BB10-Q (vol6) – Elle Lewis, The Sequel!

It’s winter here but brilliant blue skies once again. Buckmaster Books caught up with author and friend, Elle Lewis, for our second interview. Let’s find out what Elle has been up to, and then we’ll ask her the next set of BB10-Q, which are level 2 and so, much harder! She may need to use her Vorpal Blade (dexterity+2) or cast a spell of Focus-Hocus-Pocus to beat this level. By the beards of Zeus and ZZ Top!

Elle Lewis, author of The Glass Star trilogy

Hello Elle. Thanks for coming back for another chat with BB. It’s been a looooong year but it also feels like not so much time has passed since we talked for BB10-Q, vol1. You’ve just released the final chapter in the Glass Star trilogy. Congratulations! How do you feel?

It feels bitter sweet. I am very proud of the trilogy, book three is probably my favourite. But book 2 released in the same month as the COVID pandemic. Combined with that and the state of politics, I feel that the writing community is not the same right now and that my ability to reach new readers is limited. That being said, seeing the combined works come together on the page is incredible. It has taken years of hard work and I am so happy with the story and the journey of the characters.

I personally really enjoyed this trilogy. All are reviewed on Goodreads.

How did you did you come up with the concept for the trilogy? Is there room for more stories in this world?

I knew when I started book one that I wanted to offer original lore to readers. It took a lot of outlines and worldbuilding to create an alternate reality of Earth and the Universe, where The Source and The Four/Dark Four are the omnipotent powers. But I am really glad I put in the effort and took the chance, because I think it resulted in a truly unique story. And yes! All of my writing will intersect in some way, creating a multi-verse effect. Sloan and will absolutely make another appearance in my next Fantasy novel.

“My God! It’s full of stars…”

Buckmaster Books will be giving away a copy of one of Elle’s books in a quick competition on Buckmaster Books Facebook page. The winner will choose which one depending on if they have any already. Moving on!

We’re finally in 2021. 2020 was a rough year. What helped you cope with all the craziness last year?

Fitness. I am somewhat of a health junkie! Working out and concentrating on my overall well-being really helped. Books of course, and writing. And…good friends. But my absolute favourite thing to do when I’m stressed is to go to the beach for the day. I’m lucky to live somewhere that gives me plenty of beaches to choose from!

BB10-Q interviewees certainly live in some glorious locations!

I’m not good with heat but nothing beats the sound of waves breaking on the shore. So, what do you hope for in 2021, personally and in regards to your writing?

I am excited about a new project that I have started. I am currently working on my first Horror book! I’m taking my time with it, not rushing that process. I’m also excited about starting a book review VLOG. It’s been something I have wanted to do for a while and I can’t wait to talk about books and geek out! Personally, I am hoping this is the year I reach my fitness goals, and I am also hoping to go back to school to pursue a new career!

Best of luck with all this! I’ve seen the Vlog and it’s great! Very zippy and zappy. It pushed me to order Mexican Gothic and made me laugh with that random thought! Please everyone check out “Lady Elle’s Books & Curiosities”.

What have you learned about the whole writing process since you started your journey?

I have learned to not rush the creative process. Beta Readers are invaluable and truly help to elevate a writer’s story. Wait. Take your time. Edit as much as you need, until you have a polished book that is truly ready. Not just done. But ready to pitch and ready to read.

<Agreed! It takes time.>

Is there any interesting nugget of trivia that you’ve discovered while researching something for your books? Or perhaps you discovered a new interest or passion??

I’ve had a lot of fun researching my horror project. It takes place in a hospital operating room (I’m a nurse and worked in the operating room for many years). It was so fun to chat with my medical co-workers, picking their brains on inappropriate uses for medications, or if certain items we work with would catch fire, or what would happen if this or that….. I always had to preface these conversations with “I’m writing a horror book” because the things I asked were always morbid or twisted. But everyone I spoke with was so enthusiastic about answering my creepy questions! Even doctor’s and anaesthesiologists! And now some of my beta readers are members of the medical community and they are really enjoying reading material that takes place in the medical field. It’s so fun and exciting.

I just spent about 15 minutes looking at nursing memes. There are sooooo many!

Does this horror book have a title yet? And will we see anything else from Elle Lewis this year?

OR 16! I don’t know when it will be released, I am taking my time with it. I want it to be Horror perfection! But I am also writing a short story collection that I will roll out on my blog. It’s called- Spooky Tales from Cassadaga. There is a town in Florida (where I live) called Cassadaga, which is known as the psychic capital of the world. The short stories will surround two high school monster hunters. There will be blood, magic, and plenty of action! This is just a fun project for me, a creative palate cleanser to take breaks from the heavy task of crafting a long horror story.

How about a bit of chin-stroking musing? If you could whisper through time and give some advice to yourself when you were starting out as an author, what would it be?

I would tell myself to take more time before pitching a project. Writers work on a book for a really long time, and I feel like as soon as we type the words “the end” we are ready to send it out into the world. And why wouldn’t we be?! It’s exciting! You want to share the story! But finishing a book doesn’t mean it’s ready. This is something that I learned through personal experience. I now truly understand what a “polished manuscript” entails. It’s easy to get ahead of yourself, but I can’t stress this enough….just take your time. Edit. Edit. Edit. Polish. Polish. Polish. And use Beta Readers!

