Getting to Know Elle E. Kay
Multi-published author Elle E. Kay recently stopped by my blog to share some about her writing life.
Why did you start writing romantic suspense novels?
One night I was sitting there on my computer and just started writing a story. Before I knew what was happening, I had the first 15,000 words of my debut novel. Before that I had written a non-fiction book, a guide to living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and a children’s book.
When do you find time to write?
I’m a binge-writer. I may go months without writing much and then write an entire novel in a few weeks. Writing is my full-time job, so I have time to devote to it, but I have trouble with a regimented daily word count. Instead, I focus on other aspects of my author business when I’m not writing including reading novels by authors. It’s great that I can consider that work.
How do you connect with your characters?
Most of my characters have bits of me in them. For instance, Emily in Grave Pursuits is from the town where I grew up. Amanda, a character in my work-in-progress is a legal secretary, which was one of my first jobs. But I don’t stop with locations, employment or hobbies, I give them my insecurities, my past hurts, and my faith. A part of me ends up in most, if not all, of the characters I write.
What’s the weirdest way someone has died or been killed in your novels?
In Shadowing Stella, a man dies in a mine shaft from carbon monoxide poisoning, and then there is a mine collapse that kills two more people.
How do you research ways to kill someone for your books?
Experience. Just kidding. I’ve watched a lot of true crime shows and they help, but I always have to research details to make sure I get it right. One of these days someone is going to look at my internet history and see research on poisons, bombs, and how to get away with murder and they’re going to lock me away somewhere.
Where do you get the inspiration for your plots?
Brainstorming. I’ll start with an initial idea that comes to me, and then I brainstorm to fill in the rest of the details. For example, for Grave Pursuits, I knew I wanted to write a story that revolved around boulder field. The initial working title was Buried by Boulder Field, so I took that premise and built characters around it. My current work-in-progress, Rattlesnake Roundup has a connection to the town of Noxen where they hold an annual Rattlesnake Roundup. I wanted to incorporate that event into the book, so I built a story around that.
About Elle E. Kay
Elle E. Kay is a Christian romantic suspense author based in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, three dogs, and many farm animals. She loves watching the wildlife that frequent her property. Shadowing Stella was her debut novel and she completed the Endless Mountain Series with Implicating Claudia and Chasing Sofie.
Elle also writes contemporary and historical romances as part of the Lawkeeper series, including: Lawfully Held, Lawfully Defended, Lawfully Guarded, Lawfully Taken, Lawfully Given, Lawfully Promised, and Lawfully Vindicated. The Billionaire’s Reluctant Bride and The Bodyguard’s Fake Bride are her contributions to the Blushing Brides series. Elle’s third book in the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, Inspired by the Hero, was released in October 2022. All 18 books in the series can be read for free on Kindle Unlimited.
Her latest book, Grave Pursuits, is the first in a romantic suspense series set in Pennsylvania state parks. Elle is also working on a romantic suspense novel with ties to the Rattlesnake Roundup in Noxen, Pennsylvania. Under the pen name Ellie Mae Kay, Elle writes children’s books.
Connect w/Elle
Website: http://www.elleekay.com/.
Grave Pursuits
Vanishing without a trace—the hunt for justice begins.
Join Emily Davis, a park ranger on a suspenseful and romantic journey in “Grave Pursuits.” When a hiker goes missing in the peaceful Hickory Run State Park, what starts as a routine search quickly turns into a desperate race against time as Emily discovers a skull and finds herself targeted by a dangerous serial killer.
With the case grabbing national attention, Emily turns to her high school sweetheart and seasoned detective, Wade Brunner, for help. Together, they embark on a thrilling adventure, putting their faith and love to the test as they navigate the sinister secrets lurking in the park.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” I’m chatting with PeggySue Wells, a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 30 books translated into eight languages including The Patent, Chasing Sunrise, Homeless for the Holidays
PeggySue collaborates often with writers and others to get their stories told. “I write well with others,” she said. Her co-author Max Garland gave her 10 bullet points and told her to write The Patent, and the two collaborated on the details and plot.
On this episode of “The Romantic Side of Suspense,” my guest is Debbi Migit, who lives in central Illinois, surrounded by pumpkin patches and corn fields. Her Justice, Montana, series begins with September Shadows. Debbi’s first book, Child of Promise, tells the true story of the adoption of her three children. She has won multiple awards and contests, writing stories that are filled with faith and hope. Debbi’s hobbies include reading, writing, and avoiding arithmetic. Her favorite color is turquoise, and she collects Trixie Belden books and typewriters. If playing Candy Crush was a paying gig, she would be rich.
“I’ve been a writer since I was seven years old, “Debbi said. “I wrote my first story when I was in first grade even though I couldn’t read or write. … I told my mom a story and she wrote it down for me and I took it to my teacher and she read it. That was my very first entry and I continued to write all through grade school … and won my first writing contest in seventh grade.”
