Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Guest Author, Ellen Dye


Today's Guest Author is fellow Washington Romance Writer and Wild Rose Press author, Ellen Dye, who just got back from a lovely Thanksgiving trip to...Paris! (I got the most wonderful post card of the Eiffel Tower and it gives me something to aspire to--one day I'll send YOU a post card, Ellen!) But for now, we're glad you're back home safely and able to spend the day chatting with us, telling us a little about yourself and your book. So welcome home and here goes:
Who are you?

I’m Ellen Dye and my first novel is called Three’s The Charm. It was released electronically by The Wild Rose Press in August. It was released in print on November 28. Believe me this is a dream that was a long time in coming.

I was first bitten by the writing bug when I was nine years old and stumbled onto my Aunt Nettie’s strictly contraband trunk of True Confession magazines. Naturally, being that they were strictly contraband, I was compelled to read the lot, breaking only to refresh my supply of Munchos potato chips and RC Cola. Somewhere near the bottom of the pile I decided I wanted to be a writer and create stories just as great as these.

Then, being nine, I promptly forgot all about it.

Fast forward a goodly number of years, having gotten the pesky business of growing up out of the way, to a local grocery store. My year old son was screaming with enough force to shake products from shelves while I was attempting to stem the noise by stuffing his mouth with animal crackers---and in that instant I saw Them. Each and every one of Sterling MacFadden’s True magazines were there on the shelf just waiting for me.

Long story made short---I bought the lot, devoured them and remembered I wanted to be a writer. Then my husband installed Word on my computer which prevented me from forgetting my decision to be a writer this time.

I began tapping away and submitting faithfully, thinking of all the publishing experience I was getting and preparing myself for a flood of rejections. But to my very great surprise about a month later I got The Call from an editor at True Love saying they wanted to buy one of my stories.

When do you write?

Literally all the time. I’m sort of a quirky little scribbler who can’t ever seem to keep a schedule. In fact it’s lucky that I can, through writing, claim status as an “Artistic Type”---otherwise I’d be widely known as a complete airhead. So, back to my “all the time” answer and how that works---I keep a spiral notebook with me always and when I get a free moment (even if it’s in the school parking lot waiting for my son) I jot down as much as I can.

When do you read?

Well, interestingly enough the answer is just the same as the above---all the time. I always have a book with me when I leave the house, literally, for any reason. I read everywhere from grocery store checkout lines to hair salons when I zip in for a trim. And hey, no good night’s sleep can ever begin without a good book to start if off, right?

Where did you get the inspiration for your current book?


I love this question because for me it’s a real stumper. To be one hundred percent honest the truth is I have no idea where my ideas, or the inspiration behind them comes from. I do vaguely remember wondering, as I took my desperate to get home cat out of the vet’s office, what sort of life a country vet would lead. And pretty much from that point on Three’s The Charm took on a life of it’s own, complete with characters.

How long did you write seriously before your first book was published?

The plainest answer to this question is ten years, but it’s not exactly accurate. I started off writing with no desire to write books. I wanted to write confession stories, short fiction for magazines and general freelance articles. And I did. I was also exceptionally lucky in that I mailed my first batch of confessions off and received The Call from the editor at True Love about a month later. And I was really happy with this sort of writing.

So it was about five years or so before I decided to write a book in addition to the freelance stuff. Three’s The Charm was about two years in the writing and polishing and then another year and a half or so to sell. And I have to say I’ve never had so much fun writing anything as I did writing Three’s The Charm.

Why do I write?


Because I love it---it’s as simple as that!

Ellen’s first novel, Three’s The Charm is available now from The Wild Rose Press, http://www.thewildrosepress.com/ fictionwise ebooks and Amazon Kindle.


36 comments:

Unknown said...

How does someone go on a Thanksgiving trip .... to PARIS! and not invite me? What happened, did I step away from the computer at that moment or something?

But really, loved the blog! And don't you know that I used to read True Confessions magazine! How crazy.

Three's a charm looks like an awesome read!

Skhye said...

LOL. That's what I was wondering, Lastnerve.

Wonderful blog post and interesting path to publication of novels! And love your cover!!! Merry Christmas! Skhye

Miriam Newman said...

