Next in our meet the author series is Elena Marie Ball who is currently releasing chapters FOR FREE on her website of the awesome Being Red, an inventive twist on the Red Riding Hood story. Find out about how she manages the serialised story and about her processes and inspirations in general. Find out more about her here.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your writing journey to date.
Growing up, the magic in books always excited me and gave me a fantastical place where I could escape. I was inspired by strong female characters who went on grand adventures and took their fates into their own hands. I wanted to be them, but since we live in a world a little less magical where becoming a lady knight just isn’t an option, I decided I wanted to write my own stories full of fantasy and adventure.
When I was about eleven years old, I began writing and rewriting an ever-shifting story that eventually developed into a concept I’d still like to turn into a novel someday. For now, my original brainchild is still on the back burner, nearly exactly as I left it once I graduated high school. I didn’t take time to write while I pursued an engineering degree rather than creative writing, and for years I struggled to write while working a full-time job as a mechanical engineer. Once my job started to wear on me, I began to turn back to my writing and the solace of a make-believe world where being a kick-ass heroine is commonplace. It took me a while to realize I was thoroughly burnt out, and eventually this carried over into my writing as well. I stopped writing again because I felt like I no longer had the inspiration for it. I got a new day job a few years ago. Now I have a few projects in the works, and I make an effort to sit down and write each week despite still having a full-time job. I am proud to be making progress towards my dream of completing a novel.
You have such a wealth of stories on your website! How do you fit writing in during your day?
I write my short stories under pressure. No joke. I don’t get much done if I don’t have deadlines keeping me productive, so I sign up for the NYC Midnight competitions (either the short story or flash fiction version) which instruct me what to write in a given genre. Then I complete the assignments, normally on Sunday evening right before the submission deadline. I thrive on the stress, which is often difficult to self-induce.
For my own stories, meaning the stories I plan to turn into novels, I have to try. As I said, it’s hard to create stress from a self-imposed deadline, but here’s my process. First, I tell my readership when to expect new content (every 2-3 weeks currently). Then I designate at least two days per week to have a writing block, which I highlight in my planner. Usually I choose Wednesday evening and Sunday morning, but I am most religious about keeping my Wednesday writing block. My husband even cooks for me and makes sure everything is done around the house so that I have this uninterrupted time to myself to create. Since instituting this method, I have been so much more productive. And just like a diet, I have found that it works best if I don’t beat myself up for missing a block here or there or for lacking inspiration on certain days. It happens, and I do better when I am kind to myself and push myself harder when the words are really flowing rather than making myself sit there stressing because nothing will come.
Being Red is currently up to chapter 16 on the website, it’s such a great reimagining of the fairy tale. Where did you first come up with the idea?
Thank you for saying so! I’m so pleased that you’re enjoying it.
One day I was thinking that it would be awesome if Little Red Riding Hood wasn’t the victim in her story. As I mentioned, I love a badass female lead, so I wondered, what if Little Red could fight off the wolf herself? Or rather, what if SHE were the hunter and not a victim at all? All of a sudden, I had this vision of how the entire story would end, and I went to write it all down immediately so I wouldn’t forget. I started jotting down character profiles, the backstory, and the general plot. Now we’re getting closer to the part of the story I first imagined!
What made you decide to release chapters online for free?
I was tired of waiting to finish a story so that I could query and play the waiting game. Ultimately, I’d love to make money for my writing, but I also want people to enjoy my stories and have the opportunity to read them and escape from reality for a little while.
This method also gives me motivation to continue writing in a timely manner. I have my fans to think of, after all! 🙂
Some people, me included, find writing in present tense hard, but Being Red does it so well. Do you find it difficult, or do you prefer this style?
I never really thought about it. I don’t find it difficult, but when I work on my other stories in third person past tense or even first person past tense and then switch back, the first person present can be trippy! But I do prefer first person present. I enjoy how close it makes the reader feel to the protagonist. And it makes for very snappy action.
Chapter One has one of the best opening lines I’ve read ‘For a glorious moment I’m on top, straddling one of the hottest guys I’ve ever seen.’ How proud are you of that line (and the twist) and how long did it take to come up with?
That line just flowed out. Kind of like the ending, once I sat down to begin this story, it just came to me, and I wrote it down. I like it, but I am less proud of it than you might think because it sort of just happened without much effort from me. My favorite parts are the ones I really had to work and struggle for. As much as I hate getting there, the extra effort makes me love the accomplishment all that much more.
Being red is a tale of identity and betrayal, and finding out where your loyalties lie. With that in mind, who is your favourite character to write?
