Interview with author Elly Arden

Hi Elly! When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?I started writing as a child. I always kept a diary or journal. I had a pen pal. I wrote persuasive essays and slipped them to my mother whenever I wanted something so badly verbal requests didn’t seem to get the job done. And then one day, I became a mother, and that gave me all kinds of things to write about, so I ended up freelance writing non-fiction parenting articles. That parlayed into a career, where I was once a senior editor for Pregnancy Magazine, and then I ended up an editor for the Walt Disney Company. All non-fiction. But with every new romance novel I read, I dreamed of writing fiction. Fortunately, that dream became a reality in March 2013 with the publication of my first romance novel, Save My Soul.

What is it about 'chick lit' / 'romance' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
I must have a happy ending. That’s first and foremost. I also like the emotions involved with attraction and falling in love. It’s a special sort of rush, and the most talented writers can literally take my breath away with their ability to allow me to feel vicariously through their characters. That being said, I do read non-fiction, especially historical (royal) non-fiction, and any other fiction that catches my eye. Never horror or suspense, though. I’m very funny about protecting my headspace.

Can you tell us a little about your latest release?

Keeping Score is the final book in my groundbreaking Cleveland Clash women’s football series. Not only does the series focus on elite women athletes (and the men who love them), but it’s also multicultural, featuring an African-American heroine (and hero), a Caucasian heroine, and a Korean-American heroine. That’s Jade. She rules this last book, which stands alone and can be read without reading the first two. (Of course, I’d love for you to read them all!) In Keeping Score, Jade is out to prove she can make her own decisions without repeating her mother’s mistakes, especially when it comes to men. But when she meets sports radio shock jock Rome Rizzelli, everything—from her job to her social life—starts to unravel. It’s a fun battle of the sexes with a strong message of gender equality mixed in with happily ever after.

What inspired you to write it?
I’ve been a fan of sports radio for many years, and it has always struck me as odd and sad that women are so underrepresented on the local airwaves. Television has embraced female sports reporters, so why not radio? That’s exactly the question that led me to write Keeping Score.

If it was made into a film, who would you cast as the main characters?I’d like to see Arden Cho as Jade and Bradley Cooper as Rome.

What is your favourite book that made it to the big screen?
Pride and Prejudice. I will see any movie adaption of that book. It’s timeless and inspirational.

What was the last book you read and would you recommend it?
I just finished The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand. I would definitely recommend it. A fun, light, excellent read!

Where do you currently write? And where would be your dream writing location?
I’m a transient writer. After having an office separate from the living spaces in my house, I realized I don’t like being cut off like that. I spent more time at the dining table writing than I did in that office. Now, I have a writing nook in the corner of my formal living room. I have a big window, a pretty little desk, two gorgeous book shelves, and a chandelier hanging over my head. It’s not a bad set up—and I still have my office-office when all the kids are home (and loud). As far as my dream writing location goes, I live in an almost 100-year-old house with an unfinished attic. I think of finishing that off from time to time, but then I’d be cut off again. So, I always go back to transforming my quaint, single-car garage into a writing studio. We’ll see. I need to top a few bestseller lists before I can justify that.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have psoriatic arthritis and wish I was wearing it and handling it as well as pro golfer Phil Mickelson.

Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
Pittsburgh has a thriving movie business. Every year, several major motion pictures are filmed here, and that brings in Hollywood A-listers on a regular basis.

What inspires you as an author?
Music inspires me. A good book inspires me—not to copy it, but to create a similar reading experience for my readers.

Do you have a muse?
I don’t have a muse. Writing is habitual for me. When it falls out of habit, nothing but time and consistency will get my groove back.

Who would play you in the movie about your life?
Geez. That’s a hard one. Maybe Catherine Zeta Jones. Maybe Rachel Bilson. Honestly, I would stay out of that casting decision.

What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I’m working on a brand new baseball series, which will release in 2016. The first book is called The Change Up.

Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I want to see a great white shark from the safety of a boat—better yet, from the safety of a pier or land.

What do you listen to whilst writing?
I’m a big fan of Apple Music, so I usually find an editor curated playlist and roll with that until I get bored. As I find songs that are particularly fitting for the manuscript I’m working on, I add those to their own playlist, and before long, I have a collection of songs that truly inspires my current project.

Name one of your all time favourite songs.
Sister Golden Hair by America

Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it’s water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness. Elley writes books with charming characters, emotional stories, and sexy romance. For a complete list of Elley’s books, visit her website.
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Check out this fun interview with author Jami Deise

Hi Jami! It's great to have you with us today! So let's get down to business... When did you first start writing? 

The first writing I remember doing was in the 3rd grade. I wrote a short story called “Light Up the Sky with Firecrackers.” My mom might still have it somewhere. She saved everything I wrote.

And when were you first published? 

I won a poetry contest in the 5th grade. Does that count? The first time I was published was when I wrote a “he said/she said” type article with my dad about using computers for writing. I was pro; he was not quite so pro.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? 

I like any story that features a strong female protagonist. In women’s fiction, we deal with real women and real issues. Sometimes the result is funny, sometimes not so funny, but it’s almost always a protagonist a woman can identify with.

Do you read other genres? If so, which? 

I love horror and mysteries – especially mysteries with a female detective, like Sue Grafton’s series.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it? 

“Keeping Score” is about a divorced mom whose 9-year-old son wants to play travel baseball for the summer. She had no idea the worst competition would be off the field….

What inspired you to write it?

The first summer my son played travel baseball was the summer he was 9, and it was a very trying experience. Now I see the humor in it, but at the time…

Is it part of a series?

If there is a groundswell of demand for a sequel, I will write one!

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?

Only after I just put it in their hands.

Who designs your covers? 

Katrina Joyner. I think she did a great job!

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast? 

Amy Adams as Shannon; Reese Witherspoon as her best frenemy Jennifer.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen? 

Probably “I Don’t Know How She Does It.” I wrote an essay on the book and movie for Chick Lit Central earlier this year. Check it out here.

What were the last two books you read?

“The Partner Track,” by Helen Wan (excellent book!) and “It’s Just a Little Crush” by Caroline Fardig (very fun!)

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known. 

Caroline Fardig. She’s started a great funny mystery series… reminds me a lot of Janet Evanovich.

Where do you write? 

On my couch. The room has a great view, facing the water.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

Even though I wrote stories all the time, when I was a kid, I didn’t want to be a writer. Some kind of combination actress/doctor.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Image courtesy: Gage Skidmore

Angelina Jolie!

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Kahlua and crème.
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Bring on the shopping!
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? No heels for me
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Definitely not E.L. James but I’ve never heard of the other author.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Waaaaaa!!!

Brief author bio. A lifelong resident of Maryland, Jami Deise recently moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, along with her husband Tom, son Alex, and dog Lady. A baseball mom for over 10 years, “Keeping Score” is her first novel. Jami is an associate reviewer at www.chicklitcentral.com and a generalist reader for an NYC-based literary agency. Along with women’s fiction, she loves all things horror and watches too much TV.

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