Polish that bad boy!

Are you ready for the grueling second level of BB10-Q!? Abandon hope all ye who enter!

Q1) What book are you reading now? OR What was the last book you read?

Funny you should ask- I’m reading Ragnekai Moons by Peter Buckmaster.

Q2) Do you have a guilty pleasure when it comes to reading? K-Pop fan-fiction, for example.

Sometimes I’ll grab a YA novel. These are hit or miss! But occasionally I find a gem in this genre.

Q3) If you had a year off work to just read and learn one new skill, what would that skill be?

Probably a martial art- Aikido, or Jujitsu. I am very attracted to weapons and fighting (maybe it’s genetic, my father was a gunrunner, US Paratrooper). So yes…. A year to learn a martial art!

Q4) What is the coolest power you’ve come across in a fantasy world?

I’m a sucker for magic. I love watching as a character conjures up spells, raising powers and invoking elements from another world into ours. I also love when a character can read thoughts! I wish I had this power! I’m SO curious to know what people are actually thinking.

<I think there are quite a few memes about what goes in the mind of men – “Tomorrow I’m going to crush the Reikland faction with hordes of zombies… Must eat that last slice of pizza before anyone else… What happens if you sneeze in a dream?”>

Q5) LOTR question. What is a favourite scene of yours from the book? And also the film? (Bakshi’s or Jackson’s)

This is going to sound really girly and sappy – but pretty much anytime Legolas recited poetry or songs in Elven. OMG. So beautiful (like when they reached Lothlorien). The elves were always my favourite, and these moments really enriched the world for me. It gave glimpses of their history and lore as a people. Also anything with Aragorn and Arwen (again very girly and sappy). But I LOVE their love story. It was always handled very subtlety by Tolkien, but those two on the page were always magical to me. And of course—the fight in Moria. A great moment. Tension. Action. A bad ass demon. I love that part.

Q6) When you read fantasy/sci-fi/horror, what tropes do you enjoy and what tropes make you roll your eyes?

An eye rolling trope for me is the obligatory tavern. And the names! The leaky faucet, or the rusted nail, or an animal of some sort combined with a color or an adjective of decay. Like okay, I know, The Prancing Pony is the standard. But can’t bands of Warriors meet anywhere else? Can they ever sit down in a nice restaurant? Or over some cliffs with their boots hanging over some waves?

The trope that I enjoy the most is the story of the conquering hero—someone that was once powerless that gained power, the rags to riches success story, overcoming obstacles, conquering evil despite the odds, seeing a character hit rock bottom but crawl their way back out. It’s a common concept that is integrated into most SFF/F, but I never tire of rooting for that main character, watching as they gain strength and knowledge, seeing their journey and ultimate triumph. It just never gets old. One of my FAVORITE examples of this (and yes I know it’s a movie and not a book but it illustrates my point so I’m going to mention it) Is in End Game when Captain America is flanked by the sudden appearance of everyone that was once lost. He’s facing Thanos, literally on the brink of losing once again, beaten, battered, bruised. And he says, “Avengers…assemble.” Bro. I get goosebumps every time. And I’m like, “YESSSSSS!”

Q7) Do you collect anything nerdy? Bobble-heads, geeky mugs, goofy t-shirts etc.

Strangely, no. Unless my thoughts count. I have a lot of geeky thoughts and musings, LOL.

Q8) It’s Halloween 2021. Everything is back to normal (we can but hope!), and you have just been given a big wad of cash to create your costume. What is it?

Easiest question ever! And I’m not going to wait for that wad of cash, I am assembling my Halloween costume now. I want to be a female Viking Warrior, inspired by Uhtred (The last Kingdom). Yesssssss, a female Uhtred! This year I will slowly be gathering the necessary items, which will include a sword and scabbard, and a leather vest. I’m so excited. And I plan to wear it at the next Renaissance Fair and Comic Convention!

Halloween 2021, Elle Lewis will transform into Uhtred! Trick or treat…or “‘Tis but a scratch” limb lopping!

Q9) What cross-over team-up would you like to see? Anything goes!

I watch Riverdale and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina…. I would really like to see the South Side Serpents and Sabrina team up to defeat a common enemy that is threatening both towns. Magic meets gangs!

Q10) And the last question. You can say something to the entire world again but this time it has to be a quote from a book. What is it?

I am going to quote something from one of my own books, Dark Touch: We all have the capability to change our stars.

And that’s a nice note to end on. Look up at your stars and see if you can’t nudge a few here and there. Then reach up and grab one!

A big thank you to Elle Lewis for stopping by again. Buckmaster Books hopes more readers will check out The Glass Star trilogy, and also be ready when OR16 drops!

2020 sucked and 2021 started off as it was trying to outdo last year for sheer craziness. I really hope things will calm down now. The vaccines are here so we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. A bit of common sense and a big dollop of kindness, and I reckon we can all be Kiwis by the autumn.

Elle about to take down a few orcs!