About Elaine
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Brief Bio: Although, I've written everything from poems to short stories as far back as I can remember, my writing career didn't officially began until my first book, “Love's Inferno” which was published in 2005 by the now defunct BET Books. Like most of the BET authors at the time that HQ acquired BET Books, I went along for the ride and continued writing under the Kimani Romance Line. In 2013 I released my first self-published title "Rent-A-Bride."
I grew up in Detroit and served a few years in the Army. I traveled a bit before finally resettling in my hometown. I am the proud mother of a wonderful young man. I have a full time “day job” as an administrative assistant. I enjoy visiting places I've never been, listening to people with ideas different from mine, and most of all creating imaginary worlds filled with colorful characters and interesting storylines. I LOVE to hear from readers!
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A Few FAQs
What made you want to write? A seventh grade Gong Show . . . seriously. All my friends were entering. Some boys I knew were doing their own New Edition rendition of “Candy Girl”, and some girls I knew were doing a modern dance performance - a sorta of tribute to Alvin Ailey. And I wanted to do something as well. But trust - you do not want to see me sing and dance. I’ve been told it’s . . . . disturbing. Anyway, in a desperate bid to be included I did the only artistic thing I had any talent for – I wrote. At the time it was a comedy skit that I talked a few of my friends into acting out. Surprisingly, we won first place! And as I sauntered (yes, I said sauntered) onto the stage to collect our prize I knew I was hooked, and I’ve been writing ever since.
Are any of your books series? Most of my books are stand alone titles. My interconnecting characters and book series are listed here.
How long does it take you to write a book? Since I work a regular day job, I tend to write in the evenings and on the weekends. So, beyond that limitation it just depends on the project. Typically, about 10 to 12 weeks for the first draft and edits, IF I create an outline and do the appropriate research BEFORE I start writing. I’m not the most disciplined creature, so I have had to train myself to follow a process, and for the most part it works. When I finish a book I put it away and take a long break. I binge new shows, read my favorite author’s latest releases, catch up with the people in my life and just unwind – before I go back and do my FINAL edits and prep it for publication. This allows me to return to it with fresh eyes and it really does make a difference.
Where do you get your ideas? I know it sounds cliché, but literally everywhere. Songs I hear, people I pass on the street, the weather, everywhere. Ultimately, wherever the ideas come from, I just thank God they come, and hope they never stop!
Who are your favorite authors? Too many to name, and they change constantly as new authors arrive on the scene and older authors retire. I am a true die-hard romance reader, and I like all kinds: historical, contemporary, supernatural, you name it. This is a harsh world we live in, and for me, reading is escapism, so romance with its much criticized HEA endings will always be my refuge.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? The best piece of advice I can give is to FINISH THE BOOK!! This is the no. #1 hang up I hear from aspiring authors. And believe me, I've been there, too. As Nora Roberts once said "You can fix a bad page, but you can't fix a blank page."
Which of your books & characters are your favorite? I once told a reader that asking me to choose between my books, is like asking a mother to choose between her children. I can’t say I like this one more than that one without feeling disloyal. When I'm writing a book that is always my favorite until I start a new one and discover, nope, that one's my favorite!
Where can I find your older out-of-print books? Most of my earlier books are still available from various sellers online. Also, I sell new copies of some of my books in Bookstore.
Now that you're self-published, do you have any plans to continue writing for traditional publishers? I don't know what the future will bring, so I never say never. But as far as my immediate plans I'm focused on my self publishing projects.
Are any of your books series? Most of my books are stand alone titles. My interconnecting characters and book series are listed here.
How long does it take you to write a book? Since I work a regular day job, I tend to write in the evenings and on the weekends. So, beyond that limitation it just depends on the project. Typically, about 10 to 12 weeks for the first draft and edits, IF I create an outline and do the appropriate research BEFORE I start writing. I’m not the most disciplined creature, so I have had to train myself to follow a process, and for the most part it works. When I finish a book I put it away and take a long break. I binge new shows, read my favorite author’s latest releases, catch up with the people in my life and just unwind – before I go back and do my FINAL edits and prep it for publication. This allows me to return to it with fresh eyes and it really does make a difference.
Where do you get your ideas? I know it sounds cliché, but literally everywhere. Songs I hear, people I pass on the street, the weather, everywhere. Ultimately, wherever the ideas come from, I just thank God they come, and hope they never stop!
Who are your favorite authors? Too many to name, and they change constantly as new authors arrive on the scene and older authors retire. I am a true die-hard romance reader, and I like all kinds: historical, contemporary, supernatural, you name it. This is a harsh world we live in, and for me, reading is escapism, so romance with its much criticized HEA endings will always be my refuge.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? The best piece of advice I can give is to FINISH THE BOOK!! This is the no. #1 hang up I hear from aspiring authors. And believe me, I've been there, too. As Nora Roberts once said "You can fix a bad page, but you can't fix a blank page."
Which of your books & characters are your favorite? I once told a reader that asking me to choose between my books, is like asking a mother to choose between her children. I can’t say I like this one more than that one without feeling disloyal. When I'm writing a book that is always my favorite until I start a new one and discover, nope, that one's my favorite!
Where can I find your older out-of-print books? Most of my earlier books are still available from various sellers online. Also, I sell new copies of some of my books in Bookstore.
Now that you're self-published, do you have any plans to continue writing for traditional publishers? I don't know what the future will bring, so I never say never. But as far as my immediate plans I'm focused on my self publishing projects.