INDIGO EXCLUSIVE WITH Elinor florence
What’s your most unusual writing habit?
“I wear my special Writing Skirt. It’s a heavy, velour, charcoal-coloured, ankle-length garment purchased in West Edmonton Mall three decades ago, and it has worn like iron. It’s comfortable and cozy, and keeps my legs warm while I’m sitting for hours at a time.”
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever researched for your writing?
“How to horsewhip somebody! In Finding Flora, my Métis character Jessie, seated on her black mustang, attacks a villainous man with her horsewhip. I researched whipping online (as you might imagine, with some bizarre results), and then my husband and I rehearsed the scene while I wielded the imaginary whip. He fell on the living room floor and rolled around pretending to howl in pain, while I howled with laughter! But I believe the scene in the book is now pretty realistic.”
What book title best describes your life?
“Love in a Cold Climate, by Nancy Mitford.”
