Presenting...Elizabeth Mueller

 I'm excited to have Elizabeth Mueller here!  Just in my small contact through emails, I can tell you that she's super sweet and I can't wait for you to get to know her better.  She has a fantastic blog and she let me borrow this paragraph to tell you more about her before we dive into the interview.

I'm a mother of four wonderful kidlets who, more often than not, drive me nuts. I'm very grateful that I can be home at the crossroads for my children and have been blessed with that privilege. I've been writing for as long as I can remember. I've finished 8 novels, and 3 children's books and have tons more stories waiting to be told. I believe with all of my heart that it takes a lot of guts to be a writer--especially an aspiring author. There are so many rules to be learned, mountains to conquer, and many layers of skins to grow (yet, be teachable at the same time). I have done most of my growing the past year. I don't know what my Father in Heaven has planned for me, but I have no doubt that I am destined for great things. It is my desire to be a mentor to those who dream to reach beyond themselves. If you ever need cheering, a friend, or anything at all--you can always count on me! ;)

Awesome right?  Well there's more.  Here is the interview.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since 4^th grade. I started with small, simple poems. Technically, I began creating stories on drawing paper as a way to escape the awfulness of an abusive home. I’m grateful that I’ve been blessed with the gift of story-weaving.

What made you want to write?

I discovered the joy of creating. It took me to faraway places and gave me power to control the elements as well as the people in them. The same is true today. I love the magical whimsy of writing and the therapy it brings. (Agreed.  Well said.)

Do you have any pet peeves while writing?  Any certain music or drink you just have to have to concentrate?

My pet peeves are 1) time, 2) rules, and 3) time.

1) Time tiptoes scarcely for me. I catch it and it flies away before I can pin it down. I write when my kidlets are away at school (3 ½ precious hours) and into the night. It’s not much, but I get a lot done, but I wish I could find the perfect balance between my precious family and my obsession with the written word.

2) Rules? Well, they are a wonderful thing, and guide me to a better plane—but the inner creator in me resists. She says, “How can ‘they’ set limits to a heart’s expression?” But I study anyway, improving my craft once concept at a time.

3) Back to time. If time was boundless, I could sit and write an entire novel in a week!

I listen to music to inspire me, but I can’t do it while I write or edit. (Me too.  I love how music can help move a scene along or give me the right feelings to write what is needed.) I love to drink water like crazy as I slip into my writerly mode.

What is your favorite thing to write?

Ooh, romance! Romance appeals to my woman’s heart. (So true.)  Along with that, my characters struggle through life and work through hardships and become better for it. 

What other genres do you enjoy writing, if any?

I always include the romantic element in my other genres: high fantasy, urban fantasy, historical, contemporary, paranormal, and science fiction. In my opinion, romance is youthful, fun and uplifting.

What is your favorite genre to read?

Just about anything so long as there’s a hint of romance in it. Gotta have something that makes me swoon! (Me too.  My friends tell me about a book and the first thing I ask is if there is any romance.  It's a need thing.)

What is your favorite blog?

Elana Johnson’s blog! She’s fun and happy and informative.

Have you been to a conference?  If you've been to more than one, which was your favorite and why?

Yes, I have! I’m really glad that I took the initiative in doing so. The very first conference, however, made me feel like an outsider. The panelists were lofty. It felt like an exclusive club for published authors and hosts only and the attendees were mere fans.

The second, LDStorymakers, was such a complete inverse that I haven’t gone back. Published authors, agents, and publishers include every writer as if we are part of their team. It’s amazing! This upcoming one will be my 3^rd year in a row and I am SO thrilled to return. It’s very much like a family reunion. (Oh, now I want to go.  I'll have to look up the next one.)

Which authors do you admire?

The first one that comes to mind is J.K. Rowling, because she did NOT give up. Can you imagine a single woman with children—in the midst of desperation—succeeding as she had? I’m very impressed that she took what life gave her and turned it around!

After thinking a bit more, I admire every debut author out there. They endure the hardships of their first beating of numberless rejections. They brave critique groups, critique partners, alpha and beta readers. They fight to hone their craft to specified criteria so that their first baby could shine light into the world. Kudos and congratulations to you guys, you are my heroes!

How often do you write?

It’s the very stuff that flows through my veins. I can’t stay away from it. I write as often as time (here’s that 4 letter word again) gives me. It’s part of who I am. To answer the question, I write about twice a day in chunks of hours.

Wish I had more time.  (Me too.)

So?  Wasn't that fabulous?  If you thought it was, you should hurry over to her blog.  It's loaded with oodles of fabulousness!  Thanks again to Elizabeth for taking part in this interview.  It was so much fun to learn more about you.