About Ella Carmichael:
I am one of those individuals who assumed they would be a writer when they were in their teens, but it never happened. I came to writing late in life after an emotional upheaval left me fragile and alone. I work a full-time regular job and use my free time to create. It's not good but it's how many survive.
What inspires you to write?
Pretty much everything I see. There is a story in everything. I like to play the 3 objects game. I imagine pulling 3 random objects from my pockets and then create a story around them. I just finished Coffee Tales using this process. A little book of short stories and flash fiction. One story is called The Choosing. Inspired by a visit to a local coffee shop where the two people at the next table did their level best to spoil my lunch. By the time I returned to work, the story they inspired was all mapped out in my head.
Tell us about your writing process.
I can't let it go. That's my process. I am sure I am a horrible person to be around because a substantial part of me is always churning away in the background, refining plots and characters while I pretend to be normal. It can be exhausting but it's the only way I know how to to it and, quite frankly, I don't have much of a choice. It's difficult to fight who we are.
I am an out-liner by nature, although I rarely write much down in advance. I mull everything over before sitting down to write, and once I do I am good to go. It's one of the reasons I am so productive. The first 10 books of Miracles and Millions equates to 1.2 million words and it took less than 5 years to write.
I wrote Coffee Tales as a break from all that.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I generally listen. They lead and I follow. It's where most of the fun lies. I am working on a novella set in modern day Ireland with Celtic overtones at present. One of the characters has a wife called Megan but I didn't realize until last night when he showed her to me. Pretty cool.
What advice would you give other writers?
Stay calm and carry on. Life is not fair so don't expect to be treated fairly. This is about you and your characters. Hold on to that thought. You and yours not them and theirs. Find something outside of writing that keeps you sane and fit.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I always assumed I would self-publish. Yes, I reached out to one or two agents in the early days, but was rejected very quickly. This didn't surprise me as my books are part of a series and that does not interest publishers. They want standalone.
After spending years on Miracles and Millions I just went ahead and pushed the button. I would advise new writers to explore every option both traditional and modern. Don't be afraid to ask somebody to read your work, and don't be afraid to look for an agent.
Also, don't be afraid to write to a formula. It's what gets results in the modern world. Billionaire Romance. Cowboy Romance. Cozy Mystery. Erotica. It's all for the taking in the book world, but not if you strive to be different. Try to fit in. Sounds harsh but that's the way it is.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think digital, audio and print are here to stay, and will continue to battle for market share over the coming decades. Audio will be huge soon. I think shorter works will become increasingly popular as writers pander to the needs of the Youtube culture. I also think we will lose many writers to commercial lifestyles that actually pay. Especially younger people who have more choices.
What genres do you write?: Military, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Fiction, Black Humor, Metaphysical, Action and Adventure, Fiction,
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Ella Carmichael Home Page Link
Link To Ella Carmichael Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
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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.
