Author Spotlight: Elaine Cantrell

Today’s Author Spotlight features Elaine Cantrell

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in South Carolina where I attended Clemson University and ultimately got a master’s degree in personnel services. I’m a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary society for women educators, and I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America. My first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest. When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading, traveling, and collecting vintage Christmas ornaments. I recently retired after teaching social studies for thirty-five years so I plan to work with an animal rescue group just as soon as I finish a few projects on my house.

Tell us about your latest novel.

My latest novel is titled The Captain and the Cheerleader, and it’s about teachers. The captain in the book is the football coach at a small high school in a very conservative community. The cheerleader is a beautiful English teacher at the same school. The story begins when one of the other teachers taunts Susan (the heroine) and insists that she can’t get a date with that sexy football coach. Well, needless to say, Susan is up for the challenge, and before you know it, a large number of teacher’s are all taking bets as to whether Susan can do it or not. Susan got her date the next day, but things don’t go exactly as she planned. That bet will irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

This is a hard question because I like so many different authors, but I’ll give it a try. One of my favorites is Elizabeth Peters who also wrote as Barbara Michaels. That woman had all the bases covered. Every book had romance, suspense, humor, a compelling plot, and a satisfactory ending.

Another favorite is Deborah Truscott. She writes time travel novels, which I love because in her series the characters are traveling back and forth between the 18th century and the present. If I had to pick another century to live in, I think I’d pick the 18th.

Another favorite is Larry McMurtry. I think he has a wonderful understanding of what makes people tick.

What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most (or the least)?

The very best part is writing the first scene. I’m always so thrilled and excited that my fingers fly over the keyboard. Sometimes it’s hard to stop writing because I’m so into the story. What do I enjoy the least? Revision, beyond a doubt. Does it make my work better to revise? Beyond a doubt.

How do you deal with rejection?

I just keep writing. I know that no author can please everyone so when I get a rejection, I just find another publisher to send my book to. There’s a home for every book if you don’t give up.

What type of books do your read for fun?

I love time travel books. I also like apocalyptic novels, romance, and suspense novels. Women’s’ fiction is great too.

What is your favorite TV show (or movie)? Why?

Oh, please don’t laugh! My favorite show is The Walking Dead. I know it’s popular, but it’s like nothing I ever watched before. I started watching the thing last spring after a group of teachers at the school where I worked kept going on and on about it. They’d moan and groan because so and so got killed and talk about it like the people were real. I’ve never been a zombie fan, so I asked what was the big deal. The deal was the way the characters changed as the zombie apocalypse progressed. It isn’t so much the blood and gore. I sort of turn my head when that happens. I wouldn’t miss an episode.

How can our readers find you?

Here are all my links. Readers, I’d love for you to check me out. I have some free stories on my website, and you can also reads excerpts from my books:

http://www.elainecantrell.com
http://www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/elainepcantrell
http://www.twitter.com/elainecantrell
http://www.linkedin.com/elainecantrell
http://www.pinterest.com/elainecantrell