Introducing the host of Everyone's Story: Elaine Stock

By Ian Acheson

I first met Elaine in early 2013 as I started out on sharing Angelguard to the world. Elaine was kind enough to invite me over to her place at “Everyone’s Story”. Elaine is like most of us here at ACW: a lover of story and writing.

Elaine is passionate about supporting authors at all stages of the journey and loves promoting “new voices” from all genres. She is a delightful host who spends a lot of time on each of her guest’s posts and actively promotes them over the course of the following week. Angelguard has found its way to a number of Elaine’s readers as a result of her diligence.

Enough of me, please give a hearty Down Under welcome to Elaine.

In a few sentences share a little about yourself 

Brooklyn born, I’ve now lived a rural lifestyle for many years in upstate New York, married to my husband, Wally. Ever since I can remember I’ve enjoyed creating stories, but it wasn’t until the passing of my mother (who enjoyed the arts but never saw her dreams fulfilled) did I become inspired to take my writing seriously in pursuit of publication. Yet, it was only after the horrific event of 9-11 did I start feeling a pull toward writing for the Christian market and only a handful or so years ago did I surrender my writing to His hands in what I pray will be to His glory.

Writing aside, I live a very humble life. Back when Wally and I were in our 20s and not having much money (things haven’t changed!) we purchased a rundown 1850s former railroad station and converted it to half home, half business (piano restoration). I work a day job in the food industry while working on my writing whenever I can. My faith and writing is pretty much the only way I manage to stay sane! 

Now tell us a little about your writing journey. What kind of stories do you write?

I went from dreaming about being the next Neil Simon (back in my childhood days) to listening to everyone tell me how “easy” it was to break into writing as a romance author. Believe me, it’s not. I joined the Romance Writers of America many years ago, and although I’m currently not a member, I have so much respect for anyone who writes romances. That said, my stories do include love-story elements as a central thread. I’d describe my fiction as contemporary stories . . . I’d say mainstream geared for the women’s fiction and suspense reader (the latter, depending on which story).

I’ve written a lot, and for years. Emphasis on the latter. It’s to the point that I’ve stopped referencing the time because I’m choosing to focus on the positive. While I have also received my share of rejections through the years I’ve tried to move on, honing my craft, and letting loose, meaning to relax during the storytelling part. I’ve also learned a good deal of editing, which I think has been the turning point for me. However, when it comes to writing skills of any kind, because of the type of person I am, I will always have to be an ongoing student since the art of polishing a story is not a natural talent. Understatement.

A view from Elaine's doorstep in autumn.

Something has been changing for me. I can feel it. It started 3 years ago when I began my blog, Everyone’s Story. Maybe it’s because of a sense of taking control/direction in what I choose and pick and realizing that I must also control my own writing rather than let laziness or bad habits rule. Last year, through a writing contest on her blog, I obtained my agent Linda S. Glaz of the Hartline Literary Agency. I am thankful she “gets” my stories and is on my side. She presently is circulating two manuscripts. And recently, I’ve had the honor of receiving the People’s Choice Award in the 2014 FamilyFiction Short Story Contest. 

I’m hoping the proverbial tide is changing for me, but I know I cannot achieve anything short of what He wants for me. I am trusting God. His time will be the right time.

What aspect (s) of your faith are your most passionate in exploring in your writing? 

In the two manuscripts I’ve submitted to my agent the emphasis has been that we can rely on God as our Holy Father and that He loves us unconditionally, but we must also want Him in our lives as much as He wants us in His.

Everyone's Story. Tell us how this evolved. Your passion is to share "new voices" in Christian fiction? Why is that? 

Before I began my blog I felt a push by my writing peers and the writing industry to develop a platform. I didn’t have the means or the time outside of my day job to do anything extraordinary so I stuck to what I felt was/is this outside-of-me-force was/is gearing me to: writing. I’ve always been intrigued by people and how they think. Plus, as a reader, I can never overindulge in devouring inspiration and encouragement to thrive in life. It is my hope that my blog accomplishes this. I aim to uplift the reader and writer and all in-between.

As for my guests, yes, I’ve hosted many new voices. Established authors have also guest appeared, as well as non-published writers, and a few non-Christian writers. As I’ve said, I’m interested in encouraging others through the venue of what we share in common: our appreciation of story. 

If anyone is interested in appearing on my blog they can contact me using the contact form on my blog’s main page.

And is it possible for you to share some stats with us?

I’ve started my blog in April of 2011, on my mother’s birthday (though she had passed many years prior). Because of my day job I am only able to manage and commit to hosting one weekly guest from Friday to Friday. I am blessed to be booked into next year. Later on today I will be posting my 211^th blog segment and will be turning 106,000 viewers from the international community (over 130 countries). 

Compared to many other bloggers or group bloggers Everyone’s Story may be small stuff. In the beginning I was more fixated on numbers, but not so much these days. Like my writing, I’m trying my best to kick back and enjoy it. My blog is what it is. I try my best to host my guests as if they’re guests in my home, trying to give them daily free publicity on social media sites. Give something and it gives back to you? Maybe. But one thing about blogging that has become priceless to me is the beauty I’ve seen exchanged and shared between guests and viewers, such as the encouragement to step forward in this scary world.

The same view but in Winter (brrrr...)

A final question I ask everyone, who are your favourite authors?

I read both ABA and CBA authors. My faves: Jodi Picoult, Harlan Coben, and Angela Hunt.

Thanks Elaine for sharing on ACW.

Elaine’s Bio

Elaine Stock never expected that a college major in psychology and sociology would walk her through the see-saw industries of food service and the weight-loss business; co-ownership with her husband in piano restoration and 10 years in community service. All great fodder for writing fiction. 

In the spring of 2011 she shouted with joy when she placed in the Semi-finals category in the ACFW Genesis Contest for her novel WALK WITH ME. In 2013 she received the honor of My Book Therapy's Frasier Bronze Medalist award for her novel NO GOING BACK. In 2014 she was blessed with the news that her short story IN HIS OWN TIME won the People's Choice Award in the FamilyFiction Contest and will be published in a printed anthology. She hangs out often on Twitter, daily on her blog, Everyone’s Story, and occasionally FaceBook.

Where you can find Elaine:

Everyone's Story:  http://elainestock.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ElaineStock

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElaineStock

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter