On Today's Menu -- Elliot Grace author of SOUTH OF CHARM
I love Inside the Actor's Studio. So I decided to do it here. This will be an accompaniment to Friday's at the Piedmont Grille. Kind of like an appetizer instead of a full course meal. Hope you enjoy.
1) What was the last book you read?
-"Creep" by Jennifer Hillier. It's one of those edge of your seat thrillers that I found myself unable to put down until that last page was licked clean. I highly recommend.
2) What genre would you like to try writing?
-Believe it or not, I'm actually penning a YA romance at the moment, which for me, is definitely out of the ordinary. It's an idea that was brought to my attention from a critique partner, who suggested that my voice carries the kind of sensitivity needed for the soft touch of love's first kiss. I'm currently testing the waters with a novella, and will move forward depending on the response. Fingers remain crossed ;)
3) What is your favorite word?
-Oh wow! Tough one, and with an endless choice of candidates to boot! I'll go with a word that may not be my favorite, but one I hold near and dear to my heart as of late. Quash. I used it while writing my first novel, "South of Charm," and received a thumbs down from my wife, who called the word, "just silly." Then, wouldn't you know it, while doing battle with my sister in a game of Words With Friends on Facebook, my wife needed a high-scoring QU word to seal the victory, and...Well now, how funny is that?
4) What word is the bane of your existance to find in a manuscript, either yours or someone else's?
-Not so much a word, but a trendy phrase... "he/she pictured it in their mind's eye." Mind's eye...not a fan.
5) What is your favorite cliche?
-"misery loves company."
6) Which author, living or dead, do you wish you could write like?
This one's easy, John Sandford. I've read every word he's ever published.
7) Who is your favorite author?
-Always a tough one to answer. Sandford sits atop the list, but I'm also a fan of Joe Hill (Stephen King's hot shot kid,) King, Terry Brooks, and the late Robert Cormier.
8) What is your favorite book from childhood?
-"Fade" by Robert Cormier. I finished up that book and knew for certain that I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
9) What was the last book/story you published?
-"South of Charm," currently on Amazon, and resting upon most local bookstore shelves.
10) What are you writing now? (As much or as little as you want.)
-Tentatively titled "The Fall," its a YA romance novella that my teenage son has often stated, "is the best thing my dad's ever written." I'm hoping it sees the light of day some time later this year. For those in search of a quick hit tear-jerker, you're in luck ;) You can find a little bit of it here.
Thanks Elliot!
Have a great weekend everyone!
18 comments:
Thanks again for swinging by Elliot. I love the word Quash and used it twice in Remembering You. I've had Creep on my TBR pile (sorry Jenn if you read this). I'm waiting for the perfect summer sunny day to dive in because I know I'll probably be so scared, I won't be able to read it if it's dark. lol
Interesting interview with Elliot. And quash? I've never used that word before, but I like it. (and I hope my last comment didn't offend. I went back and looked, and ouch! I was a bit harsh. Sorry. As I've always said, never ask a New Yorker a question. They'll hit you over the head with the answer.)
Terry Brooks! Very cool. I have Jennifer's book on my iPad but haven't read it yet.
Em -- Quash is a very cool word indeed. And no worries about your comment. I'm an East coast broad myself so I know where you're coming from.
Alex -- I'll have to check out Terry Brooks. I've heard nothing but good things about Jennifer's books, albeit very frightening. Which is probably why I haven't read it yet.
Oh, I love "quash"! Though my absolute favorite word, for some unfathomable reason, is "defenestration."
I started Creep but then stopped reading it (because I didn't want to read my iPod on the plane). I got distracted and forgot to go back to it. OMG!!!! I can't believe I did that. I was still in the first act, so the action hadn't hit a high at that point. I have to remember to go back to it. Good thing I remember what was happening.
Thanks, Elliot, for the reminder. I love tear-jerking YA romances. :D
Fun interview!
Good luck with your YA, Elliot!!
Linda -- Wow, defenestration. Never heard of it, but will look it up and use it forthwith.
Stina -- That's too funny. Although I've done that with books as well. Forget where I put them down, half way through and then found them again, months later.
Jennifer -- Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.
Great interview. Jeez, at this rate, I'm gonna have so many books in my must-read pile, I'm gonna have to live another hundred years to finish 'em all!
Oh, another comment about your last post. Like Em, I'm not a huge fan of either of the covers, either. Neither of them pops or strikes me as intriguing. Which may not even be an issue for an e-book, I dunno. But once I actually read the book, I'll offer a more informed opinion about the cover matching the story. (No doubt, all your Regency covers are spot on!) Also, I liked A.R. Gallagher over the new pseudonym. If you've already got a following with your Regency work, why not take advantage of that and build on it? The slight variation in name is sufficient to indicate a change in genre. Just my three cents'worth. (inflation)
Oooh great questions! You should definitely do this segment again
Like Sarah said - great questions, especially your favorite word. That would be a tough one to narrow down. Good luck with the YA book.
Dang it. I have "mind's eye" in my manuscript.
Susan -- I hear you on the TBR pile. It's a shame I haven't gotten to any of the 'classics' I've been meaning to read either.
Sarah -- I'm thinking this is going to be popping up more times than not.
Patti -- My favorite word can't be said in polite company. But I'll have to give it some more thought.
Matthew -- I have to check my own manuscripts now.
I'm a fan of quash. One of my favorites is segue. Don't know why.
...Hey Anne, that was a hoot, thanks so much!
And thanks everyone for stopping by and taking part in our chat at the Piedmont.
Happy weekend ;)
El
Quash is a great word, and an excellent Scrabble choice too!
Hi Elliot, hi Anne!! I am off to find a proper dictionary to look up the word "quash"! No I will not google!! LOL! take care
x
Great Interview Elliot and Anne. I just popped over and read your excerpt and loved it. You do have a sensitive voice. The excerpt was such a teaser. I hope to read the story in its entirety in the near future. BTW, quash is one of my favorite words as well. I thought it was just a legal word, but maybe it is a southern thing.
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