Thursday, October 20, 2011

Aspiring Author Thursday: Introducing E. R. King

I love this girl. When she started following my blog a while ago, I hopped right over to hers and wasn't disappointed. I love it. She is so honest in every post and is so cute and funny. Isn't she gorgeous? To check out her fabulous blog, click here.



When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I’ve always liked telling stories. Being a writer was an obvious choice, though it took me until I was eighteen years old to embrace the challenge. That was nearly ten years ago. All these years I’ve been writing, and I’m glad for the practice. It’s been excellent training.

That is awesome that you've been writing for so long. It took me until I was 25 to figure out I should write my stories down. :P

Do you have a writing schedule, or do you just sit down whenever you get a spare moment?

My only rule is to write everyday. When I’m in first draft or revision mode, I’ll write for hours a day, day after day, until I get it done. You know that old saying “Don’t poke the bear”? That’s me when I’m in my writing world. My family is very understanding.

That is awesome. My kids don't know when to leave me alone! lol ;)

Could you tell us a little about yourself? Random facts? Hidden talents?

I’m an organizational freak, rain calms me, and I’d wear boots every day if I could. Cuddling a baby turns me to goo, I like to drive really, really, really fast, and I believe everything happens for a reason.

I love the rain. *sigh* And don't talk about babies. I'll want another one too soon... ;)

If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you couldn't live without? (Besides your family and a laptop of course.)

My notebook. I have a travel-size one in my purse that I take with me everywhere. I don’t know what I’d do without it!

Me too!! Travel-size notebooks are the best!

What is one book you could read over and over and over?

I’ve read Jude Deveraux’s REMEMBERANCE at least six times, and I cried each time. It’s everything a romance novel should be.

I've never heard of that one. Sounds great! I love me a good romance.

What book are you dying to read this year? 

KILL ALEX CROSS by James Patterson. I squeeze every last ounce of entertainment out of his books. They don’t disappoint.

Would you freak out if I told you I've never read James Patterson? True story. *hides*

What genre do you write and why?

Young adult, and not because I want to relive high school. My father was my high school principal. I know what you’re thinking,” that poor girl!” Don’t feel sorry for me, the experience was unparalleled. My father handed me my diploma when I graduated and I was able to hug him on stage in front of the entire graduating class and their families—how many kids can say that? But it was trying at times; the other kids and teachers were often unkind. I realize it wasn’t a normal high school experience, but I wasn’t a normal high schooler. I met my husband at fourteen and I knew I wanted to marry him when I was barely sixteen. Because of who I was then, I have very high expectations of our youth. I believe young adults are capable of genuine wisdom, self-sacrifice, and deep emotions. Teenagers are often portrayed as gratification-seeking, hormone-driven, immature little snots, and while I agree some are, many are not. I will not talk down, or write down, to our youth.

I LOVE this. And I really want to hear you and your hubby's story. So cute.

Do you have any writing rituals? Music, silence, eating, etc.

I must have a Diet Coke (or three), my notebook, and a pen. Music is necessary when I’m writing a fight sequence or romance scene. I like to set the mood. ; )

Oh, and I prefer background noise. My husband and our three children live in cramped quarters, so when they’re asleep, and all is quiet, it’s eerie. I turn on the TV or listen to music to break up the silence.

LOL. Oh, Diet Coke. I'll have a sip every now and then, but I prefer water over everything. At least you aren't addicted to something gross like Dr. Pepper. (Love you, Renee! He he)
Where do you come up with your ideas? Dreams, while driving, etc?

People-watching, hands-on experience, vivid dreams, and heart-felt wishes are my most common muses. My best ideas come to me while I’m in the shower. I’ve ruined two notebooks by dripping water all over them (who has time to dry off when your muse is singing?). I keep a spare under the sink now.

That's a really good idea to keep a spare under the sink...

Any advice for other aspiring authors? 

Learn as much as you can. Expect to make mistakes. Listen to your gut. Write, write, write. And above all, write what you love. If you aren’t connected to every aspect of your story, your readers will know. To make people believe, you have to believe in yourself.

Great advice.

