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S02E18-056 Staying true to your voice with Sue-Ellen Pashley

Finding Elara

Release Date: 07/07/2025

S02E33-071 Season Finale show art S02E33-071 Season Finale

Finding Elara

We will be back on the 7th of January for Season 3     Contact the Team Finding Elara Facebook Group:  Discord:  BCP Website:  BCP Instagram:  BCP facebook:    Contact Dianna Website:  Facebook: (DL Nix)  Instagram:  Tiktok:    Contact Jules Substack:  Facebook Author Page:  Facebook Group:  Discord: jaduxburyauthor   Sponsor Info Shadow Lair:  Selva’s Ality:  Selina Shapland: 

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S02E32-070 An essential component with Tony James Slater show art S02E32-070 An essential component with Tony James Slater

Finding Elara

Guest Bio Tony James Slater is an unusual combination of science-fiction author and travel-memoir writer. He is a very, very strange man. He believes himself to be indestructible, despite considerable evidence to the contrary. He is often to be found making strange faces whilst pretending to be attacked by inanimate objects. But perhaps his biggest problem is this: he has a mouth so big he is at risk of swallowing his own head. It is for this reason (amongst others) that he chooses to spend his life far from mainstream civilization, tackling ridiculous challenges and subjecting...

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S02E31-069 The subject is entirely Tony James Slater show art S02E31-069 The subject is entirely Tony James Slater

Finding Elara

Guest Bio Tony James Slater is an unusual combination of science-fiction author and travel-memoir writer. He is a very, very strange man. He believes himself to be indestructible, despite considerable evidence to the contrary. He is often to be found making strange faces whilst pretending to be attacked by inanimate objects. But perhaps his biggest problem is this: he has a mouth so big he is at risk of swallowing his own head. It is for this reason (amongst others) that he chooses to spend his life far from mainstream civilization, tackling ridiculous challenges and subjecting...

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S02E30-068 Start with the part you love most with RA Sandpiper show art S02E30-068 Start with the part you love most with RA Sandpiper

Finding Elara

Episode Description Guest Bio R A Sandpiper (she/her) is a British fantasy author from the south of England. She has a law degree she's never used despite spending five years in government-adjacent roles, loves games of all kinds (the nerdier the better), and will always dance at weddings. She's passionate about creating strong and complex characters in unkind and twisting worlds, but despite what she puts them through, there will always be a heart-pounding romance. Her debut trilogy, Amefyre, commencing with A Pocket of Lies, is out now. Her next duology will launch...

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S02E29-067 Not Pronunciation Police with RA Sandpiper show art S02E29-067 Not Pronunciation Police with RA Sandpiper

Finding Elara

Guest Bio R A Sandpiper (she/her) is a British fantasy author from the south of England. She has a law degree she's never used despite spending five years in government-adjacent roles, loves games of all kinds (the nerdier the better), and will always dance at weddings. She's passionate about creating strong and complex characters in unkind and twisting worlds, but despite what she puts them through, there will always be a heart-pounding romance. Her debut trilogy, Amefyre, commencing with A Pocket of Lies, is out now. Her next duology will launch with To Touch A Silent...

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S02E28-066 An entire world with Lorna Woulfe show art S02E28-066 An entire world with Lorna Woulfe

Finding Elara

Guest Bio Lorna Woulfe was born and raised in the state of Ohio. She has lived in such exotic locales as Denver CO, Los Angeles, CA, and Nashville, TN. She is the alter ego of L. Anne Wooley who writes nonfiction under that name.  Her pen name was created to honor both sides of her family; Lorna was her maternal grandmother (also a writer ). Woulfe is what Wooley descends from, Ireland is here the clan lived. She's a poet, writer, editor and flutist ; also a jewelry designer.  She is a co-admin and co-host of an event called Writer's Night, held via the Facebook group Writer's Night...

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S02E27-065 When things fall into Place with Lorna Woulfe show art S02E27-065 When things fall into Place with Lorna Woulfe

Finding Elara

Guest Bio Lorna Woulfe was born and raised in the state of Ohio. She has lived in such exotic locales as Denver CO, Los Angeles, CA, and Nashville, TN. She is the alter ego of L. Anne Wooley who writes nonfiction under that name.  Her pen name was created to honor both sides of her family; Lorna was her maternal grandmother (also a writer ). Woulfe is what Wooley descends from, Ireland is here the clan lived. She's a poet, writer, editor and flutist ; also a jewelry designer.  She is a co-admin and co-host of an event called Writer's Night, held via the Facebook group Writer's Night...

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S02E26-064 White is for mourning with Elizabeth Chaffin show art S02E26-064 White is for mourning with Elizabeth Chaffin

Finding Elara

Guest Bio Elizabeth Chaffin is the creator of Bearded Rat Mysteries, through which she has written over 14 digital-download murder mystery games that have been sold around the world. She is also the author of two novels, Dead Man's Swamp and Newfangled Madness, published under the name E. M. Chaffin. Both books feature homeschooled protagonists and explore themes of friendship, courage, and the pursuit of truth. She lives in Oklahoma, USA with her own personal creatures Paisley and Tricki Woo. She enjoys eating mashed potatoes, adventuring to beautiful places,...

