Leanna Ellis writes quirky women's fiction for B&H Publishing. She has won the Golden Heart award as well as the National Readers’ Choice Award. Her next book ELVIS TAKES A BACK SEAT will be out in January 2008. With her husband, two children and wide assortment of pets, she makes her home in Texas where she homeschools her children. Visit Leanna at http://leannaellis.com.What new book or project do you have coming out?
Elvis Takes a Back Seat. It comes out January 2008! A young widow, determined to fulfill her husband’s last request, hauls a three foot bust of Elvis strapped in the back seat of a vintage Cadillac from Texas to Memphis to return it to its rightful owner. The road trip with her eccentric aunt, who knew the King of Rock n’ Roll, and a temperamental teen, who’s hiding her pregnancy, hits roadblocks and detours as the three women uncover pieces of their own past along with the bust’s mysterious history. The discoveries change the course of their lives forever.How did you come up with this story? Was there a specific 'what if' moment?
The first character to waltz into my head was Rae, the aunt. I was actually having a garage sale and I started to think about how hard it is for some people to give things away, how attached they are to certain memorabilia. When I began writing the first scene of the book, I was trying to think of weird quirky things that a character might have in a garage sale. I immediately thought of my husband’s friend. He has an Elvis bust that we’ve all teased him about for years. Now who’s laughing? His bust has received a lot of attention! You can see a picture of me and the bust on my website.
Tell us about your publishing journey. How long had you been writing before you got a contract? How did you find out and what went through your mind?
I began writing in 1991. It took 3 ½ years to sell my first book to Harlequin/Silhouette. That was back in 1995. I wrote several books category romance books. Then I hit a wall. I wouldn’t call it burnout because I had other stories in my head. God was also working on my heart at that time. So in 2001 I walked away from romance and began a journey of discovery. I was rediscovering God, writing in a new way, learning what my purpose was and turning my writing career over to God. You might say God took the driver’s seat and this author got in the back seat.
Do you ever struggle with writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?
I struggle with discipline. I used to be extremely disciplined, but then I had children. I’m pulled in so many ways, so it’s easy for me to get distracted. I usually always have a story rattling around in my head so I don’t usually have writer’s block in that sense.
What is the most difficult part of writing for you or was when you first started on your writing journey?
Chapter one. At various times in my career, I’ve struggled with different aspects of writing. But since leaving category romance where I plotted in a more linear fashion, I’ve been plotting and writing in a more seat of the pants way. My plots are much more creative but it’s also a big mish mash of ideas for a long time. It takes a while to whip a manuscript into shape, especially the first chapter.
Where do you write? Do you have a dedicated office or a corner or nook in a room?
I have an office. And it’s a mess! But I also move around. If I need to edit, then I might take my manuscript to the kitchen table. I do more brainstorming and plotting other places than in front of the computer. I also take a notebook or my laptop to my kids’ activities. If I have to wait during dance or fencing practice, then I either read or write.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I get up really early. Trust me, you don’t want to know how early. I have a quiet time. I take care of any pressing matters first. Then I write. I write until my family wakes up. Then I fix breakfast. Two days a week, my kids go to school, but the other days we homeschool. So sometimes I’m teaching throughout the morning. In the afternoon, I can usually carve out a couple of hours of work time. This is either for marketing stuff or editing. Sometimes at night, I can also work another couple of hours if I need to.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?
Write.
What do you wish you’d known early in your career that might have saved you some time and/or frustration in writing?
Not to be in a hurry to sell. Of course, we all are. But use that time before you sell to really learn your craft, find your voice, find your purpose for writing.
How much marketing do you do? What have you found that particularly works well for you?
I do a lot more marketing than I ever imagined! And I’m still learning as I go on this one. From the beginning of a manuscript, I think about high concept. It will pay off later when marketing a book.
Do you have any parting words of advice?
If you feel called to write, then write. You’ll hit hardships and frustrations. We all do. Just keep writing. The bible tells us that many are called, few are chosen. The sad fact is that many give up, get frustrated, fall by the wayside and just quit. Writing is hard. It never gets easier. So, if you feel called to write, then do it.
I began writing in 1991. It took 3 ½ years to sell my first book to Harlequin/Silhouette. That was back in 1995. I wrote several books category romance books. Then I hit a wall. I wouldn’t call it burnout because I had other stories in my head. God was also working on my heart at that time. So in 2001 I walked away from romance and began a journey of discovery. I was rediscovering God, writing in a new way, learning what my purpose was and turning my writing career over to God. You might say God took the driver’s seat and this author got in the back seat.
Do you ever struggle with writer's block? If so, how do you overcome it?
I struggle with discipline. I used to be extremely disciplined, but then I had children. I’m pulled in so many ways, so it’s easy for me to get distracted. I usually always have a story rattling around in my head so I don’t usually have writer’s block in that sense.
What is the most difficult part of writing for you or was when you first started on your writing journey?
Chapter one. At various times in my career, I’ve struggled with different aspects of writing. But since leaving category romance where I plotted in a more linear fashion, I’ve been plotting and writing in a more seat of the pants way. My plots are much more creative but it’s also a big mish mash of ideas for a long time. It takes a while to whip a manuscript into shape, especially the first chapter.
Where do you write? Do you have a dedicated office or a corner or nook in a room?
I have an office. And it’s a mess! But I also move around. If I need to edit, then I might take my manuscript to the kitchen table. I do more brainstorming and plotting other places than in front of the computer. I also take a notebook or my laptop to my kids’ activities. If I have to wait during dance or fencing practice, then I either read or write.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I get up really early. Trust me, you don’t want to know how early. I have a quiet time. I take care of any pressing matters first. Then I write. I write until my family wakes up. Then I fix breakfast. Two days a week, my kids go to school, but the other days we homeschool. So sometimes I’m teaching throughout the morning. In the afternoon, I can usually carve out a couple of hours of work time. This is either for marketing stuff or editing. Sometimes at night, I can also work another couple of hours if I need to.
What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?
Write.
What do you wish you’d known early in your career that might have saved you some time and/or frustration in writing?
Not to be in a hurry to sell. Of course, we all are. But use that time before you sell to really learn your craft, find your voice, find your purpose for writing.
How much marketing do you do? What have you found that particularly works well for you?
I do a lot more marketing than I ever imagined! And I’m still learning as I go on this one. From the beginning of a manuscript, I think about high concept. It will pay off later when marketing a book.
Do you have any parting words of advice?
If you feel called to write, then write. You’ll hit hardships and frustrations. We all do. Just keep writing. The bible tells us that many are called, few are chosen. The sad fact is that many give up, get frustrated, fall by the wayside and just quit. Writing is hard. It never gets easier. So, if you feel called to write, then do it.
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