Author Interview – Elle Strauss

Recently I became acquainted with Indie author, Elle Strauss by following her blog via a blog hop.  I didn’t realize she was an author until awhile later reading her posts and realized she had a book that was soon to be released.  So Elle was nice enough to participate in our Indie week and answer a few interview questions for us. My review will go up this week.

Clockwise is available as both e-book and paperback. Buy it Here

What made you want to be a writer? Too much spare time? a desire to poke out ones eyeballs?

I'm actually a late bloomer when it comes to writing. I was one of those people who read picture books to my children and thought, "Hey, I could do that."  And I could, it just took a really long time to get any good :)

Did you try to go the conventional publishing route - beating your head against one publishing house after another? - or did you immediately decide to indie publish?

Indie wasn't really a viable option when I first tried getting published. I did manage to get an agent and go out on submission to editors but never made a sale. By the end of the process, indie publishing was suddenly a doable option.

You have your own blog - how well has the book blogging community treated you? Eaten you whole?

The blogging community is amazing. I've made great friends who have offered a lot of support along what can be quite an emotional ride. 

Are there any specific reasons you chose to write in the YA genre rather than adult? Reliving childhood fantasies? Living vicariously or wait - is there some secret you want to share - oh yes I do love a good secret! *see Pabkins’ weekly obsession with reading www.postsecret.com *

I was in the middle of writing a historical drama about a boy who grew up during Hitler Youth in 2005, when a writer friend told me it sounded like YA. I hadn't really heard of the term young adult before then, as this was pre-Twilight, and young adult wasn't yet considered "hot." I had written an earlier book with a teen protagonist, I'm not sure why I gravitated in that direction and when I realized I was already writing in a genre, I just went for it.

What made you decide on a historical / time travel type of storyline?  Honestly, I haven't read many of them myself...

I don't really know the answer to that. I find it fascinating what some people have had to live through and I enjoy turning those events onto fictional characters.

Where did you come up with your cover art? *I'm sure you'll note I have my opinions on this from my review*

I actually created a Vlog to show the process, but the long and short of it is, my daughter came up with the concept and sketch and I took that to a guy who's skilled at Adobe Illustrator.

What is your current WIP (Work in Progress) if you have one? Do spill the beans won't you?

I'm working on a sequel to Clockwise and all I can reveal is that I'm having to do a lot more research on the American civil war. And that Casey's brother is a trouble maker. :)

Do you prefer e-books over physical books? *Be warned .... your answer might cause me to go into hysterics.

I like both kinds of books. How's that for a safe answer? :)

And the most IMPORTANT question you will ever answer *drumroll please* - What are your thoughts and feelings on the Amazingly Delicious - Canned Not quite Meat - SPAM?

Well, I haven't had spam in a really long time, but if my childhood memories are anything to go by, it's not that bad fried.

Thanks for having me!

Pabkins

Countess of Crazy, Insane babbler, Giver of the Evil Eye, Walking Hazard Zone, Maker of Monsters, but above all Lover of Zombies and those things that are creepy crawly.  Step in to my library my pretties…

Categories: Author Interviews, Indie Week