On the 18^th November, Kate Ellis (Author) was interviewed by Ellis Harris Boulter, 7:4. Here is what she said:

“I started writing simply by my mother showing me books. I’ve always been interested in History and Mysteries and I’ve always liked writing, poems and stories. I also like Enid Blytons books. My favourite crime authors are Redge Hill and Peter Robinson. I dislike Martina Cole because it’s a bit gritty. When I was 14 I dared a group of friends to write 20,000 worded story. Mine was not very good. Then nothing really happened until I was 18 years old. I saw an advert saying ‘plays wanted’ and I thought I’d give it a go. Then a few months later I won! I had it performed and it was the ‘most wonderful experience’. I kept writing more plays until I had 2 sons and I quit my job.

Kate has wrote 18 short stories and says she likes writing them because you can do anything. Also she says writing series are a pleasure because it makes ‘characters like old friends’. You need contrast against the characters as Kate says too. She says the only way her characters have changed is they have matured and grown older.

To make the scenes she says you need imagination and to name your town a different name to what it is based on. (eg: Cornwall - Cortnall) If you don’t then if you get one detail wrong, you get 100’s o complaint letters. Sometimes ideas come from other places too. Here are the examples Kate gave: news paper, T.V, libraries, visual or conversation. If you are writing a historical series Kate advises you to use different periods instead of the same one. It’s advised sometimes to listen to the radio whilst writing. Kate listens to classical FM and says that the adverts are annoying. It takes all together about 9 months to complete 1 book. Its also difficult to get published so go to an agent. Kate says the secret to a good story is if you write about something you enjoy writing about.

Kate says first you must research and plan your story. Use a spider diagram! (even the experts use them!) Write down all the names and scenes. Then write it out, be strict and say 11 - 5pm, 2000 words a day. Then print it. Change all the mistakes. Then re - write it to correct it and pass it to a friend. Follow what they say about it and re - write it. Next, give it to your editor and then you get it back. Then a few months later proofs and a title page come in the post. (Authors never get to design their front covers.) Only some books are made for T.V. or radio.

Every so often Kate has a get together with other crime authors, policeman and scientists. She got insights of several things. Once Kate went on a ghost tour and the guide told a story about a girl who haunted the area. Now when she writes stories, the girl keeps butting in.

Pictures of Kate and Ellis also appear on Kate Ellis' website : http://www.kateellis.co.uk/events.html