interview with ellie

No, not the magazine, just someone I'm fond of reading on a daily basis, ellie and friends.

Recently, we spoke and found out a few things about her on going teen story of Ellie and her friends.

So you've been writing this story over a year now about a teenager named Ellie who was fifteen at the time but soon turned 16 and found herself falling hard for her buddy up the street Kyle. A most unlikely pair. How did you come up with this idea?

Nothing to watch on TV, I guess. And well, I always thought of Emily Osmont as this all American girl who is far more talented that Miley Cyrus and I kept thinking, wouldn't it be cool if she was starring in her own show that was a bit more real than Hannah Montana. But then I wanted to make it something that could happen on my street in my neighborhood so I had to think who she'd have to meet, and I first thought of Kyle as someone I had grown up with.

Was it your intention to make them romantically involved?

Well, possibly. Except he's younger, but more experienced than her. And yeah, I guess if they had really been involved in the story, it might have been over sooner. I just wanted a few twist and turns before that could happen and well, I'm not sure it'll ever happen now since they are now step-siblings.

Lots of twist and turns in this story. Especially, Eric. I have a friend who told me that she'd actually like to see a film with Nick Hoult and Emily Osmont, together, after reading your story. Did you think he'd be the one?

This I have to thank to readership with their comments, mostly. I wanted the story to be about a girl and her choices in life. Not so much 'romance' but the consequences she faces. And Ellie does have a way of not always following what you thought she would have followed. Initially, I wasn't going to have Eric around for Ellie. He was going to be Cory's boyfriend. And then people started going on about how sweet he was and why wasn't Ellie interested in him. Honestly, he was based on a friend of mine from school who is now off in music school so then I had to start thinking who would I want to see in that part and naturally, Nick Hoult came to mind because he's such a versatile actor.

How is readership these days?

Its changed in the last few months. I know people are busy, but then I have to take in economical factors, as well. I miss some of my favorite readers. They are like old friends. Maybe one day I'll hear from them, again. But there are new ones which I am so grateful for the feedback.

I hear Ellie and Friends is coming to a close?

I guess you could say I'm coming to an end to Book 1 but hope to start Book 2. Maybe I'm writing my own fan fiction of my own characters now. Something like that. Book 2 will be what happens a year later.

What, no senior year?

Nope. But I hope to explain what happens to Kyle and Amanda who is pregnant in the story. And things won't be quite the same for Roger. I've decided to focus on fewer characters. Ellie is starting college. She has a different job. She's met someone new who is a character from the blog that coincides with Ellie and Friends from Lonnie Love which will change over to that character's first person story.

What made you decide to do this?

Well, I really like Roger which I will admit when I first started the story I couldn't stand him. And I wanted a closer look at developing a character from my Lonnie Love story. I wanted to see how they would be on their own. I guess. Actually, a friend of mine is moving in with two guys and in college and I found that so intriguing. I thought that would be a cool transition for Ellie. I am sure some readers might be down on me about a few things I write about, but people do grow up and I thought it would at least be an interesting summer adventure.

True, you have had some controversial storylines with teen pregnancy, a gay storyline, eating disorders and drugs.

These are storylines you see more and more on TV. Although, some shows are a bit more preachy than others. I hope I'm not like that. And I really do want to write about people in relationships. Every story needs a conflict and I try to make things happen and hope people will remember something about the characters, and will want to come back and find out more. I know I have a lot to learn about writing so doing this helps me grow as a writer, as well.

Wishing you the best on Book 2.

Thanks, it starts on June 1.