Interview with Elodie Parkes

Today we're talking with author Elodie Parkes about her novel, THE HOROSCOPE WRITER.

Welcome to We Do Write, Elodie. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in Canterbury, United Kingdom. It’s famous for the Cathedral, Chaucer, and there is a UNESCO world heritage site, which includes the ancient ruins of St Augustine's Abbey and St Martin's Church. There is also a ruined castle. It’s a pretty place too and the coast nearby is great. I work in an antiques shop and writes. I have two dogs (Celt and Chaucer) that keep me fit with their need for walks. I writes romance, contemporary and always erotic with a twist of mystery, paranormal, and suspense now and then. I like to make the story unusual in some way, by a quirk in the tale.

How long have you been writing?

I started writing when I was seventeen. I never did anything like submitting to publishers etc. until I was about twenty-five and then queried to no avail. I started writing again seriously a couple of years ago because I had so many stories in my head. I have published three erotic romance books to date and I am working on another book right now. They are available on Amazon kindle. I love eBooks myself, and it’s rare now for me to buy a paperback or hardback. I read heaps myself from across all types of genres.

Tell us about THE HOROSCOPE WRITER. What's the story about?

‘The Horoscope Writer’ is about a man, Dominic, who is a writer and has lots of different writing jobs for magazines amongst which is that of horoscope writing. He is a lonely soul, living in the country on a funny country lane where a few artisan’s workshops are. Fortunately he has a friend there too, Jeremy, who has a workshop, design studio there on the lane.

Dominic is lonely. His last relationship broke up a couple of years prior to the opening of the story and he really wants love. There is a workshop to let on the lane and Cassie comes along to rent it. Dominic is instantly attracted to her when he sees her in Jeremy’s office and she finds Dominic irresistible.

There is a mild paranormal streak running through what is an erotic romance because Dominic has been influenced by his great uncle who was also a horoscope writer. This is a love story, erotic and enticing.

How did the idea of the story come to you?

My latest release ‘The Horoscope Writer’ was inspired by signs along a country road when I was out driving one day in another county. The main characters just started to flow into my head and by the time I had driven home, which was a three hour journey through the countryside, I had the book and characters completely ready.

Do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?

I don’t have a critique group any more. I used to years ago but now I self-edit. I leave the story for about two weeks after it is finished then go back, read and re-write I leave it another two weeks and then read it again and edit. Another week later, I re-edit and use a few software packages on it to do mechanical edits. Then another few days later, I read it again. It sounds like a long process and it is but it has to be done and even then authors miss things.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

I just write. I always know what I want the story to do and what it is.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

It’s not the writing actually; it’s the marketing. It’s finding the audience, trying to make the book visible to readers.

What do you absolutely have to have nearby when writing?

I can’t think of anything actually (smiles)

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

I’d like to be able to heal just by touch.

Quick writing test! Use the following words in a sentence: anticipation, trampoline, and mother-in-law.

My mother-in-law bought the kids a trampoline for Christmas and they’re waiting for the delivery with anticipation. 

(laughs, I don’t have a mother in law or kids but what else to say in a sentence with trampoline in it--- took a second to write and it’s very boring huh?)

No, not at all. I'm sure it end in disaster anyway, which is exciting. ;) Finish this sentence: If I'm not writing, I'm probably ...

selling antiques.

Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Let's hear your shout outs. 

For all the other authors who have hosted me on their blogs, for people who are following me on twitter, and a huge yell for my readers. Thank you all.

And finally, where can people find you and your books online?

Find me online:

http://www.facebook.com/ElodieParkes

https://twitter.com/ElodieParkes

http://elodieparkes.blogspot.co.uk/

https://plus.google.com/u/0/100127

http://www.facebook.com/elodie.parkes.1


Find my books:

http://www.amazon.com/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Millie-Reinvented-ebook/dp/B008H5IF7U

http://www.amazon.com/Two-of-Them-ebook/dp/B008RBJXOI

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Two-of-Them-ebook/dp/B008RBJXOI

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0094JIIVQ

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Horoscope-Writer-ebook/dp/B0094JIIVQ