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Author Tales: Ellen Jensen Abbott

Ellen Jenen Abbott is the author for this Thursday's Author Tales. Ellen is the author of Watersmeet, her debut novel. Watersmeet was released You can read my review of Watersmeet, here. For more information on Ellen and her novel, you can visit her website.



What drew you to the fantasy genre?

I write fantasy because I think it taps into something very basic to all of us: stories of mystery, magic, power beyond ourselves. Myths and legends have been told practically since humans discovered language—and what are myths and legends if not fantasy? Our world today has less and less mystery to it, and I think a lot of us long for that sense of wonder which you can find in fantasy. Plus, it's just lots of fun! I had a great time putting my own mark on fairies, centaurs, dwarves and other creatures—taking these classic characters and making them mine.

Who was your favorite character in Watersmeet or who was the one you identified with the most?

My favorite character is the dwarf, Haret. He has a crusty, grumpy exterior but cares deeply about his family, his heritage and, eventually, the main character, Abisina. He is good through and through, though flawed. He has loads of personality, too, which was fun to create.

I think I identify with my main character, Abisina, though I didn't realize how much until quite late in the process of writing the novel. Way back at the beginning, I drew on my own experiences to create her, but I thought I had purged most of that out of her, making her her own person. Then, a friend mentioned to me how much Abisina searches for a sense of home and it struck me—that has been a strong element in my personal journey as well! Even when you are trying not to, you end up writing what you know!

If your book was made into a movie, which actors would you choose to play the hero and heroine?

Wow. That's a tough one. I guess I shouldn't just list the actors I most would like to meet on the movie set! The main characters, Abisina and her father, Rueshlan, have very distinct coloring: both have black hair and copper skin. I imagine them as Latino, Native American, or Indian. Jimmy Smits would play Rueshlan well. Abisina is a teenager, so for her we would need a world-wide casting call. The next Penelope Cruz?

I'm sure becoming a writer was a dream of your, now that, that has happened, is there anything else you dream of doing?

Ski the Rockies. For the last five years I've skied regularly in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania—it's time for some more vertical drop!

I think every writer whose debut is out worries that he/she is a one-book-wonder, so I still have the dream of being a writer—only this time with two books to my name!

What's next for you?

I am working on the sequel to Watersmeet—I've planned a four book series. I also have ideas for two historical novels and a Middle Grade contemporary fantasy. That should keep me busy for a while!



Thanks Ellen!