S02E19-057 Feeling comfortable in the space 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

• Worldbuilding is pivotal in every story. The World is a character in itself.
• She still teaches the worldbuilding course but has many more
• Starts with Characters then layers in the world and other aspects
• Shocking at side quests.
• Developing lore depends on the story. Some stories need more than others.
• There is some reality in the way we see the world in stories.
• Play: Adaline black entering her office. Horror Story, Contemporaty romance (Aged up), Sci-fi Space, 10 years later.
• Readers will always pick up if you got the rules wrong.  

Quotes By Sue-Ellen

If we are going to be true to ourselves I think there is always parts of ourselves that we put into out characters sometimes.

It’s important that there are aspects of the world that mean to make it harder for your characters; If everything about the world makes it easier for them then you’ve lost some really important plot points that you can bring into it.

Fast Fire Questions

1. What is your favourite Colour? Green
2. What is your favourite thing to draw Sun or Moon? Moon
3. Would you prefer to live near a Beach or River? Beech
4. What is your dream Holiday destination? Antartica
5. What is your favourite Fairytale? Cinderella

Linking to Elara

Garry

Q: Which genre do they enjoy writing in or do they enjoy every one of them?

A: All of them.

Ryan

How old is the bordoodle? 6

What was her favourite book she has read or written? All of them. Depending on circumstances. Always recommends Anne Maccaffrey. Bride by Alli Hazelwood for last year.

Selina

Q: What tips or advice do you have for writers you have an idea for a children’s picture book, but don’t know where to start creating it? For example they may have ideas and have written a rough draft, but don’t know how to turn it into a picture book.

A: Read other children’s picture books to understand the rhythm. Understand that the illustrator will be doing half. Start to go to conferences and get feedback.

Q: What do kids love most about your stories when it comes to world building?

A: Depends on the age of the kids. Young kids like being creative and older kids connect with the connections with their own world. Kids need to see themselves in it to be relatable.

Q I love that you have a snake as a companion, does the snake inspire any of your stories or characters? And what kind of snake is it?

A: Spotted python. Have their own personality.