Hey all, I interviewed author Elena Dillon.....here's what she had to say.
1. What made you decide to write?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid but I never showed
anyone any of my stories. I was always to self conscious. When my daughter went
off to college I had more time on my hands and this story was pretty loud in my
head so I decided to write it down. It took me two years to finish it. I had
never finished anything like this before. I told my family I wrote a book and
they were shocked. I never told any of them that I wrote before and then I just
said “I wrote a book.” They were
floored.
2. Who is your favorite author?
I have many. But I
have to say JK Rowling is my overall favorite. Her world building is amazing to
me. She also creates these characters and this story that you can’t help but
love. I used to read Stephen King when I
was growing up but he is too scary for me now that I have kids. The real world
is scary enough without falling asleep with all that in my head.
3. What genre is your favorite to read?
Of course I love romance and YA but I am a pretty eclectic
reader. It definitely depends on my mood. I read tons of nonfiction. Mostly
about writing and marketing. I’m a bit of a tech geek. I love that stuff. I
find it hard to read fiction when I am writing because I get lazy and it
distracts me from the story. I just want to lay around and read when I start a
good book. I have to be careful what I
start reading when I am writing.
4. Do you have a writing playlist?
Nope. I need silence
to write. I am ADD and I get too distracted by lyrics. I find music doesn’t always suit the scene I
am writing if it is instrumental. I listen to classical in the car when I am
working out a scene or a plot point though and that helps.
5. If you could cast
anyone to play your characters in a movie who would you cast?
I’m not really sure about this. I don’t really think of them
that way. When people ask me this I always feel like I wouldn’t ever be
satisfied because they are who they are to me. Not actors. I’m
sure if that ever happened someone much more qualified than me would make
a good choice. Lol.
6. What is your favorite type of candy?
Well I don’t eat chocolate or anything with peanuts because
I’m allergic and it’s not a pretty sight. I do like hard candy. I just found
this candy store near me that makes this amazing hard candy right in front of
you. So far I like the mango/pineapple. Yummy!
7. If you couldn’t write what would you want to do?
I’ve been a travel agent for the last six years and I was
one before I had kids also so I would probably just continue with that. I love
to travel and helping people plan their vacations is fun too. I like booking travel but I love writing.
8. Tell us something people would find surprising about you?
I am a total nerd. I
love Superheroes, Sherlock, Star Wars and The Princess Bride. I would rather get a new gadget for a gift than
jewelry or clothes and if you give me a set of instructions I do a pretty good
job of putting stuff together. Yup. Nerd
girl for sure.
9. Tell us a little bit about Breathe.
Well it’s a YA Romantic Suspense about Jasmine, a sixteen
year old girl, whose sister was murdered by a serial killer. The story starts
two years after her sister’s death. The
killer was never caught. The family has decided to move to Lafayette, Louisiana
to start over. Things are going well
when the hottest guy in school likes her and she has made some nice new
friends. Unfortunately creepy things start happening. Texts, phone calls,
Flowers in her locker and she starts to wonder if the killer is after her now.
10. What’s next for you?
I have just finished the first draft of my next book. It’s a new YA story that takes place on an
island off near Charleston, SC. Another
Romantic Suspense but no name yet! I
plan to publish it in March.
Connect with Elena:
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ElenaDillon