Ellen,

I have three horses in my back yard (back pasture, actually) and your cover was a MAGNET! Best of luck with the book.

Maggie Toussaint said...

Hi Ellen,
I love reading about your writing journey. And you went to Paris and didn't take me? Argh. I know I could have squeezed into a corner of your suitcase. I'm so glad your book is out in print now. Its so special to be able to hold it in your hands, isn't it? This is a great story folks. I highly recommend it!
Maggie
www.maggietoussaint.com
www.facebook.com/maggietoussaint
romance.danger.mystery

Ellen said...

Hey Lastnerve!
It's really awesome to meet you---woohoo, another Confession Junkie. I'm proud to say that I'm still hooked after all these years.

Sorry about Paris, but here's the scoop---tickets are super cheap during Nov :))

Thanks so much for stopping by and all the best, Ellen

Ellen said...

Skhye, it's great to see you here! And many thanks for all your kind words about Three's The Charm :)) And a very Merry Christmas to you as well!

Ellen

Ellen said...

Hi Miriam!
Thanks so much for stopping by---I'm a horse lover myself although we don't actually have one :))
Take care, Ellen

Ellen said...

Hey Maggie---You are the absolute best for stopping by, Girlfriend! So sorry about not leaving suitcase tucking room :( If only I'd known ahead of time you wanted to stow away....
Thanks for recommending Three's The Charm---and yes, my toes still haven't touched solid ground since I held the bound book in my hand :)) Ellen

P.L. Parker said...

Paris - how wonderful. The only out of states experience I've had was Tijuana, Mexico, and it wasn't my favorite.

Great Blog.

Patsy
P. L. Parker

Ellen said...

Hi Patsy!
It's great to meet you :)) Paris was indeed fantastic and I have to agree with you about Tijuana---it wasn't my cafe au lait either! Tickets are cheap this time of year, take the plunge---I guarantee you'll love it.
Thanks so very much for stopping by! Ellen

Edie Ramer said...

Paris sounds fabulous! Great interview! Interesting that you came to romance from True Confession magazines. And your cover is fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Love the check out line story... great mental image of desperate young mom and wailing child with cracker crumbs all over and mom keying in on those magazines... wailing fades into background, "I can raise your kid better than you" noises disappear... Sweeping romantic music... LOL!

And the book looks like a fun read!

Elaine Cantrell said...

Paris is the best! I never understood why everyone wanted to go to Paris-not until I went there. It's wonderful.

Misty Evans said...

Ellen, sweetie, you never said you were going to Paris when you wished me Happy Turkey Day. You naughty girl! Now, I have to pick your brain when I start edits on my book I'd Rather Be In Paris in two weeks! Aha, maybe that's why you failed to mention your destination. You knew I'd be bugging you to read my story. LOL.

Anyway, great interview! You know Three's the Charm is at the top of my list to read over the holidays. :)

Hugs,
Misty

Ellen said...

Hi Edie!
Thanks so much for stopping by :)) And I've got to say I'm terribly partial to the cover as well!
Thanks again,
Ellen

Ellen said...

Hi Nan!
Thanks so much for stopping by today! And clearly you are a truly gifted writer with a kindly imagination toward me in the checkout line :)) I truly wish there would have been music---but sadly it was just me liberally sprinkled with cracker crumbs ready to cry...

Thanks again for coming! Ellen

Ellen said...

Hi Elaine!
Yes, you are so right---Paris is the best. The culture is fab, honestly I could have pitched a tent and never left the Louvre :)) And the food was so incredibly awesome I can barely fasten the top button on my jeans!
Thanks again for coming by today :)
Ellen

Liana Laverentz said...

Then you'll love it that I somehow accidentally made it my screensaver this morning and now need my son to come home from school and replace it with my usual nature scene! I've been admiring your wonderful cover all day!

Sounds like you're having lots of company today. Enjoy!

Ellen said...

Oh Misty, I'm so sorry!!! It was sort of a weird rush, know what I mean? And hey, I'm totally happy to read your story and as far as my brain goes---well, honey, consider it yours :))

Thanks for stopping by, Girlfriend!
Hugs right back,
Ellen

Ellen said...

