Author Interview: Find out what author Ellen Brooks' three secrets are!

We're very excited to announce that Ellen Brooks's story, My Handsome Holidate, was chosen for our new award, the Stand Out Story Award. This award is for excellence in storytelling and for creating a story that really emulates what a Last Chapter Press romance promises to readers in heart and soul. Chosen by our editors and acquiring editor, these stories are an emotional and heartfelt journey that we know readers will love. 

1. How’d you get into writing?

Like many other writers I am a lifelong reader and love the way a good story makes me feel (don't we all?). When the pandemic started it finally gave me the time to sit down and put pen to paper and I've never looked back since.

2. What do you like to read and why?

When I first started reading romance years ago I was strictly a historical kind of girl, but then I moved into contemporary. I also read a ton of non-fiction over all sorts of subjects and am a really curious person who loves to learn.

3. Three things about you that no one knows.

1. I have a tattoo of a blue and purple sun on my front right pelvis that I got when I was 18 (don't ask).
2. Most of the people in my life besides a select few (and I mean like 2) don't know I'm a writer.
3. I'm not so sure it's a secret, but I'm really gullible and will fall for almost anything

4. Where do you see your writing in ten years?

Continuing to improve.

5. If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would you choose and why

Masterpiece by Jessie J because I'm a work in progress (aren't we all?)  

You can find that song here: https://youtu.be/PTOFEgJ9zzI

6. What’s your go-to drink? Coffee? Tea? The hard stuff?

Water, preferably with lots of crushed ice to chew on.

7. What about writing do you find the hardest and how do you overcome the obstacle?

First drafts! Give me editing and polishing any day of the week, but getting the story out is tough for me and I second guess everything. To overcome it I set a word count or scene goal and remind myself that it doesn't have to be perfect, I just need to get the bones down.

8. Other than My Handsome Holidate , which of your books or series do you love the most and why?

I love each and every book I've written for different reasons, but there's a special place in my heart for Falling for a Star because it was my first.

9. Would you encourage others to get into writing?

Absolutely!

10. What do you think of garden gnomes?

I think they're hiding secrets. (Us, too, Ellen. Us, too. ;-)) 

Thanks for joining us for this look into your authoring life and all the success! ❤️ LCP