Ava Eldred
@avaeldred.bsky.social
Writer and producer. Mostly novels, sometimes theatre.
Punchdrunk by day
Punchdrunk by day
Thank you so much for having me! An absolutely pleasure, really enjoyed that! 💗 #ukteenchat
What a fun hour that has been, thank you so much for being such a wonderful guest @avaeldred.bsky.social , you're more than welcome anytime on #ukteenchat 😊
a man with a bandage on his forehead says yarp !
ALT: a man with a bandage on his forehead says yarp !
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June 3, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Thank you so much for having me! An absolutely pleasure, really enjoyed that! 💗 #ukteenchat
If I'm stuck, I like to go through a scene and just write the dialogue. It tells me a lot about how the characters get from the start to the end point. With ESD, it worked so well that I thought... huh. I think this might be something! That's (sort of!) how the scripted voice was born! #ukteenchat
10, Do you have any writing advice or tips you’d like to share? @avaeldred.bsky.social #ukteenchat
a man in a hat talking on a cell phone with the words no tips only solid advice below him
ALT: a man in a hat talking on a cell phone with the words no tips only solid advice below him
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June 3, 2025 at 7:59 PM
If I'm stuck, I like to go through a scene and just write the dialogue. It tells me a lot about how the characters get from the start to the end point. With ESD, it worked so well that I thought... huh. I think this might be something! That's (sort of!) how the scripted voice was born! #ukteenchat
It's a first draft, so I can't tell you much with confidence because I don't know myself! I will say it's another theatre-set novel, but aside from that it's different to ESD in almost every way - not YA and no murder! I first had the idea 6 years ago, so it's been a long time coming! #ukteenchat
June 3, 2025 at 7:53 PM
It's a first draft, so I can't tell you much with confidence because I don't know myself! I will say it's another theatre-set novel, but aside from that it's different to ESD in almost every way - not YA and no murder! I first had the idea 6 years ago, so it's been a long time coming! #ukteenchat
I've been a fan of writing at The Barbican for a little while now, but what I *did not* know about until recently was the library there! It's so quiet and studious, then when you need a break, you can go out to the main arts centre and soak up all the vibes. It's a game changer. #ukteenchat
June 3, 2025 at 7:51 PM
I've been a fan of writing at The Barbican for a little while now, but what I *did not* know about until recently was the library there! It's so quiet and studious, then when you need a break, you can go out to the main arts centre and soak up all the vibes. It's a game changer. #ukteenchat
Usually a pantser, although I always know what I'm writing towards, but Exit Stage Death was *so* plotted. The synopsis alone was 8k words, so when I came to actually write it, it happened quickly! Would I do it that way again? Probs not. 🙅♀️ Did it work? Sorry, pantsers... it really did! #ukteenchat
7, Are you a plotter or pantser? @avaeldred.bsky.social #ukteenchat
a picture of a badger in the snow with the caption when i start out following the outline but the my brain decides
ALT: a picture of a badger in the snow with the caption when i start out following the outline but the my brain decides
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June 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Usually a pantser, although I always know what I'm writing towards, but Exit Stage Death was *so* plotted. The synopsis alone was 8k words, so when I came to actually write it, it happened quickly! Would I do it that way again? Probs not. 🙅♀️ Did it work? Sorry, pantsers... it really did! #ukteenchat
The main thing it did was let me give the killer a voice without giving away who they were. I could probably have done that in dual POV prose, but once the scripting idea came to me, that voice came *so* easily, and I think in writing, when something is easy, you should run with it! #ukteenchat
June 3, 2025 at 7:38 PM
The main thing it did was let me give the killer a voice without giving away who they were. I could probably have done that in dual POV prose, but once the scripting idea came to me, that voice came *so* easily, and I think in writing, when something is easy, you should run with it! #ukteenchat
Reposted by Ava Eldred
Exactly! They can explode stuff and be in peril while we're living vicariously through them all cosy with chocolate 😂 #ukteenchat
June 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Exactly! They can explode stuff and be in peril while we're living vicariously through them all cosy with chocolate 😂 #ukteenchat
A bit of both - I knew who the killer was and why they did it before I started, but how they were going to execute it could only come once I knew who the characters were. It was always a 'proper' murder mystery though, so the tropes that come with that were all there from the beginning. #ukteenchat
5, Did the story begin with the idea of the murder mystery, or did the characters come to you first? @avaeldred.bsky.social #ukteenchat
a woman is making a funny face with the word murderrrr written below her
ALT: a woman is making a funny face with the word murderrrr written below her
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June 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
