It gives me great pleasure to welcome Elaine Isaak aka E. Chris Ambrose onto the website today. Elaine writes adventure and dark historical fantasy novels as well as non-fiction travel books when she isn't teaching rock climbing and organising her own real life adventures like kayaking and mountain biking.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Elaine.
Elaine: I mostly grew up in central Massachusetts with frequent trips to family centers in San Diego, Seattle and Colorado. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a writer, and have saved a lot (probably too many!) of my early writings, so I took a variety of summer classes and workshops in writing, and started what became my first novel during a camp when I was 16. Up until recently, I've worked as an adventure guide out of my local YMCA, leading teens and adults for rock climbing, hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. That kind of work is a great balance for writing because it forces me to stand up, get active, and be focused on real people instead of those inside my head.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Elaine: My brand is knowledge-inspired adventure fiction. I read a lot of non-fiction, travel, and visit museums that spark lots of ideas, and I rarely write a book that doesn't involve a lot of research (even my fantasy novels). I aim for action and character growth, without a lot of internal dialog or contemplation. I'd be curious to know what readers perceive as my themes. One is that there's always more to history than it appears on the surface. People of long ago had many of the same fears and hopes we do today, and just as much will to overcome their challenges. The closer I look at any given place and time, the more I discover, then I look for exciting ways to share those tidbits with my readership.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Elaine: While I'm researching, I start to get ideas for locations, events and details I want to work with, so I create a spreadsheet to manage the information and timelines. That's where the character and plot ideas begin to spark. I jot those on note cards and then shuffle them and rearrange for maximum tension. One of my writing maxims is that only trouble is interesting, so I'm always looking for ways to make things worse. Those notecards become the outline. It's more skeletal than detailed, but it gives me enough structure to build out into an engaging narrative through scenes.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Elaine.
Elaine: I mostly grew up in central Massachusetts with frequent trips to family centers in San Diego, Seattle and Colorado. I knew from an early age that I wanted to be a writer, and have saved a lot (probably too many!) of my early writings, so I took a variety of summer classes and workshops in writing, and started what became my first novel during a camp when I was 16. Up until recently, I've worked as an adventure guide out of my local YMCA, leading teens and adults for rock climbing, hiking, kayaking and mountain biking. That kind of work is a great balance for writing because it forces me to stand up, get active, and be focused on real people instead of those inside my head.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Elaine: My brand is knowledge-inspired adventure fiction. I read a lot of non-fiction, travel, and visit museums that spark lots of ideas, and I rarely write a book that doesn't involve a lot of research (even my fantasy novels). I aim for action and character growth, without a lot of internal dialog or contemplation. I'd be curious to know what readers perceive as my themes. One is that there's always more to history than it appears on the surface. People of long ago had many of the same fears and hopes we do today, and just as much will to overcome their challenges. The closer I look at any given place and time, the more I discover, then I look for exciting ways to share those tidbits with my readership.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Elaine: While I'm researching, I start to get ideas for locations, events and details I want to work with, so I create a spreadsheet to manage the information and timelines. That's where the character and plot ideas begin to spark. I jot those on note cards and then shuffle them and rearrange for maximum tension. One of my writing maxims is that only trouble is interesting, so I'm always looking for ways to make things worse. Those notecards become the outline. It's more skeletal than detailed, but it gives me enough structure to build out into an engaging narrative through scenes.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Elaine: My next release will be The Maya Bust, the fourth in my Bone Guard archaeological adventure series. These books revolve around former special forces intelligence officers working to defend cultural artifacts. Here's the official blurb:
A secret stash, a hidden tomb, a father's love—sworn in blood.
When his commander's estranged daughter vanishes in Guatemala, Grant Casey treks a deadly jungle and dives a sacred cenote to free her from a drug smuggler looking for a stash in an ancient pyramid.
Before his death in a rain of gunfire at her Quinceañeria, Raxha's druglord father encoded a map on a cacao cup, a map that might lead her to millions in drugs in the tomb of Maya royalty. A decade later, his old mistress gave the cup to some Americans to prevent Raxha from completing the delivery and re-establishing the influence of the deadly Zetas cartel. Determined to claim her father's legacy, kidnapping is only the beginning of a quest that may end with Raxha tearing out the heart of her enemy.
Awakened by a call from his old commander's ex, and sworn to secrecy about his rescue mission, Grant's integrity is torn. Does he betray his client's trust, or the man who hated him for so long, the man who risked his life to save Grant's own? He sets up for his CO to follow the clues while he tracks down Lexi's friends to find the cup—and only then finds out Lexi's boyfriend is missing, too. How complicated could this get? Oh, yeah, Lexi is deaf, the police are complicit, and their adversary keeps a pet jaguar. When the ransom exchange goes south, Grant embeds with the bad guys in a desperate attempt to rescue the victims before they become the latest blood sacrifice.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Elaine: Probably Put Me in the Zoo or Where the Wild Things Are. When I was a child, my family had the practice of reading aloud together around the dining room table after Sunday dinner, and I remember the first chapter I got to read out loud was from The Lord of the Rings, and contained lots of Dwarf and Elf speech.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Elaine: I am catching up on Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series, so I recently read A Banquet of Consequences, which is about the death of an author. I love her immersive approach to the characters' lives, how they grow and change over the course of the series. And in this case, the startling, yet perfect ending.
