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

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.