Ellie Simpson hails from a small town in western Okalahoma, where she raised her family and for 40 years served as the office manager for a second-hand furniture store. When her husband died, Ellie relocated to Tidewater Area of Virginia to be closer to her daughter and grand-children. Ellie is currently ensconced in an 80-year-old Tudor home that is a little bit (but she won’t say how much) older than she is.
When not writing stories full of sex and sizzle, she enjoys going to the BINGO hall with her friends. Under the auspices of “research” for her books, once a year she trips to Vegas for a little gambling and a lot of people watching. Her secret television vices include watching The Food Network (even though she doesn’t cook much any more) and The Bachelor.
When asked who inspired the character of Memaw in “Spell Bound”, Ellie replies, “Well, I think there’s a little Memaw in all of us, don’t you?”
Do you plan everything or just let the story flow? I’m a plotter. But I’m not averse to changing the direction of the story after the journey begins. I just have to listen to that dang GPS in my head say, “Recalculating.”
Do your characters ever want to take over the story?
All the time! And I usually let them, because they know more about the story than I do.
What is your favourite food?
My splurge food of choice is a Dairy Queen Peanut Buster Parfait! Hmm, I think I’ll go get one for lunch today.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
My dog is a morning dog which makes me a morning person. We’re making our way around the block by six a.m. every day, rain, snow, sleet or hail. Even once curing a hurricane (only a cat 1, but still…)
Where do you dream of travelling to and why?
I have always wanted to travel to Australia. I just like listening to their accents! Plus I’m a big fan of Koala Bears and Kangaroos.
Do distant places feature in your books?
Not so much. I write what I know, which right now is Norfolk Virginia, and for many people that might be considered “a distant place.” I do have plans for a character that is on the run so will be traveling around the country.
Do you listen to music while writing?
No, I need complete silence.
SPELL BOUND is a story that involves a little red magic. The main character, Kyra Marchbanks, is a financial partner in a shop that sells love spells, but she herself has been burned by magic, and by love. She has to overcome her aversion to both before she can find true happiness. The book will be FREE on Kindle, February 10th thru 14th, 2013.
What have you learned about writing and publishing since you first started?
That writing the book is the easy part. Editing is the second easiest part. The hardest part is marketing it, because there are just sooooo many books out there right now competing for reader’s attention.
Is there anything you would do differently?
I would have jumped into the indie-publishing pond a few years ago. It is quite crowded right now.
Who, or what, if anything has influenced your writing?
Reading so many good books and saying “I wish I could write like that.” It amazes me how a good writer can engage the reader and take them across the entire emotional spectrum and have them swoon and cheer and cry and laugh and everything. All at once!
Anything you would say to those just starting out in the craft?
Write a short story. Give yourself say 5,000 words to fully craft something with a complete story arc, full character development and vivid descriptions. This will teach you how to cut the “story fat” out and write tightly. This is what good writers do, write a tight story. It is waaayyy harder than it looks.
What are three words that describe you?
Honest, happy and hungry. (I am always hungry!)
What's your favourite book or who is your favourite writer?
I will read absolutely everything Susan Elizabeth Phillips puts out. The way she takes her characters to the point you think “Lord, things can’t get any worse,” and then they DO get worse! Much worse! But always such a rewarding ending.
Blurb of your latest release or coming soon book:
Alex Smith doesn’t believe in magic. Or didn’t--until he finds himself under Kyra’s spell. But it’s going to take more than a wave of a magic wand to eliminate the hurdles preventing them from being together.
The combined efforts of Kyra’s meddling business partners and her great-grandmother help teach Alex and Kyra to believe—in the magic of love.
List of previous books if any
Nope, this is my first. I’m working on Myra’s story (Kyra’s twin sister) now.
Any websites/places readers can find you on the web.
The other A Little Red Magic novella authors and I are starting a blog at www.alittleredmagic.blogspot.com
This is a new frontier for us, so please bear with us.
Don't forget you can download Spellbound for free from Feb 10-14 at amazon
Thank you, Ellie and good luck with your books :)
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