The Author Spotlight Series shines a light on writers creating heartfelt and original work across genres, giving them an opportunity to talk about their books and why they do what they do.
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“Elka Ray is the author of the mystery Divorce is Murder, set in her hometown of Victoria, B.C., Canada. A joint UK/Canadian citizen, Elka has spent two decades living as an expat in Vietnam, working as a journalist, researcher, copy editor, and communications consultant. She lives by the beach with her husband and three children. A Friend Indeed is her first foray into psychological suspense.”
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Aged four, I was living in a tent in a geological survey camp, way out in the woods of northern Saskatchewan. With no other kids for hundreds of kilometers, I learned to read early, and drew a lot. I don’t recall ever wanting to become a writer. I’ve read and made up stories forever.
Do you remember the first thing you ever wrote?
I wrote a short story about a colony of killer bunnies. This was way before I read Watership Down or saw the hilariously deadly rabbit in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I guess I’ve always been fascinated by what lurks beneath an idyllic surface. If things look too cute and perfect, don’t trust them! Maybe all Suspense writers are paranoid.
How did you develop your skills?
I wish this weren’t so but writing is rewriting. That heady rush of discovering the first draft is like falling in love. When you rewrite, things get real. Relationships take work and you’re building a life with your characters and story.
Who are some of your biggest literary influences? Do you have a favorite book/author?
I read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier as a teen and have reread it many times. It’s my idea of a perfect novel—so vivid, insightful, and unexpected. Scott Smith’s A Simple Plan was my gateway drug to reading–and writing–Noir. I was blown away by Jane Harper’s The Lost Man. Other auto-buy authors include Megan Abbott, Lisa Jewell, Tana French, and Lou Berney.
How would you describe your work?
I’m on a kick of writing about women facing moral dilemmas that test them and their loved ones. I want readers to question how they’d act in that no-win situation – and to understand that “doing the right thing” is easier for some people than others.
What’s your writing process like?
In a perfect world I’d be a plotter. Instead, a premise and characters appear. The protagonists are about to fall into trouble. I have an idea where the story’s headed and “pants” along, sometimes veering off track but let’s not talk about that… I always think I know whodunnit but am usually wrong. On the plus side, when things work, pantsing is great fun, as I get to solve the mystery as I write it.
Tell us about your most recent book.
A Friend Indeed grew out of a meme I saw on social media, about being a good-enough friend to help someone hide a dead body. It got me thinking: who would I help? My best childhood friend sprang to mind. If she killed someone—and couldn’t tell the police, there’d have to be an excellent reason. This led to the story of old friends Jo and Dana, one a struggling single mom and the other fabulously wealthy. It’s a tale of social disparity, twisted secrets, ingenuity, and loyalty stretched to its limits. Reviewers are describing it as “twisty” and “darkly funny”, which warms my little Noir heart.
What are you working on now/next?
Good question! Can we skip it? No, seriously. I’m working on another tale of women making debatable choices.
Where can we find you online?
My author’s website is here.
I’m also on Facebook, X, and – most actively – Instagram. Look me up if you like to talk about books, beaches, writing, and living a creative life.