Author Interview: Elizabeth Crocket

Each Sunday, I'll be interviewing a different author about their writing journey. If you are an author and would like to be interviewed for this series, please complete this application form. If you have any questions, or if you want to recommend an author, please get in touch by emailing me at bryony@bryonyleah.com.

About Elizabeth Crocket

Elizabeth Crocket is a women's fiction author and award winning poet. Her debut women's fiction novel, A Path to the Lake, was released this past spring, by Crimson Cloak Publishing, and is available on Amazon and Goodreads in both print and e-book. It can also be ordered from most major bookstores.

Elizabeth's second novel, Full of Grace, is slated to be released in autumn 2018, and her third, The Smell of Roses, sometime in 2019. All three are women's fiction, with a strong romantic element.

Elizabeth also writes Japanese short form poetry and has two chapbooks published by Red Moon Press. Her collection of haibun, Not Like Fred and Ginger, was shortlisted for the prestigious American Haiku Foundation Distinguished Book Award. She lives and writes in Ontario, Canada. You can find out more about Elizabeth, and read samples of her work, at www.elizabethcrocket.com.

Click here to read A Path to the Lake by Elizabeth Crocket

Do you plan out your novels or just start writing?

I have a basic plan, but not one of my novels stuck to my original plan. My characters tend to take over at some point, as strange as that may sound!

Description or dialogue?

In my novels, I definitely prefer to write dialogue. I really enjoy living through the characters. A bit of living vicariously, I suppose!

Who is your favourite author?

For sheer reading enjoyment, I always choose women's fiction author Elizabeth Berg. I don't want to quote her, but I can tell you she makes the ordinary, extraordinary.

Click here to read A Path to the Lake by Elizabeth Crocket

What has been the most difficult challenge you’ve had to face as a writer?

My most difficult challenge, I suspect like most writers, is the dreaded revision.

What’s your favourite self-editing technique?

Probably reading out loud what I've written. I tend to notice things that I might not, if I just read visually.

Are you working on a novel right now? If yes, can you tell us a little about it?

No. I wrote three novels in fairly quick succession, so then it was nice to enjoy a break with writing poetry, and doing photo-haiga, which I love. (Photo-haiga is the combination of a photograph, with a haiku.) Also, I want to be able to have the time to properly help with marketing my books. Although I do find myself dreaming of what I can write next.

Where is your favourite place to write?

For my books, at the computer in my family room. For poetry, if it's not in the middle of the night, definitely outside in nature.

Of all the books you've written, do you have a personal favourite? If yes, which book, and why?

I think my favourite book is Full of Grace, as there is a cancer storyline in it. Having had a challenging cancer journey myself, I like to think that it has a ring of authenticity. Also, in that book, I enjoy the main character's somewhat jaded outlook on romance!

What is the coolest experience you've ever had as a writer?

Probably my book launch for A Path to the Lake, which was held at a wonderful bookstore, A Different Drummer. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to read one of my haiku at the Haiku Conference in Albany, New York, in 2015.

Click here to read A Path to the Lake by Elizabeth Crocket

Do you need to feel emotions strongly to become a good writer?

Since the tag line for my website is "Elizabeth Crocket, Writing with Heart", for me, it's obviously a yes. I can't speak for what other people think, though.

How do you feel after writing 1,000 words?

It can be either exhausted or energized, or both. It depends on the type of scene I'm writing. If it's a really emotional scene, for example, I can feel like I've just lived it myself.

Do you prefer to write series or standalone novels?

At this point, I've written three novels that stand alone.

How do you decide your characters' names?

Usually, it's just a feel I have for the character. Sometimes if the character is from a different era than I am, I will google names from that time to see what was popular, etc. so it sounds authentic.

Do you weave personal experience into your writing?

I have. In a Path to the Lake, the protagonist, Kate Browning, writes poetry, for example. And in Full of Grace, as I mentioned previously, there is a cancer storyline, where I drew on some feelings that I had experienced.

Click here to read A Path to the Lake by Elizabeth Crocket

What is your best piece of advice for aspiring writers?

Develop a thick skin, and try not to take rejection personally, as there is so much rejection in the writing world. And believe in yourself!

Enjoyed the interview? Connect with Elizabeth!

Facebook: Elizabeth Crocket

Website: www.elizabethcrocket.com

If you are an author and would like to be interviewed for this series, please complete this application form. If you have any questions, or if you want to recommend an author, please get in touch by emailing me at bryony@bryonyleah.com.