In a home filled with books, it was no surprise that Etta grew to be an avid reader, and that translated into writing when she was thirteen. She wrote simply for the fun of it, whatever would come to mind, from fantasy to thriller to romance, and shared her stories with her friends.
In 2010, at twenty-one and just as she was about to graduate from college, Etta began writing "The Life and Times of Elizabeth and the Duchess." This was a story which had first taken shape in 2008, after her freshman year, but had been put on hold. With graduation looming, Etta recalled the characters, and the events which had inspired them, and took pen to paper. Literally, as Etta enjoys writing out her stories before typing them out. Soon the first book had been completed and the series was born.
"The Life and Times of the Heir and the Keeper," comes as the sequel to "Elizabeth and the Duchess," and serves as the second semester of these teens' college saga. Etta is currently working on the third book, in what will be an eight-part series.
Etta King lives with her family in Westchester, New York.
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INTERVIEW
Etta King
The Avid Reader: What inspired you to write The Life and Times of the Heir and the Keeper?
Etta King: Well, I was inspired by my freshman year in college; it took me by surprise, how so much could happen in so little time. There were parallel stories in my year and that laid the foundation for the series and the way these books are being written. The first book, The Life and Times of Elizabeth and the Duchess, was written from the perspective of the girls in this series, Elizabeth and Judith. This book, The Life and Times of the Heir and the Keeper, is more so the guys' story. Jonathan and Francis get their time in the limelight and, if I do say so, they have as much drama as the girls. The entire series will chronicle their college experience, from start to finish, as each character grows or even stays the same. Once I had the idea, the story just kept building and my imagination basically ran wild. I enjoy writing about these characters; they are like old friends that I can come to at any time, and, even better, I discover new things about them each time.
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The Avid Reader: When or at what age did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Etta King: I think I wrote first when I was 12 and it was a historical romance story, which I lost - tragically - that got me started. I began writing based on all the little stories I'd come up with through the years and I just couldn't stop. I would write wherever I was on whatever blank piece of paper was in front of me. I've found bits of stories in the oddest places, from school notebooks to napkins.
The Avid Reader: What is the earliest age you remember reading your first book?
Etta King: I remember reading a picture book called "Janet and John" when I was probably a little older than three. I only remember the year because I had been practicing writing the year 1993. The book consisted of "Janet saw John," "John saw Janet," "Janet and John are friends," and probably some middle parts that I can't remember haha!
The Avid Reader: What genre of books do you enjoy reading?
Etta King: Oooh, I have a list: Historical Romance > Fantasy > Young Adult Contemporary > Mystery > Thriller > Anything fun and well written. Of course I love reading, so it's difficult to choose sometimes, but, there, I've made a definitive list!
The Avid Reader: What is your favorite book?
Etta King: Emma would have to be my favorite book! She's Jane Austen's best work as far as I'm concerned and she reminds me of me in a lot of ways. She's always involved in the most dramatic situations, she has a somewhat troublesome need to help people and she has a penchant for tall dark and handsome men! :
The Avid Reader: You know I think we all have a favorite author. Who is your favorite author and why?
Etta King: I've always said I don't play favorites, but I suppose I can pick two. Ha, yes, I know I'm not playing by the rules, I'm "maverick-y" like that. First, Georgette Heyer - the undisputed queen of historical romance - and then Lisi Harrison - who has somehow got me hooked on The Clique - oh when will the next book come out? The former, because her use of language is brilliant and the latter because she's just fun to read.
The Avid Reader: If you could travel back in time here on earth to any place or time. Where would you go and why?
Etta King: Egypt circa 250 BC. Why? Well nineteenth century England has been done. Or perhaps Greece, same time? There's something beautiful about the time, and wild…which is compelling.
The Avid Reader: When writing a book do you find that writing comes easy for you or is it a difficult task?
Etta King: If I want to write, it's extremely easy; I know the story, so I'm practically transcribing from my mind. I think I'm very lucky in that, I'm glad for it.
The Avid Reader: Do you have any little fuzzy friends? Like a dog or a cat? Or any pets?
Etta King: I don't but I'd either want a Husky or a Yorkie; I'm very much inclined to extremes :.
The Avid Reader: What is your "to die for", favorite food/foods to eat?
Etta King: Thai food, hands down. Also, anything with mushrooms and/or beef.
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The Avid Reader: Do you have any advice for anyone that would like to be an author?
Etta King: I would say, just keep writing…but more practical advice would be to join a site like Fictionpress.com and "let the words flow." You get reviews, some constructive, some…not so much…but you also get to see what other people - that don't know you - think of your writing.
2 comments:
Thank you so much for having me here! I loved this interview; it was fun and really gave me a chance to open up! :)
Thank you for hosting Etta :)
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