Author Spotlight: Elise Edmonds

Good evening! I am honored to end the month with another author spotlight! Her name is Elise Edmonds- and she is currently wrapping up her blog tour for her novel, Where Carpets Fly. Check out our interview (below) and the blurb of her book (to the right).
You have just published Where Carpets Fly. How long did it take for you to write and revise it?
From start to finish it's taken me about two and a half years! Finishing the first draft took the longest, because I'd never managed to complete a novel before. It took me about six months. And to be honest, that felt like the biggest accomplishment of all! After that, I underwent many rounds of critique on the online writing site, Scribophile, and several drafts later, the final result is published!
Do you have plans for a sequel, and if so, did you know right away?
Yes, a sequel is in progress! I always knew there would be a sequel, because I had plans for Elina to visit certain places which didn't fit into the first book. And whilst the main plot is tied up in book one, there are a couple of questions the reader is probably asking, which the second book needs to answer.
Was writing a sequel challenging, and do you anticipate a third addition to the series?
Actually I found the sequel much easier. By then, I knew what I was doing in terms of trying to structure a plot. Whereas with the first book, everything was a huge learning curve, from plotting, to characterisation, to learning point of view, and so on. And because I was already immersed in my world, book two flowed more easily from the start. If all goes to plan, I may be able to publish it by the end of the year. Overall, I'm thinking it will be a four book series.
You are a financial professional by trade, how do you find the time and inspiration to write?
Time is the most difficult thing to find when you work full time. I'm lucky in that I commute to work on the train, so I tend to have half an hour at each end of the day, plus a bit of time at lunch. And I've got a lot of useful apps on my smartphone so I can fit in a few minutes of writing or keep up with social media throughout the day. And evenings and weekends, if I'm not busy with something else, I'm writing.
Inspiration isn't really a problem for me. I've been a big reader ever since I was a kid, and I've always wanted to write a book. At school, I was equally drawn to both Math and English, so you can see how I ended up being an accountant who's written a novel! Nothing in my work life particularly inspires my writing, but when you're interacting with people, whatever you're doing, you're learning about how people react to situations--it gives you ideas on characterisation or little plot bunnies sometimes pop into your mind if you hear a good anecdote.
I understand you like a diverse genre of music- do you listen to a particular type when writing?
I like a bit of everything actually. I'm a Spotify addict, and I stream music constantly when I'm on a computer, both at work and when writing. My favourite era is the 80s/90s rock/alternative scene, and my favourite band is REM. But I often listen to Spotify's curated playlists to find new things to listen to.  I don't have a standard type of music to write to. I just like something going on in the background – I learnt when I was a student that a mild distraction helps me focus.
 Is it true? Do you really hate coffee? How do you SURVIVE?
 Haha yes I'm a coffee-hater! And my husband is, as well. I drink a lot of tea to make up for it! And sugar, sugar is good. So you will find me popping into Starbucks, but I'm afraid I just come out with a muffin!
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And there you have it. Thank you, Elise, for the honor of interviewing you. Everyone, please check out the link to her book on Amazon in the right-hand column!

​"Elina Faramar finally leaves her family's flying carpet shop when her father reluctantly agrees she can take magic lessons in nearby Kamikan. Urban life promises adventure, and new friend Kara shows her the sights. 

However, Elina soon sees a darker side of life: a foreigner arrested at the circus, forbidden schoolhouse rooms with odd comings and goings, and unsociable pupil Simeon's shady deals at the docks. Everything seems connected to the volatile neighbouring country of Pallexon, but no one will tell her why.

When Elina and Simeon develop a magical mind link, he seems close to confiding in her. But an unexpected voyage takes Elina and Kara away from answers and towards unknown danger in Pallexon.
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Alone in a strange country, with no identity papers, the situation rapidly turns into a nightmare when Kara is mistaken for a spy. With her own freedom at stake, Elina must rely on her wits and magic to save her friend and unravel the secrets of Pallexon."

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Elise Edmonds lives in a quiet South Gloucestershire village, where she spends her free time with her husband and two cats, and enjoys attending local fitness classes, watching movies, and playing the piano. Pursuing writing in her spare time as a creative outlet is a way to bring the magic back into her everyday life.

If you like what you've read, check out her book and follow her on the following social media outlets:
 
Social Media links
 
Amazon author page
amazon.com/author/eliseedmonds
 
Website
http://magicwriter.co.uk/
 
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/elisemagicwriter/
 
Twitter
https://twitter.com/WriterEdmonds
 
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/elise.edmonds/
 
Wattpad
https://www.wattpad.com/user/MagicElise
 
Goodreads author profile
https://www.goodreads.com/EliseEdmonds

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