Recently, I read The Spirit Guide by Elizabeth Davies.
I downloaded it one day, and I was glued to my phone until I finished it the next. It’s a great historical paranormal romance about a girl, Seren, who can see spirits and spirit guides – special spirits who help ghosts to cross over to the other side. Seren has to find her place in two worlds and struggles to keep them separate. Ultimately, the worlds collide and her life is forever changed.
After reading this book (which you can pick up for free here), I was delighted to discover Elizabeth Davies is friendly and approachable – and she agreed to do an interview! Here are her responses to some questions that offer a glimpse into her background and what she’s up to these days:
What was your favorite subject in school?
I loved the creative stuff – art, pottery, needlework, and English (reading rather than writing, though). I also wanted to do metalwork and woodwork, but when I was in school those subjects were for boys only. How unfair!
I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you like to read – who or what inspired you to love reading?
My mother. Actually both my parents loved to read but it was my mother who took me to the library every week to choose books, and it was her who read to me. I’ll always remember those tiny chairs and the smell of books, and the sheer excitement of wondering which ones to pick. To my mother’s disappointment, I normally insisted on the same Noddy story! I think it drove her to distraction.
What made you want to tell your own stories?
I honestly don’t know. Over twenty years ago I had a story in my head, but it was vague and I didn’t really do anything with it except scribble a few notes. I’ve since learned that that’s the way I write, but back then the idea of writing so many words scared me, so I never did anything with it.
How long have you been writing?
Probably twelve years. I wrote my first novel around about then – a horrendous 300,000 word monstrosity. But once I’d done it, I realised I could do it again. But it took me another eight years to write a novel I was happy with and thought I could publish.
Do you write full time or part time?
Part time. I have a day job which I haven’t got the courage to give up. Maybe one day.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Was it a gradual decision or did you just suddenly know?
It was a gradual decision over any years, and lots of ideas and false starts.
What made you decide to write in your genre?
I read Twilight and loved it – but wanted a vampire story more for grownups. I also wanted one that wasn’t supernatural but still retained most of the accepted attributes of vampires. So I wrote my own.
What time of day to you prefer to write?
I have to have absolute peace and quiet to write so my favourite time of day is early morning before I go to work. I try to get at least an hour in, and maybe more. Any other time free during the day is spent on marketing or talking to readers on social media, or research.
Do you have a special writing space?
My armchair, with the laptop balanced on the arm of it. Not very professional but it seems to work for me. Though sometimes I curl up in it so much I need a crowbar to get me out of the chair.
Do you outline your books ahead of time or just go for it?
It depends on what I’m writing. For my upcoming release (Fall from Grace, out on 13th October 2016) I had an inkling of what I was going to do with it before I put pen to paper, but as what usually happened, happened – my characters took off in another direction entirely.
Do you ever get writer’s block? If yes, how do you deal with it?
Yes. Sometimes I seem to paint myself into a corner and can’t see a way out. My solution is to walk away from the manuscript for a while – which I can easily do as I don’t have a publisher breathing down my neck.
Who are your favorite authors?
Stephen King. To me he is the ultimate story teller, but there are lots of other too. Sometimes my favourite depends on the mood I’m in. For instance, if I want a good thriller, I go and lose myself in a Felix Francis.
What was your favorite story or character that you have written?
Caitlyn– but no one will have heard of her yet. She’s going to feature in a forthcoming series the first of which will be published in the autumn of 2017. She turns into a cat, and she’s not happy about it!
Where can we get your books?
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iBooks, Scribd – here’s a universal link to my author page on Amazon.
You can also grab the first book in the Resurrection series, State of Grace for free here.
I’d like to say thank you to Elizabeth Davies for doing this interview and I’m looking forward to digging into the Resurrection series!
Happy reading everyone <3