A bit of both - I knew who the killer was and why they did it before I started, but how they were going to execute it could only come once I knew who the characters were. It was always a 'proper' murder mystery though, so the tropes that come with that were all there from the beginning. #ukteenchat
Writing Livi and Juliet in contrast to each other was my favourite part. On the surface they're so different, but when you look a little closer, they have more in common than they'd like to admit. Finding that balance was so fun. #ukteenchat
June 3, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Writing Livi and Juliet in contrast to each other was my favourite part. On the surface they're so different, but when you look a little closer, they have more in common than they'd like to admit. Finding that balance was so fun. #ukteenchat
Lots of my writing group have experience of classic summer camps, so we had many chats about specifically social media use, & what kind of rules would be in place. But because it's UK-set, & we have less of a camp culture, luckily I could use a lot of artistic licence too! #ukteenchat
3, Did you need to research anything about summer theatre camps or stage productions while writing the book? @avaeldred.bsky.social #ukteenchat
a cat is playing with an apple laptop with the words research time written below it
ALT: a cat is playing with an apple laptop with the words research time written below it
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June 3, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Lots of my writing group have experience of classic summer camps, so we had many chats about specifically social media use, & what kind of rules would be in place. But because it's UK-set, & we have less of a camp culture, luckily I could use a lot of artistic licence too! #ukteenchat
I've worked in theatre my whole professional life, so it made sense that at some point that would spill in to my writing I guess! The intense, almost instant friendships in the book are definitely true to my experience, so I guess Exit Stage Death is my love letter to those. #ukteenchat
June 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I've worked in theatre my whole professional life, so it made sense that at some point that would spill in to my writing I guess! The intense, almost instant friendships in the book are definitely true to my experience, so I guess Exit Stage Death is my love letter to those. #ukteenchat
Of course! #ExitStageDeath tells the story of Livi, in her last summer at Camp Chance, hoping to get cast as lead & prove that theatre is a 'real' career. The drama spills offstage when a fellow camper is murdered, leaving Livi to work out who did it, before they strike again! #ukteenchat
1, Could you tell us a little bit about your new book, Exit Stage Death, please? @avaeldred.bsky.social #ukteenchat
June 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Of course! #ExitStageDeath tells the story of Livi, in her last summer at Camp Chance, hoping to get cast as lead & prove that theatre is a 'real' career. The drama spills offstage when a fellow camper is murdered, leaving Livi to work out who did it, before they strike again! #ukteenchat
Reposted by Ava Eldred
Aww, thank you so much. I'm so excited to finally have you as a guest 😊 #ukteenchat
a picture of a goat with the words so excited on the bottom
ALT: a picture of a goat with the words so excited on the bottom
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June 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Aww, thank you so much. I'm so excited to finally have you as a guest 😊 #ukteenchat
Thanks for having me! I've admired #ukteenchat from afar for years, so really happy to be taking part! #ExitStageDeath
Welcome one and all to tonight's #ukteenchat, featuring the fabulous @avaeldred.bsky.social Have your questions at the ready and give us a wave if you’re here 🙋♀️ Remember to use the # so your questions don't get missed 😀 #ExitStageDeath
June 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Thanks for having me! I've admired #ukteenchat from afar for years, so really happy to be taking part! #ExitStageDeath
I’ve been in the flat alone all day so I’m feeling VERY READY TO CHAT! Looking forward to this! #ukteenchat
Join us at 8pm BST tonight for #ukteenchat with the fabulous @avaeldred.bsky.social, all welcome to come and join in the chat 🙂
#YA #ExitStageDeath #kidlit #writerslife
#YA #ExitStageDeath #kidlit #writerslife
Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 3rd June 8-9pm BST with the fabulous @avaeldred.bsky.social, who will be chatting all about her new #YA - Exit Stage Death. All welcome to come along and join in the chat here on BlueSky 🙂
#writerslife #ExitStageDeath
#writerslife #ExitStageDeath
June 3, 2025 at 5:51 PM
I’ve been in the flat alone all day so I’m feeling VERY READY TO CHAT! Looking forward to this! #ukteenchat
So looking forward to this! 🩷
Next #ukteenchat will be on Tues 3rd June 8-9pm BST with the fabulous @avaeldred.bsky.social, who will be chatting all about her new #YA - Exit Stage Death. All welcome to come along and join in the chat here on BlueSky 🙂
#writerslife #ExitStageDeath
#writerslife #ExitStageDeath
May 27, 2025 at 8:25 PM
So looking forward to this! 🩷
Reposted by Ava Eldred
EXIT STAGE DEATH by @avaeldred.bsky.social @uclanpublishing.bsky.social the STUNNING New YA Murder Mystery set in a musical theatre summer camp. When a murderer strikes, Livi gets an ultimatum: Find the killer or its curtains for someone else! REVIEW➡️ erinthecatprincess.blogspot.com/2025/05/exit...
May 4, 2025 at 12:17 PM
EXIT STAGE DEATH by @avaeldred.bsky.social @uclanpublishing.bsky.social the STUNNING New YA Murder Mystery set in a musical theatre summer camp. When a murderer strikes, Livi gets an ultimatum: Find the killer or its curtains for someone else! REVIEW➡️ erinthecatprincess.blogspot.com/2025/05/exit...
And TALKING OF TONY NOMS my old fave Darren Criss has his first! So well deserved for my only 'one who got away' from my concert producing days - he has worked hard, pivoted, done *interesting things* and is so very good, both as a performer and person. Absolutely thrilled for all of Team Criss.
May 1, 2025 at 1:34 PM
And TALKING OF TONY NOMS my old fave Darren Criss has his first! So well deserved for my only 'one who got away' from my concert producing days - he has worked hard, pivoted, done *interesting things* and is so very good, both as a performer and person. Absolutely thrilled for all of Team Criss.
Every year on Tony Awards nomination day, I remember the year Aaron Tveit was the only nominee for best actor in a musical. He won. Against himself. It'll never not be funny.
May 1, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Every year on Tony Awards nomination day, I remember the year Aaron Tveit was the only nominee for best actor in a musical. He won. Against himself. It'll never not be funny.
I don't think we, collectively, talked enough about how genius Warriors is as an album/musical/piece of art/escape room. I've listened to it hundreds of times, and I'm sure this last listen (I'm typing this as I've just hit Last Train Home*) I'm hearing things I never have before.
April 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I don't think we, collectively, talked enough about how genius Warriors is as an album/musical/piece of art/escape room. I've listened to it hundreds of times, and I'm sure this last listen (I'm typing this as I've just hit Last Train Home*) I'm hearing things I never have before.
This afternoon I thought I'd count how many musical theatre references there are in EXIT STAGE DEATH. Nine in just the prologue... think this might be quite a long tally.
February 26, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This afternoon I thought I'd count how many musical theatre references there are in EXIT STAGE DEATH. Nine in just the prologue... think this might be quite a long tally.
I didn’t think I was in the festive spirit yet, but I just caught myself thinking it must be time for some chocolate then looked at the clock. 8.36am. Must be Christmas! 🎄🤪
December 20, 2024 at 8:37 AM
I didn’t think I was in the festive spirit yet, but I just caught myself thinking it must be time for some chocolate then looked at the clock. 8.36am. Must be Christmas! 🎄🤪
I thought cutting ~10k words from my adult manuscript would either be easy or impossible. Turns out, with 9,200 gone, I was wrong on both counts - it was hard, an it has made this book in to something I'm truly proud of. I think it's good. It still makes me cry. Let's hope some publishers agree! 🤞
December 5, 2024 at 10:30 PM
I thought cutting ~10k words from my adult manuscript would either be easy or impossible. Turns out, with 9,200 gone, I was wrong on both counts - it was hard, an it has made this book in to something I'm truly proud of. I think it's good. It still makes me cry. Let's hope some publishers agree! 🤞
I've just realised I hadn't posted here that my next YA novel, EXIT STAGE DEATH is being published by @uclanpublishing.bsky.social in June. It's the most fun I've ever had writing anything. If you know how many minutes are in a year because of musicals, not maths, I wrote this one for you!
November 28, 2024 at 4:35 PM
I've just realised I hadn't posted here that my next YA novel, EXIT STAGE DEATH is being published by @uclanpublishing.bsky.social in June. It's the most fun I've ever had writing anything. If you know how many minutes are in a year because of musicals, not maths, I wrote this one for you!
Reposted by Ava Eldred
Made a start pack for UCLan authors if people would like to follow us!
go.bsky.app/7ZmvUHn
go.bsky.app/7ZmvUHn
November 28, 2024 at 4:27 PM
Made a start pack for UCLan authors if people would like to follow us!
go.bsky.app/7ZmvUHn
go.bsky.app/7ZmvUHn