Ask the Author: Ellen Allen
Answered Questions (10)
Ellen Allen
Hi Anna,
It's on its way... Enjoy! Ellen
It's on its way... Enjoy! Ellen
Ellen Allen
Hello. The idea for the book came from a nightmare that I had about two years' ago. I woke up in cold sweats because I had dreamt I was involved in a murder at my school (I was 17 in my dream...) The characters sort of developed from there. Emily is made up, in part, by who I think I wanted to be at 17 and what I actually was!
It's my first book so I've learnt so much about how to write in that time.. about the process and what to leave in and what to leave out. I'm writing my second book right now and I'm feeling that the process of writing this one feels much easier; I'm learning as I go along... Thanks for the question! Ellen
It's my first book so I've learnt so much about how to write in that time.. about the process and what to leave in and what to leave out. I'm writing my second book right now and I'm feeling that the process of writing this one feels much easier; I'm learning as I go along... Thanks for the question! Ellen
Ellen Allen
Hi Bridget,
I've just sent you an email so you have my address now. Looking forward to reading it! Ellen
I've just sent you an email so you have my address now. Looking forward to reading it! Ellen
Ellen Allen
Yes! I've only just finished my first book though, so am grappling with the writing process and everything that's involved. I'm slowly releasing stuff that I've written on wattpad and starting to have public conversations with people about books that I've read. I love reading so am really enjoying goodreads... I already have so many good recommendations for new books to read!
Ellen Allen
I always make sure I have the same small book in my bag (plus pencil) everywhere I go. I jot everything down that seems interesting, funny, strange, bizarre, etc. It's where I get my ideas for characters, or where I note how I feel at particular points. Sometimes I note down stories from the papers or things I see in the street. When I'm ready to write something new, I leaf through it for days, thinking and thinking, and sometimes various strands come together to make new plots or characters.
Ellen Allen
I had a nightmare, two years' ago that woke me up in sweats. It took me back to being 17 again with my friends and first boyfriend but it was much worse, involving murder and intrigue. That gave me the idea for "The Sham".
Ellen Allen
I'm currently in the planning phase of my second novel. It's a great place to be, as it's like a giant jigsaw puzzle in my head that I'm trying to fit together, without entirely knowing what the end picture is going to look like. It's going to be a little bigger in scope (my first novel, The Sham, involves two main protagonists and a smaller story) with some much bigger themes. That's all I want to say at the moment, as I like to know entirely what I'm going to write before I discuss it!
Ellen Allen
Stephen King has the main quote really, "reading is writing". If you want to write, you need to read, a lot. Read books you enjoy, understand why you've enjoyed them, why they work (or don't) and you may be half way there.
Also, there's a lot of writing advice online for aspiring writers (most of it isn't written very well or repeats the same old thing...) but I've tried to single out the best stuff on my website (www.writingright.net). I started it because I wanted a place to put everything that I had found about writing that was useful and thought other people might find it useful too.
Also, there's a lot of writing advice online for aspiring writers (most of it isn't written very well or repeats the same old thing...) but I've tried to single out the best stuff on my website (www.writingright.net). I started it because I wanted a place to put everything that I had found about writing that was useful and thought other people might find it useful too.
Ellen Allen
If I can't write anything, it's usually because I haven't thought through my ideas enough. Sometimes the best thing can just be to do everything other than writing... letting ideas just sit in your brain or reading, reading, reading. Sometimes a good book can spark other ideas in your head and set me off...
Ellen Allen
Hands down, it has to be that I can work anywhere. I love the idea that I can work wherever I have a pad and pencil and I never leave home without either. It means I can work in places where I can observe other people in a variety of settings, analysing how people interact with each other... an essential thing for a writer.
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