Ask the Author: Eldonna Edwards
Answered Questions (42)
Eldonna Edwards
My mother once told me that a baby she lost at birth was supposed to be a twin, but the twin never fully developed. I wondered how much of that "being" might have lived on in the other twin had she survived. I do think we can miss things we don't understand, that longing for "home" whether it be a place, a person, or just a feeling. Thank you for reaching out. I'm so glad This I Know resonated with you.
Eldonna Edwards
I'm working on three! I just haven't decided yet which one will be next. Taking my time with the next one (lots of research) so might be a bit longer between books. Thanks for the book & author love, Lisa. Stay safe!
Eldonna Edwards
Hi Nancy, I'm thrilled that you've enjoyed my first two novels. I just finished the next book but we don't have a publication date yet--stay tuned. :) In the meantime, you might enjoy my memoir, Lost In Transplantation. It reads more like a novel than you might expect. Thank you for reading and reviewing my books!
Eldonna Edwards
Hi Robyn and thank you for your kind words about my books. Sorry to have missed this question! I am working on a new book and hope to have it ready soon. Stay tuned!
Eldonna Edwards
Hi Robin. :) I'm not clairvoyant but I consider myself deeply intuitive, more so when I was a full-time massage therapist. I don't know anyone personally who has what we might call a second sight, but I do believe there is so much we don't know about the transference of information on levels most humans are unable to access.Great question, thank you!
Eldonna Edwards
I'll take your second question first. I fell in love with words from a very young age. I never thought about becoming a writer; I just knew I was one. It wasn't until my last child went off to college that I committed to writing as a career. Publishing my memoir gave me the courage to submit my first novel. I'm now working on my third novel and outlining my fourth!
I'd love to sit down with Elizabeth Berg. I enjoy her novels very much, and she seems so down-to-earth, like someone who'd be easy to hang out with.
Thanks for your questions, Angela!
I'd love to sit down with Elizabeth Berg. I enjoy her novels very much, and she seems so down-to-earth, like someone who'd be easy to hang out with.
Thanks for your questions, Angela!
Eldonna Edwards
Water. Because I only have one kidney (gave one away) so I need to stay well-hydrated. :)
Eldonna Edwards
Hi Kelly, I've written a memoir and three (2 published so far) coming-of-age books. I'd like to write, and have an outline for, a coming-of-OLD-age book that I'm really looking forward to writing. Thanks for your great question!
Eldonna Edwards
I read books about communes and did some internet research as well as watching a few documentaries about communes. (One book that stands out is THE GIRLS by Emily Cline.) I also lived near a commune in MI and visited it with some friends when I was in my teens. I have a fairly good understanding of tribal life, having grown up in a family of nine. haha Also, I know lots of folks who live off the grid. The rest comes from my very active imagination. :)
Eldonna Edwards
I'm working on my third novel now. I'd love to come to FL one day! Thank you for your encouragement. :)
Eldonna Edwards
Oh my, that's like asking for a favorite child. haha I think that the more I write, the more I learn, so I would say that I like each book a little more than the one before it because I like to think it's a little better as a result of all I've learned in the process.
Thanks for your question!
Thanks for your question!
Eldonna Edwards
My first career was in real estate. I lasted about a decade before it became more about litigation prevention than helping people sell or find a home. :/ I eventually started down a new path as a massage therapist that I stayed with for 25 years! Throughout my life I've studied/practiced/honed my writing craft and have always thought of myself as a writer even when I had other jobs. I published my memoir nine years ago, followed by my debut novel THIS I KNOW in 2018 and a new book, CLOVER BLUE, out in May. I recently retired from my massage business to write full time. :) Thanks for your question!
Eldonna Edwards
I made mine on Zazzle. So fun!
Eldonna Edwards
I'm working on a story set in an Oklahoma trailer park during the early 1980s recession. The MC is a 13 year-old girl (Ruby Tanner) who lives with her recovering-addict mother. Ruby's hero is Sally Ride. It's a story about resilience and the struggles of the invisible folks struggling to survive against stacked socio-economic odds.
