A child of divorce and abuse, E.L. Irwin found escape in reading and writing, and through the school of hard-knocks, learned to be a fighter. She's a self-described romantic-rebel who wears her heart on her sleeve and tends to shoot from the hip on subjects that matter. She enjoys riding horses, wearing heels, shooting her XD.40, tattoos, and of course, a good book and hot coffee.
'A romantic rebel' is a perfect description for E.L and for her books. I've read and enjoyed all of her books.
Good morning E.L.,
Q: I think the first back story question should probably be, where did you grow up and what do remember most about it.
A: I grew up in a few places… the first I remember was a duplex on John Drive in Riverside, CA. Then my mom moved us to Mira Loma, CA. From there, my siblings and I moved with my dad to Tri-Cities, WA. My childhood and growing up years were turbulent ones, so what I’ll share is limited. From the house on John Drive, it was a corner house and right across the street from us, on the backside of our corner, was a house with a beautiful chestnut gelding named Blaze. I’d been reading the C.W. Anderson, Billy and Blaze series and was in 7th Heaven. I remember asking Blaze’s owner if the horse’s chest muscles were its breasts. Oh, he laughed and laughed and then explained that no, those were just the chest muscles. From the house in Mira Loma, I remember the smell of dairy farms. You could ALWAYS tell you were getting close to home because of the smell. A dairy farm was right across the street from our little house. From the place in Tri-Cities, WA, what I remember most is that my dad was there. Everything was viewed through rose-colored glasses because of that.
Q: Have you always been a writer? What did you do before?
A: No, I have not always been a writer. I have always been a reader, though. I started writing novels sort of by accident while I was a Stay-At-Home-Mom, raising and homeschooling my children.
Q: What prompted you to start writing?
A: I began writing in high school. I struggled in school a lot, got into a lot of fights. I once threw a chair at the Vice Principal… yeah…My grades suffered and my English teacher allowed me to write short stories for extra credit to bring my grades up. I enjoyed writing stories. I enjoyed the adventure, the escapism. Writing helped to settle me.
Q: Describe the genre of your books. Do you read the same genre?
A: The genre I write in (so far) is New Adult Fiction, meaning the main character is typically between the ages of 18-25. I read anything from fiction: Middle Grade through Adult, to political, historical, spiritual, and scientific.
Have you ever binge-read an author? My last binge-read was the Tarzan series by Edgar Rice Burroughs when I was in high school.
A: Oh, yes. The first author I binge-read was Walter Farley. I read the Black Stallion series over, and over again. Then it was Louis L’Amour. Love his books. In fact, he, more than any other author I’ve read inspires my style of writing. I loved how when I’d read his books, I could feel the heat of the sun on my saddle, feel the grit in my teeth, smell the gun powder after a gun fight. I try to write like that. I want my readers to experience what the characters are experiencing. After him was the Harry Potter series. Then anything from Sarah J. Maas.
Q: Who is the inspiration or muse for your books? Is there a different inspiration for the different books?
A: It’s different for each book. For Out of the Blue, my first novel, it was probably the group Foreigner. Lou Gramm’s Foreigner. Them, and Chris Hemsworth. Because those eyes… For the second book, The Lost and Found, my husband played as my muse for that one. For Long Live the Rebel, it was our military. I wanted to write something to honor their sacrifice(s). For BetweenEarth and Eden, and Between Heaven and Hell, it all started with the song Bullets by the group, Creed.
Q: Who is the inspiration or muse for your books? Is there a different inspiration for the different books?
A: It’s different for each book. For Out of the Blue, my first novel, it was probably the group Foreigner. Lou Gramm’s Foreigner. Them, and Chris Hemsworth. Because those eyes… For the second book, The Lost and Found, my husband played as my muse for that one. For Long Live the Rebel, it was our military. I wanted to write something to honor their sacrifice(s). For BetweenEarth and Eden, and Between Heaven and Hell, it all started with the song Bullets by the group, Creed.
Q: Most readers have an all-time favorite book and author. What are your all-time favorite book and author?
A: Can’t do it. It’s impossible for me to pick just one. From the Black Stallion series, it has to be, The Black Stallion and the Girl. From Louis L’Amour’s books, it’s The Lonesome Gods. From Sarah J. Maas, it’s the Throne of Glass series, with probably The Heir of Fire being my absolute favorite of that series because that’s when Rowan comes in.
Q: Who is the inspiration or muse for your books? Is there a different inspiration for the different books?
