An Interview with Erin Sinclair

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
1) Links to website and list of books with purchase links.

Publisher: Devine Destinies

Fallen Angel series:
Twilight’s Son, Book 1
Ebook
Print
Amazon
Nook

The Betrothed, Book 2
Ebook
Amazon Kindle

Garden of Eden, Book 3 (coming soon)

Witch One?
Ebook
Amazon Kindle
Nook

The Wishing Tree
ebook
Amazon Kindle
Nook


Big Fat Greek Tall Tales:
Cupid's Folly, Tall Tale 1
Ebook
Amazon Kindle
Nook

Also Coming Soon: 


Café Nowhere-Kameoth

Birthstone anthology (title unknown at the moment)-
Tuesday Night Special at the Empire Buffett

Zodiac anthology (title unknown at the moment)-
Dancing the Bulls

Tarot anthology (title unknown at the moment)-
Star Fall

Where can your find Erin Sinclair?

My website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter

2) How long have you been writing? What got you in to writing?

Depends on how you look at it. I’ve been writing since I was eight, but writing with the intention for publication? Since 2008 because that is when I believed my author’s voice was sophisticated enough to pursue the dream.

3) What was your first published book? Looking back, is there anything you’d change about it?

Twilight’s Son was my first published book. Overall, I love that story for a number of reasons, but I think it was a very “busy” first attempt at a novel. There was a lot of information about my characters and their world and the overall plot that I needed to tell the reader. Looking back on it now, there are some things I would change, but for the most part I think it was a good first attempt at writing for publication. I learned so much about writing with that novel and through my critique partner, CR Moss. I will always be grateful for the process and to my publisher, Devine Destinies, for accepting it on spec. That stated, I’m much more pleased with The Betrothed, it is streamlined, tighter I think, a much better read overall. The plot moves forward with every page and I’m able to delve deeper into the characters Shade, Brie and Uriel.

4) What or Who has influenced your writing?

I have so many “mentors”, authors who have pushed me to create magic with words the way they created magic for me with their words. Too many to list, but some of my favorites are Marion Zimmer Bradley, Anne McCaffrey, David and Leigh Eddings, Jane Austen, Zora Neale Hurston (just recently introduced to her by an English teacher at college, she is amazing), so many, too many to list, honestly. What has influenced me? My need to make an impact with my writing. I have a drive in me to prove the wonder of words and their power. I have the drive to help everyone rediscover the magic of reading. I want to do my part to bring literacy back to the populace because I am dumbfounded by the illiteracy level of our nation, most especially in the 80s, 90s generation. In my current educational pursuits, I’ve decided I’m going to teach at the college level because that is the last opportunity a teacher has to help students learn. If they don’t learn by the time they are in college and/or have graduated from it, it is never going to happen. What irritates me the most, though, we have dictionaries on-line and in hard copy, we have spell check, grammar sites, etc. and fully grown adults still have the reading/writing levels of freshman/sophomores in high school! Ridiculous and a sign of neglect and laziness in my opinion. Believe me, my daughters have heard my podium thumping on this issue for years. :-D    

5) Where do you get your ideas?

From observation, inspiration, and dedication to my art by studying what it takes to be a good storyteller.

6) What hinders your writing? (distractions? noise?)

I don’t become distracted easily, as a matter of fact, when I’m on a good writing clip I forget to move. Two hours later, I’m trying to stretch out kinks for a good half hour after sitting for so long. I’ve decided I’m taking up yoga to help with that process. LOL

7) What genre are you most comfortable with? What would you like to explore? 

The genre I’m honestly most comfortable with is literary. I like writing about love, but some of the things I write about are so intimate and special I feel like I’m invading my characters’ privacy! However, I move past it because if I can make my reader feel, I’ve done my job as an author.

8) Are you a by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of writer, or do you have to use an outline to put your collective thoughts into some semblance of common sense?

I’m primarily an inspirational writer. I write and write and write, then I stop. I go back and edit/proofread later. The outline (which I’m sure is important to many writers) tends to make me feel hemmed in. What I find works for me at this moment in my career is get a basic idea of where I want to go, then the rest fills itself in. My thought is as my writing evolves I’m sure my work ethic will as well.  

9) Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

Cupid’s Folly. I had so much fun writing it. Seriously, I cracked myself up the whole time I wrote it. I love silly, sweet, fun chick flick kind of movies that have happily ever after endings, therefore that was my intention when I penned Cupid’s Folly. I live reality every day. I love pure escapism kind of entertainment where I can laugh and recharge before dealing with the world again.

10) Do you incorporate some of yourself into your characters? Personality traits? Likes? Dislikes?

I think all writers incorporate some of themselves into who or what they write. I find myself doing it once in a while, but I also know I write with the intention of who I would like to be in certain circumstances. I can be a formidable woman (or so I’ve been told over the years), when I write about Lt. Detective Brie Carter or Uriel [from Twilight’s Son or The Betrothed], that’s the seventeen year old girl who thought about serving in the Army or the thirty something woman who considered becoming a cop/police detective at one point in time. When I write about Father Kenney that is the part of me who still has faith that love will always win. The prostitute or the corrupt minister in Twilight’s Son is my more cynical nature coming to the fore. I’m sure many authors use their writings as a sort of therapy, I know I do.

11) What do you think is the perfect hero/heroine? Why?

I don’t believe in perfect heroes or heroines nor will I write them. Hence, the reason Shade in Twilight’s Son fell from Grace as it were, and the love of his life, Brie, despite being an athlete who utilizes yoga, still craves that cigarette every now and then and is a cop. Cops endure stresses we can’t even imagine and many cross lines that are inappropriate to say the least. However, when these oh so human individuals rise above circumstances and go that extra mile, you are reminded why the field deserves the honors it receives.

