Author Interview: E.L. James

Bona Fide Reflections welcomes the author of 

Fifty Shades of Grey and Fifty Shades Darker, E.L. James.

Laurielu:  Ms. James, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

E.L. James:  I live in West London in the UK with 4 men: two teenagers, a grumpy Irishman (my husband) and a wee West Highland Terrier called Max.  When we had a hamster (called Chewy – named by my youngest son after Chewbacca) I insisted that he was male too. Yes -- I am the only girl in this house.  I work for a small independent television production company, making mainly comedy shows (I really do work with a bunch of comedians.) I have only ever worked in television but in that sphere I have done everything from live music to drama to documentaries. I love where I work at the moment because I am part-time – which means I am free sometimes to write!

Laurielu:  If you could describe yourself with one word, what would it be?

E.L. James:  Anxious, funny, cowardly, brave – delete as appropriate.

Laurielu:  When did you start writing and how did you get started?

E.L. James:  I have always wanted to write but could never find the time or get beyond the first chapter or so. At the beginning of 2009 I read the Twilight series, and I loved it.  I found it so inspiring I sat down and wrote my first novel. I then wrote another, and in the Summer of 2009 I discovered fan fiction.  I had a go at that – wrote one story in 3 weeks, then a story that eventually became the Fifty Shades series.

Laurielu:  Can you tell us about your challenges in getting you first book published?

E.L. James:  I’ll be honest and say it hasn’t been a challenge. I asked The Writer’s Coffee Shop if they wanted the book and they said yes.

Laurielu:  If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?

E.L. James:  No. It is what it is. 

Laurielu:  How do you market your work? What avenues have you found work best for publishing contemporary romance?

E.L. James: I am still too new to this business to answer this question. My first book only came out at the end of May!

Laurielu: I understand you have a primary career in the communications industry. How do you find time to write?

E.L. James: I only work part time – most of the time – though at the moment it’s pretty full-on as we’re in production of a pilot for a new comedy show

Laurielu:  What is the main inspiration for you writing?

E.L. James: That’s a very difficult question to answer. I usually start with one very simple idea, then see where it takes me.  It can sometimes come from a passing phrase, or I get a glimpse of something out a car window… who can say?

Laurielu:  When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?

E.L. James: My first novel - which is unpublished - I started writing in January 2009 and finished in April 2009.

Laurielu:  Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as adult?

E.L. James:  I love romantic fiction.  I have an attic full of romance books: Elizabeth Lowell, Nora Roberts, Laura Kinsale, and Judith McNaught are my favourite authors -to name but a few.

Laurielu:  Is anything in Fifty Shades Trilogy based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?

E.L. James: Mostly my imagination ;)

Laurielu: What other writing projects are you writing besides trying to complete the Fifty Shades Trilogy?

E.L. James:   I’d like to re-write my first two novels. The first is another contemporary erotic romance, the second is a young adult paranormal story.  But I am working on a new contemporary romance at the moment.

Laurielu:  How can readers contact you?

E.L. James: Via my blog at www.50shades.com - my contact details are here.



Happy Reading from Bona Fide Reflections!!