Interview with author Elsie Bea

Hi everyone! I had the pleasure of interviewing Elsie Bea about her writing journey as an indie author. As always I’ll include some links below.

Website:

https://www.elsiebeabooks.com/

follow her on instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/elsie.bea_writes?igsh=dnJyMDJpYm9rcXlx

If you’re interested in purchasing her book or joining her street team you can find all links here:

linktr.ee/elsiebea

Enjoy the interview!

❤️Carrie

Can you tell us a bit about your journey into writing? 

I've always written, for as long as I can remember. Concept doodles, children's books and songs. And I think it just transformed from that. I grew up telling stories on the stage and ended up earning a Bachelor's Degree in theater in 2012, but I never stopped writing. If it wasn't a children's poem or a song on my guitar, it was a chapter in my first attempt at a novel, a dystopian mermaid saga that will never see the light of day. I settled on romance because that's what I'm drawn to as a reader. Then I started writing romance, too. It feels more natural than I recall it feeling back then, as I look back on the metamorphosis of my writing now, but the love of words and story-telling has always been a huge piece of who I am fundamentally.

What inspired you to become an indie author?

By the time I'd finished Something Like Sunflowers, I'd written and trashed several drafts of other stories, ones that didn't feel complete enough to tell. But Sunflowers was the story that my heart was ready to see to the end. It might not have been perfect, and I was terrified to publish without this invisible publishing authority telling me I was good enough. But in theater, you're never good enough, and as an actress, I thrived on feedback to grow as a performer. I knew writing would be no different. If I can always be better, what's the fear of meeting myself where I am now? Sometimes you just have to trust yourself and hit publish. I've learned more than I could have imagined by jumping head first into independent publishing for my debut novel, and the knowledge I've gained in being hands-on has only helped me grow as a story-teller and a businesswoman.

What was the first story you ever wrote, and how does it compare to what you write now?

The first story I ever wrote was in third grade. It was about a man who builds a log cabin, and I think the theme of the writing prompt was perseverance or something along those lines. I don't recall much of the story, only that it won a third place ribbon for the whole school, and my parents were really proud. I suppose I carried some of that third grade theme with me into my current works, as the characters in the Something Series overcome tough emotional obstacles before they meet their happily ever after and often find meaning through their troubles. Maybe I haven't changed as a writer so much, after all. 

What does your writing process look like? Are you more of a planner or a discovery writer?

Most definitely a discovery writer. Plotting is okay to some extent. I generally know the tropes, like whether it's a nanny romance or a brother's best friend, etc. And I will sometimes know the characters if it's within the same series, like I've been writing now. But the plot itself and the goals, obstacles, twists...none of it happens until my fingers hit those keys. My mind becomes a stage, and I have to sit and watch it play out as I type, feeding one moment into another until the story becomes clear to me.

 

How do you balance the creative side of writing with the business side of self-publishing?

It's super hard. I wish I could say I've figured out a good balance. It helps to have a strong street team and one or two trusted readers and influencers who will help you when things get crazy. I have an alpha reader who has helped me by making graphics and pulling content for me if I need a hand. Most of the marketing and social media content filming happens for me when inspiration strikes, and I just drop what I'm doing to get it done. I don't think that's recommended, but it seems to be what I'm doing regardless! I try to fit engagement and networking into my phone-scrolling down-time and stick to mostly writing and editing and email replies during the weekdays. Sometimes it all feels like a bunch of papers tossed into the air, and you're just waiting to see which ones you can catch on the way down, but I think any job can feel that way.

What has been the most rewarding part of being an indie author so far? The most challenging?

Having readers tell me they felt like they were part of the story and they can't wait for more, has been eternally rewarding. A story I made up, entirely from my mind. That's something I'll never take for granted. 

I suppose the most challenging part has been imposter syndrome. Comparison to peers of my same level or genre has been odd. In theater I always felt like the competition made me stronger, but it also made me judgemental. I compare myself to other writers now, and even when I try not to, I still find things to pick apart in my own story-telling. Too many dialogue tags, not enough banter, too similar to something someone else did, not marketable enough to fit the mold...or the worst one, you're not a real author. You won't make it like so and so. Thankfully those same years on the stage that made me competitive, also made me learn it's okay to be imperfect. Someone will always be in the wings judging. And if they aren't, they'll be behind a kindle reading. So just be yourself and stop comparing. That's what I have to remind myself the most.

 

How do you connect with your readers, and has that relationship influenced your writing?

I started off on Instagram reviewing books I loved, and that was honestly the best way to grow my audience as a writer. Most of my early readers and first newsletter subscribers were from book clubs or engagement groups I was part of. Not only did they support me when my book came out, but just the other day someone I met two years ago as an arc reader tagged me in a review of my book. It hasn't influenced my writing much, but I did throw a nod to one of the smutty book clubs in Something Like Sunflowers when Hunter teases Devyn for being "one of those book girls." It definitely helps me decide which tropes I'll lean toward for the next WIP.

What’s one thing about your work or your writing process that would surprise people?

I zone out. I'm completely lost in the moment when I write. Sometimes it doesn't feel like time has passed at all, but then thousands of words are on a page and I'm crying and feeling emotions for these people I've only just created. It's totally wild.

What’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or dreams you’re excited to chase?

Something Like Sugar, book two in the Pine Forest Something Series, comes out this summer. It's currently getting the last of its big developmental revisions before it's off for line and copy edits, and I couldn't be more excited to show off this small-town, stalker, romcom. Book Three is also in developmental revisions and should be released rapidly following Sugar at the end of Summer if all goes as planned. That book is called Something Like Starlight, and it features everyone's favorite Pine Forest side character, Lemon Perkins, as she navigates a nanny job with a single dad and a 15 year age gap. The Pine Forest Something Series is set to complete with a 4th book in the winter of 2025, title yet to be revealed, and then I have HUGE exciting plans for a darker romance based on the life of a local artist in Richmond, VA that is totally secret, but let's just say...heart shattering. I can't wait to share more on that in 2026.