Sunday, January 20, 2013

Author Spotlight with Ellie Potts

Todays spotlight author is Ellie Potts. There is an interview, teasers to 2 of her books, and giveaway. I will tell you more about that later. Let's get to know more about Ellie and her books.

Somebody told Ellie Potts you had to be rich to be eccentric otherwise you were just crazy. She set out to prove them wrong doing things she was told she couldn't do like dressing like a pirate, get her books published, playing video games, planning to survive a zombie apocalypse, and other antics most women stay away from. Her love of books motivate her and movies captivate her. She loves almost everything from Disney to George Romero. She lives in California’s Central Valley where most of her stories and books take place. Her and her husband are owned by their attack Bugg, Peanut and her two red eared slider turtle minions who live in the backyard. 

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Take a walk with a crying stranger, sit down to play chess with a strange old man, see what happens when Lucifer has an eye on you, or watch what happens when you win in a future lottery. Meet monsters, mutants and demons in Flight of Delusion, a collection of short stories that range from the weird to the scary.

Teaser:

The Crying Stranger
            A luminous glow radiated around the silent figure. Her white skin untainted by the sun’s harsh touch, as her eyes twinkled like fiery green emeralds. Her straight calf length auburn hair flowed around her like a red veil. Her natural crimson lips moved as she sang to herself. The song seemed so right on this dark dreary night.
            She walked through the darkness unafraid of anything around her. She had no worries. The millions of stars burned brightly above her small head. Her feet bare amongst the new spring grass made her feel almost alive. She stopped. Bending her head slightly to the left, she listened. The small night sounds were so crisped to her elfin ears. She listened through the sounds until she heard it. The call.

Windigo
            Eating the flesh of another is said to steal their essence to become more of what I am. It’s a half truth, I have become more powerful but in a way that is making me less human more animal. I don’t mind it really; the animal part is a relief from the human in me who finds it disturbing to eat a fellow person.
            The Native Americans call creatures like me Windigos. I went to the library one evening after work and looked it up. Again half truths, is all I found. I know what I am or rather what I’ve done and need. There it says a person who gives themselves freely to that of the Windigo will go into the forest for seven days and fast and sacrifice themselves to the spirit of the Windigo. That isn’t what happened to me.

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Princess Morgan, wild and fiery, heir to her father’s throne, can best any man with a sword. Now a woman she is fearful of being Queen and marriage. But when visitors from a different kingdom show up Morgan is faced with big changes. Faced with loss, love and some touches of magic Morgan has to become the Queen she is meant to be or succumb to a life worse than death.

Teaser:

She went to the empty hole that used to be the door. “Hello,” she called in.
            No reply came, so she led Wind-Dancer inside. The Main room was bare, but the stone floor was covered in hay. Wind-Dancer went over to it and started eating. She felt bad; she had forgotten to see if she had eaten before she took her from the stable. Watching her horse eat made her own stomach grumble. She had not eaten since earlier that morning and she too was hungry. But she doubted she would enjoy the hay like her horse.
            She noticed the glow she had seen, it came from one of the other rooms. She went to the doorway, knife in hand, she looked into the room. She dropped the knife and stared into the room. A fire burned in the middle of the room, and a bunch of little people were either sitting or dancing around it.
            A little man turned familiar emerald green eyes on her, and smiled as he removed his small pipe. “She is here,” he said with a gruff voice.
            All the others stopped and turned to look at her. “Come in dear,” the man said standing to his feet. He walked over to her. “Some of you take care of her horse and dry her. No need for the animal to be sick.”
            He led her to the fire, the warmth felt so good. He pulled her down onto the log to sit. As soon as she did, small hands took her soaked cloak off and placed a dry thick fur around her. The smell of roasted meat made her stomach growl. The small man must have heard, he clapped his hands and another little person brought her a plate of food.

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Interview:
When did you know you wanted to become a writer?
I have always been a story teller every since I was little. I loved telling stories.

How did the idea of series come to you?
2 of the series I have coming out this year were large stories that needed more then one book to tell. My first book Awaken the Elements felt almost to big for one book.

Are any of your characters based off people you know?
Some are and some have traits of people I know.


How many books will be in the series?
The three books out right now are stand alones. But I have 2 coming out this year Awaken the Elements and Blood Witch will be trilogies. 

How do you over come writer’s block?
I like to knit and play video games to help.

What is your writing process?
I start a book bible, do the research needed and start writing. The book bible holds my chapters and plot lines I want to see happen in each chapter.

What is your favorite paranormal being?
Zombies. They creep me out but I have to read more. 

What was the first paranormal book you read?
First one would have to be Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K Hamilton opened me up to all sorts of paranormal after that.

 Who are some of your favorite authors?
Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Ilona Andrews, Jaye Wells and many others.

Can you give us any hints about future books?
Awaken the Elements is a trilogy based on the 4 elements born in human form. Blood Witch is about Leslie a blood witch and Nathaniel a werebear who have to stop a oncoming civil war in The Opposite side.

 Is there a writer or writers that inspire you?
Stephen King and Jane Austen.

 What paranormal being would you like to be?
Wereleopard.


If you were stranded on a deserted island what character would you want with you and why?
Sookie, we can talk about books and she can finally have a vacation. 

What would you do in a zombie apocalypse?
My husband has the plan down lol. We want a nice house on a hill so we can watch for zombies, but far away from regular civilization.


What 3 people would you like to have dinner with and why?
I would love to have dinner with Stephen King, Charlene Harris and Jim Butcher to pick their brains.

Favorites:

Color: Purple
Pets: Dogs and Birds
Food: Pizza and taco bell
Drink: Dr. Pepper
Holiday: Halloween
Music: Rock in all forms
Movie: Beerfest

This or That:
Night or Day? Night
Theater or Rent? Theater
Fall or Summer? Fall
Music or Reading? Both
Pet Dragon or Pet Gargoyle? Pet dragon
Flip flops or Tennis Shoes? Flip Flops

I hope you enjoyed getting to know more about Ellie and her books. Ellie has donated 2 books for giveaway. To enter all you have to do is tell us your favorite Holiday and would you rather have a Pet Dragon or Pet Gargoyle and why? Thank you to Ellie for participating in author spotlight and for donating 2 books.
~Sabrina















3 comments:

  1. Hello! I love the author spotlight segment that you're hosting. What a great way to discover authors. My favorite holiday is Halloween and I'd much rather have a pet gargoyle (less chance of having my house burned down!)

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  2. My favorite holiday is Christmas. I love decorating, wrapping, and baking. I'd rather have a pet dragon. They seem like the better choice.

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing with us today. It is always a treat to learn more about awesome authors. I think my favorite holiday is Halloween, so much spooky fun going on ;) I would love to have a gargoyle for my friend (just seems wrong to say pet). They are strong and protective and just plain cute.
    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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