Here is where you can ask me (Ella) any questions about my book or the publishing process. What sounds interesting about the interview and/or the book?
When you ask me a question in the comment section, it counts as two extra “entries” in the giveaway.
Have fun!
Hi! I am so glad you decided to come here and earn bonus entries to the giveaway! Ask me any question relating to my book and I will be more than happy to answer it for you!
Hi, Ella! This exciting news was definitely worth the wait! Did you consider being traditionally published, or did you know early on that you would self-publish on Amazon?
When I first started writing the Heart of Stone Island, my mom and I knew I was going to self-publish my book. I did not know that it would be with Amazon KDP, though! It’s a really neat place to publish! I do hope to be traditionally published one day, though!
Thank you so much for your question, Christina! 💕
I am writing a book series now, what are some tips that you would give?? It feels weird for me to ask as I am seventeen as well, but I figured since you’ve already published you would have good ideas!! And have you read the lord of the rings books?
Abby
That’s so nice that you’re writing a series, Abby! I wrote in the interview of some advice I would give to other writers, so if you haven’t seen that, you should go check it out!
Otherwise, I would say be patient with yourself, go on walks outside when you’re feeling stuck (It really helps to clear your mind!) and never exclude prayer! Don’t bog down on itty bitty details until you’re at a good stopping point in the book. Those can wait until later, right now the bigger details will help the story form itself. Then you can go back and fill in some empty paragraphs.
Hope this helps! 💕 Thanks for the question!
I have not read any LoTR books, but my family and I are working through The Hobbit!
Thank you!!! I love the lotr books!!!! The hobbit is one of my favorites!!!!!
Abby
It certainly is a fun read!! 😁 a BIG read, too!
Hi! I love reading!! I will definitely have to buy your book on my Kindle. = )
So, when did you start writing your book? How old were you?
were you nervous to publish your first book? and if you got any negitive feedback, how did you deal with it?
Hey, good question!! Are you a author, yourself?
no, i am not an author, if you do the chatbox, i am on that now
Hi Loretta! It wasn’t too bad to publish my book! I was more excited to get my book out there if anything. I was actually a little more nervous about this shout-out because I didn’t know how people will like it!
I only got one negative comment about the book as of yet, but I chose to ignore it. It affected me a little, but I just reminded myself what a great privilege it was to even have a published book! I know my hard work won’t go to waste!
Thanks for your answer, Ella! I just started reading your book on Kindle!
No problem!
That’s so awesome! You’ll have to let me know what you think!! 💕💕💕
Hi Katie! I started writing my book in late 2024 to very early 2025 and I was 15-17 while writing it. Funny how a short(er) story can take a longer time to complete!
There is also a similar answer to this question in the interview if you haven’t read that yet! 😁
P.S. I love reading too!
What are some of your favorite books? I love giving and receiving book recommendations!! = )
Some of my favorite books are the Andi Carter Milestones Series (of course!), The Storyteller Trailblazers (it’s a book about C.S Lewis, author of The Narnia series) Pride and Prejudice, and The Lamplighter. I also have a book coming by today called Once Upon a Wardrobe! It’s another book sort of about C.S Lewis!
I love receiving recommendations as well! 💕💕 but if Mrs. M prefers we chat someplace else about this, we are more than welcome to go over to my blog 😁
Do you want to be an author?
I can only do that once a week and I did it yesterday. Sorry!! Do you want to talk here?
Nope, Mrs. M said absolutley no chatting in the comments. I want to follow her rules.
Thank you!
Woops!! Forgot about that!! Sorry, Mrs. M!!
Is anyone else on there?
I love that thing!!
Hi, Ella!
I also live in Arizona. (My grandparents live in Prescott!). Is the picture you showed–where you picture your characters camping–was that photo taken in Immanuel Pines, perchance? (I am a mountain biker and have done several races there. It’s gorgeous!)
-Trinity S
Hi Trinity! That’s so awesome to hear! The weather here is beautiful right now!
I am actually not sure where the photo was taken because I didn’t take it! I found the photo online, but I did type “Prescott National Forest”, so I’m assuming that’s where it was taken. 😆
Immanuel Pines sounds like a nice place! I actually don’t think I’ve been there! I’ll have to look it up! ❤️ Thanks for your questions!
Hi Ella! Your book sounds really exciting!! I love reading. What is your favorite part about writing? Its always hard for me to think of the words. I always think of good plots, but it’s hard to put my thoughts on paper. Do you ever struggle with that? 😄
Good evening, Kristi!
That makes me happy that you think my book sounds exciting! I love to read as well.
