Carolyn Elizabeth
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Latest Book: The Other Side of Forestlands Lake
Where did the inspiration for the book come from?
This is my first effort at paranormal and it was inspired by the three summers I spent taking care of a little girl at a little lakeside community when I was in high school. The paranormal parts are completely from my imagination.
Why was the story so important to you?
I have a wish to write at least one book in every major sub-genre. I began my foray into writing with the Curtis and Reynolds series, my campy, romantic, forensic thrillers. I intend to continue with that series for as long as readers are interested, but I want people to know I have other tricks. I'm really excited about this book.
Tell us about the characters
My characters are Lee Chandler and Willa Dunn. We first meet them as teenagers and best friends from having summered together for most of their lives. The last summer they're together just when they are starting to realize their love for each other isn't just as friends something tragic happens. They don't see each other again for 25 years. My other two characters are Nicole, Willa's teenage half-sister and Maggie, Lee's teenage daughter. I'd actually say the character with the most dramatic journey is Nicole, though I'd probably describe her as a secondary character.
As a writer...
What was the first book that made you cry?
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. It's also my favorite from my childhood.
How do you deal with bad reader reviews?
I think you can learn something even from 'bad' reviews. I read all my reviews and others' reviews and I've learned a lot about what readers like and dislike, what tropes are tired, what makes stories fresh, what makes people stop reading. Obviously, I can't do anything about the book of mine they are reviewing, but I have made changes to WIP based on reviews.
What can you tell us about your work in progress?
I'm just about done tidying up Zero Chill, the third book in the Curtis and Reynolds series. After that I will be working on a swashbuckling, lesbian, pirate adventure that I expect to be released on the back end of 2021.
How do you feel about readers reaching out to you? What is the best way they can do that?
I love that. I have a website carolynelizabethfiction.com, I'm active on Facebook and Twitter. I'll tell you my secret fantasy, that's really not likely. That one day I just come across some stranger reading one of my books in the wild. GCLS conference doesn't count. And I can be all "Hey, are you enjoying that book?" and they're all "It's awesome have you read it?" and I'm all..."I wrote it." Of course that only works if they like it otherwise they could end up smacking me upside the head with it or something.
What are you reading now?
At the moment I'm reading Jessica L Webb's Storm Lines. After that I have Cheryl Head's Charlie Mack series to start.
As a person...
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
This is from an old girlfriend and she once told me...."Always leave a party while you still want to stay."I apply it to just about everything in my life and share it as often as I can.
What is your favourite box set?
Box set of television? Xena, obviously. Of books, I have read every one of Laurie R. King's Mary Russell mysteries. I never get tired of Mary Russell.
What annoys you?
Crowds and loud sounds
What is the best part of the day?
I have two young boys and I love them more than anything, but they are non-stop. My favorite part of the day at the moment is after they go to bed and I have an hour or two to talk to my wife, watch a show, read, write or pretty much anything uninterrupted.
What would be your weapon of choice?
Chakram