At seventeen, E.J. knew she wanted to make writing her full time career. With her vivid imagination she uses real locations for fairy tales that'll leave you breathless with wonder and all the while thinking about what may or may not happen next.
What got you into writing your own stories?
When I first turned seventeen, I had wanted to start writing a blog. A friend of mine had told me a website called 'Wattpad' and that it's where I could write anything; a blog, a story, a poem, etc.
So, when I'd joined Wattpad, I was curious to know about the writing aspect in general. I started binge reading Paranormal/Fantasy stories that were by no means properly edited or published, but fell in love with the idea of creating my own worlds and characters.
That's when I came to realize that I too wanted everyone to experience the stories that had been building up inside my mind, begging to be released out into the world. I wanted readers to fall in love with my characters. Laugh and cry, scream at them to make impossible decisions, and overall just enjoy my stories.
What genre do you write?
I've written a multitude of genres; but I prefer writing Fantasy/Paranormal/Christian Fiction.
Tell us about your WIP.
My latest project that I just finished wrapping up is called "Bethlehem's Angel". Everyone knows about the story and birth of Jesus of Nazareth. But I often wondered how might Angels have witnessed it and experienced it through their eyes? So, I decided to write the true Christmas Story, based upon Scripture events and adding my own little spin telling the story from the perspective of two Angels. The story is set to release November 1st, 2024 in an anthology collection called: "Star Light, Star Bright".
What comes more easily, plot or characters?
Surprisingly enough, it's neither. Plots are changed many times to fit the characters, but then the characters change a lot to make up for the rearranged plots. What comes easily to me are the witty banters between characters. How they think and feel, then the rest comes naturally after several sentences between the main characters.
Do you cross over genres or do you only stick to one?
When I first started writing, I stuck to one genre depending on the style of book. Sci-fi, Romance, etc. But typically I tend to cross over Fantasy and Christian Fiction quite a lot. I prefer to write about retellings of Fairy Tales with Fantasy themes.
What is your "writer's den" like?
Before I moved back in with my folks for a time, my writer's den was spacious. I had more than seven bookshelves filled with books. The shelves were lined with Japanese anime figurines, Funko pops of some beloved movies I enjoyed, stuffed animals, and snow globes from states that I've travelled too. My computer desk was set up directly in front of the window where I could overlook the outdoors while writing. I had a CD player nearby where I would blast a different variety of music whenever I felt spontaneous in writing a chapter.
How do you get into the flow for writing? Do you have any rituals?
For me personally, the home has to be quiet for me to write. If it's a particular scene that I'm trying to get a feel for, I will turn on music and listen to a variety of artists before I can put whatever I'm thinking into a sentence. Writing comes to me when the outside world is quiet and there's a stillness, it helps me think and gives me pause so that I can essentially have creative outlets with my characters and try to immerse myself into said story.
What is your personally most significant achievement as a writer, and why?
To my readers, they would no doubt think it's one of the stories I published called; "The Beastly King". A book that was not edited by a professional, a story that did not have likeable characters nor a actual plot. Yet, that is the one I get the most credit for. A story that I did not put myself into as much as I've done with others.
To myself however, I would say two biggest achievements would be the anthology collections I published a story in with multiple authors where we got the orange banner sticker on Amazon. Just getting one felt like a huge milestone for me.
And my other achievement would be me introducing the Angels' Realm series. I had no plans to create such a series, but after the first book, I didn't want to stop. The stories themselves kept coming in different ways that now I've got up to ten books to publish. Thus far, only three have been done and published, with the fourth being released this year as a novella.
What would be the greatest achievement for you to aim for as a writer if anything were possible?
To some, most would say to get their works noticed, published, money, etc. But to me, that's not what I hope to aim for. What I hope to be my greatest achievement is knowing I've helped someone turn to Jesus Christ through my writing. In each story, I add life lessons that can be told for others to want to turn to Christ. In a way, that's all that matters in the end. And I hope that'll be what I'm known for as someone that'll show the light through my writing and how Jesus can save.
What are you most grateful for as a writer?
I'm grateful for my parents. They're my biggest readers and my harshest criticizers. My parents are the only ones that will sit down, no matter the genre I write, and crack open the books, to read and discuss them. Understanding them as a writer helps me better in the long run.
Do you have a day job? What is it?
My day job is working as an office manager for a church. I am in charge of holding down the fort during the week; helping with food pantry clients, setting up bulletins for the services on Sundays, working the signage outside, basically simple everyday office work for a church.
Has a real-life experience informed your writing? Share the scene it inspired.
I've actually got two experiences...
My first one came and helped me create my first book that I ever published, called, "Tattooed by His Mark". One of the main scenes of said book was based upon a real conversation with a friend of mine. My friend, DJ is of Russian descent, and one day we were talking about how is real name is Grisha. When I asked him, "What does your name mean?" He got frustrated and wanted to know why every name needed to have a meaning behind it. This one little sentence sparked a story in me, and helped the dream I had about a girl getting a wolf tattoo on impulse, became a reality.
