Thank you, Eleanor,  for being on my blog.  So, what book shall we be discussing today?

My newest release is Housing Elephants that made its way into the world, full of trepidation, as my debut novel on 20^th November 2015. It is a story of love, life and all the troubles that they bring. It is about real people who find themselves in real life situations.

What is the story about?

It is about two lost souls who find themselves colliding but who have demons and skeletons to fight in order to see the light of day. I don’t want to give too much away, but here is the blurb if you would like to read it…

“… And the greatest of these is love.

Love is patient and kind… Its strength can build bridges and knock down walls. It can give people hope – a purpose. But there is a side to love that is unforgiving and cruel – a side to love that breaks hearts.

Love can suffocate, and love can turn to hate.

Billy Taylor meandered through life, only ever giving half. Ruled by his father’s grief, he gave up on his own dreams in a bid to keep life ticking along, desperately craving the unconditional love of his parents. It wasn’t until Eve Swallow fell into his life again, rousing his empty heart, that he dared to hope for a chance to live life on his terms.

Never quite good enough in the eyes of her overpowering mother, Eve kept herself locked away inside her own head, immersing herself in her passion for art and music, and doing anything in her power to avoid getting close to anyone. When she connected with Billy’s eyes, that still haunted her dreams after so long, fear kicked in, and all she could do was the one thing she was sure would protect her…

Run.

If two lost souls were to collide and a love so deep was born, it would surely take a herd of elephants to tear them apart…”

Who is the main character?

There are two main characters, Eve Swallow and Billy Taylor, but I think as the book goes on, Billy takes the leading role a bit more than Eve. He is a heart of gold kinda guy but with the weight of the world on his shoulders.

What inspired this tale?

I had written a short story as part of a creative writing course, and Eve and Billy featured in it. It all started from a black and white photograph of a young woman staring out of a train window.

How did the story come to you?

The pair of them decided one day to plague my thoughts and to tell me that they had more to say. I sat down to have a go at writing what they were telling me and it poured out! Lo and behold after some long nights and tiring weeks, I had written a 100,000 word novel! Funnily enough, the characters that Eve and Billy are now are completely different to who they started out as.

Did you have to research for this novel and if so, why?

I had to do a little research about a medical condition, but I won’t go to much into so as not to give anything away.

Do you relate to your character?

Both my characters experience things that I have never personally experienced, however, some of their feelings and emotions are definitely ones I can relate to.

Is your protagonist anything like you personally? If yes, then how?

Eve is like me in some ways. I am very artistic and I adore music like she does. She’s not as witty as me though 😉

What made you write this character; what made them important to you or made you want to tell their story?

If I’m honest, the characters made me write. I don’t really choose to write. It just comes out of me. It’s in there and it has to come out. The characters have lives of their own. You might have heard other authors talk about this, and you might also think that I am crazy like they are! As an author, these characters live and breath and you pretty much have no choice but to listen to their chattering’s. Well, that’s how it is for me anyway. The two of them became more and more important to me the more they revealed themselves, to the point where I was living and breathing them.

I would sit down to write some days with no idea what was going to happen. Then, I’d look up, and another 2,000 words would have appeared. Some days, I would think I knew what was going to happen next and they would go and switch the plot line on me. I literally have no control over my fingers sometimes. It just comes out, from nowhere. Well, from them…

Yeah ok, that does sound pretty darn crazy!

Is there anything specific you want readers to know about this piece of work?

I guess I want my readers to know that I poured my heart and soul into it to try to make it perfect for whoever chooses to read it. I guess I want to say that I hope I have created something that will touch even just one or two of you. I hope that it is a book that some people just ‘get’. It’s not about fame or money for me. I write for myself of course, but I write to give. I want to write stories that people fall in love with, and that alone will make me happy, even if it is just one person who’s heart I manage to touch.

Has the book already been published?

Yes, scarily!

Amazon UK: ‪http://tinyurl.com/pm2w2lh

Amazon US: ‪http://amzn.to/1SrptxX

Okay, let’s learn more about you, as a writer.  Who is Eleanor Lloyd-Jones?

Wow. Erm… Eleanor Lloyd-Jones is a normal, fun loving 40 something who enjoys the simple things in life.

I am obsessed with music and books. I love watching movies whilst pigging out on popcorn and chocolate. I love to laugh and to make people laugh… I feel I do that quite well! I reckon I’m pretty hilarious! Ha! I dunno… I guess ask my friends. They will tell you!

My Goodreads link is further down and my author bio is on there if you want to find out more!

What inspired you to start writing?

I’d been thinking about it for far too long. So, one day I decided to just go for it. I’ve always been into words and stringing them together, ever since I was little. But I suppose real life took a hold and my daydreams were cast aside for a while. I was nearing the big 4-0 and I decided that I needed to just go for it. So I did.

What is your favorite book you have written and why?

Housing Elephants… because it is my one and only.  I think it will always be my favorite too, just because it was my first one.

When you are not writing, what do you do to recharge?

Listen to music, sing, laugh, read… and sleep of course!

Are you an Indie Author or are you part of a publishing house?

Indie all the way, baby!

Do you read books within the genres you write?

I am branching out a little more with what I read now. I will pretty much give most things a go, but who doesn’t enjoy a perfect romance eh!

Besides being an author, do you have a second job?

Unfortunately, my second job is my writing. If only I could afford to quit real life and do this for a living! My day job is teaching. I am a primary school teacher.

What do you enjoy most about being an author?

Creating pictures with my words, building characters and worlds that are real enough for people to relate to, but fictional enough for people to get lost in. I just hope I do a good enough job, because most days, I feel like a fraud and I am waiting for someone to laugh in my face and tell me to give it all up!

Ok, let’s meet one of your characters.  Who are you?

What is your name?

Billy Taylor

Are you a fictional or historical character?

Fictional I guess… but I’m real.

What should we know about you?

That I love hard and that I am selfless until I have no choice but to not be.

Tell us about your story: When and where is your tale set?

In York, the most beautiful city in the north of England

What is your personal goal? I mean, what do you ultimately want?

Really? I want to be loved. Unconditionally. I don’t want to have to hold it all together by myself.

What is standing in your way? What conflict(s) do you face?

The heartache of others. The demons of life that come a-knocking just when you think you have got your shit figured out.

How can your readers connect with you?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eleanorlloydj/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EleanorLloydJ

Blog: http://eleanorlloydj.blogspot.co.uk

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBoljGLbWyUBlog

Amazon Author Page US: amazon.com/author/eleanorlloydjones

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26194983-housing-elephants

Click on the cover below to read a preview of the book: