Interview: Lucas Ellis

Welcome to day 2 of my "Book & Coffee" giveaway! For more information on how you can be entered into the drawing for a pound of fresh, locally roasted coffee and a signed copy of my YA book, ONCE AGAIN, go here.
Today we're talking with Lucas Ellis, the hero of ONCE AGAIN. Eighteen years old and a senior in high school, he plays an super-important part in the story... in Layla's journey. He's a keeper... a real gem. I hope you enjoy getting to know him!
To start off, give us some basic information about yourself…full name, hair color, that sort of thing.  Lucas Braden Ellis. Dark blond hair. Brown eyes. 6'1". Runner.
Tell me about your parents. How do you get along withthem?  My dad's been gone since Iwas 2 years old. I don't really have a lot of memories of him. He didn't wantto settle down and be a husband and father, so he left. I'm sure there arethings I missed out on by not having him around, but it's hard to miss what younever had. My mom more than picked up the slack. She's great. She's quirky andweird, and she's always been present in my life. I'm totally the luckiest kidon the planet to have Gwen Ellis as my mom.
You've been in Sky Cove, Maine all your life.  Tell me a little about what life islike in small-town Maine? It's one of those things that cuts both ways, youknow? The same things you really like about a small town can be the very thingsthat tick you off. It's really cool to be able to run into people you know atthe grocery store or the gas station, and it's nice that the community is sosupportive of one another. But that also means there's less privacy. Everyoneknows what's going on in your life, sometimes before you even know! Butoverall, I think Sky Cove has been a great place to grow up. The most importantpeople in my life are here, so I'm grateful for that.
What's your favorite pastime?  Running.
In addition to being a top-notch athlete, you also have animpressive grade-point-average. How do you balance it all? It's all about having priorities straight. Grades are important. Keepingin shape for running is important. I make sure those things are taken care of.If there's time left, I can play video games, hang out with friends, that sortof thing. Of course, these days I make time with Layla a priority, too. Sheranks right up there.
What plans do you have post-high school?  I'd like to continue running in college.Hopefully I can get a scholarship for it. I'm thinking of majoring in historyor pre-law. Law school is always something I've had in the back of my mind. AndI'd be lying if I said Layla isn't part of the plan. She's the best part.
What makes you happiest at this point in your life?  I'm at a point in my life when I'mtransitioning from kid to young adult. I'm getting ready to graduate from highschool and head out into the real world. It makes me happy to know that I'vegot someone to share that transition with. The reincarnation stuff was... well, pretty heavy... so the excitement of starting a newchapter in my life, with Layla by my side, makes me happy.




**  This is actor





Final question! What do you most want to accomplish inlife?  I want to make my mom proud.I want to do right by her and all she's sacrificed for me.  I don't know exactly what that willlook like, but I know Layla will be a part of that. I guess I just want to besuccessful at whatever I wind up doing. And I want to be happy.
Author's perspective on Lucas Ellis.  Lucas is the all-around-nice-guy. He'sthe kind of boy I would've liked to have dated in high school. Smart, kind,courteous. His faults are all tied to his desire to do the right thing andprotect people. Sometimes his protective nature comes off as aloof oruninterested, but he's pretty much always got everyone's best interests atheart. I wanted my readers to fall a little bit in love with Lucas, and in theprocess of creating him, I did too. One of my blog readers once said, "Everyoneneeds a little Lucas in their life," and I think that kind of sums up what Iwanted to portray in his character. A guy any girl (and her parents) would behappy to have. I hope you all love him as much as I do!
Don't forget, every comment, tweet, or email that helps spread the word about this giveaway gets your name entered into the drawing one time. For more information on the giveaway, go here.
Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading and writing!