LM Please tell us a little about yourself?
EG: Love Is
Everything is my first fiction novella. I was thrilled when it won the
Gold/1st Place Award for Best Short Story in The Feathered Quill
Book Awards Program.
Love Is
Everything is an inspirational romance about a woman struggling to find
joy in life and doubting her faith in God after losing her parents in a tragic
accident. But after reluctantly
accepting a blind date with a handsome widower with a strong faith, she
embraces anew her relationship with God and the power of love.
The original concept for my story had only a light theme of
grief, but I emphasized it more after my mother passed away. Feeling emotional,
I wrote a stronger storyline on grief to not only help me externalize my grief
but to help others understand their own emotions, after losing loved ones.
Several readers have told me that before reading my book, they had never heard
of the five stages of grief. So, for them, the story was both enlightening and
uplifting.
Many of my friends are asking for a sequel to Love Is Everything—they’re not ready to
let go of the characters. And honestly,
I’m not either. So, I’m mapping out ideas for a sequel, as well as a
non-fiction, inspirational book.
I welcome readers to my website to find out more about me:
elsiehillmangordon.com
LM: Do you feel like your background or upbringing
influences your writing style? If so, in
what way(s)?
EG: Yes, my background influenced my
writing of Love Is Everything. I’m a Christian and active in my church with
various ministries. My book is an inspirational romance with Christian
values.
LM: Describe your book, in 10 words or less
It’s an inspirational story of love,
loss, and new beginnings.
LM: When and why did you begin writing?
EG: I write for many
reasons. For example: just because, to share my thoughts with others, to leave
something behind in the world when I pass away, and the list goes on. My
love for writing started early. I can remember sitting at the kitchen table at
the age of nine, writing stories on notebook paper and sharing them with my
family, especially my father. He loved
books and encouraged us to explore the world through reading and writing. He
was an animated storyteller—often educating and entertaining my brothers and me
with his childhood stories.
LG: Is there a central message or theme in “Love Is
Everything” that you hope readers will come away from the reading experience
with?
EG: I want my writing to inspire and
encourage readers to have faith in God and to know that in one way or another,
everything’s going to be alright in the end—the love of God, family and friends
will see us through challenging times.
LM: What has been the toughest criticism you’ve
received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
EG: Honestly, I have not received any
tough criticism. Some readers have mentioned that they wish the story had not
ended when it did, but only because they were enjoying it and wanted it to go
on a bit longer. That’s a criticism that
I take as a compliment.
LM: What’s next for you? What can readers look forward
to from you?
EG: Many readers are asking for a sequel to Love Is Everything—they’re not ready to let go of the
characters. And honestly, I’m not
either. So, I’m mapping out ideas for a sequel, and also ideas for a
non-fictional inspirational book.
LM: If you had to go back and do it all over again, is
there any aspect of writing your novel or getting it published that you would
change?
EG: My story is a novella—it’s short and
sweet. If I could go back and do it all
over again, I would extend the story at least a couple of more chapters to
satisfy the appetite of readers who want more information about Vanessa’s and
Elliott’s future. But that can always be
handled by writing a sequel.
LM: What has been the most effective method of
marketing and/or publicizing your books so far? Why or how?
EG: For the most part, I have managed my
own marketing by directly reaching out to my networks: family, friends,
acquaintances, social circles, etc. I
read somewhere that the majority of people who will support you are people who
like you or trust you.
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