A: It’s different for each book. For Out of the Blue, my first novel, it was probably the group Foreigner. Lou Gramm’s Foreigner. Them, and Chris Hemsworth. Because those eyes… For the second book, The Lost and Found, my husband played as my muse for that one. For Long Live the Rebel, it was our military. I wanted to write something to honor their sacrifice(s). For BetweenEarth and Eden, and Between Heaven and Hell, it all started with the song Bullets by the group, Creed.
Q: Most readers have an all-time favorite book and author. What are your all-time favorite book and author?
A: Can’t do it. It’s impossible for me to pick just one. From the Black Stallion series, it has to be, The Black Stallion and the Girl. From Louis L’Amour’s books, it’s The Lonesome Gods. From Sarah J. Maas, it’s the Throne of Glass series, with probably The Heir of Fire being my absolute favorite of that series because that’s when Rowan comes in.
Q: Are you a move buff as well as a reader? Who is your favorite Actor or actress? What is your favorite movie? Mine is The Forbidden Planet with Leslie Nielsen, before he became a comedic actor.
A: Yes, I love movies. I loved Leslie Nielsen in Tammy and the Bachelor. My all-time favorite movie; I’ve seen this well over 50 times, is The Man from Snowy River. As for favorite actor/actress? I really love the acting abilities of Russell Crowe. He was fabulous in Gladiator. That scene where, before the big battle, at the beginning, when he’s preparing for war, and he sees that little bird and is momentarily distracted by it, then as the bird flies away, you can see the character gather himself mentally… it’s a powerful moment. As for actresses, I’ve always admired Maureen O’Hara. Lately though, I’ve been enjoying the acting from Caitriona Balfe.
Q: What words of wisdom do you have for our readers?
A: Read. That’s the best advice I can offer. Read, read, read. And, develop a thick skin. You won’t appeal to every reader; be okay with that. Don’t write FOR the reader, write the book YOU want to read. And write it well. [Here, here]
Q: Do you have an adage or short saying that you live by and sometimes quote? Mine is from my father, “Life is a game of skill, not of strength.”
A: “Not my monkey, not my circus.” I say this a lot, especially at work. I’m a doer, a solver. I tend to take on more than I truly can handle and I need to learn to let things go and recognize was IS and is NOT mine to take care of.
Q: Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you handle it?
A: I do, yes. It’s frustrating. Sometimes it’s cured by listening to music, sometimes by watching a movie, reading a book. Sometimes I just need to walk away and return later. Sometimes I start an entirely new project. I guess you could say I’m flexible like that.
Q: Will you share some little detail about yourself that very few people know? For instance, I am right-handed, but I work the Sunday New York Times crossword every week left-handed.
A: I stutter. Most people don’t know; I’ve been able to master it for the most part – I read out loud to myself – and learned to form the words better as I spoke them. However, when I’m extremely tired it really begins to appear.
Q: I understand that you are a person of strong faith?
A: Without my faith, without my Savior, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. I probably wouldn’t be alive today in all honesty. But I guess He has a purpose for me.
Q: Every writer I know is also, an avid reader. I know I am. What new author have you discovered lately that you’re reading? Tell us about him or her.
A: I’m a voracious reader. Reading is like oxygen. A new author I’ve recently discovered is Elise Kova. I can’t forget Jillian Bondarchuk, or Scarlett St. Clair, either.
Q: If readers can read only one book this month, why should it be yours?
A: There’s so much garbage in this world, so much darkness; my books leave the reader with a sense of rightness. A sense of hope and peace. My books make you feel good, and I think we all could use more of that.
Q: What are you working on for your next release?
A: Currently, I’m working on two novels. The first is the third book in The Guardian Series, called, Between Blood and Stone. The other one is a sequel to my first novel, Out of the Blue. The working title for this one is, Shades of Green. Though, I’ll probably change it as it just isn’t sitting well with me.
E.L., thanks for sharing some interesting back story with us. Remember, life is a game of skill not of strength.
For more on E.L Irwin, go to her Home Page, or follow her on Amazon, GoodReads, Pinterest, FaceBook, Twitter, or InstaGram.
For more on Jeff Bailey, go to his Home Page, or follow him on Amazon, GoodReads or his LinkedIn blog.
Today's book Selection:
Deep Black, by Sean McFate, was my kind of fast paced, high action thrill ride. The protagonist was likable but realistic about his chosen profession: paid mercenary. The story was so well written that I could almost taste the sand in my teeth and feel the hot grit under my collar. The ending was unexpected but understandable considering the real world of the military mercenary. I have already ordered another Tom Locke thriller and added McFate to my favorite authors list. Definitely a five-star read.