Discover: Elena Hartwell - Mysteries and Mentorship

I was lucky enough to meet Elena Hartwell through a Facebook group for debut authors when I was a terrified, confused newbie. I will forever be grateful for a wiser, more experienced person who volunteers her time and energy to help others. On top of that, she’s a talented author herself who spins a darn good mystery!

Guest Blogger: Elena Hartwell, also writes as Elena Taylor

You’ve written and published fiction (mystery/suspense) and non-fiction (writing craft) books. What draws you to mysteries?

As a lifelong mystery reader, that is the genre I’m drawn to as a writer. When I worked as a playwright, I had a lot of humor in my plays, so it makes sense that my first mystery series was light and funny. The Eddie Shoes mysteries are in the vein of Sue Grafton, who was one of my earliest idols. My most recent mystery, All We Buried, is “dark and atmospheric,” which is why my publisher and I decided to put it out under a pen name (Elena Taylor). I always think the combination of great, complex characters and the puzzle of the whodunit is the perfect combination of plot and character. That concept is also something I discuss in my books on craft. The Foundation of Plot and the upcoming The Construction of Character break down how I think those two aspects work in conjunction with each other, regardless of genre.

Tell us a little about yourself. When you’re not writing, reading, or working with authors, what do you like to do?

Most of my free time is spent with my horses. Jasper (the benign dictator) and Radar (the goofball) make my day. Spending time outdoors with them, whether riding, doing groundwork, or just hanging out, is very good for my mental health. Working with animals that weigh more than 1000 pounds, you have to be in the present and focused on them. That’s actually a freedom, because you can let other stuff go. I also enjoy a good round of golf, though I don’t get out as much as I would like, road trips, and dog time with Polar and Wyatt. As you can tell, I’m very animal centric. I also have two cats that I love, though I don’t spend time training Cocoa and Coal Train like I do with the dogs and horses.

Research is one of the best parts of being an author, especially if you’re setting your book in a location you always wanted to visit (I mean, who doesn’t want to write off that trip to Paris?) or your main character has a hobby you’ve always wanted to try. What’s the funnest thing you’ve ever researched in the name of writing?

Oh wow, there have been so many amazing research opportunities! I would have to say the firefighting research in book three of my Eddie Shoes mysteries. I got to ride in fire trucks, hang out at the firehouse, and even got to sit in on their annual wild land fire refresher course. I found the firefighters to be incredibly friendly and helpful. We had one sobering ride, when a chief and I went to a location where a construction worker had died onsite from a fall. I rode out with the chief and back with the ambulance, as the deceased needed a medical examiner instead of a trip to the hospital. The combination of the excitement of the high speed drives, the engagement with the firefighters, then seeing firsthand the seriousness of their work really stayed with me well beyond what I needed for the novel.

You are involved with International Thriller Writers. Can you tell me a little bit about ITW and why suspense/mystery/thriller writers in all stages of their career can benefit by membership?

ITW is one of many writers organizations, but one of the best for thriller/suspense/mystery authors. I’m not a thriller writer, but the organization embraces all the genres in crime writing, including nonfiction. I have worked with their Debut Author Program for several years, ever since I debuted in 2016. The Debut Author Program is for anyone debuting with their first novel, published through an ITW-approved publishing house. In addition to virtual events, a private Facebook group, and social media engagement, there is a marvelous Debut Author Breakfast at ThrillerFest every year. Many of us say that event is the highlight of a debut year.

Currently, I’m the Director of Master Class. Master Class is a one day pre-conference event that puts a small group of writers alongside an exceptional, bestselling author, for an intensive workshop. Writers have their first 10 pages read by the instructors in advance, so the classes and feedback are individualized for each group. This can be a great way to hone skills for writers of any level, from published authors to those working on their first manuscript.

The organization supports writers from the earliest stages of their career to the end and all the steps in between. One of the lovely aspects of the organization is how much the established authors give back, sharing their skills and experience with newcomers. I highly recommend becoming a member regardless of whether or not a writer is published. Here’s the link to join.

Along with your work with ITW, you are HEAVILY involved with promoting and mentoring debut authors. As a recent debut myself I want to say a very heartfelt thank you and also ask what motivates you to spend so much of your personal time and energy helping debut authors?

Aw, thank you! It’s my pleasure. I think it’s an offshoot of my years of teaching. I love to help people find their voice and their community. I spent years in the theater and helping writers get to that first book matters to me too. My plays and the kinds of theater I did often focused on giving agency to people or communities who get lost in the mainstream. My day job is working as a developmental editor, and while I work with established published authors as well, I always love helping a new author get to the query stage. Allegory Editing is a small boutique editing house, but we are mighty! We do everything from developmental to proofreading.

Once a book is out, it can be a very lonely experience. Early career writers may not have a network of other writers, so anything I can do to help people build those connections and create a community of support is important to me. Established writers don’t need my help, so it’s those early year authors that I like to spend my energy on.

You read a lot. Is there any author or book that you’re particularly excited about right now? What’s that book that you’re recommending to all your friends?

Great question! I read a lot and I read across genres, so there are a ton to pick from. I’m excited about Tessa Wegert’s third book in her Shana Merchant series, Time To Kill, which comes out Dec 3. I’m going to review that, so keep an eye on my blog! Then Allen Eskens’ latest release Forsaken Country is next up on my TBR. My favorite book in the last couple of years was actually a series of literary short stories, linked by geography, everything is set in Appalachia. The title doesn’t reflect the work (in my opinion) but Leah Hampton’s voice is extraordinary, so I highly recommend F*ckface and Other Stories.

Is there anything you want to promote right now?

I’m very happy with the first of my guidebooks on the writing craft. The Foundation of Plot is available in eBook, hardback, and paperback. I’ve been thrilled and grateful for the kind words from writers who have found it useful. It’s available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound or can be ordered from your favorite bookstore. All We Buried is available in ebook, audible, and hardback. Currently the hardback is on sale on Amazon.

What’s next for you?

Next up is The Construction of Character, the second in my Wait, Wait, Don’t Query (Yet!) series. If readers would like to keep up on the launch and other book news, I’d love to have them join my newsletter! I send it out once a month, so I promise no deluge! You can click the link here to register, or email Elena at elenahartwell@gmail.com to be added.

Elena Taylor spent several years working in theater as a playwright, director, designer, and educator before turning her storytelling skills to fiction. Her first series, the Eddie Shoes Mysteries, written under the name Elena Hartwell, introduced a quirky mother/daughter crime fighting duo. With All We Buried, Elena returns to her dramatic roots and brings readers a much more serious and atmospheric novel. Located in her beloved Washington State, Elena uses her connection to the environment to produce a forbidding story of small town secrets and things that won’t stay buried. When she’s not writing or coaching writing, her favorite place to be is at the farm with her horses, Jasper and Radar, or at her home, on the middle fork of the Snoqualmie River in North Bend, Washington, with her husband, their dogs Polar and Wyatt, and their cats Coal Train and Cocoa. Elena holds a B.A. from the University of San Diego, a M.Ed. from the University of Washington, Tacoma, and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia.