Fearless Fiction: Ellen Birkett Morris on Tackling the Novel and Taming Doubt

"Fear was a huge thing for me, but I reached a point where I thought, if I don’t do this now, I’m never going to do it." – Ellen Birkett Morris In this episode, we sit down with award-winning author Ellen Birkett Morris to discuss her fascinating journey into the world of writing and her latest novel, Beware the Tall Grass. Ellen shares insights into overcoming fear, mastering the art of storytelling, and the serendipitous inspiration behind her novel—a story that spans time, connects lives, and challenges beliefs. From her childhood encounters with storytelling to her bold leap into the publishing world, Ellen’s journey is an inspiring testament to perseverance and passion. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a dreamer waiting to take the plunge, this conversation will resonate deeply. Key Takeaways: Overcoming Fear: Ellen discusses her early struggles with the fear of failure and how she learned to embrace the process of being bad before becoming great. The Long Apprenticeship: The years of dedicated writing, submitting to journals, and refining her craft that led to Ellen’s "overnight success." Inspiration from Unlikely Places: How an NPR story about past-life memories in children inspired Beware the Tall Grass. Crafting a Novel: Ellen’s creative process, including weaving together dual narratives and creating dramatic tension with "echoes" between timelines. Small Press vs. Big Five: Why Ellen chose a small press for her novel and how it impacted her journey as an author. Building a Writing Career: Ellen’s advice on starting small, finding the right publication for your work, and persevering through rejection. The Power of Storytelling: Insights on paying attention to life’s moments and channeling them into compelling narratives. Buy Beware the Tall Grass Amazon: https://amzn.to/49tKMMd Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/54587/9798988732105 Connect with Ellen Website: https://www.ellenbirkettmorris.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbirkettmorriswriter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbirkettmorris/ Connect with Mike Website: https://uncorkingastory.com/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSvS4fuG3L1JMZeOyHvfk_g Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncorkingastory/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@uncorkingastory Twitter: https://twitter.com/uncorkingastory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncorkingastory LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uncorking-a-story/ If you like this episode, please share it with a friend. If you have not done so already, please rate and review Uncorking a Story on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. #WritingCommunity #FictionWriters #AuthorInterview #Storytelling #OvercomingFear #WomenWriters #WritingTips #NovelWriting #IndieAuthors #CreativeProcess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices