Behind the Story: Ella

What first inspired me to write a Cinderella retelling? Well, it was a mix of things.
Dirty fingers after I did an art project.
The beauty of West Virginia, along with all it's handmade crafts and artwork.
Coal/charcoal.
That's where my idea for Ella Renders came from.
Just like the original Cinderella, she's always dirty, but instead of it being due to ashes and soot from the chimney, it's due to her love of drawing, especially with charcoal. Because her daddy worked in the coal business and it makes her feel closer to him.
In the beginning, Her dad is telling her the story of Cinderella and messes the name up to be Rendersella. He says it combines their last name, Renders, with her first name, Ella, and he likes it better that way. And it stuck, though maybe not the way she wanted it to. Her stepsister uses it to taunt her later in life.
Still, Ella uses the talents God gave her that her mama shared when she was little, and she sketches adn paints and draws, mostly trying to capture the beauty of her state of West Virginia. She dreams of having artwork in the Prince Gallery, but isn't sure she's good enough. When she hears about the contest, she thinks maybe she has a chance. Until her stepsister steals the credit for her drawing.
What's a girl to do?
When she dreamed of becoming like Cinderella, she meant the happy ending--not the part in the middle with an evil stepmom and stepsis. 
You can find out more about Ella's story in less than three weeks! It's on pre-order now, and if you order the ebook before 7/22, you can save $1. Are you excited to learn more about Ella Renders? Rendersella

Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?