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Tell us a little about yourself?
I am a mom. That is the most important part of me! I am a writer, photographer, voice talent, editor, and a sucker for puppies! I have a Maltipoo, named Remi, that lays at my feet while I write. My "happy" place is the ocean, but I hate crowds so I do not go to the beach as often as I like. When did you start writing? I am an introvert and have always struggled with the thoughts in my head... so many things swirling around in there that have to get out! I was very young when I started writing in journals and creating short stories. I was probably around eight. What's your favorite under-appreciated novel? A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Does writing energize or exhaust you? I definitely feel energized when I write! I smile while I'm writing Do you have any unusual writing habits? I like to write while I'm in the shower! I get so many ideas when I am listening to the water run that it only makes sense to bring a notepad in with me. Oh, and I get really thirsty when I write and drink lots of water. Hmm, water again... Have you gone on any literary pilgrimages? Taking a trip to Key West in Florida to visit Ernest Hemingway's house! Do you read reviews?: I read a lot of reviews. My own, of course, to consider what message a reader receives from my books and to hopefully improve my craft. But I read reviews for other authors. I love to read so I research what I am choosing to read next. Although, I often pick the books that have poor or no reviews. I try to support other authors. How many unpublished or half-finished books do you have? Just a few! Two that I am writing simultaneously, and about 5 that I started and have left in notebooks. Feels like a waste of time but I will return to them. Do you have any advice for young authors? My advice for young authors is to not lose confidence in your talent and to write every single day. Writing should be treated like a job in the sense that you must commit time to produce the books. But above all, READ a lot! Reading is a massage to the creative parts of our brains. I think that all writers should be readers. And don't forget to leave reviews! How long on average does it take you to write a book? I can write a book in two to six months. If I have a lot of research to do, then I will take longer. But my writing tends to flow and my ideas turn into stories even without outlines (most of the time). Tell us about your latest release? My latest release is called "More Than Just Finn." It is book two in my "Just Finn Series" and it will be followed by book three in 2022! The story is fiction but it was inspired by my brother that has Aspergers syndrome. Finn is like one of my kids! I love him! He is an incredibly kind, intelligent young man that is in the autism spectrum and has had a difficult life, but he begins to find his place in the world after he runs away from an abusive, neglectful home. Finn is inspiring! What was the hardest scene to write? It was not a specific scene that was difficult; it was those moments that Finn is afraid, or misreads people's expressions. His vulnerability made me cry even as I wrote the book because Finn exists for many people in this world. Where can we find it? Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and most online booksellers. What are you working on now? Book three of the "Just Finn" series! And I am returning to my first published book which was a memoir, and writing about individuals in my family that have a bigger story to tell. It may be novellas or installments I publish in a short time period. I am still sorting that out. Thanks for doing this! Any parting words for readers? I hope readers "get" Finn... that they understand what his struggles are and that they can maybe tell someone that loves a "non-typical" about Finn. And, thank you!! I have so many amazing fans. I love readers! Here is a list of 12 websites where you can enter for FREE to win books, gift cards, ebook readers and other book related items:
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.
I am a mom, wife, tea aficionado, and serious book nerd. I love to read, take photographs, write (of course), knit when I have a chance, and blogging. 2. When and why did you start writing books? I was about 8 or 9 when I started writing. My parents were avid readers and there were always books in our house. It seemed like I was destined to be a writer at a young age. 3. What made you decide to tackle writing as a career? When my mother passed away over five years ago, I realized how short life is and I wanted to honor my parents and published my first book, which was a memoir. 4. Which one of your books or characters is your favourite? Finn from my first fiction novel: "Just Finn" is my favorite character. I feel like he is a child of mine and I think of him all day! 5. Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer? My memoir, "Plantains and the Seven Plagues: Half-Dominican, Half-Cuban, and Full Life". It was a product of grief and I wrote it through tears. 6. Who is your favourite author and book? "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky is my absolute favorite book and it's main character, the conflicted and intelligent, Raskolnikov is my favorite! 7. What book are you reading right now? Chuck Palahniuk's "Consider This: Moments in my Writing Life after which everything was Different." 8. Where do you get your inspiration for your books? My life, things I love, people I admire- I need to be truly inspired. 9. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? Reading and playing word games. 10. Do you have any new books in the works? Yes! Book Three of the Just Finn series! It follows book two, More Than Just Finn. Featured Interview With Paz Ellis
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now? I am a shameless nerd! I am a mom of two boys, now 21 and 19. (But I don’t feel like I’m getting old!) I was born and raised in New Jersey, lived in a few states and am not back in New Jersey for a couple of years while my sons are in school. And I have a crazy, barking, parti Maltipoo that I adore! He is my hiding-under-my-desk, writing companion. At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing? I may have well been born with a book in my hand! My parents were avid readers and reading came natural to me. I was able to read and write in both English and Spanish at an early age and took full advantage of that. My older sister kept journals and notebooks full of poetry and I, of course, mimicked her. I have kept journals since I was about eight, and this has helped me to always jot down ideas and write stories and poems. However, one of the worst events of my life is when I started publishing. My mother passed away and I worked through my grief by writing and publishing my first book, a memoir. Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings? The novel that made a huge impact on my writing was Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. The characters are rich and well-developed and perfectly flawed. I love literary fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, and memoirs. One of my favorite modern authors is Amy Harmon. She speaks to my soul. Tell us a little about your latest book? Finn is very special to me! Although, Finn is a fictional character, he is an inspiration based on my brother who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at the age of 45. So, Finn is close to my heart for this reason. More Than Just Finn, Book Two of the “Just Finn” series is my latest book about a young man with Asperger syndrome. Finn will make you laugh and cry! He is eighteen when he leaves the only place he has ever known as ‘home’ seeking a better life. Though he does not know it in the beginning, a diner, crazy geometric vests, a psychiatrist, and an Italian leather artist will pull him out of the lonely world he knows into one full of love, hope and acceptance. And you get to see Finn’s progress in the 2nd book of the series: More Than Just Finn which was released a few months ago! Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles Paz Ellis’s Website Paz Ellis Facebook Page Paz Ellis Twitter Account If you are a bibliophile, like me, and you love the smell and feel of a new book in your hands, then you need to visit and join two amazing websites! They are communities for readers and writers; and every month publishers and/or self-published authors will place books in a giveaway. I have won several paperback books in addition to ebook; and I have also given away my own books. Authors do this in hopes that the winner will read and review their book. Goodreads is the world's largest site for readers and book recommendations and is FREE.  Goodreads allows you to:
  LibraryThing allows you to:
There you have it... Two amazing communities you can join for FREE and enter GIVEAWAYS for free books! Let me know what you think. And please follow me on both sites. Links above. Enjoy!Amazon is offering a "Summer Rewards" program - for every 400 points you earn, you get $4 to put toward ebooks. They'll give you a bonus 250 points for following an author, so why not follow me? Just click the "follow" button under my face on my author page and earn yourself 250 pts! But Hurry! Offer ends September 11th!   |
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AuthorPaz Ellis writes in several genres and loves to read and support fellow authors. |
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