Eldonna Edwards
The publisher's art department searches for a photo that matches each story. The chosen images for my books were from different photographers but both reflect themes of "otherness" with a hint of loneliness. I feel so fortunate to be blessed with amazing covers. I literally squealed with joy the first time I saw them.
Some interesting background on the cover of This I Know; the model's mother found me on Facebook and offered to take more photos of her daughter for my book trailer. Her name is Ashlyn GRACE. :O
Some interesting background on the cover of This I Know; the model's mother found me on Facebook and offered to take more photos of her daughter for my book trailer. Her name is Ashlyn GRACE. :O
Eldonna Edwards
I'm much more of a "pantser" than a "plotter" when I write and tend to work backwards. In other words, I write the story first and then I go back and outline the plot points and emotional arc(s) of the characters.
I almost always know the beginning and the ending but have to fill in the middle to get from one to the other. For me, the first draft, no matter how crappy, is where the magic happens because I can just let my imagination run wild. It's the rewriting phase where the real work begins.
If you prefer an organized structure, I recommend K.M. Weiland's books and courses: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... If you lean toward a more organic storytelling, my advice would be to write a sentence that describes your story. Expand that into a paragraph, then a page, then a short story. These techniques will give you gentle map as you explore your story.
Thanks for your kind words about my book and for your question, Linda. I hope this helps.
I almost always know the beginning and the ending but have to fill in the middle to get from one to the other. For me, the first draft, no matter how crappy, is where the magic happens because I can just let my imagination run wild. It's the rewriting phase where the real work begins.
If you prefer an organized structure, I recommend K.M. Weiland's books and courses: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show.... If you lean toward a more organic storytelling, my advice would be to write a sentence that describes your story. Expand that into a paragraph, then a page, then a short story. These techniques will give you gentle map as you explore your story.
Thanks for your kind words about my book and for your question, Linda. I hope this helps.
Eldonna Edwards
I met a student with kidney disease while taking some classes at a local community college. The short answer is that I decided to write an essay about how (at that time) altruistic donors weren't accepted at most transplant facilities. While researching that paper I becme aware of the tragic organ shortage, and was inspired to become a donor myself. The longer version of this answer is here: https://exploretransplant.org/eldonna...
And of course the full version is in my book, LOST IN TRANSPLANTATION. ;) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Thanks for asking Suzanne!
And of course the full version is in my book, LOST IN TRANSPLANTATION. ;) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Thanks for asking Suzanne!
Eldonna Edwards
I do most of my reading in the evening, after all my other work-related activities that include writing, blogging, social media, marketing, running a business, etc. The problem with this is that it takes me a long time to finish other author's books because I fall asleep after a few pages. I have to be very selective in choosing books to read or I'd never get through my TBR pile!
Although I'm often in awe of other writers I can't say that I've ever gotten an idea for a story from another book, Usually when I'm reading I allow myself just to be in someone else's story so I can take a vacation from my own busy mind for a while!
Thanks for asking, Sherry!
Although I'm often in awe of other writers I can't say that I've ever gotten an idea for a story from another book, Usually when I'm reading I allow myself just to be in someone else's story so I can take a vacation from my own busy mind for a while!
Thanks for asking, Sherry!
Eldonna Edwards
I have a love-fear relationship with writing. When I'm in the zone I feel unstoppable, as though the words are leaping onto the page as I think them. During those times I forget that I'm getting paid to do what I love. Other times I stare at a blank page (or curse at one filled with what I've deemed drivel) and I'm terrified that I've "used up" all the creative juice. I have to remind myself that writing (and rewriting!) is a job and it's often the hardest work I've ever done. I have lots of days when I'm driven more by self-imposed goals than creative flow, and I sometimes give myself permission to leave the writing for another day. Thanks for your question Stella!
Eldonna Edwards
Never. Give. Up. I was 54 when I published my memoir. I'll be 59 when my debut releases and 60 when the next book comes out. Light your path with optimism and continue to hone your craft.
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