talking about yourself, how would you finish the sentence “not a lot of people know…”?

Not many people know that my favorite colors are red and yellow. I love fall and winter and decorate with yellows, reds, browns, and black.

Where is your favorite place on earth and why?

My favorite place on earth (I haven’t visited every place on earth so this could change) is Whitefish, Montana. A perfect place—mountains and a lake. I fell in love with it years ago when we rented a cabin near the lake.

Describe your ideal menu—and where would you like to eat it?

My ideal menu is a barbeque grilled Angus New York Strip steak (medium well, with A1 steak sauce) sauteed mushrooms and onions on top of steak, a baked potato (crispy skin) with sour cream and sharp cheddar cheese on top, and a salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, green/black olives, radishes, with blue cheese salad dressing), and a glass of red wine. I’m happy eating at the table out on the screened-in porch (as long as the weather is just right!) or in front of a roaring fire.

Watch a film, go to the theatre, read a book or talk to friends—which would you prefer?

This is a hard question because I enjoy all of these things. But I’ve been told I’m moody, so I guess it depends on what mood I’m in. But meeting up with friends and reading are my top picks.

If you could take part in one television program, which one would it be?

The Office. I never watched the show while it was on air but have recently watched the reruns. Oh my gosh, I laughed and laughed. I do not know how the cast could keep a straight face why working the scenes.

What would you have printed on the front of your T-shirt?

Dallas Cowboys!

Would you describe yourself as left-brain (analytical), right-brain (intuitive) or a mix of both.

I think I’m both. I love crafts and I’ve been a vendor at festivals since 2008. And, I retired from the federal government in an analyst position—gathering and analyzing data is my strong point.

And finally, Leslie, tell us about your picture books.

My first picture book, I’m Fishing with Pop-Pop Today releases on 10/31/22 by Austin Macauley Publishers. My inspiration for the story began when my partner, Michael, and I purchased 74-acres—a small farm with a 2-acre pond. The pond is stocked with fish, so when the grandkids visit, they can fish. So, one day, our grandson went fishing with us and Michael was doing everything for him—baiting the line, casting, and catching the fish. Our grandson finally asked, “Pop-Pop, can we both fish today?” The situation was very funny. So, I created I’m Fishing with Pop-Pop Today from that sentence. The character was originally a little boy, but then I changed it to a little girl since there weren’t many books with little girls fishing with their Pop-Pop. It’s a fun fishing story. Easy to read with lots of repetition and grandparent/child relationship.

My second book, Save the Trees, Illustrated by Lintang Pandu Pratiwi, and published by Brandylane/Belle Isle Books, will release the summer of 2023. It’s a story about Ronnie who loves trees and finds out that invasive plants and vines have taken over his town’s trees. Ronnie and his friend Leona set out to save the trees.

I wrote Save the Trees after we moved to our small farm. I wrote backmatter which explains the obstacles we faced with invasive vines and plants. We have over 25 species of trees on our land, and noticed invasives had overtaken some of the trees. The publisher is doing a wonderful job in telling my story.

You can find my website and social media handles below. Come and visit! Thanks, again Elizabeth.

Thank you, Leslie, for taking the time to drop by today. Readers, you heard Leslie’s invitation; go ahead and visit her website. Or find her on Twitter or Instagram.