This week’s interview is with Elizabeth Noyes, author of the “Imperfect Series.” Her fifth and final book of the series launches today. Take advantage of the one-day introductory sale price of 99¢.
TN: Welcome Elizabeth. Why do you write, and what subjects or genre inspire you?
EN: I’ve always been a writer. In high school I wrote skits for the cheerleaders, a play
for our acting club, and even won a local short story contest. Every job I’ve ever held always ended up with a writing requirement, likely because it’s my strength. Even in conversation it becomes apparent that writing is my passion.
I’ve also always been an avid reader, though it’s less about the genre than the quality of the writing. Give me a good plot, strong characters that come to life, and I’m hooked.
TN: What genre do you normally write in?
EN: My natural inclination leans toward action/adventure/suspense with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. I like excitement and emotional upheaval, but I also like when the good guys win.
TN: Describe your writing style. (e.g. narrative, lots of dialogue, first-person, etc.)
EN: I prefer third-person point of view and try to mix up the various styles. Too much of any one loses the rhythm.
TN: What is your biggest challenge when novel writing? And do you ever get writer’s block?
EN: Distractions are my biggest challenge. I tend to immerse myself deep into the story and when the inevitable distraction occurs, I find it difficult to re-establish the connection. That’s why I’m prone to early morning writing—while the world is still sleeps.
TN: How many books have you written, and what inspired you to write your first book?
EN: I have written five books, four published and one due to release August 21, 2018. I’ve also collaborated on two multi-author books.
I started writing after one of my favorite authors let me down. He did a really poor job of finishing up a novel that had a marvelous buildup. I couldn’t help but think he was up against a deadline and took the easy way out. Unforgivable. Disgusted, I thought to myself, “I can do better than that.” I’ve never bought another of his books.
TN: Why did you decide to self-publish instead of going through an agent or publisher?
EN: I published through a small press, which is not quite indie, but not quite traditional either.
TN: How did you come up with your cover design?
EN: I stumbled across a picture, one of an eagle with a damaged wing but still flying high. My editor and I collaborated on the design, but I insisted on using the eagle.
TN: What software do you use for your print version and/or for eBook?
EN: I use Microsoft Word and Excel for writing. My small press publisher formats for both print and eBook versions.
TN: What tips would you give to someone who is considering self-publishing the work?
EN: There are lots of indie collaboration groups out there. Join them. Follow the threads. Identify those most knowledgeable and ask for advice. Pose questions to the group. In other words, educate yourself on all aspects of the process. There is a steep learning curve and you will make mistakes. Forgive yourself, learn from your errors, and move on.
TN: Describe the plot of one of your books.
EN: The five books I’ve published are a a series. The stories center around a ranching family in Idaho—mother, father, and their five grown children. In the first book, Imperfect Wings, a young woman stumbles onto a drug operation and murder in Honduras, and in so doing bungles a special ops mission underway. The leader of the special ops team (the oldest of main family’s siblings) has to make a quick decision: complete the mission or rescue the woman. Of course, he rescues her … and falls for her in the process. The ensuing story is series of adventures and misadventures that take them on a wild chase across the country. It’s one of those edge-of-your-seat action stories that keep you turning the pages. As I like to say – not your ordinary romantic suspense.
TN: If you’ve written more than one book, which one is your favorite?
EN: The subsequent books in this series features one of the siblings with a connected threat that continues throughout. Each one’s personality are revealed book-by-book. My intent was to create a strong family dynamic so the characters become like family to the reader.
If I had to choose a favorite, it would be book one (described above). it was my first published book, took me longer to write/edit/polish and then release, and it has garnered the most reviews simply by being the first in the series.
TN: Do you have any future projects/novel ideas in mind?
EN: I have my first ever manuscript waiting in the wings. I call it my practice lesson because in it I did everything a new author could possibly do wrong! I still love the plot idea, so the outline is pretty much there, but it will require a complete rewrite.
