About Elaine Cantrell:
Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina where she obtained a master’s degree in personnel services from Clemson University. She is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary society for women educators and Romance Writers of America. Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest. When she’s not writing or teaching, she enjoys movies, quilting, reading, and collecting vintage Christmas ornaments.
What inspires you to write?
My son originally inspired me to write when he wrote a book and asked me to critique it. I was so impressed! I gave it a try myself, and fourteen or so books later I’m glad I did. As far as other inspiration is concerned, it’s all around me, in a song, a conversation, a beautiful picture, a sad event, almost everywhere. You just need eyes to see it.
Tell us about your writing process.
I’m definitely a fly by the seat of the pants writer. I know the beginning and the end, and I make everything else up as I go along. My day to day writing process is simple. I need something to drink, my computer, and a block of time I can devote to my writing. I can write anywhere, in my study or in a recliner in the den.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Of course. Who doesn’t? I’ve had some trouble with secondary characters who tried to steal the show. Sometimes I was tempted to let them get away with it! After getting in my character’s heads, it’s hard to let them go. I wrote about one family that I couldn’t give up. Their last name was Lovinggood. I enjoyed them so much that after I wrote Return Engagement I did a sequel Blue 52, and I have a third book ready to go.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write because it’s fun for you. Don’t worry about writing the book someone else told you to write. Just write for the sheer love of writing and because you have a story inside that you have to tell.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I won a writing contest, and that put me on the traditional publishing route. That book A New Leaf was originally only available as a trade paperback. Since the advent of ebooks, the publisher now makes it available as an ebook as well. I’ve considered self publishing, but so far I haven’t done anything about it.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I believe the ebooks will eventually take a larger part of the traditional market. I think this because some schools don’t issue textbooks anymore. They issue tablets with electronic texts. These kids will naturally feel more comfortable reading electronic books.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Inspirational Romance, Women’s Fiction, Fantasy Romance, Time Travel Romance, Romantic Comedy, Contemporary Romance
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Elaine Cantrell Home Page Link
Link To Elaine Cantrell Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
