Today, I'm pleased to introduce Beth Elisa Harris, author of Vision, the first book in her trilogy starring Layla.
This is the eighth stop on her blog tour to welcome the release of the second book in the trilogy, Soul Herder - look out for it on 1 May!
Where
did the idea come from for the VISION trilogy?
About
ten years ago, we discovered some family history in Colonsay, an island off the
coast of Scotland. We learned about our clan and others. From there my imagination
took over. I’ve always been fascinated with the power of the sixth sense and
human connection. The trilogy formed because I needed to tell Layla’s story
over a period of time, and it spans long periods of time.
SOUL HERDER, the second in the trilogy, is set for release on May 1. What can
readers expect?
In
VISION, readers are introduced to Layla, her family and her boyfriend, and they
learn about her history. Her Clear abilities – the profound capacity to read
thoughts and predict events through dreams – create danger and geo-political
interest, and bad things happen. She has a unique relationship with her mum and
a woman from Colonsay, which blows the lid off life as she knows it. She
discovers her connections and why she can no longer lead a normal life.
In
SOUL HERDER, Layla is transformed. Without giving the story away, it’s a game changer.
Layla goes from isolated bookworm to a significant global citizen almost
overnight. My hope is that when readers finish this book, they will recognise
it is a story about transformation, connection, power and fulfilling destiny.
The geo-political component adds a complex dimension, but, most importantly,
Layla is not the same girl who left Portland the previous year. There is also
tons of action in SOUL HERDER, including an intense battle scene.
What
can we expect in the final book and is there a release date?
WRITTEN
IN TIME will conclude the trilogy and go further back in history to unveil how
Layla’s prophesy came to be. It will also reveal the origins of the Bane
revenge for power and land. Enough said! We are aiming for a release towards
the end of the year. It’s ambitious – two in one year – but I have other
projects I’m working on, and I really want to have the full trilogy out there
for readers while I turn my attention to other partially written books. As much
as I love the story and characters, it will be time to say goodbye after the
third and final book. I am sure I will cry, as I did with the others!
Describe a typical day as an author
The
first thing I do is check emails and social media to see if there are any hot issues
to tend. Then I either work on whatever book I’m writing, or I’m editing or
formatting. I write well in the morning through to noon, and prefer minimal
conversing during that time. After that, I work on what seems most pressing. I
don’t need inspiration or a particular place or a particular song playing to
write. I don’t get writer’s block. I just require time and maybe some caffeine!
What
inspires you to tell stories?
Yikes!
Well, when I was just learning to speak, my mom used to tell me how I would not
leave her alone to use the restroom. She would hear me breathing under the door
and I would beg her to let me in so I could tell her a story. So, the
inclination started early. I am not sure where the inspiration comes from –
people always ask me how I ‘come up with this stuff’ and I can only respond by
saying ‘it just does’. I can create a story around just about anything – the challenge
is determining whether that story can be expanded into a book, and an
interesting one that people will want to read.
I want interesting things to
happen to my characters. I admire fearless storytelling, when authors go to places
that others dare not tread. I can handle dark places, but give the reader
something that is redeeming, that inspires or connects in some way. Otherwise,
I think it’s a letdown and a negative experience. Fiction has the power to
uplift and change people. I can finish a book and be a little sad, but I don’t
want to be angry or feel the situation didn’t resolve well.
What
can we expect after the trilogy?
There
are a few projects on the burner. One I started awhile back called FLYERS, about
a young woman and others with the ability of flight. I am really excited about
getting that published. I’m also working on a story about a mother who judges
her daughter’s boyfriend based on appearance, and the fallout caused by her
actions. Those are just two. It’s exciting!
In
your blogs, you talk a lot about the business of writing. Is being an author
worth the time spent on the business side of the industry?
Ideally,
I think most authors, if given a choice, would opt to write all day. The
business side is unglamorous and requires a ton of daily attention, but it’s
necessary to connect with readers, grow sales and promote your work. There is
no way around it, unless you are not trying to make a name for yourself and
earn a living. So, yes, it’s worth the time, energy and effort, because selling
books allows you to continue writing. It’s all connected.
What
is the most difficult part of the writing process for you?
Honestly,
I agonise over every word, sentence and paragraph. I lie awake in bed rephrasing
something I’ve written and can’t relax until I’ve made the change, or at least
jotted it down so I remember later. There are countless ways of saying something.
I consider how the character speaks – is it true to their speech pattern and
vocabulary? When you write a series, the voices become second nature because
you know the characters well. In the VISION trilogy, Layla grows, matures and
changes through the books, so her voice evolves. Stuart, on the other hand, is
steadfast, although in SOUL HERDER we see more of his thick dialect, influenced
by years of living in proper times!
Hop to Beth's blog to follow her blog tour - http://bethelisaharris.blogspot.com
Links
Amazon author profile: http://www.amazon.com/Beth-Elisa-Harris/e/B0060RJ00S/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Website: http://bethelisaharris.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BethElisaHarris
Twitter: @Bethelisaharris https://twitter.com/Bethelisaharris
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