SEELIE KAY: Postcards from The Ledge: Today in The Loft: Australian Author Estelle Pettersen!

Joining me today in The Loft is Estelle Pettersen. Estelle writes tales of erotic romance that explore empowerment, freedom, and finding one's strength. Her fiction and nonfiction stories are often featured on Wattpad, a social storyteller platform. Now a Wattpad ambassador, Estelle has won several book awards on that platform and is a guest writer for its Solace Magazine. When not writing, Estelle is passionate about history, languages, cultures, traveling, food, and wine. A former journalist, Estelle now lives in Norway with her husband.

Author Estelle Pettersen

S: Good morning, Estelle, and welcome to The Loft!

How do you get in the mood for writing?

E: I listen to music, which helps get me into the mood for writing. I have a cup of a warm drink, tea or coffee, with me as I write non-stop when I’m on a roll. I’m sensitive to noise, so I need a quiet space to zone into my world, and for my characters and their stories to come alive.

S: Have you ever “shelved” a book?

E: Yes. I’ve bought highly popular books, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that all of them are as good as they seem. Many books are great, but a few of these books have been shelved, collecting a little dust, because I struggled with connecting to the characters or plot. Thankfully, I’ve read more good books than books I did not connect with.

S: What is the best or worst thing that has ever happened to you as a writer?

E: The best thing that’s happened is meeting kind and wonderful people--both readers and writers. I’ve made a few good friends and have been contacted by readers who’ve asked me questions about my writing. The worst thing is the trolls/negative people—unfortunately, that’s part of being an author. When your book is published, you become exposed, mainly for good, but sadly, it attracts a bit of the bad. Other authors have advised me to ignore them, which is excellent advice.

S: Unfortunately, social media seems to have brought trolls out of the woodwork! Ignoring them isn't always easy.

What would you like people to know about you?

E: While my stories are racy, emotional, and punchy, I’m a quiet introvert who dislikes attention. I prefer my characters to soak up that limelight as the stage is theirs to enjoy. What brings me joy is when people enjoy the stories I write for them. If my stories can put smiles on faces, cheer up their days, and give them something fun to talk about, then I know I’ve done my job.

S: What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

E: Don’t take to heart any troll-like negativity. Keep writing and shut out the noise, including in social media. Stay focused on your writing goals.

S: That's good advice.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

E: Yes, I would still choose to write. Writing is my passion. It’s a part of who I am.

S: Do you believe in love at first sight? Has it ever happened to you?

E: Yes. I believe that attraction is the start of the feelings of love that you can develop for someone. This type of attraction is as simple as their stance, gaze, voice, smile, or how they talk/write.

S: What attracted you to your current partner?

E: The empathy that was in his smile and eyes, as well as his intelligence and his kindness.

S: What inspired your book, "Lessons on Seduction?"

E: When I wrote my erotic romance book, "Lessons on Seduction," I was inspired by the concepts of freedom, equality, and empowerment. Both the protagonist, Sapphire, and her lover, Julian, personify that in their own ways. I purposefully made Sapphire a strong woman who breaks away from societal expectations and her stifling family to find what she wants in life. Julian is far from perfect, but he gives Sapphire independence and empowerment through balance in their relationship.

S: Is there anything special you would like people to know about your book?

E: A few people challenged me to write something on the steamy side, so I dared and pushed my writing boundaries. I wanted a romance book with a decent plot, a bold and feminine protagonist, and a love interest who is intelligent, sexy, and relatable. The result is "Lessons on Seduction," an erotic romance story with light BDSM, where consent and equality are crucial in Sapphire and Julian’s relationship. The villain, Saira, is someone everyone loves to hate, so much that they’ve asked for more of her in Book Two of the Seduction series. Readers also loved the supporting character, Julian’s sister, Vera, a strong woman and a survivor of relationship abuse. Her story will be in Book Two, which I’m working on.

S: Sounds like a scintillating series!

Where can readers buy your book?

E: It's available at--

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ng8YbD

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/47XXG

S: Estelle, thanks so much for joining me today. If you would like to learn more about Estelle and her books, please visit--

Website: https://elusiveromance.com/

Blog: https://elusiveromance.com/blog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elusiveromance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/elusive_6788

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elusive_6788

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/estellepettersen