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In many ways, 27-year-old Kyra Leigh resembles other young people her age. She plays the piano. Hikes in the deserts and canyons of southern Utah. Explores new places to eat and drink. Binge watches TV shows. Spends time with her boyfriend. Hates toast crumbs in the butter and hanging up wet laundry to dry.

Reads. A lot.

But unlike most other people her age, Leigh has just published a young-adult novel with a major New York house, Simon & Schuster. "Reaper" tells the story of 16-year-old Rosie Wolf, who has recently died in a car accident. Before Rosie can move on, she is charged with reaping the three souls that Death has assigned to her. School Library Journal praises Leigh for her skill in leading readers through the book's alternate reality and gives her high marks for creating sympathetic characters.

That Leigh became a writer is no surprise. Her mother is the award-winning author and blogger Carol Lynch Williams (http://www.carollynchwilliams.com), who is also the co-founder of the popular Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers (http://www.wifyr.com) conference that takes place at The Waterford School this month. Leigh grew up on words and now is crafting words into stories of her own.

Where did the idea for "Reaper" come from?

All of my ideas come from a weird inner monologue that runs in my head. Voices, really. Teenage girls talking to themselves. With "Reaper," I heard the voice of a girl talking to Death. She was speaking with The Grim Reaper. Only Death wasn't a skeleton dude in a cloak. It was a woman. I explored and brainstormed that teenager and the next thing I knew, I had the idea for "Reaper."

What was the most challenging part of writing this book?

This sounds corny, but probably the most challenging part has been my self-doubt. It's something I still struggle with. That was, and still is, hard for me to overcome. But having my mom there to cheer me on has helped a ton.

And what about the rewards?

One of the most rewarding things was the review for "Reaper" in School Library Journal. And seeing my name printed on an actual book has been a dream come true.

Let's talk about your mother, Carol Lynch Williams. What influence has she had on your work?

My mom is an inspiration. Not only to me, but to a lot of people out there. Growing up, I'd lie on the floor in her office, and she'd read what she was working on to me. I could listen to her for hours. I thought about how amazing she was. How amazing she is. She's always encouraged me to write and to believe in myself. To not care about what anyone thinks — to just write what I want. I'm lucky to have her.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

About a year after my parents split up. I was 19. I was spending the majority of my time reading and blogging. I'd never thought I could write a novel. But one day I sat down and wrote a couple chapters. My little sister secretly read the pages. I was so humiliated until she told me the story was good. Then she showed the pages to my mom, who told me to keep writing. She said I could be a writer if I wanted. I haven't stopped.

Describe your process. Do you begin with a character and go looking for a plot? Or vice versa?

Everything I write is character-driven. I wish I were better at plotting. Usually I hear a voice in my head and build the world around that voice.

Right now I'm working on a story about a girl named Dotty whose father brings home a mermaid in a wooden box. I come up with little ideas like this and then focus on my characters. Take Dotty, for instance. I think about her. What is she like? What does she enjoy eating? What kind of music does she listen to? Does she have a crush? I get to know her inside and out. Once I figure out what Dotty wants, I try and find ways to keep her from getting it. I do this with each of my characters. Then I start writing.

What does a typical workday look like for you?

I lock myself in my office, set a timer and write. I have to have background music (Chelsea Wolfe or a similar artist). While writing a first draft I take lots of notes. Notes about the story, what's working, what's not working, what makes it different. I usually write these notes by hand in a little notebook. If I don't get this down, I lose pieces of the story.

Do you ever experience writer's block? If so, how do you handle it?

I've experienced writer's block before, but it's always self-inflicted. The only time I ever struggle to write is when I'm not reading enough. Seriously, the cure for writer's block is reading. Reading LOTS of novels.

What comes next for Kyra Leigh?

My current goals are to finish the book I'm working on and then to revise another novel I have stored away. It would be nice to sell those. I'd also like to go back to school and eventually try to get into Vermont College of Fine Arts.

Which authors do you admire and why?

Carol Lynch Williams (my cute mom!) because she has the best voice.

M.T. Anderson because he's a freaking genius.

Robert Cormier because I don't think he's ever written a bad book. "I Am the Cheese" was one of the first books that made me want to write.

If a young person told you she or he wants to write, what advice would you share?

Believe in yourself and take yourself seriously. It's a tough business, and it can be hard at times, but if you take yourself and your writing seriously, you can make it happen. And READ. Don't just read what you write. Read everything. Nonfiction, science fiction, romance, picture books, adult books, teen books. READ EVERYTHING. —

Reaper

Kyra Leigh

Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Pages • 256

Price • $18.99