Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
Hi! I’m A.D. Ellis, an independently published author from Indiana. I’m a wife, mother, and inner city alternative school teacher along with writing my stories.
Which writers inspire you?
I can’t start listing names, because it would take much too long, and I know I’d forget some who have inspired me. However, I can say that the writers who inspire me are ones who make me feel something with their writing. Writers whose stories stay with me for days, weeks, months, sometimes even years, are my inspiration. I look for writers who tell stories that maybe aren’t the same old romances; I like real life, I like stories which push the edge of the envelope. Writers who can engross me with a story unfolding right before my eyes, and hold me through the good, the bad, and the ugly parts, those are the writers who inspire me. I hope that I can be that type of writer and inspiration for others.
Have you written any other novels in collaboration with other writers?
I haven’t written with other authors. I think, if I had more time, it’s something I’d like to do. But, I also think that writing with another author would be challenging for me. I tend to be a bit of a control freak, and I like to do things my way and in my time.
When did you decide to become a writer?
I was a non-fiction writer during my school years, reporting for the school newspaper and writing from my position as Editor. But, writing for fun wasn’t something I usually did. My writing was mostly required assignments for school. I didn’t enjoy them much, because I was being made to do the writing. It’s sad really, I think a lot of kids lose a natural love of reading or writing because of being bombarded with required reading and writing in school.
I got a Kindle for Christmas in 2012, and I discovered a whole new world of books. I was an avid reader in my youth and teen years. In college and the early years of parenting, I didn’t have the time to read as much. But, in 2012, when I found ebooks and thousands of independently published authors, I started wondering if it was something I could do. A friend kept at me, pushing me to write a book. So, in October of 2013 while I was on Fall Break at my parents’ house, I started my first book. I published it in April 2014, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
Do you write full-time or part-time?
I dream of writing full time, but at this point in time I have to work full time and write part time. Although, I am lucky that I have breaks from school, and I use those to my full advantage.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you?
I sort of combine the two. I usually start out with a broad outline, but as I write, I let the characters take the story where they want it to go. I also find myself with one idea, but as time goes by, as I get closer to writing that scene, I’ll get twists and turns or reactions or words in my mind which take the idea in a completely different way. And I have to say, the ideas that come AS the story is unfolding are usually 100 times better than the original ideas I mapped in my outline.
Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers?
On my knees begging? J No, reviews are like elusive little fairies flitting around in a hidden, enchanted forest. If you catch one, you feel lucky. But most of the time you’re watching the sparkly little imps fly around just out of your reach.
Honestly, though, I usually just ask. I have a decent list of people I can ask to read ARCs for me. My beta readers will leave reviews. I’ll occasionally do a blog tour, but I have to keep a budget in mind. So, many times, I’ll go searching for blogs and just politely offer them my book in exchange for a review. The worst they can say is no. The best that can happen is you get a good review and maybe a future reader.
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Good reviews are so much fun! And I’m talking the reviews that share thoughts, feelings, opinions on the story, not reviews that just retell the entire story. Those are good reviews which aren’t as much fun. But, when a reader states the story made them feel something, or they connected with a character, or they are drawn to reading more of my stories, those are the best.
Bad reviews suck. Plain and simple. Even a nicely written bad review stings. But, I’d rather have an honest review which states what they liked or didn’t like than a mean-spirited review which just bad mouths or puts the author down. There’s no way everyone will love every book, and that’s okay, but don’t be mean about it.
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
I will be putting my books on iBooks in November. Readers can always find me on Amazon. I have two box sets on Kindle Unlimited, so members of that program can read all 4 books in the first series and both books (so far) in the current series for free. Single titles are also available on Amazon.
The best places to connect with me are:
My website: http://adellisauthor.webs.com
My Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/adellisauthor
My newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllisNewsletter
My Amazon page: http://bit.ly/AmazonADEllis
Any Comments for the Blog readers?
I’m going to assume your blog readers are also book readers J so I want to say READERS ROCK! There is nothing more exciting than a reader who falls in love with a story, a character, and author. Readers are passionate, enthusiastic, and loyal, and I love to hear from them and meet them.
Readers today are so lucky in that they have literally millions of books to choose from. That makes my job of getting my books in front of them to choose harder, but it’s such an awesome feeling to know there are so many great stories out there still waiting to be read. Readers get to be the miners looking for those rare diamonds in the rough. And, as a reader, when you find that special book, that gem, it’s such an amazing feeling.
Any feedback for me or the blog?
Thanks so much for taking time to host me today. I appreciate your time and effort. Bloggers are such a vital part of the book world. Thank you!
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