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S02E25-063 The way to it is through it with Elizabeth Chaffin show art S02E25-063 The way to it is through it with Elizabeth Chaffin

Finding Elara

Guest Bio Elizabeth Chaffin is the creator of Bearded Rat Mysteries, through which she has written over 14 digital-download murder mystery games that have been sold around the world. She is also the author of two novels, Dead Man's Swamp and Newfangled Madness, published under the name E. M. Chaffin. Both books feature homeschooled protagonists and explore themes of friendship, courage, and the pursuit of truth. She lives in Oklahoma, USA with her own personal creatures Paisley and Tricki Woo. She enjoys eating mashed potatoes, adventuring to beautiful places,...

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S02E24-062 Pink, Sun and Sleeping Beauty with Poppy Solomon show art S02E24-062 Pink, Sun and Sleeping Beauty with Poppy Solomon

Finding Elara

Guest Bio Poppy Rose Solomon's novels are inspired by both her coastal childhood in Queensland and her love of escaping into magical worlds. Her debut series is four-book YA fantasy saga Woken Kingdom. She's also a professional editor and loves to help other authors cultivate their voice and tell their story. You'll often find her posting rosy-filtered pictures or yapping about publishing on social media. Find her at Poppy's Pages Editing .com or @PoppysVintageBooks.    Links Contact Poppy Website:   Instagram: Tiktok:   Things you can enter TREASURE...

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A writer of a copious amount of words (because if they didn’t come out, she’s sure her head would explode), Sue-Ellen writes everything from picture books to young adult and adult fantasies. A best-selling, internationally published author, she gets a real thrill out of not being able to read a story she’s written when it’s translated to another language.  

Sue-Ellen was writing stories before she could actually write, reading the scribbles out to her parents, but has definitely progressed from this early start! An eternal optimist, she enjoys making things difficult for her protagonists, but loves a satisfying ending.

She enjoys running workshops on writing and all things authory at schools and conferences and sometimes surprises herself with how much she now enjoys public speaking.

In her other life, she lives in Central Queensland with her family, a bordoodle called Bella and a snake called Slide. She loves quirky shoes, dark chocolate and a good tea. 

 

Links

Contact Sue-Ellen

Website: www.sueellenpashley.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sueellenpashleyauthor/

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

 

Things you can enter

WHATS IN THE CHEST

From Sue-Ellen: Readers choice from her extensive list of books.

From Selina: Tarot reading for character development on zoom.

From Angela: 2x Ebooks for 2 winners (both books each)

Elanor and the Song of the Bard and The golden dragon awakens.

From Jessie: Access to her Book Blurb Magic Course.
From BCP:2 x $25 Voucher

From BCP: 1 BCP journal of your choice

Treasure chest Give-away 2: (open 17/06/2025 closes 19/07/2025)

 https://www.bushlandcastleproductions.com/treasure-chest

 

Otherworldly emergence Novella: (Open 05/07/2025 Closes 27/07/2025) https://www.bushlandcastleproductions.com/emergence

 

Contact the Team

Finding Elara Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FindingElara

Discord : https://discord.gg/Ap8EWpPn

BCP Website: www.bcpcreative.com.au

BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcp.creative/

BCP facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577758720164

 

Contact Dianna

Website: www.dlnix.com

Facebook: (DL Nix) https://www.facebook.com/Faepatriantales

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingelara/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@findingelarapodcast

 

Sponsor Info

Book Reality https://bookreality.com/

Shadow Lair: https://ko-fi.com/findingelara

 

Show Notes

  • Only had 2 books last meeting in episode 27
  • Still enjoying being in the writing scene
  • Working as a Judge for the CYA in QLD
  • Always written even before it was legible.
  • Made the mindset shift around 10 years ago to take writing seriously
  • Used to fit in between the kids when they were young but now mostly dedicated the weekends to her writing.
  • Likes writing in both the make and female character point of view
  • Mindfulness falls into 2 parts
    • Recognising feelings and putting a name to them. Knowing what that mean
    • Also being in the moment when you are there. Use the senses
  • Most stories are character driven.
  • Mix between pantser and plotter
  • Marketing is not her forte. Prefer to be writing
  • Positive comparisons about trad and self pub journey
  • Benefit in understanding the cycles of stories with publishers.
  • Strong connections in the author world always helpful
  • Need to have realistic expectations about what the book will be.
  • Know where your strengths are and work to them
  • Needs her writing so be flexible.
  • Stay true to your writing voice and listen to the characters.
  • Your book with resonate with different people differently
  • Her self branding is just one more chapter.
  • Stay motivated through milestones.
  • Edits the stories sometimes up to 8 times before sending to an editor.
  • Relaxation at the end of the day normally involves water.
  • The Science of AWE – seeing the greater scope of the world.
  • Really important to share with people you trust at first.

 

Quotes By Sue-Ellen

I have come to the conclusion that it is really important that you write in a way that suits you. That we can’t compare ourselves to other writers because if we are doing that we’re gonna feel like we are not doing well enough and yet that strategy may not be a fit for us.

Avoid the comparison as much as possible

 

Fast Fire Questions

  1. Would you rather be a table or a chair? Chair
  2. Are you a dog person or cat person? Dog
  3. Who is your favourite superhero? Ironman
  4. If you were to have a magical power what would it be? Flight
  5. What is the first think you would do with a huge lotto win? Share with Close Friends

 

Buffy Night

Ann Mccaffrey Dragon Riders Series

Highly recommend because of masterful worldbuilding, complex and interesting character.

Should start with Dragon Riders of Pern.