Ask the Author: Barbara Elle
Answered Questions (5)
Barbara Elle
Through therapy I recalled my father leaving the family when I was a young adolescent. He did come back in weeks, a month, or months.
I understand he left because of conflict in the family, but where did he go? Why did he come back? Where was he?
It was like a magic trick--now you see me now you don't. Followed by the reveal--now you see me.
I understand he left because of conflict in the family, but where did he go? Why did he come back? Where was he?
It was like a magic trick--now you see me now you don't. Followed by the reveal--now you see me.
Barbara Elle
The way you learn to absorb the world. As a writer every personality you meet, every conversation you overhear, every plot device you read in a book becomes a source of inspiration for what you are writing. It makes you hyper-aware of your world, yet at the same time, an introvert. What you see may not be what you get.
Barbara Elle
Inspiration often comes from other authors. If I'm not writing, I'm reading, usually mysteries of authors I follow. For instance, I was reading Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund (actually a writing duo), and started noticing chapter openings, show they set a scene with weather, or an action such as a character coming or going, maybe waking up. It triggers me to ask questions about my writing, such as, is my character hungry? Does my character park the car or use the valet? It's a process of discovering those specifics that animate a scene and move the action alone.
Barbara Elle
After creating and living with my cast of characters, they wouldn't leave me alone. One book was not enough. The sequel—Death In Smoke—will be published in Fall, 2018.
Barbara Elle
I was inspired by an artist friend who belongs to an art cooperative, who shared humorous stories of competition, jealousy and hypocrisy among artists. This became my model for the Red Barn Cooperative. Then I thought, what if an artist was found murdered in her studio? That was my jumping off point for the mystery.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more