Literary Birthday – 19 January – Elle Kennedy

Happy Birthday, Elle Kennedy, born 19 January 1982.

Elle Kennedy Quotes

1. My writing process is pretty simple. I start with an outline. Sometimes it’s detailed scene by scene (if I’m writing a book with suspense elements), and other times it’s just a loose idea of who is in the book, what they are like, what major plot beats will take place, and how they get there. Once I start writing, a lot of what I’ve planned will evolve, but it gives me a good starting point. (Hey It’s Carly Rae)
2. I just require silence – if my phone rings or something jars me from the “zone,” it takes a while to get back into that writing space. I usually just tell people I’ll be MIA, mute my phone, and hide in my writing cave. (Hey It’s Carly Rae)
3. My mother says I was telling stories before I could even dress myself. I also loved to read (I was one of those kids who brought a book to the dinner table and got yelled at). I wrote my first “book” in the first grade; it was about 20 pages long. And then my first real “novel” when I was 12. By the time I was a teenager, I was already submitting work to publishers and piling up the rejection letters. Basically, being a writer is all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life. (The Nerd daily)
4. I’m a huge fan of Stephen King and his ability to create the most unique universes and story lines with characters who come alive for you. And I love Danielle Steel—her romances are so epic! I have pretty much all of her books on my shelf. (Goodreads)
5. Stories need a solid foundation but also a fun, interesting hook. As a reader, I can usually tell within the first handful of pages if it’s going to be a book I’ll enjoy. I guess the key is to start the book at the right place and then make it engaging enough that readers will want to keep turning the page. (Goodreads)
6. I usually have a daily word quota I need to meet. (Words Read & Written)
7. If writing is your passion, don’t ever give up! I got so many rejections from agents/publishers when I was first starting out, and it would have been so easy to give up and say “Okay, guess this isn’t going to pan out.” But I kept submitting and writing and honing my craft, and all that struggle was worth it in the end. (Words Read & Written)
8. Write often and be open to receiving feedback (and criticism) from people you trust. Don’t be married to your words. A book can and usually will go through many edits, so you have to be willing to revise or rewrite sometimes. (Her Campus)
9. Don’t stress about bad reviews or rejections. For every person who hates your book, there is a person who is going to love it. (Her Campus)

Elle Kennedy is a Canadian bestselling author of more than 50 contemporary New Adult romance and romantic suspense novels. Her books feature strong heroines and alpha heroes. Her popular Off-Campus series has appeared on multiple bestsellers lists and has been released worldwide. The series is set to be adapted by Amazon MGM Studios titled under the same name, Off Campus. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram and visit her website.

Source for image: Author’s Website

by Amanda Patterson

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