Today I have Ellyn with me, she’s another one of those wonderful Go Teen Writer gals. Hang tight and enjoy!
*ABOUT YOU*
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thank you for the interview, Aidyl! It’s good to be here at Noveltea. I am an eighteen-year-old Christian who was homeschooled from birth up to my junior year of high school. From there, I attended the local community college for two years, and this September I am leaving to attend the Student Discipleship Program at Miracle Mountain Ranch in Pennsylvania.Right now, I live in a small town in Minnesota with my family of nine. I am the oldest sibling in my family and have five younger brothers. They teach me to swordfight and climb trees and get my hands dirty on a regular basis. We also have several cats, a horse, and almost thirty chickens.
I have a self-published novel called Torn Heart, which you can find on Amazon, and had one short story, “Who to Trust” published in Young Christian Writers magazine. Right now I am editing a fantasy book called Seaspear. Besides all literary pursuits, I love gardening, playing guitar with friends, experimenting with fashion, traveling, and spending time with my horse, Indy. You can find me at my blog here or follow me on twitter here!
What is one of your favorite quotes?
“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.” ― Lloyd Alexander // This quote is a great picture of what fiction is. Often, stark truth about reality either confuses people or scares them off. But truth in the cloak of fiction helps people open their minds and teaches them about the real world as well as the fictional one.
What is one of your favorite authors?
I love Maggie Stiefvater’s vivid writing style. She is so skilled at tying setting and description into character’s emotions, and this is an example I try to follow.
*ABOUT WRITING*
What inspired you to write?
My parents have been reading me stories since before I could understand them. I grew up on Poppleton, Frances, and Winnie the Pooh. On rainy Saturdays, we’d go find treasures at our local library and then come home, make a stack of peanut butter toast, and read. With a childhood so saturated in good books, I don’t think I could have not become a writer!
What genre do you write?
I find myself shifting between a lot of genres, as I enjoy reading and writing so many. While I was younger I wrote mainly non-magical fantasy, and Torn Heart is this. Seaspear is a fantasy that does use magic. My next project, Holly & Gray Go to London, is a contemplative YA fiction. I’ve also dabbled in dystopian.
What is your goal with writing?
As of now, my goal is to become a traditionally published author. In the next few months, I’d like to complete Seaspear and begin searching for a literary agent. While we’re dreaming, though, I’d love to go on a book tour one day!
*WHEN YOU’RE WRITING, DO YOU…*
Eat? If so, what?
I have a huge sweet tooth. I usually keep candy in my desk drawer so that I have it at arm’s length while writing. When my progress is slow, my mouth gets sore from constantly eating candy. But during an exciting scene I forget about it completely.
Drink? If so, what?
I drink TEA! Or sometimes coffee. My favorite kind of tea is Super Irish Breakfast from Stash. My whole family drinks it, and we can no longer get it at the local Cub Foods, so we’ve resorted to ordering online. “The tea order came!” is a common exclamation of joy in our house.
Sit in the same place (most of the time)? Where?
I’m usually in my room somewhere (sprawled on the floor, at my desk), but I’ve found that moving to a new writing spot helps vanquish writer’s block. Sometimes I’ll go to a coffee shop if I’m too distracted at home, or I’ll sit on my parents’ deck.
*IF YOU COULD…*
Go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
There are so many places I want to see. I have visited Germany, which was incredible, but it only increased my appetite for travel. I’d love to visit England, especially since that’s where my next novel takes place. (And while I’m over there, I could hit Wales, France, Italy, Ukraine…)
Be anything you wanted (career-wise) what would it be?
If money was no object, I would have an alternate career where I went around trying a lot of different occupations, each for a year or so – like waitressing, working or acting on a movie set, painting, interior design, landscaping, being a maid at the White House, and other cool things. That would give me such a rich life and I’d have so many experiences to write about!
*WOULD YOU RATHER…*
Live in the city or the country?
I love both so much, but I’d have to say the country. I feel much more relaxed in the country. The city is for dressing up and eating out. Besides, the quality of life skyrockets if I have a vegetable garden outside my window.
Have a cat or a dog?
Cat. Dogs are too desperate for attention and they love everyone. I’d rather try to earn a cat’s goodwill.
Visit friends or read a book?
Now, that depends on both the friends and the book in question!
***
Thanks, Ellyn, I enjoyed your interview. =)
Noveltea 
This was a really good review! Ellyn, you sound like a very interesting, mature person – I'll have to go check your book out. Also, love your picture! 🙂
Rebecca
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Wow, it's fun and crazy to find on someone's blog an interview of a dear friend! We go to the same church, and it's been fun to read this from her, now that we're missing her as she is away at college!
Thank you for posting!
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