Ask the Author: J.T. Ellison
Answered Questions (23)
J.T. Ellison
That's one of my favorite emails ever... more later. Now, to answer, the first thing I do is... check my email. Which is a terrible way to begin writing! But once that's done, I go back over the pages I wrote the day before, and edit them. Then, when I'm caught up, I get a fresh cup of tea and get started.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
J.T. Ellison
LIE TO ME, which comes out September 5, came to me while I was sitting in a café in Paris, drinking champagne and people watching. I started thinking about a young literary couple being driven apart by their careers, and how it would feel to be falsely accused of murder, and the book literally started right there, in my trusty travel notebook.
J.T. Ellison
Honestly, if I waited to be inspired, I'd be twiddling my thumbs a lot. I make a point of meeting my manuscript every day, and seeing the story take shape is my inspiration. This is a job--the best job in the world, but a job nonetheless-- and that means showing up for work and doing the writing. All that said, if I'm in a rut, I do love a change of scenery. Mountains, beaches, Parisian streets, Italian landscapes, Scottish lochs--research getaways are one of the perks, for sure!
J.T. Ellison
At the moment, a new standalone novel. It's a story of lies and murder -- what else! I'll turn it in at the end of April. And in May, I'll shift back to the Brit in the FBI series with Catherine, for book 5!!!
J.T. Ellison
Read everything you can get your hands on, and write as much as you can, turning off that nasty internal editor who wants to derail you. And learn the rules, so you know which ones to break. Grammar is alive and well and living in a penthouse suite in New York.
J.T. Ellison
Yoga pants? No, in all seriousness, being able to indulge in words and story, and hearing from readers. There is something magical about connecting with someone through my imagination.
J.T. Ellison
Honestly, if I find myself staring at a blank page and nothing is happening, I assume I've gone in the wrong direction. So I back up a few chapters and look for the spot where I've caromed off course. There's no such thing as block, really, just resistance. Read THE WAR OF ART if you want to learn more!
J.T. Ellison
Hi Barbara, which book?
J.T. Ellison
Hi Grace - we really do. We're both type A personalities, and that goes along way toward making our partnership sing. And yes, for sure, it's grown-- we have a level of trust that allows for a lot of spitballing ideas. Which is awesome!
J.T. Ellison
Hi Rita, as it happens FIELD OF GRAVES, the prequel to both series, releases June 14 -- next Tuesday!!! Look for it at your favorite bookseller!
J.T. Ellison
Hi Sabra - I'm working on it right now. Will be out next year -- ALL FALL DOWN....
:)
:)
J.T. Ellison
Hi Jane, I'm working on that story right now. It's called ALL FALL DOWN and should be out next summer!
J.T. Ellison
Hi Heather, I love real books too, and I'm sorry you're having trouble finding them. I'd suggest trying Barnes and Nobel, your local indie, or Amazon to find print copies. All the Pretty Girls will release in July in print as a follow up to the new Taylor novel FIELD OF GRAVEs releasing June 14. Thanks for reading!
J.T. Ellison
This answer contains spoilers…
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J.T. Ellison
Hi Karen. Sisters in Crime can be found here: http://www.sistersincrime.org/ and middle Tennessee chapter here: http://www.sinc-midtn.org/ They'll point you in the right direction.
As far as outline versus synopsis, I'm always much happier with an overview of the book (synopsis) instead of a step by step process (outline) Different books call for different methods of planning, but I find that knowing the base story is all I need. If I overthink it I get distracted and it's not as fun. Hope this helps!
As far as outline versus synopsis, I'm always much happier with an overview of the book (synopsis) instead of a step by step process (outline) Different books call for different methods of planning, but I find that knowing the base story is all I need. If I overthink it I get distracted and it's not as fun. Hope this helps!
J.T. Ellison
Hi Theresa! I'm so glad you enjoyed NO ONE KNOWS. I don't think there will be a follow up with these characters, since this was designed to be a standalone story, but I do want to try my hand at another standalone in this genre. More books all around, yes!
J.T. Ellison
I am very, very god friends with many of the other authors in both my genre and outside of it. We all understand there's a book for everyone, and so there is plenty of room under the tent for everyone. It's fabulous to have friends in the business who understand and commiserate with you and the writing process. Thanks for buying the compilation! Just FYI, a new version of my story -- CROSSED -- is being released in June under the title FIELD OF GRAVES. It's been re-edited and updated. :)
J.T. Ellison
Hi Courtney -- you know, I think you might be right! She is certainly starting to take charge of the cases she's involved in, and that's a good thing, and also what Profiler John Baldwin likes about her. She's always had a good head for cases, now she's going to run some of her own!
J.T. Ellison
Amazon for sure, I don't believe Goodreads has a sales arm.
J.T. Ellison
Hi Jaime -- it's called THE END GAME - it is available now and it is quite a ride! Thanks for reading!
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