Q. Were you an avid reader as a child? What type of books did you enjoy reading?
A. I did so much reading as a child. Some of it was age appropriate—but a lot of it wasn’t. My mother was an avid horror fan and I used to sneak into the upstairs bathroom, lock the door and sneak books like the entire V.C. Andrews series or anything by Stephen King. I think I was ten when I whipped through those puppies. Some of the more appropriate stuff that sticks in my mind would be A Wrinkle in Time. I read that in fifth grade and it changed my life. I couldn’t get any of my kids to read it—which made me sad. I cried openly when I read The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, as well as The Outsiders. More recently I’d have to say Sue Monk Kidd and Augusten Burroughs, but no matter how hard I try I can’t get into Nicholas Sparks…he’s just too sappy for my taste.
Q. Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.
A. My latest book, Killer on the Key, is a suspense/thriller with a paranormal twist. I wouldn’t classify as paranormal in the purest sense, in fact I had one publisher tell me it wasn’t paranormal at all, but there is a hint of it in there. Ghosties and voices in your head…that sort of thing.
The story takes place on Gulf Key, which is a barrier island just outside of Sarasota, Florida. I should clarify here. It is based on one of the barrier islands that exists in that little piece of heaven. I won’t name it—but I bet anyone familiar with that area could do it in ten pages flat.
It is a story that wraps two different families, from two different generations together. One family, the Ashland’s, is battling with a curse that they believe was placed on them. The other, the Troost’s, are trying to piece themselves back together after the tragic loss of their unborn child. They come together on Gulf Key during Maggie Troost’s recuperation.
It is a thrill ride for sure. Each and every character is a very human mix of good and bad, light and dark. There are moments when you identify with someone and others where you stop and think “Oh my God, that didn’t just happen,” or “Did she just really say that?”
My inspiration was easy. Vacation. My husband took me back to the spot where we fell in love and suddenly I felt like I was standing on the edge of something big, like an electric current was in the air. The next thing I knew, I’d spit out a book.
Q. How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline?
A. I really wish I’d written an outline! It was just one big pile of pages that seemed to come from nowhere. I kept thinking I would get stuck at some point and never finish, but every day I’d wake up and think, today this person will say this and then that guy will say that…It was only after my editor, Pat Evans, got a good eyeful and sent it back to me for my first round of revisions that I realized how much more I needed to do to carve out a decent story. I can’t thank her enough for being a drill sergeant—she made me dig and put in countless hours getting it ready. She told me, “It’s a good story—but you have a lot of work to do.” She scared me to death, but made the book a real, honest to goodness book.
Q. Did your book require a lot of research?
A. Some. I only write what I know, or can learn with a little effort. Fiction based on history is something I admire—from afar. A talent I do not possess.
I knew the area like the back of my hand, so that part was easy. Sure I embellished some things, like The Columbia Restaurant’s location. I put it overlooking the Bay for effect, but I used their real menu. But, there were some things I needed to research, for example, taking care of a Man of War? Got nothing on that one. Thankfully with a little research I was able to learn all about how the Mote Aquarium in California is working on a process to keep them alive in tanks. Ta da—research!
Q. If you could have any vice without repercussions, what would it be?
A. I would be able to eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and still look like I did at twenty five. No exercise required. ~sigh~
Q. What is the funniest/most embarrassing/scariest story from one of your books signings or events?
A. My first signing will be coming up on June 20th at Circle Books in St. Armands Circle (Sarasota) and I am terrified that no one will come! My publicist, Laura Lindau, is working her tail off to make sure that does not happen—but that is the scariest thing I can think of. So if you live within fifty miles—come!
Q. If you could have been the servant to any famous person in history, who would that be and why?
A. Elvis. I think I picked him because his life was so surreal. Fried Peanut Butter sandwiches and honorary FBI badges all mixed up with drugs, opulence, and incredible music? Wow. Think about the book that could have come out of that time spent!
Q. What so you see for the future of publishing and ebooks?
A. I love, love, love this question. I think (as a new writer) that this is one of those moments in history for every artist in every media. The world wide web just keeps making it easier and easier for us independents to get out there and make our mark in the world. The big publishing houses are holding on by a thread right now, and it keeps getting thinner. They no longer have this extreme strangle hold on who gets to be ‘the one.’ If you are good, and people like your work, you can reach a level of success that wasn’t possible a few years ago. The big guys are nervous, and they should be! I knew ebooks had really made it when the biggies got together and sued Amazon.com for selling books too cheaply. It there wasn’t a market—they simply wouldn’t care.
If I could make one prediction it would be this: we are the last generation that will be clinging to paper books. They are very quickly going to become treasured antiques like my big Motorola record cabinet. The next generation will be using tablets for all their reading—even schoolbooks. Like it or hate it, it is coming.
Q. Which of your characters do you love/hate/fear/pity the most and why?
A. My favorite character is Lizzie. She is a crotchety old broad! Underneath she is a giver, but she tells it like it is. No bullshit gets past Lizzie. I hope to be just like her one day… The one I pity the most is her sister Charlotte. She lost herself somewhere and never got back to where she needed to be. It’s just really sad. She clings to God, but it isn’t healthy and in the end…well read the book.
Q. Do you get along with your muse? What do you do to placate her when she refuses to inspire you?
A. My muse and I are on great terms. I think she is over the moon happy that I’m writing. She has been putting story lines in my head since I was in diapers—and I’m just now taking her seriously. I think I just heard her say “finally!”