Red is my main character, and I love her. She’s my favorite to write because she is me in a lot of ways, minus all the murdery bits, obviously! The way Red thinks analytically about the challenges she faces but still has feelings under it all is very close to my heart. Writing her helps me understand her better and in turn learn more about myself too. I have to admit I have a soft spot for Kellan, though. He’s kind of an enigma. He can be poking fun and being a complete nuisance one minute and then being supportive and serious the next. He keeps me on my toes and always surprises me in the best ways.
If they ever dramatized Being Red, who would you get to play the lead roles?
I don’t know who I would cast, and I don’t really mind who is selected. I would, however, ask that my book be made into a limited series rather than a movie so that there is time to cover all the important plot elements and include all the juicy cliff hangers between chapters. As for the characters, I would love it if the cast consisted of unknown actors with a lot of talent. I want viewers to think of my characters rather than famous actors when they watch the show. And it goes without saying that I don’t want the show to suffer from poor acting.
What is your approach to writing, or your method?
I used to be a pantser through and through. Now I definitely let the characters take the story where they think it should go, but I make an outline highlighting all the major events and how they connect. Then fill it in more each time I sit down to write and flesh it out, going along in order until I reach the end. I don’t like skipping around after the outlining phase is complete.
When did you first start writing?
I first started writing when I was eleven years old. I really started dedicating time to my writing as an adult at about age 26.
Where is your favourite place to write?
I wish I had an office to write in, but I have to improvise until I am able to set something like that up for myself in the future. For now, I like writing on my couch best, all propped up with pillows so I don’t throw out my back (glamorous, I know). I need it for hiking and all the things I love to do outdoors, after all. My favorite is when I write in the morning and there is a perfect amount of natural light filtering in as the sun comes up over the mountains.
Who is your favourite author?
Choosing just one author is tough. I will always have a special place in my heart for Tamora Pierce, since her books are the ones that first made me fall in love with reading and made me want to write books myself. Others who I enjoy for various reasons are Kelley Armstrong, Tricia Levenseller, Sarah J. Maas, Nicole Scarano, Rachel Vincent, Shannon Hale, and Audrey Grey.
What character have you read, that you wish you had written?
Elena Michaels from Kelley Armstrong’s Bitten and other books in the Women of the Otherworld series would be an awesome character to have written. She is a badass. She is smart, strong, and a true leader. I enjoy Elena’s arc and that she is the original character revisited time and time again in the 13-book series, as well as companion stories/novellas. Through all this, Elena ages so well. She goes from being a successful grad student to a kick-ass mom, and it just feels right. Maybe I don’t wish to have written her so much as to be her! But I would love to have written such an enduring character who grows with a series and feels so real and relatable despite having supernatural power.
What authors do you think most influence your work?
Tamora Pierce was undeniably my original inspiration, so I will credit her with most influencing my work. She made me fall in love with fantasy and believe that women can save the kingdom too. The Grimm Brothers also significantly influence my work and help shape my storylines because I love fairytales and am a sucker for a classic tale with a twist.
Who is your biggest support/fan?
My biggest fans are friends who read everything I write with enthusiasm, which really does wonders to raise my morale and motivate me to keep writing. I am so grateful for these individuals and sincerely hope that they know who they are if they are reading this!
My biggest supporter is my husband. He encourages me when I am feeling uninspired, reminds me to be kind to myself when I push myself too hard or don’t meet my own expectations, and cheers me on when the words are flowing. He makes me feel like I ama bestselling author already.
What story of yours are you most proud of?
If choosing a short story, I am most proud of Death at an Interview. This story is not my usual genre or style, but it came out so hilarious in the end, I can’t help laughing at my own work. I think that counts for something.
As for my novels in progress, I am proud of each for different reasons. Today, I am most proud of Escape from the Bloodbringer. For those unfamiliar with this story, here is a very brief blurb:
Aislynn flees her evil uncle, the captain of the dreaded Bloodbringer, and his cutthroat crew after making off with his most prized possession, an enchanted map.
Although this story is currently only a draft, I love how original it feels. The plot developed in a rather roundabout way thanks to the #vss365 prompts, so it does not follow a typical script since I developed an outline to complete the story only after I was already well underway. Escape from the Bloodbringer is different from other pirate stories I’ve read, but it has all the danger and adventure everyone expects. I am proud of the blend of fantasy and swashbuckling adventure, and I am very excited to share it once editing and publication is complete.
Where can we find out the most up to date news from you?
You can find the latest from me on my website or on Twitter (yes, I’m still a holdout). I also keep my Instagram feed fairly up to date. Someday I’ll make a Linktree, but for now, follow the hyperlinks! You can also join my mailing list for notifications about my current projects sent right to your inbox.
Is there anything else you want your readers/other readers to know?
If you want to learn more, check out my website, or feel free to reach out on social media or by email at info@elenamarieball.com.
Lexikon 