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ABOUT THE NOVEL
Three women, each caught in circumstances which limit her freedom to be, to act, to live as she chooses. Each reaches out tentatively, only to fall back in anger and fear. Despair is their constant companion.
Helping each other may be the only hope for each of them but their tentative bond is threatened by their fear. Trust is an elusive and alien concept to each. Moments, when they are in accord are rare but they do happen, perhaps giving them a glimmer of the hope and the will they need, to keep trying.
Join Mae, Mira, and Carla as they navigate the tricky path of Finding Faith …
An Author Guest Interview by Awesomegang of Ellie Pulikonda.
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Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written?
I am a retired librarian indulging my long-held dream of writing novels. I live in beautiful Southern Oregon with my little dog in the country. I have two published books,” Split Second” is a psychological thriller mystery novel and ‘Finding Faith.” Both of these books center around relationships and family, redefining or broadening the definition of ‘family’ with some twists and excitement.
I am currently at work on my third novel, “Willa.” It will follow the same general theme but is a total departure from the first two works; “Finding Faith” and “Split Second.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recently published book is “Finding Faith.” It was inspired by my own life experiences and those of people close to me. It looks at the question of appropriate care of the elderly from a fictional setting. I’m certain that my inspirations for this work were my own advancing age, the experiences I have had with the elderly, both in my family and my work, and our social norms.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Probably not so unusual, but I tend to write copiously when an inspiration hits me and then will let a day or two go by without getting anything written. During this time I’m mulling over the theme, characters, direction and possible outcomes of the tale, and allowing them to prepare me for next time I commit to writing it down.
What authors or books have influenced you?
Almost all of them. I have been a copious reader since I first discovered that those strange squiggly marks in a book represented words. The authors who inspire me have changed over the years but I still hold onto some of the earliest memories and use them when appropriate. Barbara Kingsolver is one of my favorites, both for her story-telling skill and her engagement with causes.
What are you working on now?
My next novel, working title ‘Willa’, will again be about family and about strong women. The question I ask myself about strong women is “How do we moderate between our own ego and need to be self-assertive and the needs of those who enter our circle of life?” Are our own egos paramount or is nurturing others more important? Do we have a responsibility to sacrifice our egos to those entrusted into our care? What happens when our needs and the needs of others clash?
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What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is my publicist/book promoter Catherine Lyon of Lyon Book Promotions here, having waited so long to begin this new career, I find myself outdated in terms of electronic communication and she has ably taken on that role for me. She does a great job promoting my books throughout social media, book and readers websites, and even made and released Press Releases for me for the new novel. She can do it all and runs her business as a one-woman show. Don’t know how she does it! Lol. But she is good. Additionally, I blog, belong to a local authors group, attend book fairs throughout the state, and do book signings at a local independent bookstore. All of these work together.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Keep refining your craft. The first book may be okay, the second should be better, the third should be even better, and the next will be exactly what you dreamed it would be!
What are you reading now?
I always have several books going at the same time. I’m reading a biography of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, an inspirational book on tweaking life in small increments, a novel about the inquisition in Spain, children’s books to add to my Little Free Library, and a book on the craft of writing.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Not sure. Just starting out on my current title and will be focusing on that for a rather long time. I would love to write a children’s book and may try that next.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would have to have my whole library with me; could never limit it to 3 or 4 books.
More About The Writer & Author:
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Ellie attended several colleges after high school to obtain her BA in Education, MA in Library Science, and her MS in Adult Education. She is or has been a daughter, wife, mother, widow, partner, single mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She has worked various jobs and in different fields such as a law office, a librarian, newspaper article writing, a welfare office, and finally as the director of a public library in Tipton, IN.
“I write for the pure joy of writing” . . .
“At first, it was diaries, journals, and musings; then I graduated to short newspaper articles, some unpublished but staged mystery/comedy plays, scripts for amateur musical productions and now books. My hope is that my readers will enjoy my books and also be prodded to think about the actions and motives of my characters, to question their choices and why they made them, and to see the characters with greater insight.”
Visit her website for her writer’s installment each week of, “Words on Words” ~ ~
Author Websites and Profiles
Ellie Pulikonda Website
Ellie Pulikonda Amazon Profile
Ellie Pulikonda’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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