Elaine: My next release will be The Maya Bust, the fourth in my Bone Guard archaeological adventure series. These books revolve around former special forces intelligence officers working to defend cultural artifacts. Here's the official blurb:
A secret stash, a hidden tomb, a father's love—sworn in blood.
When his commander's estranged daughter vanishes in Guatemala, Grant Casey treks a deadly jungle and dives a sacred cenote to free her from a drug smuggler looking for a stash in an ancient pyramid.
Before his death in a rain of gunfire at her Quinceañeria, Raxha's druglord father encoded a map on a cacao cup, a map that might lead her to millions in drugs in the tomb of Maya royalty. A decade later, his old mistress gave the cup to some Americans to prevent Raxha from completing the delivery and re-establishing the influence of the deadly Zetas cartel. Determined to claim her father's legacy, kidnapping is only the beginning of a quest that may end with Raxha tearing out the heart of her enemy.
Awakened by a call from his old commander's ex, and sworn to secrecy about his rescue mission, Grant's integrity is torn. Does he betray his client's trust, or the man who hated him for so long, the man who risked his life to save Grant's own? He sets up for his CO to follow the clues while he tracks down Lexi's friends to find the cup—and only then finds out Lexi's boyfriend is missing, too. How complicated could this get? Oh, yeah, Lexi is deaf, the police are complicit, and their adversary keeps a pet jaguar. When the ransom exchange goes south, Grant embeds with the bad guys in a desperate attempt to rescue the victims before they become the latest blood sacrifice.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Elaine: Probably Put Me in the Zoo or Where the Wild Things Are. When I was a child, my family had the practice of reading aloud together around the dining room table after Sunday dinner, and I remember the first chapter I got to read out loud was from The Lord of the Rings, and contained lots of Dwarf and Elf speech.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Elaine: I am catching up on Elizabeth George's Inspector Lynley series, so I recently read A Banquet of Consequences, which is about the death of an author. I love her immersive approach to the characters' lives, how they grow and change over the course of the series. And in this case, the startling, yet perfect ending.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Elaine: If Indiana Jones had served in Special Forces...
Oh, that's probably not what you mean! But developing solid taglines and blurbs is hugely important. I love doing bookstore events and talking with readers at conventions (both things that stopped during the pandemic, but are returning now!) I am experimenting more with advertising through online media, so we'll see how that goes!
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Elaine: Walk the dog, felt or design something to make. Lately, I've enjoyed building miniatures and architecture for my husband's wargaming.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Elaine: Claire North is a current favorite. She dives deep into a single supernatural novum in each book, and really explores what it means to the characters. Mary Doria Russell frequently blows me away, and her book, The Sparrow, is one that makes me think I want to write a book that affects someone that much. N. K. Jemisin's fantasy work is amazing: Complex and moving. Her book, The Fifth Season, won so many awards, all of them well-earned.
Alex: Where can readers find your books?
Elaine: Here's a link to the series page on Amazon: https://bit.ly/BoneGuardSeries
Readers can join my newsletter to get three free short stories! https://bit.ly/RocinanteStories
And my main website shows not only the thriller novels, but also my fantasy and historical fantasy work! www.RocinanteBooks.com
Alex: Thank you so much, Elaine for sharing your writing journey with us.
Elaine: My pleasure, Alex. It's been great to chat.
Elaine: If Indiana Jones had served in Special Forces...
Oh, that's probably not what you mean! But developing solid taglines and blurbs is hugely important. I love doing bookstore events and talking with readers at conventions (both things that stopped during the pandemic, but are returning now!) I am experimenting more with advertising through online media, so we'll see how that goes!
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Elaine: Walk the dog, felt or design something to make. Lately, I've enjoyed building miniatures and architecture for my husband's wargaming.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Elaine: Claire North is a current favorite. She dives deep into a single supernatural novum in each book, and really explores what it means to the characters. Mary Doria Russell frequently blows me away, and her book, The Sparrow, is one that makes me think I want to write a book that affects someone that much. N. K. Jemisin's fantasy work is amazing: Complex and moving. Her book, The Fifth Season, won so many awards, all of them well-earned.
Alex: Where can readers find your books?
Elaine: Here's a link to the series page on Amazon: https://bit.ly/BoneGuardSeries
Readers can join my newsletter to get three free short stories! https://bit.ly/RocinanteStories
And my main website shows not only the thriller novels, but also my fantasy and historical fantasy work! www.RocinanteBooks.com
Alex: Thank you so much, Elaine for sharing your writing journey with us.
Elaine: My pleasure, Alex. It's been great to chat.