My second experience came when I was just shy of sixteen. I had undergone a major spinal surgery for scoliosis. I was in recovery after having had the surgery completed eight hours later. During the recovery while I was still asleep, on my parents end, my heart rate began to drop. It stopped for three seconds. During that short span, I found myself in Heaven. I walked the pavement of gold, so brightly lit it was like looking into the sun without needing a pair of sunglasses. I approached a tall arched gate, that had glistening iridescent pearls that each was the size of a large man's fist. Off to my left was a podium made of all the trees on the Earth and the biggest and oldest leather bound book was placed upon it, I could only assume it to be the Book of Life. Where each name of every living creature would be written in there if they were allowed entry into Heaven. Just beyond the pearly gates, was spiraling green grass and off in the distance, I saw houses, but could not see anything else clearly. I remember turning when I heard a loud but soft voice tell me, "It's not your time yet. You have to go back." I was devastated at being rejected, but then I saw Him reach out a hand, and with the hole in His hand, I knew it to be Jesus. A sense of peace washed over me. A feeling I've yet to experience again even fourteen years later. Then I woke up in my body once more. Having that experience overall gave me the idea of writing the first book in my Angels' Realm series, "The Unseen Protector". And then my illustrator helped me create the graphic novel of said story as well.
Do you read the same genre you write? Why, or why not?
I am more hit and miss. In today's writing world, many books are Fantasy with magic and mayhem. But I avoid writing about magic at all costs. Unfortunately, while I would love to read more about Angels and whatnot, they're not written as often.
I tend to read more fantasy themed books; like Tricia Levenseller, Colleen Houck, Becca Fitzpatrick, Richelle Mead, Connilyn Cossette, Lisa T. Bergen, Kasie West, and Japanese Manga. I read a variety of different types of styles of writing.
Do you read fellow indie authors' works? Why or why not?
If I do, then I'm not made aware of them being published or not. I read whatever catches my interest, whether it be someone famous or not.
Is there an author who inspires you?
Connilyn Cossette. She takes Biblical facts from Scripture, visits the places where events took place, and then actually sits down to write about them, using her own characters set in the stories from the Bible. Connilyn inspires me to want to delve more into the world and write about the Bible the way she does. She doesn't take anything out, but adds her own spin to the otherwise popular books of the Bible. Her first trilogy takes us through Egypt in the Book of Exodus. Then her later series' go further explained after Moses and Egypt and everything that takes place.
Give us three fun facts about yourself.
When I was a teenager, I was in a band briefly, and played the piano.
When I was sixteen, I was in Barbizon; a modeling/acting class for six months. I ended up auditioning for a commercial and got a call back to head to L.A. to work with producers that I unfortunately had to decline due to not having enough funds to fly back and forth each weekend to do so.
In high school, I was in several Drama classes, and for one final skit, I was in a Robin Hood scene. I played the role of Little John and had to do a sword fight with the girl that played the role of Robin Hood. With my underlying health issues, I'm not athletically inclined, so for my classmates and parents to witness my incredible sword fighting skills and how I acted really impressed everyone. (At least so they tell me.)
What's one of your funniest experiences?
I used to be a pizza delivery driver back in 2016. One night, I delivered pizza to a family. When I rang the doorbell, a man opened up the front door and was wearing a pink dress. He had gotten dared by his kids to dress up in one of his wife's gowns and parade himself in front of the pizza driver. That has since made my night, even years later. Never be afraid to be hilarious!
What is something about you that few people know?
The Japanese Manga, graphic Korean novels that are drawn page by page? Well, sometimes if I'm alone by myself, I will read them out loud in different voices. I've always wanted to go into voice-over stuff when I was in college. But I never got the change to do it.
Do you have any hobbies?
Besides writing? I enjoy reading, gaming with friends, watching Disney/Anime, and quietly obsessing over Vampire Diaries actors.
Do you have pets?
Yes, three. I've got a golden yellow lab named Reese, she just turned eight on March 31st. A black and white tuxedo cat named Ebony, she will be three on July 21st. And an orange tabby named Oliver, he will be two on May 29th.
Find out more about E.J. Powell here.
Featured Book: Tame, She Must
Everyone loves a great fairy tale retelling, and nowadays Shifters in Paranormal genre have grown popular. Putting the two together will make readers want to know more about the Jungle Book retelling and why the evil tiger despises man so much.
Who was your favorite character to write and why?
I can't choose a favorite, the others will get upset with me. But if I do have to decide, I would probably say Shama. He is known in the story as "the evil tiger". Writing his character, creating the image I have of him, is something of a dream. His tiger form is something entirely out of this world. I had to do heavy research on how a tiger responds, acts, moves, breathes, feels. All the senses and more was so captivating to write and as my parents describe it while having read this book, they were amazed at how life like Shama had become during my storytelling.
Standing directly in front of the window is a man. A very naked man!
What was your favorite scene to write and why?
My favorite scene was probably at the very beginning when you first meet our two main characters, Midhuna and Shama for the first time. They encounter each other in a hilarious moment. Her wielding a broom and him sitting on his arse, glaring up at her. It was a comedic moment that brings a smile to my face.
What was the spark that started this book?
I'm a big Disney freak, ask anyone who knows me. So when there's been talk about villains getting their happy endings explained and no one had done the Jungle Book's Shere-Khan, I started to think and dream. Then, one night, I dreamt of a tiger watching a girl with her back turned, bathing in a stream. The girl, not noticing nor caring that a predator was nearby made me wonder why Shere-Khan hated man so in the Disney movie. Then in my dream, I noticed the tiger had a longing look on his face; one that was broken in despair and pain beyond imagining. And from there, "Tame, She Must" was born.
What was the most interesting random fact you researched for this book?
When I was writing about the tiger senses, I had to know about their range of hearing. Turns out, tigers can hear up to two miles away from where they are in India. I was pleasantly surprised by that.
What's the message you worked into this book?
No matter the troubled past or hard present you're enduring, everyone deserves love.
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