Blogger Birthday Bash: Interview- Ellie James

What's up everyone!

Today for the Blogger Birthday Bash we have Elli James, the fantastic author of The Midnight Firefly Series! Her second book in the series -Broken Illusions which celebrates it's Book Birthday Tomorrow on May 8th!  So come join the awesomeness that Ms. James has for us in this interview! Remember to comment so you get an entry in the giveaway! So come out and check this interview out! 

  

What was your inspiration to write your book?

The opening scene!!! I adore the city of New Orleans and have always been fascinated by all the beautiful old abandoned houses. They’re so haunting! Whenever I’m there, I find myself staring at them, wondering what stories they could tell. I think that’s how the opening scene manifested itself in a dream. I woke up with the images so vivid, it was as if I’d just lived breaking into that old house myself! The feelings stayed with me, the intensity and the mystery, the fear and desperation, the possibility, and I couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like to suddenly have visions come to you, visions you didn’t understand--visions that came true. What would you do? What could you do? What would it be like to know things before they happened? How do you live with that? And to live in a city like New Orleans, one of the most haunted in the world. And before I knew it,Trinity’s story was just there.

Why did you start writing books for young adults? And why this genre?

One word…or a name, actually: Trinity. She and her story came to me so fully formed I had to see what happened! And I have to admit it was a little terrifying. I’d been writing Romantic Suspense for years and had never given much thought to writing for the Young Adult market. I wasn’t sure I could do it. But this story, Trinity’s story, was a coming of age story, a journey of discovery, of learning who she was, of coming into her own and standing on her own two feet. None of that wouldhave worked if I’d aged her. Writing Trinity, uncovering her secrets and widening her horizons, breaking her down and watching her pull herself back together, has been an incredible experience. And I have to tell you, all I can think now is YA, YA, YA! I have several more series ideas all competing to come next! 

What makes your book so different from all the books out there?

My editor and I have talked about this, and really the books have emerged into real-world Thrillers. There’s lots of paranormal out there, lots of romance and suspense and mysteries, but Trinity’s story takes all of these elements and combines them into a race against time to solve riddles and mysteries, while at the same time trying to understand her feelings for two very different guys.

 Are you currently working on anything new? If so can we get a clue on what it is?

Always!! Even when I’m not technically on the clock, my mind is spinning.Recently I turned in the third book in the series, the most intense one yet, FRAGILE DARKNESS, and I’m about to dive into line edits. Once those go in, I’m turning my attention back to the new series ideas jockeying for attention. All I can tell you is expect lots of action, lots of mystery, lots of risk-taking,and lots of hot guys!

 Who was your favorite character in the whole story? And why?

Ohhhh, how to answer that? I know who my editor’s favorite character is!!But mine….Hmmm. I’m torn between two, one of whom you met in Shattered Dreams, and one of whom you’ll meet in Broken Illusions: Julian Delacroix. Julian is introduced in chapter 1 as guru of all things metaphysical. He runs a New Age shop in the French Quarter, has long dark hair and deep-set eyes,has a mysterious room on the second floor of his shop, is the subject of many rumors, and does something for Trinity that makes her aunt very, very mad.

 Any tips or tricks for aspiring writers?

I could do an entire interview on this!!!! But for now, let me give a one-word answer: BELIEVE. You have to believe. In yourself. Your story. Your dreams. Your vision. Everything.If you don’t believe, no one else will. But if YOU believe, that’s when magic happens.

 Who was your favorite character in the whole story? And why?

Ohhhh, how to answer that? I know who my editor’s favorite character is!!
But mine….Hmmm. I’m torn between two, one of whom you met in Shattered Dreams, and one of whom you’ll meet in Broken Illusions: Julian Delacroix. Julian is introduced in chapter 1 as guru of all things metaphysical. He runs a New Age shop in the French Quarter, has long dark hair and deep-set eyes,has a mysterious room on the second floor of his shop, is the subject of many rumors, and does something for Trinity that makes her aunt very, very mad.

Any tips or tricks for aspiring writers?

I could do an entire interview on this!!!! But for now, let me give a one-word answer: BELIEVE. You have to believe. In yourself. Your story. Your dreams. Your vision. Everything.If you don’t believe, no one else will. But if YOU believe, that’s when magic happens.

 What is the best part about having your book released in May?

Summer!!! I’d love nothing more than to stumble across someone reading
Broken Illusions on the beach or in the airport!!!

~Fishy >O