Meet and Greet: Elisa Maria Crites

Elisa Maria Crites

Book Giveaway Drawing!
Read the details later in this post.

Elisa Maria Crites is a mom to three and a grandmother to nine terrific kids. She lives in Alaska in a large household, including five kids, three dogs, two cats, two guinea pigs, three birds, and a dust bunny in the hall tree. While not at her day job or writing, she enjoys travel, bicycling, going to the gym, cooking, quilting, reading, music and friends.

BRC: What brings you to Book Readers Central? 

I am happy to be here today to share a bit about my book, Secrets Under the Midnight Sun.

BRC: It's great to visit with you. Tell us, why do you write? 

I have been a teller of stories all my life. I enjoyed essay assignments in school and took a creative writing course in the late 80’s at the university. In the 90’s I entered some essays in the fair and took ribbons on them, but had never thought of myself as a writer, because typically other people didn’t see my writing. Yet, stories kept coming. About five years ago I took several trips and on each trip the person next to me would chat a bit then ask: “Are you a writer?” “What do you write?” “Do you write children’s books? Why don’t you?” 

And finally, “I feel in my heart that you are a writer.” That particular encounter ended with the lady giving me her card and a twenty dollar bill to cover the cost of sending my first book to her.

“I’m not a writer,” I insisted as I pushed the money back towards her.

She folded my fingers around the bill. “Well then, you better get started. I’m not a young woman, you know.”

Why do I write? Hmmm, the Lord works in mysterious ways. I think I’ve gotten a directive.

BRC: It would seem so! 

How would you describe your newest release?

Secrets Under the Midnight Sun is a coming of age story set in Alaska in 1967. Twelve-year-old Fredricka, (Freddie) longs for the love of a father. She faces things that girls her age now might face, bullies at school and her brother being in the military when she'd rather he be at home. She also faces some unusual obstacles, such as when she flees her home as a flood takes over the city. But her biggest challenge in life is in her home.

BRC: What do you hope the reader takes away after reading your book? 

My desire is that my reader who may be walking in Freddie’s shoes will seek help for her situation. I’ve included a contact at the end of the book for that help. I realize that many of my readers are adults and I hope if they relate to Freddie, that they will find healing, and if they sympathize with her, their hearts will be sensitive to children around them who may need help. Most of all, I hope that those who read it will become a voice for the voiceless. The greatest compliment I’ve gotten is from my readers who have contacted me to tell me how deeply they care about Freddie.

BRC: Which is your favorite character from your book? 

Freddie has to be my favorite. She’s spirited, funny, and loving. As I got to know her I found her irresistible. Even in her circumstances, she wants to please God.

BRC: Do you have a funny or touching story that relates to your book? 

Freddie loves to tease her friend, Karl by being obnoxious, but around his mom she behaves herself. At one point Karl calls Freddie and while on the phone she crams her mouth full of cereal to talk to him. When writing this scene, I went to my pantry and crammed my mouth full of Cheerios over and over, while speaking so I could write how it sounded. (Of course I kept spitting them out rather than swallowing.) One of the kids asked me what I was doing in the pantry and I told them, “research”.

While writing the scene about the talent show, David making an appearance completely took me by surprise. I was so moved at his adoration of Freddie, and the way her heart soared when she saw him that I wept. 

BRC: Tell us about your writing process. 

Typically an idea comes to me and I mull it around for a few days to see if it’s just an idea, or has the potential to become an entire book. I get a lot of ideas, but don’t have time to follow up on all of them. I need to know if it interests me enough to be ‘married’ to it for months and years while it develops.

BRC: What will you write next?

I’m working on another YA story now which is still in the mulling process. This one also will be set in Alaska.

BRC: Which books do you recommend to readers? 

There are so many good reads available. My blog is new and I’ll be mentioning what I’m reading on there. For YA readers, a good resource is www.novelteen.com where YA appropriate books are reviewed. Actually, many adults enjoy YA books, so anyone can check out the reviews for clean reads and I hope you will.

BRC: Where can readers find you online?

My author site: www.elisamariacrites.com

As a Contributing Writer: www.novelteen.com

Facebook: Elisa Maria Crites

Posted by Janalyn Voigt, author of novel books

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Book Giveaway Drawing: Elisa Maria Crites will give away a free copy of Secrets Under the Midnight Sun to a reader of this blog. To enter, leave a comment to this post. If you are a follower of Book Readers Central and tell me so in a separate comment, I'll give you an extra chance to win. 

Please include a valid email address in an anti-spam format (example: youremailhandle[at]gmail[dot]com]) or your entry will become invalid. Entries will be accepted until this Thursday at midnight (Pacific Time/US).

I'll announce the winner on Book Readers Central on Friday. The winner must respond within two weeks of notification. Detailed rules of giveaways on Book Reader's Central are located in the footer of this blog.


**Janalyn Voigt is an Amazon Associate and benefits when products are purchased through links from Book Readers Central.