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I want to thank Erica Alexander for taking the time for this interview!
BIO:
Erica Alexander is known for crafting emotional stories filled with complex characters, a touch of angst, and just the right amount of humor. She loves taking her characters—and readers—on a journey that may be bumpy but always ends with a well-earned happily ever after.
Happily married to her husband for over 30 years, Erica is a proud mom to two amazing kids who inspire her every day. When she’s not busy catering to the small feral cat colony, she cares for—or tending to her two rescue cats and loyal pup—she’s likely reading, baking something delicious, or binging Netflix and Prime marathons.
Erica lives in New Jersey with her family and her menagerie of furry friends.
P.S. A happily ever after is guaranteed.
When and how did you
know you wanted to be a writer?
For as long as I can remember I’ve loved books. I used to put myself to sleep by making up stories in my mind. And those stories would have chapters and go on for days or weeks and have a HEA. Then I’d imagine a new story.
And I also made-up stories while doing chores. Now I listen to audiobooks while cleaning, cooking, driving, shopping. Even in the shower.
I guess you could say have I have been a writer my entire life. But it became official when I published my first novella as part of a charity anthology in 2016.
Did you have any influencing writers growing up?
I read everything I could put my hands on. I read a lot of classic sci-fi growing up, like Asimov and Bradbury. And of course, romance. I used to read one of those Halmark books a day. Richard Bach was a huge favorite when I was a kid. I read everything he published.
Are any of your characters based on people in real life?
Yes and no. My characters come to me with names and personalities and stories of their own. The characters always come first. But I have borrowed from real life quite extensively to make those characters more real. Every book has some real events and aspects of my life in them.
Where do you draw your book inspirations from?
Everywhere. My first book Seventeen Wishes came to me in a dream.
The twin sisters in the Riggins U series are loosely based on me and my brother.
Avalon, the main character for In Her Eyes was partially based on myself.
The inspiration for Courage, Dear Heart came from a sticker. I saw a sticker with flowers and the quote from the Narnia series and the entire story started to unfold in my mind.
Music lyrics, movies and even overheard snippets of conversations can inspire a story.
Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?
The characters lead the way. I may have an idea for a few plot points, but for the most part, it’s the characters telling me their stories. For In Her Eyes, I had no idea how that book would end until I wrote the end. It was a surprise for me too.
When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?
No, it’s the other way around. They come to me first and then I go looking for pictures that look like them. I see everything in my mind like a movie.
Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?
Reading is one way for sure. Watching movies. And I also love to bake, and I always listen to an audiobook when I’m baking or cooking. I don’t like to cook so much. Probably because it’s something I have to do every day, while baking is a treat. And I’m a better baker than a cook.
Who are your favorite current authors to read?
I love Jennifer L. Armentrout. I’ve read every single one of her books. Colleen Hoover, Kyla Stone, Jeaniene Frost and Darynda Jones as well.
I also read a lot of non-fiction books. Wayne Dyer is another favorite.
What are your favorite books by others?
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley has stayed with me for over 30 years. More recently, Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, everything by Emily Henry, and Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.
Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?
Not particularly. The locations come with the characters. They tell me where they are and where the story takes place.
Do you write in single or multiple POV?
Multiple POV. But I’m not averse to writing in a single POV, if that’s what works best for the story.
What do you find to be your best research tool?
I love Google Earth and real estate websites to search locations I’ve never been to. I do the street view and “walk” around to get a feel for the location.
I use fictional places for the most part but base them on real locations. For the Riggins U series for example, Riggins University is fictional, but is based on the University of Vermont.
Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?
I do have two other pen names. I write non-fiction resource books for authors under E. Alexander and I have super secret pen name for short very spicy books.
What genre do you write and why is this your preference?
I write contemporary romance. Romance gets a bad rap sometimes, but it’s not deserved. Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone wants to find their person. And romance gives us that while empowering women. And I love that.
Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait... what led to you being you?
About me, hmm. I have two degrees, one in Marketing and Advertising and one in Computer Science. I worked in IT for over 20 years.
I speak 3 languages fluently. Four if you include sarcasm.
I’m married and have two boys.
I’m a huge animal lover and have been a vegetarian for most of my life. I care for a small feral cat colony.
I format all of my books myself and do formatting and covers for other authors too under Serendipity Formats.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
Reading is the most important thing. Read in the genre you want to write and read other genres as well. You can learn so much by reading.
There’s a wealth of information about writing online, in books, workshops. Take advantage of them.
Find a writer group that’s a good fit and learn from them too.
How do you deal and process negative book reviews?
There’s an “unwritten rule” that you should not read your reviews. But I do. I read all of my reviews, good or bad. You can learn a lot about your writing from the reviews.
I think that reviews are for the most part about the reader and how they connect to the story. We all bring our own experiences and bias with us when we read. And how we connect to a book, like or dislike a story is in part filtered through those personal experiences. I always look for the learning opportunity. What about the story didn’t work for this person? And is it something I can use to improve future books? No book, movie, food, etc. will appeal to all people. And I’m okay with that.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
For the writing itself, the middle of the story is where I have to do the most work to stay focused. Once I get past that, it’s all good.
The marketing part. The “Hey, I wrote a book, please read it,” LOL.
What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?
I need a quiet space. And minimize distractions. I usually find a sound I can play on YouTube or Insight Timer, something like rain sounds with binaural focus beats.
Of course, that’s when my dog wants attention, the cats demand pets by jumping on my desk and blocking the computer, the phone rings, and there’s a delivery at the door.
What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?
Probably chocolate. Lately I’ve switched from chocolate bars to dark chocolate chips. Easier to do portion control and a little bit hits the right spot.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?
Can I pick two?
Jennifer L. Armentrout. Not only for her writing, but she’s an amazing human being.
And Stephen King. I admire his work ethic and integrity.
What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?
I don’t really have a schedule. I desperately need one. I used to write late at night. Between 10 PM and 2 AM was my sweet spot. That’s my binging TV time now. I’m trying to be a daytime writer.
I’m a big water drinker. I have a 40 oz bottle next to me and I refill that bottle 3 times a day. I don’t snack much, but when I do it’s chocolate.
Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?
No music with lyrics. I listen to focus sounds sometimes. And I always listen to an instrumental of "Closer" by Kings of Leon on a loop when I write the spicy scenes.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
Yes! When they want attention. I have a small dog, and her thing is tapping my foot with her paw when she wants attention. One of my cats jumps on the desk and blocks the computer. The other just sits behind me and screams her head off.
What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?
Procrastination is my archenemy. I’ll find things to do when I should be writing. That’s how my cabinets get clean, LOL.
Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?
Oh, gosh, no. I don’t think I have. I don’t think I would. Not a main character anyway.
How do you celebrate after typing THE END?
I never type THE END. In my mind the story goes on and the characters are living their HEA in their own universes. But I like to celebrate with some good Mexican food, my favorite.
I hope you enjoyed this interview!
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