JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Lorraine Elzia, author of Ask Nicely and I Might
(Peace In The Storm Publishing)

A twisted game of intrigue proves that six degrees of separation bridge the gap between the sane and the insane.

Alex Carlysle is a savvy homicide detective highly respected among her peers. When her lover becomes the latest victim in a series of brutal murders, the investigation of the killings becomes personal for her and catching the killer could be the break she has been waiting for concerning her career.

Jade abides by a different set of rules. Instead of enforcing the law, she is the thorn in its side. She is a sexy enigma of a serial killer who taunts the police just for the pleasure of it while devouring her prey in the process.

As the hunter becomes the hunted, both women are destined for a massive head-on collision with each other. The thrill of pursuit is not the only tie that binds them; they are also driven by bloodshed and a chain of circumstances that began in the subconscious mind.

Ask Nicely and I Might is a racy thriller filled with sexy suspense; a wicked game of cat and mouse where time is rapidly running out for both the hunter and the hunted.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Ask Nicely and I Might?

Lorraine Elzia: Every woman in a relationship has thought about it from time to time–that moment when you snap and do the unthinkable. Instead of running away from it and pretending it does not exist, I thought it would be stimulating to look inside the mind of a woman who kills, purely for the enjoyment and the thrill.

JP: What sets Ask Nicely and I Might apart from other books in the same genre?

LE: Ask Nicely and I Might is not your typical suspense/thriller. It is written with a sexy edge and with overlapping storylines that not only entertain but also relay a message about the baggage we carry with us through life and the choices that we make based on the weight of that baggage.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Ask Nicely and I Might getting out to the public?

LE: My first book, Mistress Memoirs earned me the 2009 Break Out Author of the year award from the AALAS. That was great exposure. Being published under Peace In The Storm Publishing, which is a company that not only published high quality books but also showcases its authors through various promotions, also ensured that my book was recognizable to the public and has been a stepping stone for name recognition for me.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Ask Nicely and I Might?

LE: Ask Nicely and I Might took me about six months to write. I’m an odd creature when it comes to writing. I am on my third book, and I have not written any of the three books in the exact same manner.

Much like my personality, my writing is ever changing. I sometimes use a very strict outline. Other times I wing it chapter-by-chapter, letting the characters dictate where the story will go.

The only constant element is that I generally write late at night when I allow the words to take me away from the stress of a very long day. Writing is my “Calgon” moment.

JP: What’s next for Lorraine Elzia?

LE: In keeping with my first-person form of storytelling, my novel for 2011 will come from the mouth and mindset of two main characters. But I’m flipping the switch a little, as the main character in this novel will be a man.

The storyline revolves around a man on death row and the 30 days leading up to his execution. He communicates with a late night radio talk show host who tries to aid in stopping his execution before time runs out.

Think of “Sleepless in Seattle” flirts with “Dead Man Walking”, add a dash of an urban twist and you have a “taste” of my next book.

http://lorraineelzia.com/
http://peaceinthestormpublishing.com/

http://www.facebook.com/people/Lorraine-Elzia/733818228

http://twitter.com/LorraineElzia

lorraineszone@gmail.com

I was once asked, “What makes a book stay out of the slush pile?” My answer: “Flava, Flava and more Flavor…” What sets a good book ahead of another good book is the descriptive seasoning put in it. (Back in the day, they called it, “Putting your foot in it!”)

A writer can’t just write words; they have to paint a picture. They have to go for the WOW jugular vein of those that will read their work. They have to hook the reader from sentence one and maintain that momentum throughout the entire story.

You stay out of the slush pile by making your words stand above the rest and making the reader hungry for the “secret sauce” of what you have to say.

I have a tag line I use: “Why blend in when you are born to stand out?” I adopted it because that’s reality. I try to write in a manner that makes my words leave a lasting impression while giving the reader both entertainment and a message.

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