I met Ellen Withers several years ago, though not in person. That happened November before last. Then, I was blessed to be one of her content editors. And I've been able to see her again since then. And y'all, she's so fun. She's a sister Scrivenings Press author and now a dear friend. I'm thrilled to have her for my author interview this month because I know you're going to love her too. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for information about her new book! Ellen, most of your stories are done in split-time, where part is set in present day and part in the past. Which is harder for you to write? Why? It’s harder to write the historical portions. You have to do a lot of research. Clothing, shoes, transportation, and speech/dialogue are all different from current times. Sometimes I have to research whether a word I want to use even existed at the time. I enjoy the historical work because we can learn so much from history. Some of the trials and tribulations in history still apply to our problems and feelings today. As you've done research for your stories, what's something fun you've discovered that you never expected to learn? Two things uncovered in research were unexpected. The Union Army occupied Mexico, Missouri for the entire duration of the Civil War because the railroad lines that ran through town were critical to hold the entire upper half of the state of Missouri for their cause. Because Missouri was a border state, almost divided equally between Southern sympathizers and Union loyalists, nearly half of the state resented the Union presence. Ulysses Grant was in town for about 6 weeks in 1861 as a Colonel. When he arrived, he put a stop to the Union soldiers stealing from local farmers and making citizens declare their loyalty to the union at gunpoint. The locals, leaning both Union and Southern, adored him because of instituting those two changes. In a historical part of Show Me Deceit, a main character goes on an errand to the root cellar and gets frightened by a snake skin (not a live snake). In my research, I discovered live snakes were often found in root cellars in the summer. In the winter and spring, they would find snake skin that would scare them into thinking the snakes were still there. I wanted that scare to happen to my main character. It showed her character and enriched the story. I think we forget how lucky we are to live in a time with modern conveniences. Which one of your characters is most like you and why? This was a tough question for me. I can tell you Nicole is least like me, because she has such confidence in herself. I am one to pick apart my shortcomings. I admire Liesl for her courage and her inquisitiveness. Can’t say that I’m courageous, but I’m certainly inquisitive. Of the three main characters, I feel I’m most like Kurt. He makes mistakes, but he’s always ready to make amends for his behavior. I can relate to making mistakes. But I always push on and try to learn from them, similar to Kurt. Can you tell us a little about Mexico, Missouri? What made you choose to set your stories there besides you having lived there in the past? As I was planning my mystery series, I was using my hometown as inspiration. It is the perfect, quintessential small town; Beautiful architecture, interesting history, and the fun fact that everyone knows everyone’s business. Then one day it occurred to me that I should use it as my actual setting. I checked with my publisher and was approved. With more than one hundred and fifty years of history there, why couldn’t I use that? We get busy with our lives and goals, which can cause us to forget about our roots and history. This leads to history being forgotten. Including it in my writing was a good way to bring this information to readers. When I read Killer Angels, a Pulitzer prize winning book about the Battle of Gettysburg by Michael Shaara, I had never read history told in such an exciting, historical suspense format. Although my books could not compare to his work, I hope I reveal history in a way that’s interesting to a reader. What are you working on next? Can you give us a sneak peek? The Show Me Series has done well and I have a contract for book three and four in the series. Book Three will be called Show Me Skullduggery and will feature Simmons Stables, the oldest-known structure in the US continuously devoted to training and boarding champion American Saddlebred horses. There will be an associated storyline to the stables both in the present and during historical times. I’m writing that book later this spring and summer. Right now, I’ve been doing research for it. I’m also interested in writing a mystery series set in Hot Springs, Arkansas. There is fascinating history in the area, as well as a current vibrant community. And last, but not least, can you please leave us with a fact about yourself that very few people know? It would surprise many people to know that I grew up hunting, fishing, and frog gigging. My dad was a hunter and a fisherman. To spend extra time with him, I liked to tag along. Some of my best memories involve spending time with my dad in the great outdoors. Ellen, thanks so much for chatting with us today! I can't wait to hear more about that series set in Hot Springs! Readers, keep going to find out more about her and her books. ![]() Take a walk through time with Show Me Deceit, book two of the Show Me Mystery Series. Mexico, Missouri is the setting of the mysteries where death encompasses two eras, Civil War and contemporary. Liesl, Nicole, and Detective Kurt Hunter have previously put a killer behind bars. Now they must combine their skills and work together again to stop the plunder of local charities and solve the mystery of a Union soldier’s death. Can Liesl and Kurt work together again as friends, putting aside their former romance to solve these mysteries? Ellen Withers is an award-winning fiction writer, freelance writer, and retired insurance fraud investigator. Her mystery dual-time series, Show Me Mysteries, set in her picturesque hometown of Mexico, Missouri, is published by Scrivenings Press. Book One of the series, Show Me Betrayal, received excellent reviews. Book two, Show Me Deceit, will publish May 2024.
Ellen’s nonfiction book to help writers win writing contests comes out in August 2024. Magic Words: How to Enchant Judges & Conjure Contest Wins will be a helpful resource for all writers interested in winning contests for their short stories, and full length fiction and nonfiction works. More information about Ellen, her books, writing tips, and highlights of guest authors is on her website: www.ellenewithers.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071728886831 Amazon profile: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BWZ1G7JS Instagram profile: https://instagram.com/lnwithers?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/33215146.Ellen_E_Withers Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-e-withers?list=about
1 Comment
3/4/2024 09:42:31 am
Thank you for featuring me and my book today. I greatly appreciate it. And thank you for being my friend. You’re a joyous person!
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