1). Thank you joining us today Elayna, for our readers that haven’t had the pleasure of reading your books, please tell us a little about yourself and the genre you write in?

E). Hi! My name is Elayna and I live in New Brunswick, Canada. It’s extremely beautiful where I live, but I prefer to call myself an indoor cat. I like to cook, watch reality TV, knit, and read. I’m excellent bug bait, and I prefer to remain inside. 

The Lovely Elayna

I write upper YA/NA fantasy romance, although I have a future project that is firmly NA.

2). When did you first realize you wanted to take that leap and become a writer? 

E). This is a funny story, but I just… decided to try it. I have always been a voracious reader, and after the pandemic, I realized I didn’t want to let life pass me by. I first picked up a pen and started writing on the eve of my 31st birthday, and I haven’t stopped since. 

3). Where do you find inspiration for your books?

E). My books just sort of… appear. I don’t have inspiration, per se, because they just happen.

4). Are you a planner or a fly by the seat of your pants when ideas and stories come to you?

I’m a pantser. I literally just sit down and write, and the books just sort of come to me as I go. It’s very rare I know what will happen before I write it. 

5). What do you find is the hardest part of the process? And is there anything you know now that you wish you would’ve known when starting out?

E). For me, the hardest part is not knowing where the story is going. I like editing, because it’s polishing something I’ve already written. 

The thing I wish I knew is that it’s okay for first drafts to be bad. Really bad. You can’t edit something that isn’t there. 

6). I may have a slight crush on the MMC of your latest trilogy The Binding Chronicles, Books 1 and 2 are available now with the third coming later this year. Anyone that hasn’t read it definitely run and do so. I want a Sebastian lol. Without spoiling too much can you give us a brief summary of the first 2 books and maybe a hint for Book 3?

Ahhhh Sebastian, I love this series so much.

E). The Binding Chronicles is such a fun story! It’s an arranged marriage story between a vampire prince and a bookish human. They are magically bound together and are unable to go more than 30 ft apart without experiencing extreme pain and eventual death. Talk about forced proximity! 

In the last book, Sebastian and Luna finally come up against the queen. She’s… not delightful, to say the least. It’s full of twists and turns, and I can’t wait for everyone to find out what happens. 

7). I’m a sucker for an enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity/arranged marriage trope. Do you have a favorite?

E). Gosh, if I had to pick one, I’d pick enemies-to-lovers. 

8). Do you have favorite authors? Name your top 3 I know that’ll be tough and have they influenced your writing career in any way?

E). I don’t know if I can narrow it down to three, because I’m a mood reader and my reaction to books often reflects the mood I’m in at the moment. I am a very big Jennifer Lynn Armentrout fan, and love all her works. I credit Outlander as getting me back into reading after my son was born, but truly, if it’s fantasy romance, I probably love it. 

9). When you’re not writing what would we find you doing?

E). I’m probably cooking, drinking wine, or watching reality tv (or all three). I obviously love to read, but other than that, the kitchen is my next great love. 

10). What has been the most memorable moment for you in your career thus far?

E). To be honest, everything with Tethered has taken me by storm. I don’t think I’ll ever forget everyone’s reaction. 

11). Do you write full-time or have a day job? Do you have any advice for writers struggling to find balance in their work/ writing/ family life?

E). I teach online part-time for 15 hours a week, and I write the rest of the time. My best advice is to find time that works for you to write in, and try to make that work in your schedule. I get up an hour before my kids to write because my words flow best in the morning. Then I get them to school before writing some more. Afternoons are more teaching/marketing, and I try to keep my evenings free for my family. 

12). Do you have a favorite hero/ protagonist and/or villain/antagonist you’ve written thus far? What makes them special to you?

E). Of everyone I’ve written, Aileana and Xander from Of Earth and Flame are my favorites. This is because their story is my heart. It’s really personal to me, and they feel very close to me. 

As for villains, I think Queen Marguerite might take the cake. She’s really quite evil, which you’ll see more of in Treasured.

13). Do you celebrate after you finish writing each book? How do you celebrate?

E). I have cake! It’s one of my loves (I have a sweet tooth.) 

14). What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? What is the worst?

E). Someone once told me it’s okay to fail–it just gives you a chance to improve the next time. I love that. So often, failure is frowned upon, but it’s a part of life. 

I’m not sure about the worst, but I don’t love it when people give one-size-fits-all advice. Everyone’s situation is different, and what works for me might not work for you. 

15). If you could live in any world from your books, which one would it be and why? Would you be the hero or villain of your own story? And if you could bring 3 of your characters, who would it be and why?

E). Honestly my stories are dark, so I don’t know if I’d pick any of them. However, if I had to pick, I would pick the United Era of the Four Kingdoms. This takes place several thousand years after this current era, and there is actual technology. Once I’m done with Treasured and Of Shale and Smoke, I will be writing there for a bit. 

All her beautiful books in order.. love love love

16). Have you ever suffered from imposter syndrome? How do you work through it?

E). At least once a week. I usually go to my writer’s group to talk through it, which really helps. I also don’t look at reviews that are less than 4 stars because of mental health reasons. 

17). What is next for you after your current trilogy is finished? Yes, I’m shamelessly being nosy, I need to know all the things.

E). I have several secret projects on the go. One takes place in the Rose Empire, which is in the past from this current timeline, and the other takes place in the future.  I built this world with the expectation that I would be writing here for a while, and I’m excited to explore other timelines. 

I hope to return to the Four Kingdoms in the future, I have another book in mind, but after Of Shale and Smoke my heart is going to need a bit of a break.

18). Is there anything you’d like to add? 

Thank you for having me!