Tell us something unique about you.

Something unique….mmmmm. Well, Elaine is my middle name that has been carried through my family like a vintage jewel being passed down, carrying many stories with it. Almost every female in my lineage carries Elaine as their middle name, including my daughters. Elaine is an old name derived from the Greek Helena, deeply rooted in Arthurian legend, and meaning light or shining light. 

What inspires you to write?

Everything in life has inspired me to write. I’ve written from a young age and have found that life itself is like poetry, inspiring me to write about experiences, places, people I’ve met, and the earth itself. It’s such a great outlet for thoughts to come to life and to release certain energy that may be kept inside our minds. 

What have you written so far?

I’ve written several works of many different genres! My published works so far include Veiled Whispers and Kaleidoscope Within from the trilogy of poetry books I’m writing. My unpublished work is a long list. However, I’ll name a few. While attending college, I won a bronze medal for a non-fiction short story I wrote about a chocolate chip. I also used to write for my high school paper, and around that same time, friends would have me write poems for them to give to their loved ones.

Do you work with an outline or plot sketch, or do you prefer to let a general idea guide your writing?

As far as my process of writing, I definitely let a general idea guide me into words, and then it flows from there. For poetry, it is a little different for me. I usually will create the names of poems I want to write based on the idea of the collective book, and then go back to each one, letting the poem name guide me into words.

Can you share a little bit about your latest book?

My latest book is called Kaleidoscope Within, which is a poetry book from the trilogy I’m writing, entitled Ballads of a Gypsy Soul. It contains poems of self-reflection, inner work on the soul, truths about experiences, and my journey of the many selves we all are throughout life. Its purpose is to force others to look within as well and realize life is but a collection of many colorful moments all put together intricately creating a design just like a kaleidoscope! 

What was the hardest thing about writing your latest book?

The hardest part was putting the experiences into words that would properly reflect the moments I was writing about. To write them, it took some reliving of the stories to get it right. 

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively?

I’ve evolved over time creatively through gaining knowledge and wisdom in life. I have learned to turn healing into language, and language into a lantern for others. My work has become more about communicating healing, identity, purpose, and transformation. 

What is your next project?

I have several projects in the works! First, I’m steadily writing the third and final poetry book from the Ballads of a Gypsy Soul collection. Second, I have an anthology that will include one hundred women who have risen and overcome trials in life successfully. Third, I have an herbal remedies book which will pair with my master’s diploma in herbalism once complete. Lastly, I really want to begin my first fantasy series, but that’s all I’ll say about that for now because I’m keeping it a secret.  

What do you like to read in your free time?

Oh, gosh, I read a lot of books and always have. Currently, I’m reading the Mahabharata, which is very interesting to say the least. I’m also reading a lot of herb books and goddess training books. I do find myself going back to my favorites despite having read them a million times. Authors like Anne Rice, Stephen King, George R.R. Martin, J.R. Tolkien, and the list goes on, there are just too many to list that I love! Shel Silverstein also sticks out in my mind! I literally make time for reading, even if my schedule is busy; I’ll be falling asleep with a book in my hand. 

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