Monday, September 6, 2010

Leanna Ellis' "Facelift"


We're happy to have Leanna Ellis with us today talking about her book, Facelift. To learn more about Leanna and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
Most of my ideas are a little whacky and this one began with the idea of a woman who is extremely self-focused and vain. What’s the worst that could happen to someone like that? A botched facelift. She is actually the ex-mother-in-law of my main character. I wanted to probe how society often makes women feel inadequate. Even the church sometimes makes us feel that way when we’re compared to the Proverbs 31 woman. I’ve struggled in this area my whole life. It’s definitely a battle. And yet, if women could just see themselves the way God sees us…well, I believe it would revolutionize the church and the world.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
Right before I started writing this book, my father passed away. So in the aftermath of all of that, I had to begin. But it was a slow process. Some days I could only write two words: Chapter Five. Literally two words. When you’re on deadline, that’s a bit of a panic situation. But I tried not to pressure myself or beat myself up over those days. Some days were very depressing. But I made a conscious decision to get out to take walks when sometimes I just wanted to curl up in a ball and pull the covers up over my head. But in going through that I learned not only about the choices we face and decisions we make but also about my character Kaye and her lessons in this book.
3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1. I utilized our crazy labradoodle we call the Hilo Monster, a combo Labrador and poodle that likes to eat our eye glasses and everything else in sight in FACELIFT. Many days she seemed bent on creating more headaches than smiles but hopefully she adds some nice humor to the book as she added that bit of levity to our lives during a rather difficult and painful period.
2. I just started fencing! And it’s a lot of fun and a LOT of hard work. Very good exercise.
3. I have a weird sense of humor. Oops! If they’ve read my books, then I guess they know that.
4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
The book I’m working on next is FORSAKEN, book one in the PLAIN FEAR series, which is an Amish/vampire story.

5) Parting comments?
God is good. Always. Even on the difficult day, the trying days, the painful days, which we all go through. It’s important to keep our focus on Him. Two of my favorite passages fit beautifully with FACELIFT:
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to hard you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Psalm 139:14-16 “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

24 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great interview Brandilyn and the opportunity to win this book, which I would love to win!

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  2. Sounds like a good book. Would love to win>>>

    ~~Angelac@mchsi.com~~~

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  3. I'm a big fan of Leanna's books. I would love to win a copy of Facelift. I'm already a subscriber. Thank you!

    carlyberd[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  4. Sounds great! Please enter me in the giveaway!

    writer_weaver at yahoo dot com

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  5. I think this book looks fun, please enter me. Thanks! :)

    caseymh18(@)gmail(.)com

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  6. Thank you for the chance to win this novel. It looks good.

    herrins1@harneyesd.k12.or.us

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  7. Leanna, I admire you for sticking through the whole process through the death of a parent, I know how difficult that can be. This book sounds excellent.

    julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Thank you for the fun interview, and the chance to win! : ) It sounds like a fabulous book, and a great topic that I think many women in the church face. Now I'm excited to see how Leanna combines the Amish and vampires.....: )
    potosrose(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I'd love to read this book!

    aikychien at yahoo dot com

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  10. would love to win!!
    kristybee05@bee@bellsouth.net

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  11. I love Leanna Ellis' writing and would love to win a copy of her new book! I have all of her other books.
    Emma Bedford
    elbedford@comcast.net

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  12. Sounds like a great book. Love the premise. Look forward to reading it!

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  13. Sounds like a great book. Love the premise. Look forward to reading it!

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  14. Sounds like an interesting premise for a book. I would love to be the winner.

    janmarien[at]embarqmail[dot]com

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  15. I would love to win this book! Thanks! I am a subscriber of this blog.

    Mollydedwards AT yahoo DOT com

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  16. Would love to win. I'm a subscriber
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  17. I would be happy to try out this book.

    Lmaria23@hotmail.com

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  18. I love, love, love Leanna's writing. Sign me up to win!
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  19. Very interesting interview. Yes, that would be a worst nightmare for most women - a bad face lift.
    I agree how our society places so much on our outward appearance - and it's not just our young people. I find myself falling into that trap worrying about my appearance. Leanna's next book about Amish/vampire sounds interesting - I would like to see how she combines those two subjects.
    Please sign me up.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm[at]gmail[dot]com

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  20. Hey, y'all! Thanks for all the wonderful comments and encouraging words! Hope you're having a happy day!

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  21. I have loved all of Leanna's books, especially her quirky sense of humor and familiar themes like Elvis, The Wizard of Oz, etc. Facelift is on my wish list and I appreciate the chance to win a copy.

    I hope Leanna has many more books for us - but is the Amish/vampire series for real?

    cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

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  22. I would love to read it!

    sarahsantanablogs@gmail.com

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  23. And the winner is… Sarah! I'll send you an email.

    Thanks again, y'all!

    Blessings,

    Leanna

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