I would like to engage any reader who is curious about a good mystery story and an interesting resolution to that mystery.

Ellenmorris Tiegerman – 21 May 2024

The Back Flap

Professor Caitlyn Morrys, an outspoken and passionate teacher at a small college, finds herself at the center of a political fight over academic freedom and teacher tenure. The drama intensifies when the school President, Caitlyn’s chief antagonist, is found stabbed to death in his office.

Acting chief inspector Cormac Robertson, a staunch proponent of past lives regression, is convinced that the way to solve the murder is through excavation of Caityln’s past lives via hypnotism.

When under his spell, Caitlyn reveals numerous details about her past, providing insight into historical connections and clues about criminal motives. The information allows the detective to identify the primary suspect who, he realizes, is en route to finish off Caitlyn to avenge a past lives betrayal.

About the book

What is the book about?

Caitlyn Morrys is a college professor who is the Chairperson for a university Personnel Tenure Committee.  There is a murder on campus which she becomes involved with since the tenure candidates are all possible suspects to the college murder.  Critical to the story is Caitlyn’s ongoing flashbacks and nightmares which relate to her past lives.  Caitlyn is challenged time and time again to accept her past life mysteries and their histories.  Caitlyn is fortunate to meet a police inspector who helps and guides her through a process of self-discovery and eventually, the resolution to the campus murder.

When did you start writing the book?

The book was written in its first edition several years ago and has been through several edits and iterations.

How long did it take you to write it?

The book was a long-term commitment and process which involved ten years of changes.

Where did you get the idea from?

The idea was presented to me by my Husband who felt strongly about the fact that the tenure process at a university was not only challenging but fascinating and frustrating.  He felt that most readers would be very interested in understanding how complicated it was for a young professor to eventually obtain academic tenure at a university.  He presented me with an outline which became the original book.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggled with the book in its original form, and it was not until I attended a training seminar with Dr. Brian Weiss on past lives that the present book became a reality.

What came easily?

The characters came most easily.  And once I had past life regression as a backdrop to the story, I was able to finish the book quickly.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

The characters are all based on real world people who I have worked with at the university on Long Island where I received academic tenure as a full professor.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

My favorite authors such as Austen, Thackeray and Dickens have wonderful and rich characters.  Their writing styles are highly creative and very conversational engaging the reader at all points in the storyline.  I think it is so important for the reader not only to be engaged but also to feel that the characters are all relatable in some manner, shape or form.  I would like my readers to feel like they are part, potentially, of the story that I have written.

Do you have a target reader?

I would like to engage any reader who is curious about a good mystery story and an interesting resolution to that mystery.  In Past Lives Denied, the resolution involves one of self-discovery and potentially most readers are interested in that process of self-growth, self-inquiry and self-exploration.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I do have a highly stylized writing process which involves a very strict schedule of writing every day for at least an hour.  I get up in the morning, go to the gym and then sit down to write.  Once I have started, I never miss a morning.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I use a Table of Contents with each chapter outlined descriptively.  As the book evolves, the chapter descriptions change to reflect a new twist to the storyline or additional edits.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I never edit during the writing process.  I always wait until the book is finished.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I hired a professional editor that I worked with.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I do not listen to music while I am writing.  I like to have the backdrop of something on the TV while I am typing.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did submit the original manuscript to several Agents.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I was frustrated with the Agent process and gradually decided to self-publish.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Develop a very strong outline or Table of Contents and work through each chapter with as much detail as possible.  Put yourself on a strict writing schedule, and do not deviate once you have started.  Make a commitment to finish the document.  And then, do not give up, although the document progresses through several iterations.  At this point in time, I do not feel that the Agent experience is worthwhile, and I would recommend self-publishing.  This should be a personal experience that lends itself to your own self-growth and self-discovery.

End of Interview:

For more from Ellenmorris Tiegerman visit her website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Get your copy of Past Lives Denied from Amazon US or Amazon UK.