Author Bio:
I was born and raised in New Jersey, but have found myself a new, calmer life in Florida. With a B.S in Criminology from FSU, and a military deployment behind me, I’m now working full time and raising a family. Whenever I can sneak away from those responsibilities, I’m writing and I’m loving it.
The “Gifted Trilogy” is my introduction into the writing world. “Gift of Sight” was published in February followed by “Gift of Power” now in April. The final book in this trilogy is still a work in progress but you should look for it at the end of June.
What inspires you to write?
Excitement.
I work behind a desk forty+ hours a week and I’m past the point of parties and clubs. Although my five year old makes me laugh like no other, there are only so many games of go fish and shows that I can watch where we are answering questions asked by a fish or a dog.
I seek excitement, a challenge against the mundane, and sitting at my computer and letting my mind just go nuts is where I’m finding it.
Tell us about your writing process.
My story is constantly running through my head and I type it as it comes. If there is something that comes to me, in the middle of the day, I make a note on my iPhone. When I get home that night, I add it to the bottom of my word document and find a way to work into the story as I go. I tried to do an outline at one time, but honestly, It was like I was fighting with myself to follow it. No one pressures me more than myself.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that when something happens in my life, I find myself sometimes thinking “What would Regan, Maggie, or Piper do?”
In my stories, when the interaction between multiple characters are meant to be serious, I always try and find a way for one of them to throw out some sarcasm or maybe even a joke because that’s how I am in life.
It’s too easy to get lost in the sadness, and there are so many people who are willing to let you drown. I don’t want to be that person.
What advice would you give other writers?
Editing…a lesson I learned first-hand. When I finished my first book I was so excited. I had a few people that helped me go through the book to see if they found any errors, and when they didn’t, I self-published. Within a week I was not a happy camper. I found error after error. No matter how many times, you as the writer, or the people you ask to look over the book, go through it…if they are not professional editors they will not catch what others will. Despite the cost, it was well worth it. I quickly pulled my original version and resubmitted the professionally edited one. The second time around, I used the editor first, and then published.
I was happy with my product, but when it was edited I was proud of what I was offering.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I went with self-publishing because when I looked into publishers, most were looking for an outline, and I am not an outline kind of girl.
I am also terrible at self-promoting. I want to write on the request ‘THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER”, instead I found myself composing letters that said “Please consider.” Instead of beating myself up, I decided to get all three books completed, and out, before I focused on marketing it in the larger fish bowl.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I’m hoping that publishers and reviewers are going to be more open to independent authors, especially the ones who have proven that they are taking their work seriously and are putting the effort, time and money into doing it right.
What do you use?
Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?
Romance Fantasy, Chick-lit
What formats are your books in?
eBook
Website(s)
Erin Manbeck Home Page Link
Link To Erin Manbeck Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7910131.Erin_Manbeck
http://twitter.com/erinmanbeck
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