12) What is your latest release? Please share the blurb and purchase info with us.

My latest release is The Betrothed, Book 2 of the Fallen Angel series/trilogy. Here’s the blurb and the book, The Betrothed, plus the novel that started it all, Twilight’s Son can be purchased at: Devine Destinies 

BLURB:
“Book 2 of the Fallen Angel series revolves around revelations. Brie and Shade’s relationship ignites and the intensity of it takes Brie’s breath away. She reveals herself in ways to Shade never before exposed to any man she’s loved.

Shade is ecstatic that the love of his life is returning his love for her. He knows beyond any shadow of doubt the doorway to her heart is now open for him to enter. Trust is established and Shade begins to hope he can reveal who he is to her.

When Shade discovers Brie’s life is in danger, he becomes terrified, then enraged at the thought of losing her. As the pressure mounts on the beautiful couple, the kind and gentle angel of the first novel takes a backburner to the fearsome warrior who will protect his hard fought for love at all costs. Shade draws the line, who will be the first to cross? He refuses to yield the one gift both lovers were given when they were born— the gift of choice and free will.”

13) What do you have in the works?

I am currently working on Garden of Eden, Book 3 and the final novel of the Fallen Angel trilogy. I am also working on three short stories for three different anthologies I am participating in for my publisher, Devine Destinies. I am going to finish my Big Fat Greek Tall Tale series for my publisher, plus I am finally, finally working on my young adult series for an agent I’m interested in courting. I will be journaling my agent search at my blog, From My Corner. 

14) Do you have any suggestions/comments for prospective authors?

Keep in mind how much competition is out there, some who are very, very good, a lot of it awful yet published anyway. Study the craft, learn the craft, do not write for the sake of writing. Write because you love it and I mean love it. Honor the language you write in and do it well. Make a point of realizing that the phrase “Everyone has a book in them” is bunk. Just because you want to write a book doesn’t mean you can or should. It is far more difficult than you think. Writing well is a special gift, a blessing to cherish.

Appreciate the team that helps make your novel go from blah to ZING. That stated, if you have an editor or a publisher that believes they are doing you a favor by ripping your novel to pieces and substituting their voice for yours, move on to find a team where you are all elevated by the process, not just them and not just you, but all of you. Above all, check whiny, me first attitudes and pompous egos at the door because you must open your mind to the learning process. Student and master are two sides of the same coin, but there is always someone better who will keep you on your toes, that’s for sure.

JUST FOR FUN:

1) What is the sexiest or most erotic thing someone has said to you?

“You need me, you call me because I will always have your back.”  I was blown away because a woman rarely, if ever, hears that from a man. If a man has your back he shows it, but will not say it. To do both floored me.

2) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why? 

A horse such as an Arabian, an Andalusian, or a champion thoroughbred because of their grace, power and beauty. They helped build the world.

3) If you had super powers, what would they be? Why?

I would love to be able fly (for the freedom of it). The second superpower would be the ability to heal the human mind with just a touch. The mind is so much more powerful than the body, when it is healthy, balanced and whole so is the body.

4) If you could be an immortal, what would you want to be? Why?

I would be the Greek goddess, Athena. Beauty, brains and brawn, need I say more? ;-)

5) If you could change three things in the world, what would they be? Why?

A child’s suffering; a human being’s ability to inflict suffering/damage of any kind; and I would change our absolute inability to cooperate with one another long term. We’re a bloody mess and we need to change or nature will resolve the issue for us through her version of natural selection.

6) What would be a perfect date for you?

It isn’t any one thing specifically as much as it is the ability to be completely comfortable with a man I not only find appealing on all the levels, but a man that I can respect because he has such great character. When I’m in that kind of company, anything we do together would be perfect.

7) Is there anywhere you’d like to visit? Why?

I would love to visit all the places I sincerely believe I’ve lived in, in past lives. Sounds outlandish I know, but there are certain places in the world that sing to me and I want to find out why. Ireland, Scotland, England, France, Australia, Egypt, to name a few.

8) Do you have any obsessions? What are they?

Designer perfume, love designer shoes, but very few designers create for a wide foot, so I tend to admire the creations from afar. Love designer purses. Love gourmet chocolate. I’m obsessed with horses, one day I hope to own a couple. I’m obsessed with my grandchildren. I had a hard time with motherhood because I don’t think I did it well, but I know for a fact I’ll be an awesome grandmother as soon as I get my hands on my grandsons. They live in Las Vegas and I live in Green Country, Oklahoma.

9) Do you have a crush on any actor/actress? Who?

Hands down, Adrian Paul. He’s beautiful, that goes without saying, but when I heard he started a children’s foundation to help street kids, that’s it, I was undone by such a soul. Hugh Jackman, he is so dedicated to his family. It warms my heart to no end when I hear of that kind of devotion by a man to his family. He just comes across as real and doesn’t take his physical beauty too seriously. I’d say the fact that he’s so very easy on the eyes is a plus, but honestly, beauty fades over time, so that in and of itself isn’t the “it” factor for me. The fact that his soul walks three feet in front of him, works every time for me. I also think the actor James Franco is fascinating. He’s a true Renaissance man. He is so intriguing and that makes him sexy to me, even though I’m old enough to be his moth…no, that’s not correct, older sister.

Be sure to check out the excerpt for The Betrothed, below!

Also, stop by the Dessert Diva's Kitchen to see Erin Sinclair's amazing hobby!