The Truth About An Author's Life - Linda Ellen

                                          

“What happened to your twenty books you had published?” someone once teased me (all in good fun).

     “Yeah, I wish,” was my response.

     Don’t you wish you could just be able to sit down and put out a book a month? Or maybe even every three months? Not trying to be cynical, yet it seems the stereotypical idea of an author’s life is the ability to just sit in front of a computer, or even a typewriter, and let the creativity flow unhindered. Yeah, that’d be really sweet, but unfortunately for us, life gets in the way. The individual addressing this theory today is Historical Romance writer, Linda Ellen. 

1)      Tell us a little about yourself. What genre(s) do you write? 

My pen name is Linda Ellen, I live in Louisville, Kentucky, am married to a wonderful man (34 years now) and have two grown sons.  I write Historical Romance, or more specifically, what they’re now calling ‘Sweet and Clean Historical Romance’, in opposition to the trend of historical ones that, unfortunately, seem to resort to erotica to sell.

2)      Out of all the careers, why did you pick writing? What drew you to it?

Hmm, well, at this point I only have one novel out (but I’m writing its sequel), so I don’t think of it as a career yet, but I love having a way to express myself by creating a ‘world’ inside the pages of a novel. I’ve always loved reading, so now I can write something that is like something I would like to read myself.  One of the sweetest, most satisfying feelings for me is to be working on a scene or chapter and type in that last sentence, then sit back and nod with a sigh.  “Yeah, that’s good. I like it.”  J

3)       Do you have a ‘day’ job?

Yes I do, three days a week I’m the office manager for a large prison ministry.  It’s rewarding, but mentally taxing work.

4)      Did you ever once consider that writing might interfere with your family time, personal life or even your other job?

Indeed. Writing has certainly interfered with my family time and personal life - just ask my husband how bad it gets at times! And now that my first book is out, I think about promoting it constantly, even at work, lol. I’m sure my friends are getting sick of hearing about it. ;)

                                             

When I became an author, I thought that cranking out books would be no problem; the money would start coming in right away and getting book signings and promotions would be a snap. You know kind of how it’s portrayed on television and the movies. However, life hasn’t let me live up to those expectations. 

5)      What do you think is the truth about an author’s life? Is it as easy as portrayed on screen?

Hmm, I haven’t seen that many movies where an author’s life is portrayed as easy, except maybe after one has ‘made it big’.  Maybe since I’d seen The Walton’s, and John-Boy’s struggles to become a writer, I always figured it wasn’t a piece of cake.  Besides, I have an author friend now who is a stay-at-home mom and she decided to start writing two years ago. She’s incredibly disciplined and writes during the day – and she already has fifteen books for sale. She’s become my inspiration for ‘writing discipline’.

6)      Have you developed a technique for juggling life, family and writing? And how long did it take you to master this skill?

For me, I started out writing fanfiction and ended up writing 4 novels (a modern trilogy and one period piece) and 27 short stories about the TV series Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. During those years, from 2009 up to last year, I would write practically every spare moment I had.  At one point, my husband was feeling decidedly rejected, so we eventually came to the compromise that I would stop at 8 PM and be with him the rest of the evening.  Now, on my days off I try to write during the day (when not promoting) and quit at suppertime to be with him and watch TV or DVDs.  Of course, I have to occasionally try to squeeze in time for chores like laundry and cleaning the bathroom.

7)      Are there any secrets you’d like to share for other writers who need help juggling life and writing?

I’d say to a person who is having trouble finding time to write, just use the time you have. Get up an hour earlier or go to bed an hour later.  If you’re finding it hard to ‘get into’ a scene where you left off, just go back to the top of the chapter and proof/edit your way to where you stopped. By then, you’ll be back in the groove. Also, jot down notes during the day for specific things in the scene you’re working on, so those rascals don’t flitter away from you. If you have a smart phone, record bits and ideas to play back and type. Send yourself emails with lines that come to you.  I’m still working things out, because sometimes the words start to flow just as the supper hour gets there, lol.  If that happens, I holler down to my husband that I really need to finish the scene I’m on, and he understands – especially now that the first book is finished and out.  For those occasions, we keep a supply of Marie Callender’s meals on hand to plop in the microwave.  I admit, though, that I get distracted and after finishing the scene, if I allow myself to look at social media, I’m a goner! 

8)      And last but not least, can you let us in on what your next book is going to be about and when can we expect it to be available for purchase?

I’d love to – my next book is The Bold Venture, sequel to my novel Once in a While.  Once in a While is a Depression Era love story, loosely based on my own mother and father’s romance in 1937. My mom is 90 and still with us, and she helps me with details and other invaluable information as I write.  So The Bold Venture starts where the first one left off (when the two came back together after something drives them apart) and goes on from there. I plan a third one in the series, plus a novella for the lead characters’ two best friends, and the timeline for it will be during the first novel.  The Bold Venture, hopefully, will be finished and out for sale by this summer.

Once in a While is available on Amazon (Kindle and paperback), Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.

Thank you so much for your time, Linda, and I look forward to The Bold Venture hitting shelves soon. By now, my readers, you probably know the drill. 1) Check out Linda's Book, Once In A While and 2) Check back tomorrow for the final interview.