Author
Interview
Tell
us about yourself
I’m Elizabeth…one-half of Elizabeth Burgess and
Marie Hewes. I live in Northeast Louisiana with my partner and our four-legged
children. I went to school to be a nurse, but my passion has always been
writing.
Newest
release?
The
Waiting: Book One of The Waiting Series
What
can we expect from your stories? Action, drama, romance, sex, blood, guts?
All of the above…and more! These books are full of
surprises, twist, and turns. You shouldn’t get bored.
Do
you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? Why?
Yes. Millie Douglas, the main female antagonist for The Waiting. I love her tenacity and
attitude. She’s bold and fearless, yet there’s a vulnerability that makes her
relatable. Millie has a story that needs to be told.
Interesting
facts about the series.
Several characters came to me in a dream,
fully-formed with names and personalities. Marie chose the name Millicent for
Millie because she knew my favorite Disney villain was Maleficent. We chose New
Orleans as our setting because both of us were born and raised in Louisiana,
and love everything about this state… except the humidity.
Other
authors who inspire your work?
Actually, since this is my first book and I had
absolutely no clue what I was doing, I had three books that I ‘referenced’ for
sentence structure and style during the first draft of The Waiting. Greg Iles’ Turning Angel, Charlaine Harris’ Dead After Dark, and Stephenie Meyer’s Eclipse. I’m not sure how it ended up
being those particular books, but since all three of those authors have
thriving careers, I couldn’t go wrong.
What
can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?
Like our FB page. Follow on twitter. Buy the book,
then write an honest review.
Any
tips for readers or other writers trying to get published?
The best thing we did was hire an editor. Kathy
Lapeyre is so much more than just someone who reads our story and puts
semicolons in their proper place. I firmly believe she made this story
“presentable” to the public.
Do
you have a favorite author?
Kate Chopin influenced me in high school, and
continues to inspire me today. She was audacious and forward in her thinking,
and wasn’t afraid to step on toes. The
Awakening is one of the most progressive and brilliant books of its time. I
can only hope people think that about The
Waiting.
Can
you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?
Thanks to a Jr. High English teacher, I’ve written
poetry since age thirteen. One of my very first poems was called “I Detest
Wearing a Dress,” which is strange now, because all I wear are dresses and
skirts.
Where
do you gather your most inspiration for your work?
Music is a HUGE influence. I also believe I’m a
better writer because I read. I don’t think we can grow in our craft unless we
are willing to learn from others. I’m not a big fan of Stephen King’s genre
(I’m a fraidy cat), but I can’t deny that he is an amazing wordsmith. So when
he writes a not-so-scary book like Under
the Dome, I’m there. Now that we are so far into the story, the characters
inspire me. I love getting inside their heads.
Interesting
hobbies, pets, or stories?
Photography is a big interest of mine. I love doing
just about anything creative. We rescue animals. Our latest being a blind pit
bull puppy who was found in the middle of the road.
Favorite
places to travel or visit?
We love exploring anywhere in the south, but
especially Louisiana.
Snippet
from the book:
Chapter
25—Millie and Bob
By the time Bob arrived home, Millie had been there
for several hours setting up what she had hoped would be a memorable afternoon
for them both. She expected him to be irate after his meeting with Andrew, but
nothing prepared her for the glare in his eyes as he opened the front door.
She’d seen this look once before, when she was innocent and unassuming. And
weak. Inside she shuddered, wishing to be a child again playing with Jamie’s
new Cur puppies in the backyard of their Oxford, Mississippi home. Other than
the .38 in her purse, rising to meet him was her only defense, and while
putting a bullet in his belly and watching him bleed out was number two on her
fantasies list, she still needed his influence and power.
Gathering her thoughts, Millie transformed into the
character who had governed Bob O’Malley for nearly forty years. Mistress. It
was a dark, dark world. Darker than what it should have been, or even what was
normal for sadomasochistic relationships. If it had been with any other man, she
would’ve played by the rules, and maybe she even would have enjoyed this sexual
fetish. But it was Bob, and survival merited that she be in complete and total
control. Of herself. Of him. Uncrossing her legs, she stood, calming and
slowing her breathing. Edging in his direction, she was pleased as she noticed
his expression soften. Millie was glad she’d worn the black cat suit. She
thought it was ridiculous, but it turned him on. And by the way his hand moved
toward the zipper on his jeans, it might have saved her ass.
© The Waiting Series by
Elizabeth Burgess and Marie Hewes
AMAZON BOOK LINK TO THE WAITING:
Twitter: @liddyburgess
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