Deirdra: What was the pathway like for you to get your first
book published?
Ellen Feld: Although I’d
been writing for national magazines for over ten years, I was still considered
an unpublished author. I couldn’t get
any agents or publishers to look at my work.
Not one to easily get discouraged I decided to self-publish. That was about ten years ago, when
self-publishing was just starting to get easier for those with little
background in publishing. My first book
took off and it’s been a great ride.
Deirdra: Were you ever discouraged along the way? If so, how
did you deal with it?
Ellen Feld: It’s easy to get discouraged, particularly because
writing is such a lonely profession.
There are times when I get down, and then I go to a book signing and a
mom comes up to me and tells me her daughter is dyslexic and the teachers
couldn’t get her to read. Then she
discovered my books and now reads them over and over. I can’t tell you how good that makes me feel.
Deirdra: What is your writing schedule like?
Ellen Feld: I have a full-time “desk job,” so my writing is done
at night. I never force myself to
write. If I’m not in the mood, I don’t
write. I’ve found that when I do force
myself, as some authors do, I don’t like the end result. But when I get on a roll, my family knows
enough to leave me alone because I’m not stopping!
Deirdra: Where do your ideas come from? How do
you know the idea is good enough to write a book about it?
Ellen Feld : I write about horses for children and pre-teens. My real horses (I have ten) are my inspiration and they give me enough ideas to keep me writing for years! The silly, funny, unusual things they do are enough to fill a book – and they do!
Ellen Feld : I write about horses for children and pre-teens. My real horses (I have ten) are my inspiration and they give me enough ideas to keep me writing for years! The silly, funny, unusual things they do are enough to fill a book – and they do!
Deirdra: Can you tell us a little about your book,
(name of book here)
Ellen Feld: I have seven published books, plus three more in the
works. Most of my books are for preteens
(ages 9 – 13) and are part of my ‘Morgan Horse’ series. The first two in the series, Blackjack and Frosty both won the ‘Children’s Choices’ award from the
International Reading Association and Blackjack
was picked up by a major toy company and sold with a model of the horse. I love to write fun adventure stories but it
is also important to me that the action be realistic and the horses act like
horses. The series takes place in New
England, in a barn full of horses and follow a young girl who is learning about
all facets of horses/horse care. Each
book revolves around a different horse and riding discipline.
Deirdra: Do you ever experience a snag in a story, a form of
writer's block? If so, how do you deal with it?
Ellen Feld : Oh, yes, absolutely! What author doesn’t get stuck? If I hit a snag, I step back and stop writing. Then I just wait…I know the answer will come to me. Sometimes it may take a month or more. Then suddenly it pops into my mind - usually while I’m at the barn playing with the horses.
Ellen Feld : Oh, yes, absolutely! What author doesn’t get stuck? If I hit a snag, I step back and stop writing. Then I just wait…I know the answer will come to me. Sometimes it may take a month or more. Then suddenly it pops into my mind - usually while I’m at the barn playing with the horses.
Deirdra: Do you need absolute quiet to write? Do you listen
to music when you are writing?
Ellen Feld : I’m probably unusual in that I need noise to write. I think that comes from my college experience where it was always noisy where/when I studied. I keep the television on in the background at all times.
Ellen Feld : I’m probably unusual in that I need noise to write. I think that comes from my college experience where it was always noisy where/when I studied. I keep the television on in the background at all times.
Deirdra: What are you working on now?
Ellen Feld: Putting the final touches on the seventh book in my
‘Morgan Horse’ series, The Further
Adventures of Blackjack. It just
came back from the editor and I hope to get it to the designer next week. My illustrator should be finished with the interior
pictures in a week or so too. I have the
cover art, which I really love.
Deirdra: Are you planning on
self-publishing, finding and agent, going with a small press or other? And
why?
Ellen Feld: I self-publish all my books. I’ve been really successful, have been picked
up by national companies, sell my books through organizations such as The
American Morgan Horse Association, and have a regular fan base so I don’t see
any reason to stop what I’m doing. I
love the freedom of self-publishing, having total control over my “product,” so
I plan on continuing.
Deirdra: What is the best
complement you could receive from a reader?
Ellen Feld: “I couldn’t get my child to read until she discovered your books. Why can’t you write them faster so she can read more?” J
Ellen Feld: “I couldn’t get my child to read until she discovered your books. Why can’t you write them faster so she can read more?” J
Deirdra: Where can readers go to find your books and order
them?
Ellen Feld: Amazon.com
and for signed copies, www.willowbendpublishing.com
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ReplyDeleteFascinating interview and I was drawn to the lovely cover. (Well, being a horse lover, I would be!) One of my two horses is a jet black Welsh Cob, so the horse on the cover reminds me of him.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to be able to say that you helped a child find a love of books.