Oooh, my favorite part about writing…. I think my favorite part is probably seeing the character’s personalities form right in front of your eyes. The more time you spend writing, you more you get to know the characters! It’s a really fun experience.
I especially love when there are ties in the book that you didn’t even plan on having!
Also, coming up with good plots like you said! Yes, I do struggle with that at times! I have amazing ideas often and when I sit at my laptop, all of my ideas get shy and leave 😆. If someone says they’re a writer and this has never happened to them…
They’re probably lying 😜😆
Hi! Your book sounds so good! How did you come up with your characters and their personalities? Also I love horse back riding too! Does your book have any horses in it?
Good morning, Haidyn!
Thank you so much! I appreciate that! I picked some character personalities that I have seen in some of my friends and myself, and I used those to create my characters and their personalities!
Some of my characters were inspired by and built off of some real kids with a bit of my own creation/tweaking as well! Others were straight from my imagination, and some were from movies! It’s pretty fun to do. Try it one time, if you enjoy writing!
That’s awesome! Horses are so fun to ride! My book does have a horse or two! They’re mentioned once or twice during the book, and we also see the main character and her friend riding one during the last dangerous stretch. 😄
Okay, Miss Ella, I have to be done on the screen but maybe tomorrow I will check out your blog an then we can chat!! I also am going to ask my parents if I can subscribe to your blog. I saw one of your posts about you buying a horse from the stables… not sure how old that is but, if it’s sorta new, best wishes on your goal!! <3
Congratulations on publishing your first book, Ella! I’m writing a story of my own right now but I’m having trouble with writing good hooks. Any advice?
Annabelle J. C.
Thanks so much, Annabelle!
So cool that you’re writing a story!
So for good hooks… I like to use sound effects like, “Crash!” or “Beep!” to open up my scenes. It usually sets the scene, and you can build off of it like I did with this scene below in a random story I started:
💕Beep!
Summer flinched at the blaring horn. She was crossing New York’s busy streets when the taxicab almost hit her. She was used to those reckless drivers who almost slam into her.
Usually, they drove her crazy, but she was so intent on getting inside the warm brewery, and out of the cold winter chill that she didn’t even bother to let herself feel angry. 💕
You can also start with dialogue too! Maybe start with a question, if it fits your story. That’s always suepr catchy.
Often, I find it good to open the book with where the story takes place and what’s going on like I did above. And do this with action. (Usually by sounds, dialogue or what it feels like… aka, weather… but try doing this where the main character is reacting to the weather.) And start short. Don’t draw out the first sentence or the reader can definitely feel it drag.
One more tip: Look at books you love to read and see how they created good hooks! What is it about their hook that drew you in? How can you apply that technique to your writing works? Asking yourself this question as you read can for sure help you grow as a writer!
For even more help, Mrs. M has a book called the Writers Roundup that you can find on Amazon, and in that book, she has really good tips for these types of struggles! I would highly recommend it!
Wow, I know this was a lot and I hope I didn’t overwhelm you, but I really pray it helps you!
Happy writing!!!
I bought my friend and I both the Writers books by Mrs. M and we would both recommend!! <3
Sounds good! 💕
Aw, thanks! It’s still recent, so thank you! 💕💕💕
Thanks, Ella! I will definitely be trying out some of your tips! 😄
You’re so welcome! Happy to help!
Sorry, that last comment was from Annabelle too!
Hi, miss Ella!! I just wanted to say that I subscribed to your blog and my mom and I love it thanks!!
Hey Ella! So, as an aspiring young author, I would LOVE to know- HOW DID YOU DEAL WITH WRITERS BLOCK, OR STORY WEARINESS?! I am always struggling with this and need some suggestions! Also, great job for accomplishing what you did!
Hi! I dealt with writers block and story weariness mostly with outside walks to clear my mind, and occasional breaks from writing to start again later with a fresh mind.
Honestly, before I had a deadline, I just wouldn’t write when writers block came… but I would just say to keep on asking “what if?” questions about your story. “What if this happened? Where could the story go from there? Does it move the plot forward or will it keep me stuck?”
These are helpful questions to ask yourself!
Also… take a break from your book and take your characters on a field trip into a new world or scene completely unrelated to your book! Don’t worry about it being perfect. It’s not going into your story (unless you decide!).
And always…. Prayer. Ask the Lord to give you the words to write for this moment. Ask that His will be done in your book.
Hope this helps! I seem to get a little deep into helping when someone asks… so I hope this didn’t overwhelm you!! 💕💕
Much love and keep on writing!
Ella 🤗