Guest Interview with Leigh Covington :)

As part of my regular schedule, I’m giving a shout out to some wonderful Bloggers. This month, the Irish eyes are smiling with Leigh Covington – but not at her eye candy J


Aloha Leigh,
You are such a genuine, caring person. How did this happen? As a child, did your parents drop you on the ground?
Oh my goodness… remind me not to drink water (or anything else for that matter when talking to you. Water is not pleasant coming out of your nose, but it sure beats Dr. Pepper. Lol.
Okay… and they didn’t drop me. I don’t think. Although it is possible and I just don’t know. I’ve just lived enough to know that life’s a waste of time if you’re not your true self.

I’ve asked your help in several areas (such as blog buttons) and I’m sure others have, too. You always come through in amazing fashion.
How do you balance family, “normal” blog stuff and the extra stuff like blog fests, guest posts, weird requests, etc.?

Aww. Honestly, I think I told you I’d help if you ever needed it and you took me up on it. I like to help people. And I know you do too. In fact, I think you’re one of the most caring people I know. (Look at you, Cass & Morg sending me flowers when I lost my BFF.) Honestly, it just feels good to help. It takes my mind off my own troubles, and I usually get to make a new friend! As for juggling… this is a bad week to ask. I feel like I’ve done an awful job at everything because I’ve overbooked myself. I have no real answer except that I make it work. I spend time with my kids and give them the attention that they need, I blog in between house work during the day, and I write at night when everyone’s asleep.

Have you been published? And if not, what’s the passion and driving force that keeps you heading toward future success?
I think my only claim to fame would be my two short stories published in Rachel Harrie’s Campaign Challenges (published for charity.) It's fun to think of my name out there although those are published under my real name “Abby Fowers.” The big driving force behind my writing is I want my kids to see what I've done. I want them to know I had to work hard – but I did it. Then they will know they can do whatever they set their minds to. I wish I had this dream earlier in life, but I never thought it possible. I want my kids to know that anything is possible. :)

Looking at your home page, it would appear to my deducing eyes that you live on a farm-like dwelling.
What’s life like outside the city, and what did come first – the processed chicken breast or the Egg McMuffin?
Hehehe. I think it was the Egg McMuffin. At least it should be. Although I prefer the sausage biscuit with egg! YUM! And I don’t actually live on the farm. We are exactly 7.34 minutes away. Hehe. My in-laws live on the farm, my husband spends all his time there and we’re there quite often. Sooner or later I’ll be on the farm, too. It’s fun. The kids love to do farm work, and my girls are animal lovers, like me. Although my husband thinks of me as a “city girl” I only grew up about five minutes away from him.

I heard you have a new computer? Any tips to avoid ‘puter meltdown, and did you, in fact, release the tech repair guy without injury?
Dude! Do NOT bring up the tech repair! I may have my own meltdown! Grrr!
*deep breath* Let’s just say… always have an anti-virus and always make sure it clears all programs. I usually zoom through things so fast that I don’t pay enough attention. Now I do. I had a new guy repair that computer, but it doesn’t seem the same. Maybe because I’m in love with the new one! I don’t know. It’s so pretty!!! But after lots of persuasion, I convinced the hubs to break for a new one before I went insane. I cannot go without a computer. It’s torture. Don’t know how I survived before.

How would hubby describe you in twelve words (no adverbsJ)
No adverbs! Hmmm. I don’t think I can do that!
Slightly scary, has to be the boss, too independent, fun & perfect! (bahahaha!)

You, Cassie, Morgan, David and 97.63 percent of the Blogishere appear to live in Utah. Apart from your favorite restaurant, The Cheese Cake Factory, where would you bring a writer to “get” a little taste of Utah?
Oh man, you only dare mention the evil CCF because you’re not here in person, right? I’ll let it slide this once! ;) Okay, you must visit the Salt Lake LDS temple and walk around Temple Square. It’s beautiful, and everyone needs a taste of us “Mormons.” Also, we’d go to Park City and hit some awesome place to eat, and then go on the Alpine Slides. A 4-wheeling trip in the Rocky Mountains would be awesome, then we’d head to southern Utah to visit Zion National Park and Moab. Utah is absolutely beautiful with such a diverse climate and landscape. People are always surprised how much they like it and how pretty it is.

When writing – music or quiet?
Quiet. No contest.

When “Momming” – quiet time or quarrel-making activities?
I wish for quiet, but that’s only wishful thinking. My kids are as loud and crazy as I am. We’ve got to be active and busy or it gets scary. J

I think we all know (or were…) that one scared, about-to-quit writer – the one who’s always been told their writing is poop and a waste of time…

Finally, if you had one or two sentences (go ahead and splurge) to share with him or her, what would you say?
First, I would spout all of the wonderful qualities I know about them and their writing. That way they can recognize their strengths and their talent. Then I’d go off on how quitting will get them nowhere – and that’s the only way to ensure they never get published. We should all have a dream and if we persevere we will eventually meet it. We need to be the hero of our own stories and make it happen!

Mark… May I just say… it has been a pleasure! You have been an amazing blogging friend, always making me laugh and you have such a sweet heart! This has been a fun interview. Thanks so much for having me over!
No worries, Leigh, it was my pleasure!

You can find more about Leigh Covington, super-supporter of all bloggers – and future ambassador for Utah – here.
                                                              ###