Interview with Kate Avery Ellison

 Hey all you readers and writers!

Emma Michaels here to introduce you to our guest author of the day

Kate Avery Ellison

Hello Kate and welcome to The Writers Voice!

 

What is your biggest pet peeve in fiction writing?

--Probably when characters aren’t consistent, or they do things for no discernible reason—like the stereotypical horror movie plot where the girl hears a scary noise and goes alone to check it out instead of locking herself in her bedroom and calling the police.

 

Worldbuilding is such an important part of writing. What would your words of encouragement for aspiring authors be when it comes to developing their own worlds?

--Look at history and other cultures for inspiration, and then cobble together various interesting facets. Consider every detail about the society, including food, music, language, clothing, common names, education levels, climate, architecture, and technology levels. Outline those things even if they don’t make it into the actual book—it will give your story depth and flavor in your own mind.

 

What’s your favorite way to procrastinate?

--Reading, surfing the internet, or watching movies on Netflix are my favorite ways. But I have been known to even clean the bathroom or wash the dishes to get out of writing when I have writer’s block and a deadline.

 

Where do you do your best writing? Do you like to have certain surroundings?

--I don’t really have a specific place that I prefer to write, other than somewhere quiet and secluded. I’m easily distracted, so I rarely write in places like coffee shops or libraries. I also prefer writing late at night—the inspiration seems to flow best in the wee hours of the morning when the rest of the world sleeps.

 

If you could live in one book for a day, what would it be?

--Harry Potter, I think. I’d really like to visit Hogwarts.

 

Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

--I love photography, reading, and playing board games like Settlers of Catan with my friends.

 

Is there anything you’d like to go back one year and tell yourself?

Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Life has an ebb and flow of fortune and misfortune. Have a little patience when things are tough or they seem as though they aren’t coming together.

 

When you were growing up, what did you want to be?

I always wanted to be an author. When I was about six years old, my mother explained that some people were lucky enough to get to make up stories for a living. I wanted that job ever since.

 

Thank you for stopping by

The Writers Voice!