Q. Do you have another book in the works? Would you like to tell readers about your current or future projects
A. I have several new books I’d like to talk about. The big one is Opals and Rubies, due out July 1st from Wings. That story was another one that hit me out of nowhere and flew off my fingers. It had to be written. To not write it would have been a crime. It’s darker than Killer on the Key, but talk about rooting for the underdog. It deals with the question of redemption and what happens when we die. It isn’t always pretty—but I promise you it’s riveting. I sent it out for early reviews and so far everything has come back with A+ ratings.
I am also half done with Confessions of a PTA Mafia Mom, which is a tad more humorous. It is the story of Lanie Jackerson, a middle aged suburban mom, who wakes up one day and decides to take her life back—on her terms. I’m at a really good spot in the book and I can’t wait to see the end! I have one other project in the works, but I’m not ready to share it publicly yet…
Q. Have you ever experience weird cravings while you write? If so, what kind?
A. I wouldn’t say weird cravings, but I constantly nosh when I write. Not good for my rapidly spreading rear end, but I can’t say that I care much right now. I’m enjoying life too much.
Q. What is the worst, best, most embarrassing or funniest situation your writing career has put you in?
A. So far, the worst thing was when my fist book came out with some errors in it. I was horrified! I went back through everything in my galleys and realized that they weren’t in there. I contacted my publisher and they were very gracious about getting it fixed ASAP. So far I’ve only had to rebuy a couple of corrected books for people. So for my good friends and family that wanted a ‘unique’ copy—thanks for making me feel better. But I have to say even that was a good thing. It taught me to bite my tongue and work through a tough spot. Mistakes happen. How you deal with them is what matters.
Q. Where can we find you on the web?
A. Baby, I am all over this web thing! Let me count the ways…
1. Twitter: ebloanwrites
2. Facebook: E.B. Loan
5. Blog: http://ebloan.blogspot.com/
I am running a Killer on the Key promotion with a family membership to the Mote Aquarium (and partners) as the grand prize. Details are on the ebloanbooks website. And If I could add one more little plug…if you sign up to follow my Google blog and shoot me an email message…I will send you the first three chapters of Opals and Rubies to read! I’m sending one a month through June to try to gain some loyal fans for the release in July. Don’t worry if you missed the first one, I’ll send it J
Thanks for taking the time to chat with me today.
Cheers!
E.B. Loan
Fiction from Chicago
Killer on the Key—a short excerpt
Maggie was being a brat, no doubt about it. All Chris had done was question why she wanted the dresser. It was a perfectly reasonable thing to ask. The question grated on her nerves. She felt raw. Stalking back to the cottage she grabbed her suit.
What are you doing? Why are you so mad?
She was tired of the whole damn thing. Everything in their lives had gone off the track and she wanted her half of it back. They lost a baby, it happened to people every day. She had to give birth to a child she knew would never take a breath or blink--it was hard. She did her part, now she wanted to be herself again. Maggie Shoals Troost. Interior designer. Fighter. Art lover. Independent. She wanted to want a dresser without having her husband question why. It was a dresser, she wanted it; no more no less. No deeper issue, just a simple desire.
Stripping, she threw her clothes at the wall. She was crying. And no more guilt. She was going swimming.
But you know what the doctor said.
I don't care.
The suit was still tight, but she got it on. She grabbed a towel threw on her flip flops and headed out the door. Crossing the street she avoided looking at the cottage to see if he had followed her out.
Maggie reached the sand, kicked off her shoes, and headed for the water.
My God it's hot. I forgot what the sand can be like in the middle of the day.
Running now, she could hear the waves crashing on the sand.
A few more steps Maggie, then you'll be free.
Five.
Free from what?
Four.
Everything; the nightmares, the loneliness, the agony.
Three.
You forget the most important thing.
Two.
What's that?
One.
The lies Maggie, you need to free yourself from the lies.
Shit.
Her feet hit the water and she stopped.
“Goddamn it!” she screamed at the sky, “Stop torturing me!”
She was out of control. The wind whipped her hair. The surf crashed drowning the words that raged in her ears.
You're a liar Maggie, a fake. Nothing good can ever come from you.
The world in front of her began to swim.
You are going to pass out, right here in the water.
I don't care.
You'll die here, alone on this beach, drowned in the water you were too afraid to swim in.
She wanted to die. It would serve her right. She felt herself falling. Then there were the arms. They wrapped around her pulling her from the edge. The bones felt frail, but they had amazing strength in them. She blacked out.
Things started to come into focus. Red hair. Scratch that, gray hair with red streaks hung in her face. Lizzie. The sun was still high in the sky making her facial expressions hard to read. Maggie sat up.
“I'm sorry, I...” She had no idea what to say.
Lizzie pulled her hair back into a bun and wrapped a beach towel around Maggie's shoulders. She sat crouched in front of her for a moment. Standing she held out her hand for Maggie. “We need a drink.”
“I should stop and tell Chris. He'll be worried.”
“I'll call Charlotte. She can tell Chris.”
Maggie took the older woman's hand. Lizzie pulled her to her feet with ease.
God, she's so strong.
Maggie looked at her bathing suit stretched over her puffy stomach. “Where...?”
“The Hilton, down the beach,” taking the towel from Maggie's shoulders Lizzie wrapped it around her waist like a sarong. “There, now no one will look.”
Maggie felt tears of gratitude spring up behind her lids.
Thank you Lizzie, thank you, thank you, thank you.
