Interview with Paz Ellis
Author of Plantains and the Seven Plagues- A memoir: Half-Dominican, Half-Cuban, and Full Life
Paz Ellis has been writing since childhood. She began her journey as a writer with poetry and short stories. She was born and raised in New Jersey and currently lives in Florida. She lived on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma for twenty years with her husband and their two teenage sons. Paz is also a photographer, a history buff, and an avid reader.
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How would you describe 'Plantains and the Seven Plagues' to a new reader?
- My memoir is a collection of my memories and stories that were told to me by my parents. I write about my parent's first meeting up until my mother's death. It is funny and sad, but full of love and all the craziness that comes with being a part of a biracial, multi-cultural family.
What was the inspiration behind 'Plantains and the Seven Plagues' ?
- Plantains and the Seven Plagues was inspired by the recent passing of my mother, I found myself entrenched in the past looking for answers and resolution to my grief. The result is this memoir that I dedicate to the memory of my loving parents.
Which authors do you admire? How have they influenced your writing style?
- Some of my favorite authors are Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Ken Follet, Toni Morrison, and Amy Harmon, just to name a few! I love historical fiction the most, and some of these authors inspire me! My style is uniquely my own, but I like the simplicity of Hemingway. I am not a fan of too much verbiage in descriptions.
Can you tell us a little about the locations in your book?
- My book features the town I grew up in-- West New York, New Jersey, the beaches and places we went fishing with our parents. My dad loved fishing!
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
- Write! If you have an idea write it down. Do not just think, "oh, I want to be a writer..."
A writer writes!
What's your writing process?
- I keep notebooks of all my ideas, however, when a book is blossoming in my brain, I immediately begin writing. I will do research, if necessary for the topic, but mostly I do not stop writing until that first draft is complete. I then read it and usually make a lot of changes, then proofread it about ten more times before I even consider sending it to my editor.
When and why did u start writing or how did your love of books come about?
- I grew up in a household of voracious readers. My father used to write Cuban folk songs and one of my uncles is a poet. Like my older sister, I kept journals from an early age and wrote poems and short stories. When I was about twelve-years-old my mother bought me my first hardcover book. It was a beautiful copy of "Little Women." I looked at it and realized my name would be on a book cover one day. However, my first book was a product of grief. I wrote a memoir several months after my mother passed away and I have not stopped since that day.
What is your Inspiration to write in general?
- I am inspired by people, by love, and by life. All my books thus far have a piece of me or my family history as the inspiration or springboard.
How have readers responded to 'Plantains and the Seven Plagues'?
- Readers are finding the memoir funny, witty, and sad. Many write to me that they relate to a lot of situations I wrote about, particularly if they grew up in a home with immigrant parents. The book has received a very warm welcome!
Where next? What are you working on now?
- I have a book with my editor, "Just Finn." A fictional story about a young many living with Asperger Syndrome. I was inspired by my brother! The second book in the series is half-way done and will launch in the Fall of 2020. Also, I am blogging!
