The Willow Tree by Elan Carson is a sorrow filled story
about Emma, an awkward and abused young lady. Her step father leaves permanent
scars upon her soul as he takes her innocence replacing it with haunting pain
and nightmares. The novel covers a several years span in Emma’s life from
junior high through college. She flounders to make friends, always strives to
be a “cool kid”, and has a deep desire for a boyfriend. She awkwardly foils
every attempt to fit within the structure of her mind, although it seems that
would be her own insecurities, and lack of confidence; her own self-
destructive voice mimicking that she isn't good enough.
Emma’s struggles aren't unlike the average teenage girl who
seeks to be something more than what she is, who pursues popularity and
acceptance, who desires to be beautiful and admired. The years that she was abused physically,
mentally and sexually forced deep pitted gashes inside the twisted crevasses of
her mind. They control her, pushing her to depression, and actions that place
her on the edge; reminding her that she is alive, putting pain into her
numbness.
Emma’s struggles aren't unlike the average teenage girl who
seeks to be something more than what she is, who pursues popularity and
acceptance, who desires to be beautiful and admired. The years that she was abused physically,
mentally and sexually forced deep pitted gashes inside the twisted crevasses of
her mind. They control her, pushing her to depression, and actions that place
her on the edge; reminding her that she is alive, putting pain into her
numbness.
Elan Carson uses a lyrical sing song poetic tone in her
writing. The images flow easily from one page to the next within visual scenes
drawn from the words of the text. The
novel places the reader front and center in Emma’s horrific world where they
witness her pain, suffering and anger, but also her unnatural feelings towards
her stepfather as both a “lover” and a torturer. Few authors have such a profound ability to
illustrate emotions, and feelings, bringing the reader on an impassioned
journey with the protagonist.
The Willow Tree is a novel I envision as a beloved
paperback; crinkled edges, sagging binding, countless pages twisted over in a
familiar book marking pattern, and borrowing disallowed by the owner in fear of
it not being returned. This novel is timeless and will be endeared every bit as
much in a hundred years as it is today.
Click here for chance to win a copy of The Willow Tree- Goodreads giveaway, ends March 1, 2014Interview with Elan
Elle: Tell us a little about yourself.
Elan:I’m a 24-year-old creative writer, with a passion for lyrical language, dynamic
Elle: What is your latest writing accomplishment?
Elan: Publishing my novel, The Willow Tree is my latest writing accomplishment. It’s a project I started 8 years ago, and I never imagined it blossoming into a full-length piece available for public consumption.
Elle: Tell us a little about works you have published or will be publishing?
Elan: Outside of fiction writing, I dabble in journalism and have had multiple feature-length pieces published in Romantics Homes and Victorian Homes magazines. I don’t plan to start my next book until 2015 though.
Elle: How long have you been writing and when did you fall into it?
Elan: I’ve been writing my whole life. My grandmother was an English teacher and she taught me how to read and write. I really started crafting short stories in first grade and never stopped. By the time I was in high school and throughout college, I experimented with journalism as well, though I majored in creative writing and still enjoy that the most.
Elle: Please tell us a little about your writing process.
Elan: I draw from a lot of personal situations. If I experience something particularly interesting or adventurous, I immediately jot it down, detail by detail, when I get home. I go back later and try to make sense of everything and work into a plot line.
Elle: If a fiction writer, are any of novels based on events in your life?
Elan: Definitely. The majority of my writing mirrors my life. My work is very revealing and sometimes I find it difficult to be so vulnerable. However, I know that a lot of people can relate to scenarios that I went through, which ultimately makes the whole process of purging rewarding.
Elle: What was the greatest challenge you faced with publishing your work?
Elan: Having enough confidence to actually go through with publishing. It’s a very solitary feeling and sometimes my negative thinking would get the best of me. Now that I’m starting to get the hang of marketing, it’s a lot easier to keep following through with the goals I set for myself.
Elle: Do you have a favorite author or book?
Elan: White Oleander by Janet Fitch is hands-down my favorite. So dynamic, beautifully written, and haunting. I aspire to be more like her with my own fiction. She really creates a world in which a reader can easily escape.
Elle: Do you have any advice for other indie authors?
Elan: Don’t stop going. It may seem hard or difficult, or you may simply lose the confidence to follow-through with something, but really have faith that the story you have is worth sharing.
Elle: What genre or genre's do you write and why?
Elan: I enjoy contemporary fiction the most. You can hide pieces of yourself in the work and that’s always a luring treat.
Elan can be found at:
http://www.thewillowtreebyelan.com/ -website
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