About Erica Monroe:
Erica Monroe is a USA Today Bestselling Author of emotional, suspenseful romance. Her debut novel, A Dangerous Invitation, has been nominated in the published historical category for the prestigious 2014 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Romantic Suspense. Though she has a Bachelor’s degree in writing, she’s been a secretary, a barista, and a retail assistant. Now Erica spends her days crafting lovable rogues and feisty heroines for her historical and new adult series. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina, Kiss of Death Romantic Suspense chapter, and the Beau Monde Regency Romance chapter. When not writing, she is a chronic TV watcher, sci-fi junkie, lover of pit bulls, and shoe fashionista. She lives in the suburbs of North Carolina with her husband, two dogs, and a cat.
What inspires you to write?
Many things. Television shows, other books, conversations with friends, news articles. For me, writing is both an escape and a catharsis. I write not only because I want to tell a story, but because I need to get out certain emotions. I’ve told stories for so long I can’t remember not doing so. I write romance because I believe in love and I want others to be able to have happiness from my stories.
Tell us about your writing process.
I am a compulsive planner, so I will plot out a book and then change the outline as I go along. I write in Scrivener but edit in Word. I also use Pinterest to make storyboards for my books and that’s where I put images, quotes, research articles–anything that triggers something in my mind about my books.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I listen to music a lot. That helps me to find a character’s voice.
What advice would you give other writers?
Keep writing. Even when it seems like it’d be a whole lot easier to quit, you keep going and you continue to tell your stories. I also believe that you always have something to learn. I take a lot of classes and I’m always trying to learn new things about my craft.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I independently publish my books, for many reasons. I like the control it affords me, and the ability to pick my own editor, cover designer, and formatter. I also like the flexibility to set my own deadlines. And because my books cross genres, historical romance and romantic suspense, this allows me to develop a marketing plan that will accurately target all those audiences.
For new writers, I believe that the decision is entirely personal. There is no right way to write or publish.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I love where we are in publishing. There are so many wonderful opportunities available. Niche books–like mine–which previously might not have been published now have a place to shine. It’s amazing to be a part of an industry with so many options.
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Historical romance, romantic suspense
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Erica Monroe Home Page Link
Link To Erica Monroe Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on Barnes and Noble
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
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