'London Calling' or How I Found My Muse by Elena Dillon

My guest is Elena Dillon and she has some tips for readers and writers:

London Calling

I don’t really get “Writer’s Block” in the traditional sense. At least I didn’t think I did.  Before this past October if I needed to write something I could sit down and write something.  Whether it was usable writing is a whole other matter but I could put something on the page. 

Then my kids moved out.

Instant empty nest.

And I had shoulder surgery that was much more painful and difficult to recover from than I’d thought it would be.

And my friend of twenty one years who I’d been praying for and going to chemo and doctor appointments with for a year and a half took a really bad turn. Her cancer had advanced and it was obvious she had very little time.

And the words left. No warning. Not even a “Call me when it’s over.” With everything that was going on in my life you’d think I wouldn’t have had time to worry about the writing but in the back of my mind I could hear this niggling little voice.

What if the words never come back?

I slapped that voice down more than once during my three month hiatus.  During the holidays when everyone asked when my next book was coming out.  At night when I couldn’t sleep because rolling over in bed was a process with a healing shoulder. And at my RWA chapter meetings when well-intentioned friends wanted an update.

Then in January my husband had to travel to London. Again. He asked me to go with this time since he really hates extended business travel and he would be there two weeks this time. He was nice enough to arrange a first class ticket with his miles. Lovely.  I was finally off pain medication and ready for an adventure. 

At first I didn’t attempt to write. I went with the intention of just enjoying myself.  I visited a friend I hadn’t seen in over twenty years and we laughed like we were teenagers again.  I walked around the city while my husband worked.  I drank tea. A lot.

Then it happened. I sat down at the computer and like magic the words were back. Flowing onto the page like water. I wrote about 10,000 words in two days and did a ton of revision on the manuscript that had been sitting on my computer for three months. The manuscript I had almost hit delete on because I the words had been lost and the work seemed overwhelming.

Whew. I’d found my muse.  The cheeky minx had packed herself up and moved to London for the duration.  I’m going to keep a closer eye on her from now on.  Got some writer’s block? Take a trip. Go somewhere new.  Even walk around the block.  Don’t forget the tea, it makes all the difference.

What’s next for you?

My next book in the Breathe series in coming out soon. Looking like May. I’m still trying to decide on a title. 

BOOK BLURB for Looking Like May

Chandler Raines and her dad are on the run. Never staying in one place for very long. It’s just not safe.  When they arrive in Lafayette, Louisiana, Chandler quickly realizes this is the place she wants to call home. Friends, a cute boy and competitive cheerleading have her taking dangerous risks to have the life she always wanted. Risks she promised she wouldn’t. 

When a video goes viral, a decision has to be made. Stay or run? Will the evil that’s chased them for the last four years catch up to them? When Chandler’s past comes screeching into the present she’ll have to sacrifice everything to keep what she loves safe.  But will it be enough?

How can my readers buy your book?  

Not on sale yet but you can sign up for my newsletter here and you will be the first to get an excerpt and notification of when it goes on sale. You will also receive an excerpt of my first two books right to your mailbox. Here are my Buy Links for Breathe:

Amazon

Audible

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Smashwords

Apple iTunes Bookstore

A little bit about the author 

Elena Dillon lives and writes in a suburb North of Los Angeles.  She has never lived anywhere besides California which is probably a good thing since she hates being cold and is terrified to drive in the snow. She loves being a wife and a mother to her three kids and an English Bulldog, although really the bulldog is the fourth child who has never matured beyond the toddler stage.

A self proclaimed nerd, she has been writing since she was a child. She has only recently, however, come out of the closet about this to her family and friends.  They now understand better, but not completely, why she talks about characters in stories as if they are real people.

You can find more information

about Elena Dillon at:

Website    Twitter   Facebook  

Goodreads

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Eileen D - Audio and ebook

Emily W - print copy

Anna W - ecopy

Donna S - ecopy