Wow, Liana, I'm so happy!!! I thought I was the only one who made accidental screen savers :)) You've made my day---I no longer feel so all alone! And I'm really glad it's a cover you like---I'd feel just terrible if you had to stare at it all day otherwise :))
Hugs!
Ellen

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Interesting interview, Ellen. Do you still write for the confession mags? And are you working on any more books now?

Three's The Charm sounds like a good read!

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Ellen,
Wow, you have had an interesting road to publication. Ah Paris, the city for lovers. There would have to be a story in there somewhere wouldn't there?

Ellen said...

Hi Stacey!
It's really nice to meet you :)) And to answer your questions, it's yes to both. I do still write confession stories---they are just too much fun to give up! And I've got a couple of books brewing and getting written bit by bit as well.
Thanks again for taking time to stop by :)) Ellen

Ellen said...

Hi Margaret!!!
It's so great to hear from you :)) And yes, I think there just might be a story in our trip there somewhere. Who knows, maybe something about a totally lost American in the Latin Quarter who speaks French really awful but meets loads of nice people anyway :))

Ellen

Robin Kaye said...

Hi Ellen~

Loved the blog, I'm so jealous you got to go to Paris over Thanksgiving--I bet it beat the heck out of cooking and gorging yourself on the traditional turkey dinner!

I'm looking forward to reading Three's A Charm - it' sounds wonderful!

Robin :)

Unknown said...

ELLEN--a little late, but here I am. Your interview was wonderful, and Liana,the exact kind of questions that illicit a good response. Well done, both of you. (Ellen, remember I have read THREE'S THE CHARM.

Ellen said...

Hi Robin,
Thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words about Three's The Charm! Hey, Paris was indeed great---had a total blast. But I'm not too sure about the stuffing yourself part---I still cannot fasten the top button of my jeans! And no need to be jealous, drop me a line, I know where to find the cheap tickets :)) Ellen

Ellen said...

Hi Celia!
It's so great to have you visit :)) And how could I ever forget you've read Three's The Charm after all the wonderful things you said about it---you made me feel great!
Thanks again for stopping by :)) Ellen

Keena Kincaid said...

Thanksgiving in Paris... sigh. That sounds wonderful. And I hate to confess this, but I've never read a True Confession magazine. I didn't know it were still around.

Ellen said...

Hi Keena!
Great to see you here, many thanks for stopping by :)) Yeah, Paris was really great, we had a super time and like I said, discount tickets to boot! Oh yeah, thank goodness those Confession mags are still about---I'd be in bad shape without my monthly fix :))
Ellen

Lynn Reynolds said...

Ellen - I'm a scribbler too - I jot down little bits and pieces of stories all over the place at all sorts of odd times. I also have a long commute now, so I'm trying to get used to dictating ideas and scenes to myself. I'm really enjoying Three's the Charm. And trying not to be too jealous about that Paris thing! Congrats on the book.

Ellen said...

Hi Lynn!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for saying such nice things about Three's The Charm :)) You're such a sweetie! Hey, scribbling is the way to go--and you can always toss down a notebook and pen. I really wouldn't want to be responsible for giving a laptop that sort of treatment. And you know, like I said, I know where the cheap tickets are---I'll hook you up:))
Take care and thanks again!
Ellen

Asylumgirl said...

I remember my sister reading those magazines, but I never got into them.

Like you, I keep books all over the place. It's not uncommon for me to have half a dozen started at one time. LOL

Deidre

Ellen said...

Hi Deidre,
Thanks so much for stopping by! Oh so many books and so little time---not to mention the shelf space, right? :))
Ellen

Hywela Lyn said...

Hi Ellen,

Loved the interview - and I'm another one that also loves your cover - anthing with a horse will do it for me. (I have two although unfortunately I don't have a paddock of my own and they're kept too far away for my liking.) I might just make it my own wallpaper actually.

Ellen said...

Hi Everybody!
First off I'd like to say thanks so much to everybody who dropped by to comment---it was great getting to chat with all of you.

And second---my winner for the autographed copy of Three's The Charm is.... Elaine Cantrell! Elaine, if you get this drop me a line with your mailing address :))

Thanks so much everyone! Ellen