Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.

A.D. Ellis
I’m a mom of two teens, an educator of 23 years, and an author of over fifty books between two pen names. I also love, in no particular order, hot tea, chocolate, pizza, naps, reading, crocheting, and writing. My husband and I have known each other 25 years and been married 21. We live in the suburbs just south of Indianapolis and I teach in the inner city. My children are involved in show choir and band, so that definitely keeps us busy.

When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?

For me, it depends on the characters. Excitement over a new book/series usually pushes the first book along, but subsequent books/characters are easier because I *know* them more. My books don’t usually follow the same couple through more than one book. Most of my series are books with connected settings/groups of friends/family and focus on a new couple each book.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Each new couple gets their time to shine while we still get to revisit the couples in previous books. I think readers and writers enjoy a good balance of fresh/new with the warm/comfortable.

Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?

I do my best to write a little every day, but I also have to be honest with myself and let it go when a day just ISN’T going to be a writing day. Also, sometimes it helps to write something else. Interview questions/answers 😉 for example. Or I’ll find quotes I love and handwrite them as a way to get creativity going.

These quotes are always good for me when I’m feeling drained or stressed with writing.

“I tell my students there is such a thing as ‘writer’s block,’ and they should respect it. You shouldn’t write through it. It’s blocked because it ought to be blocked, because you haven’t got it right now.” -Toni Morrison

“If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” -Margaret Atwood

“‎If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot…reading is the creative center of a writer’s life…you cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.” -Stephen King

On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?

Typical day during the school year: Up at 3:15am, zone out on social media, take a shower, get ready for school, be at my desk with tea by 5:00am, write until 6:00am, leave for school. After school, I’ll usually do administrative type work but not often any real writing.

Typical day during breaks: Up around 6 or 7am, an hour or two writing, do whatever is scheduled for myself or kids, another hour or two writing.

You’d think I’d be more productive on breaks, but I’m really not.

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special?

Why don’t you just ask me which of my children is my favorite 🙂 Honestly, Sawyer holds a special place in my heart because he brought me to a very dear friend and his book was the one that thrust me into the world of LGBTQIA+ Romance.
Others who stick out: Jay in Can’t Fight It (he’s in the whole BJ Boys series), Braeton in Braeton & Drew: Something About Him, Cooper in Adore, Justin in The Perfect Blend, Charlie in Perfect Timing, Kota in Holly Hills Christmas, Marc in Take Me Home. But I truly love each character for one reason or another.

If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?

I suck at these. I’d LOVE to see the BJ Boys made into a movie. I think Remington Place would be a fun movie/mini-series. But I am HORRIBLE at picking actors for characters.

What is your definition of success?

Honestly, I think it changes and can be different for different situations.
Is success writing a book? Maybe.
Is it writing over fifty books? Getting good reviews? Being asked to write in a special project? Again, maybe.
Is success when even just one reader is touched by your story?
Or do you need to be able to claim “best seller” to be successful?
Do you need to make six figures and quit your day job to write full time?
Depending on the parameters of what society/others/you set as “success”, it truly can be anything.
Some days, I’m a success because I got out of bed or remembered to wash that load of laundry.
I count it as a success when my kids’ teachers report they’re polite and helpful and great students.
It’s a success when I get through lunch duty with a smile on my face, when students seek me out for a hug, and when I see our students in the building making progress.
So again, success is different for different people and depending on the situations and experiences.

What are your social links?

This link will take you to a list of all of my social media (including my pen name)- https://www.adellisauthor.com/mylinks/

What are your buy links?

This link goes to a list of all of my social media and buy links- https://www.adellisauthor.com/mylinks/

Want to buy tickets to Writers on the River?

go to www.WritersontheRiver.com

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