Member Spotlight:  Elisha Shaw
Author: Jody Wallace
Original Publication Date in Love Notes: October 2007

Q. We're so glad to have you as a member of MCRW.  Are you a native of Nashville or somewhere else? If somewhere else, where, and how did you end up here? 

A. No, I'm not from Tennessee. Though, I've lived in Memphis before. I am originally from Arkansas. A small town called Edmondson located in the West Memphis, AR area.  My hometown.  I became acquainted with MCRW through Tammy Bryant.  Tammy and I used to attend writers’ conferences in Memphis. We bonded and kept in touch.  I was really unhappy with the writer's group that I was associated with.  At one point, I was seriously thinking about joining the Atlanta chapter. Tammy kept telling me, "Why don't you try us?" When we would talk, Tammy would tell me about the workshops, the group was having, the agents that were visiting, and who had gotten a book deal.  

I said to myself this group is dedicated to helping each other.  They really want EVERYONE in the group to succeed. I hadn't seen this where I was, and from what I kept hearing from Tammy about MCRW, it's what all romance writer's groups should be.

Q. What made you decide to try your hand at writing romance novels?

A. I have loved romance all my life.  I was reading romance books in junior high.  I got caught with one and my Home Economic teacher, Mrs. Sapp took my book.  She told me good girl don't read those kinds of books. I guess I wasn't a good girl, because I loved them.  I asked for my book back after class.  She told me if I didn't leave she would send me to the office.  She took one of my favorite books! That woman needed some romance in her life.  I believe in the LA LA happy endings, and if the story don't have a happy ending then I'm sad. 

Q. Tell us about your "WIP" or work-in-progress? What in specific do you write? 

A.  I think my works falls in the contemporary/mainstream category. I have two finished works that's in the editing process Writing is easy, rewriting is hard.

Q: How do you balance your writing with your other responsibilities?

A. It's not easy.  Discipline is the key. I'm make myself a schedule and try to stick to it.  If I have to cook, I find something simple that can be thrown into the oven that basically tends to itself.  (chicken and rice)  Leftovers?  Turn the phone off.  If you have an office close the door and ignore those pile of dirty clothes that need to be washed, floor to be swept until you can get at least an hour of writing in. This was the hardest lesson for me to learn.  I would take off work to write and end up cleaning up the house.  When I finished, I was too tired to write. I also throw a load of clothes in the washer at night and throw them in the dryer in the morning and fold them whenever.

Q. What do you do when you're not writing? Do you have a "day" job, hobbies, obsessions?

A. When I'm not writing I try to read something.  I work 40 hours a week. I used to like to sew, but I don't have much time for that anymore. The only obsession I have is to become a great storyteller.

Q. Do you have children, pets, plants, a spouse, dust bunnies, a thimble collection or anything like that?

A. I have two daughters, no pets, a few houseplants, a hubby. My oldest daughter is into the food industry. She didn't get it from me.  I hate to cook. My youngest daughter attends the Univ of Memphis.  She says she want to be a Pharmacist.  My hubby is a soil-specialist--loves to get dirty.

Q. What are some of your favorite books, romance and other?

A. "Just like the first time" by Francis Ray.  "The Wedding Dress" by Virgina Ellis, Anything Suzanne Brockman writes, Anything Beverly Jenkins writes.

Q. If you could go on a dream vacation anywhere in the world on someone else's perfectly legitimate dime, where would you go, who would you take, and what would you do?

A. I dunno, I guess Paris since it's supposed to be a romantic city. I would probably take a fellow writer with me to explore, enjoy and appreciate the city. I would shop until I dropped, check out the five star hotels and restaurants and try some new food and wines.  Sightsee and take pictures for days.

Q: Tell us a secret!

A. One Saturday morning, I was lounging at home is a short robe and gown. The doorbell ranged. My daughter (she was about 8 years old then) answered the door. She came back in the den where I was stretched out on the softest recliner Lane makes.  I asked her who was at the door, before she could answer, a man (the repairman that was suppose to show up later on that evening) stepped from behind her.  I sat straight up and started pulling on my robe. Of course it only came down a fraction more.  I almost tore it off me.  He was such a gentleman. He wouldn't stop looking. (YES, I had on underwear) He got a wonderful view of my legs and thighs. I asked him to leave when I came to myself. 

I can't figure out why my kids always thought they had to open the security door to talk to people.  My daughter opened the door and he came in behind her.  She came to tell me who was at the door and I guess he thought she opened the door for him and he followed her in.  I was so embarrassed!

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