An Interview with Leon Basin By Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopez

An Interview with Leon Basin

By:

TANNIA E. ORTIZ-LOPES

( http://timewithtannia.tripod.com )

1) Tell us about yourself

I am Leon. I currently, attend De Anza College majoring in English and Marketing. I have

received my communications Certification and will pursue a technical writing certificate as

well. I have published two books. “A Closed Window of Truth” and Digesting Current Events

through Similes, Metaphors and the Abstract. I am in the process of publishing two other

books. One is a children book and another non-fiction book. I run a freelance writing business

called LeonsLiteHouse where I focus on business writing. You can find out more about my

business and other information about me at the following site.

http://www.leonbasin.net

2) How long have you been a published author? What motivated you to become a

freelance writer?

I have been a published author for 8 years and I love it tremendously. I became a freelance

writer because of a need to express myself and share my views and opinions with others. In

addition, I had a need to show other writers, that they were also, capable of being a published

writer like myself.

3) You are currently pursuing three different certificates, “Technical Writing,”

“Grant Writing,” and “Copyrights” What do you expect to accomplish with these

certificates?

That is correct; I am currently pursuing three certifications. Copy-writing as

business/marketing type of writing. I will be focusing on helping companies advertise and

market their products better. My goal with these certifications is to support myself and make a

decent income while I pursue a career as a fiction writer.

4) Many newly writers tired and frustrated of dealing with rejections from traditional

publishers are pursuing self-publishing. Do you agree with this statement?

It depends what kind of writing they want to self-publish. It also, depends what they are trying

to achieve with their written word. I for example, have a huge plan in my mind. I must self-publish because I absolutely believe about my words to be a manual for people. I do not

mean to be cocky, I just know that I have a lot to say, and I do not have time to wait until the

publishers realize that or give me a chance. I like taking chances and making it that publishers

want to pursue me. I believe that if you feel you got something to say why not try and

self-publishing it yourself. It would not hurt anyone and if it does not go well, try again. So,

back to your question, it all depends on each individual. We all have stories to tell. However,

not all of us know how to do it ourselves. Therefore, it’s alright to ask for help.

5) Your first book, A Closed Window of Truth, is a collection of poems. Tell us about

your book. What was the crucial factor that inspired the creation of this book and its

intriguing title? Why did you choose http://www.lulu.com <http://www.lulu.com> to publish

your book?

My first book “A Closed Window of Truth” is not actually a collection of poems. Many

people mix that up. I actually chose to come up with a new concept. I put short stories

together in a poetic way. This book tells a story in a poet like way. It tells a story about my

7-year journey from the slums of Ukraine to living like a king in the United States. How I

coped, how I changed, and how I grew up. All of the poems/short stories are connected to the

other. The title came from a lot of soul searching and a lot of word play in my head. I wanted

to find a title that would help capture the whole 7 year journey as easy as possible. I feel that

the title presents a very easy to understand and yet, any person can take it in his or her own

way and make it complicated if that is what they desire. I felt the need to write this book,

because I knew that other people have been through the same struggles I have been. There are

many foreigners out there who travel to different countries and live in different places, I

thought this book could help those people cope with their frustration and anger towards their

parents for bringing them from wherever they came. I feel that this book will help people out

and make them understand what it was like being a person in a different country and doing

different things they have never done before. I hope it inspires people to share there own

stories as well. The reason I chose to publish with LULU was because it was free and it was

the fastest way I could get my words out.

6) Do you consider your Communications Degree a plus to help you in the marketing of

your book?

My communications Degree is a huge plus to my plan to become the number one selfpublished

author. I do not think I will be going the regular route, because of the fact that I

have so much things I would like to write about, it will take way to long for it to show up in

peoples hands. However, the book I am working on currently, I might consider going the

traditional route, because these

kind of books need a publisher. It is a non-fiction book that covers interracial dating. It’s

called Confessions of Interracial Couples. I believe my communication degree will definitely

help me bring in more readers and build a bigger database of fans.

7) What are your writer’s expectations? What are your goals?

I have many goals and expectations. I believe that I should be the best at whatever I do. I

always improve myself at whatever I do. This is not a career it is my love. It helps me breath

at night and during the day. I feel that I always need to write, even when I don’t feel like it.

Goals are simple, be the best at this writing. Other goals include: writing 50 books before I

pass on and opening a publishing company that will help other writers see the day of light.

8) Are you working on new projects? Give us a taste of your work in progress.

Yes. I am currently working on a non-fiction book called Confessions of Interracial Couples

and a children’s book Acceptance. The confession book came about because I am currently, in

an interracial relationship and I felt the need to share my story as well as others peoples story.

It will be one of the best books I have written and that is a promise. With the children book, I

would like to share my views on acceptance and I would like to bring youngsters to read more

and understand the world around them better.

9) How can our readers contact you?

They can contact me at my web site http://www.leonbasin.net I will also, be working on a

newsletter. If anyone out there is interested, please email me and I will put their name on the

list.

10) A word of advice for new writers

Write and read every day and just do what you love. I do it because I cannot live without it. It

is my breathing mechanism. Work hard at your craft and be the best at whatever type of

writing you do.

Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopés, author of The Window to my soul, My Walk with

Jesus (ISBN 0975393359; 2004 Tate Publishing; www.tatepublishing.com).

Author’s websites: http://www.myspace.com/tanniaortizlopes and

http://timewithtannia.tripod.com. The author also has a blog at

www.amazon.com

Copyrighted December 2007, Tannia E. Ortiz-Lopes – All rights reserved