Ask the Author: Elaine Levine
Answered Questions (8)
Elaine Levine
Yay!! I LOVE hearing that, Kathryn! And no, Dulcie and the Bandit hasn't been written yet. I had great ambitions for that story (still do!), but I was waiting to get my rights back from my original publisher before digging back into the Men of Defiance world. I have since gotten those rights back and plan to write Dulcie's story and one for the new sheriff in 2020. So stay tuned!
Elaine Levine
I am planning to do some stories for Lion and his pride. I haven't decided yet if they will be in their own series, or if I'll release them first as freebie short stories through my newsletter. As soon as I finish Bastion's book, I think I'll have a better idea of how and when!
Elaine Levine
Hi Cintia—
Hmm. I can only answer this from my own worldview—it likely won’t be the answer you want to hear. And really, the only answer that matters is your own.
Competition from other authors in the field of fiction is steep and getting steeper every day. We’re assaulted with the vagaries of the business choices our vendor partners make (without consulting us). We’re constantly having our intellectual property stolen by ebook pirates, which severely diminishes our income. Fiction competes with all other digital media entertainment options, like games, movies, blogs, websites, etc. On top of that, we have to contend with falling literacy stats among American adults.
Writing, like any other field of endeavor, is tough. It could take just 1 book to achieve recognition, but it might take 10 or 20 before that happens. Or it may never happen. There are no guarantees. You have to decide if you’re tough enough to exist in that world. But the same is true for anything you want to do. Want to become a lawyer…well, there are a million of them, so what will make you stand out? Want to be a grocer…well, there are a million of them, so what will make you stand out?
There are many people who make a nice living without reaching significant fame or fortune in any career. Think of all the engineers who work for car manufacturers who never become a CEO. They can pay their bills, take vacations, educate their kids…all while being an obscure worker. What is it you want from life if you become an author? What are your goals? What made you think writing would be your way to make a difference/be known/earn an income?
I think the differentiating point is your answer to the question—is the pain of doing it greater than the pain of wanting it? No one can motivate you but you. No one but you can say if the challenge is worth it to you. There are so many easier ways of making a living/making a difference than becoming an author. Really examine your motivation, and if it can be achieved in any other way, do it.
If you can shut the world out, then become an author. If you can’t, don’t.
Nothing is worth the loss of your self-esteem and happiness.
--Elaine Levine
Hi Cintia—
Hmm. I can only answer this from my own worldview—it likely won’t be the answer you want to hear. And really, the only answer that matters is your own.
Competition from other authors in the field of fiction is steep and getting steeper every day. We’re assaulted with the vagaries of the business choices our vendor partners make (without consulting us). We’re constantly having our intellectual property stolen by ebook pirates, which severely diminishes our income. Fiction competes with all other digital media entertainment options, like games, movies, blogs, websites, etc. On top of that, we have to contend with falling literacy stats among American adults.
Writing, like any other field of endeavor, is tough. It could take just 1 book to achieve recognition, but it might take 10 or 20 before that happens. Or it may never happen. There are no guarantees. You have to decide if you’re tough enough to exist in that world. But the same is true for anything you want to do. Want to become a lawyer…well, there are a million of them, so what will make you stand out? Want to be a grocer…well, there are a million of them, so what will make you stand out?
There are many people who make a nice living without reaching significant fame or fortune in any career. Think of all the engineers who work for car manufacturers who never become a CEO. They can pay their bills, take vacations, educate their kids…all while being an obscure worker. What is it you want from life if you become an author? What are your goals? What made you think writing would be your way to make a difference/be known/earn an income?
I think the differentiating point is your answer to the question—is the pain of doing it greater than the pain of wanting it? No one can motivate you but you. No one but you can say if the challenge is worth it to you. There are so many easier ways of making a living/making a difference than becoming an author. Really examine your motivation, and if it can be achieved in any other way, do it.
If you can shut the world out, then become an author. If you can’t, don’t.
Nothing is worth the loss of your self-esteem and happiness.
--Elaine Levine
Elaine Levine
I am! I'm having it a lot of fun with it, too!! I'm working toward an autumn 2017 release.
Elaine Levine
Hi Susan!! Absolutely! The spinoff will happen still in the Red Team world, so we'll get walk-on cameos from the original group. And....Selena will be the heroine of the first story. So excited to write her book!
Elaine Levine
I don't have a firm date yet. I'm working toward having the first one out by summer 2018, however.
Elaine Levine
Hi Renee! There will be one more novel and several more wedding novellas. I'm working on Owen's story now, which will wrap up this series. The wedding novellas will come out here and there, giving us updates on these characters. I'm also planning the first spinoff, which will exist in the same Red Team world.
Hope that answers your question!
Elaine
Hope that answers your question!
Elaine
Elaine Levine
Hi Melvina!! Love hearing that you're hooked! I haven't written Max's wedding novella yet. Originally, when I planned the series, I thought the wedding novellas would follow each novel, but it hasn't worked out that way in the series time line. I'm going to be sprinkling them throughout the next spinoff series so we get periodic updates on the team and their women.
As far as a surprise ending...you know I can't comment on that!! LOL. Good try, tho!
E
As far as a surprise ending...you know I can't comment on that!! LOL. Good try, tho!
E
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more