Random Writing Question: Your main character is walking down the street and walks right through a ghost. How do they react? ;)

The MC of my paranormal romance series is a demon hunter, so for him there are no ghosts, only demons. But when a demon passes through him, he feels a damp, bone-deep chill that lingers longer than brain freeze and he shudders to his toes.

Ooohhh! Creepy! ;)  Thank you SO much!! It was so nice to have you today! :D

25 comments:

Abby Fowers said...

Great interview Chan! Don't you just adore Emily? I do! I think she is amazing. Loved learning more about her. :)

Angela Cothran said...

I just love Emily :) I beta read her MS and it is amazing--she really has a gift. I LOVE little notebooks, I'm going to have to check out REMEMBRANCE, and I what great advice about writing what you love!

Great interview Chantele :)

Emily R. King said...

Thanks for having me, Chantele. It was a blast!

Sarah Tokeley said...

What a great interview. I knew I loved Emily, and her words on the youngsters of today just confirmed it.

Jenny S. Morris said...

I love Emily. She's awesome. I have a few notebooks. Never stuck one under the sink though. Great advice! Oh, I want to know that love story, too.!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Diet Coke as a catalyst for writing? They should make an ad campaign of this.

E. Arroyo said...

Now I feel like a stalker. =) I gotta check out that book. Thanks.

Maggie said...

Fun interview of an awesome girl. I love Emily's blog. Now she's peeked my curiosity about her husband. My parents were together since childhood too and I'd love to hear her story.

Brooke R. Busse said...

Water spots on my notebooks really irritate me so I wrap my hair up first before making a mad dash for paper. XD

Pertaining to Michael's comment, have you seen the new commercials for Dr. Pepper 10? They're just wrong. -.-

Ruth Josse said...

Great interview and great to learn more about you, Emily!

Iain said...

What a great intervew. Some great questions, and some well thought out answers. :o)

LynNerdKelley said...

I loved reading this interview and getting to know you better, E.R. I really love that last answer, "lingers longer than brain freeze." Haha!

Chantele - Nice job. I like how you add your own input after E.R.'s answers. I haven't read those books either, so my bad, too!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

loved this interview. I used to drink diet coke when I wrote too...but I drank so much of it that I had to quit. Now I'm a good girl and drink water instead, although occasionally I do enjoy a little indulgence--especially during revisions ;)

Golden Eagle said...

Awesome interview! :)

I really like books by James Patterson; I find he's the kind of writer to take in smaller doses, when in need of some action/adventure.

I love the description of what your MC feels when a demon passes through him.

Deana said...

What YA wouldn't want to read a book from you! You're awesome Emily:) And so are you Chantele! Those were great questions.

Shallee said...

I LOVE what you said about teens being more than obnoxious snots. That's why I love YA too-- because we were all teens once, and because teens have depth, too.

Thanks for the interview, ladies!

i'm erin. said...

Great Interview! I love E! I'm such a stalker of her blog.

Jennie Bennett said...

Emily is da bomb! I like that random question :)

Jolene Perry said...

Don't knock people who like Dr Pepper ;O

LOVE her blog - SUCH a great interview, as always - I got to be a guest over there not long ago, and she rocks!

Jessie Humphries said...

So I am not the only heavily medicating myself with Diet Coke?? jk. I love the interview. Its so fun to get to know you E.

Melodie Wright said...

It's always great to learn more about Emily. Great interview, ladies!

David P. King said...

Emily rocks! So glad to see her interviewed here! :)

And a principle for a father? Please tell me you're going to write a book about that, right? That would be a great character trait for any story.

Peggy Eddleman said...

Awww! The whole "dad handed me my diploma" part made me all teary eyed!

Jemi Fraser said...

I love your approach to kids/teens. I find so many adults don't realize/remember how strong, smart and creative kids are. It's SO important not to talk down to them. I'm with you on the background noise too! :)

Leslie S. Rose said...

Great to get to know you better, Emily. I share your love of the YA return to high school practice. I love changing the outcomes in stories that caused me so many nights weeping and listening to the BEST OF BREAD album.