Q&A with Ellie Campbell

Ellie Campbell is a pseudonym for sisters, Pam Burks and Lorraine Campbell who collaborate across the mighty Atlantic from their respective homes in Surrey, England and Colorado, USA, finding writing together a great excuse for endless phone conversations.   Together they have written three previous novels How To Survive Your Sisters, When Good Friends Go Bad and Looking For La La. They love any chance to connect with their readers.
 

Ellie Campbell is represented by the Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency. For further information and to get in contact with them please visit their website.

 

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Hi! Thank you for doing a Q&A with me about your newest book To Catch a Creeper. It is the second book in the ‘A Crouch End Confidential Mystery Series’. I just loved ‘Looking for La La’, it was one of my favourite books last year. I was thrilled to ask you a few questions about this amazing series, which I loved so much. So, here we go…

 

1.    Can you tell us a bit more about To Catch a Creeper?

It’s a chicklit mystery – a funny entertaining rollercoaster ride about a North London wife and mother who once again finds herself involved in solving a murder, while surmounting marital crises, career crises, friendship crises and everyday parental challenges. This time there’s a burglar terrorizing the neighbourhood and a transvestite as the prime suspect.  Of course Cathy’s female friendships are a vital part of the story, she’s coping with an ill-fated  return to work and her long-suffering husband has his own issues to deal with.

 

2.    Did you always know that you were going to make these books into a series?

No. We set out to write Looking for La La as a stand-alone novel, but after we finished it, we found that we really missed writing about Cathy and her mad friends.  It had been such fun and we’d both enjoyed it hugely. We were also encouraged by all the lovely readers and bloggers out there who supported us during La La’s launch.  We were amazed and thrilled with the response, and having fabulous comments and reviews from reviewers encouraged us to carry on.

 

3.    Out of all the characters you have created, which one would be your favourite to write about and why?

It has to be Cathy as she’s the main character and we’re with her all the way, but we’re both rather fond of Rosa, her best friend. Like Cathy, we’re a ‘little bit in love with her’ ourselves.

 

4.    What is your favourite part of writing a book together?

Just having a good old chinwag as we discuss ideas.  We can also really make each other laugh letting our imaginations run wild.  Our phonecalls have been known to be hours long. Another favourite aspect is having someone else take over, when we’re having a bad day.  You can just take time off, come back to it the next morning and a whole new chapter has magically appeared. 

 

5.    Do you have any tips on writing a novel for aspiring authors?

Just do it. Once an idea forms in your mind, then go with it. Sit down at your computer or at your desk or wherever and start writing. Don’t look back, just keep going and see where those thoughts take you. Don’t edit that first draft and don’t let anyone discourage you.  In fact don’t show anyone until you’re at least halfway into your second draft. More than anything enjoy the process because even if you never publish that first novel, it will be a learning curve and an achievement.

 

6.    Here at 23 Review Street, I/We love cupcakes. What is your favourite cupcake?

When we launched our first novel, How to Survive Your Sisters, we decided to hire the Pavilion café in our local park.  It was a fabulous sunny evening, all our friends and family came, the pink sparkling wine flowed and we ate lots and lots of pink cupcakes made by a fabulous lady in South London.  My mouth’s watering just thinking of them.  We’re happy with any cupcakes, as long as there’s cream and chocolate in there somewhere. Preferably a raspberry on top.

 

Thank you so much for doing the Q&A, I loved reading To Catch a Creeper, I can’t wait for your next book to read another amazing novel.

 

Thank you so much Sophie Kate, you have been so encouraging and such a fantastic reviewer.  We can’t thank you enough.

  Links to Purchase in UK   Looking For La La / To Catch A Creeper / How To Survive Your Sisters / When Good Friends Go Bad    Links to Purchase in US   Looking For La La / To Catch A Creeper / How To Survive Your Sisters / When Good Friends Go Bad    Links to Reviews   Looking For La La   To Catch A Creeper    Another day, another book,