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.
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| 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 211th 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.
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| 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
