Welcome - Erin Quinn!

It is my great honor to welcome Award winning Author - Erin Quinn! 
Erin Quinn (also known as Erin Grady) has several books out now. Her newest being  "HAUNTING WARRIOR", the second in a series. The first book is HAUNTING BEAUTY (2009). She has just finished the third book in the series called - HAUNTING DESIRE ( in stores March of 2011, available for preorder now.). She is currently working on the fourth book, called - HAUNTING DESTINY.


Look for HAUNTING WARRIOR in your bookstores.
From Amazon - When his father vanished after uncovering the secrets of the ancient Book of Fennore, Rory McGrath transformed from an innocent boy into a troubled, cynical man. Leaving Ireland, he shunned his family, his heritage-and the very magic that defined his people for centuries.
Then he began dreaming of an ethereal beauty, who calls him to return home to a destiny that will take him beyond the realm of anything he imagined.
Lured to the castle ruins where his father disappeared, Rory is plunged back in time, and into the body of another man-a man betrothed to the very woman of Rory's dreams. In possession of the secrets of his past, his family, and his identity, her hold on Rory is inescapable. For she is his doom, his salvation-and his destiny.

Her other titles include - WHISPERS  (2006), ECHOES (2005) which won the WILLA Award for Historical fiction,  And WEB OF SMOKE  (1994).
I personally own and have read - Whispers and Echoes. Both are excellent! I also intend on buying and reading her new series, but I think I will wait till they all come out then read them all at once. 

You can find Erin at her website - "Erin Quinn Books" and her Blog - "Quinn's Essentials"

I had the pleasure of interviewing Erin -
1. When you were a little girl, did you want to grow up to be a writer?
 Yes, for as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a writer.  I can clearly recall writing to EB White as a child and asking him how I went about doing what he did. 
 
2. Were you a good writer in High school (like all A's in English), were you like Editor of the school newspaper, etc? 
 Yes and no.  I was far from the model student--I enjoyed the social aspect way more than doing my homework and showing up for class.  I guess it's a testament to my ability to write and snow job my teachers that I was able to graduate given my poor work ethic.  I look back at that kid now and wonder who she was. 

3. What was it like getting your first book published? Was is rejected at first, accepted right away, tell us about it? 
 It was more incredible than I can even begin to describe.   I actually sold my first book to the first editor who read it.  Of course from there I went on to make a million beginners mistakes and it took me a long time to sell my second book.  But I can still remember driving home from work on the day I got THE CALL.  I was all alone in the car and I kept screaming at the top of my lungs.  I'm sure people around me thought I was nuts, but did I care? 

4. How much control do you have over the cover? Do you choose, do "they" choose, do you get approval?
 Absolutely none.  Nada.  Zilch.  Occasionally if something is really awful they might tweak it, but I've heard nightmare stories from other authors that make me shudder.  I've been very, very lucky with my covers! 

5. What is your system for writing? Do you take notes, do you have an outline, do you know the ending before it happens, or do you make it up as you go along?
 I'm what they call a Pantser--which comes from writing from the seat of your pants.  I have a starting point, I usually know a few big scenes that will happen on the way and sometimes I know the ending.  It works for me and apparently it works for my readers but I can tell you, it's scary sometimes, especially around the middle when I'm plagued with self doubt and wondering how I will ever finish the book.   

6. Do you have a special place and time for most of your writing, or can you write anyplace anytime?
 Anyplace, anytime.  The only thing I can't do is work with interruptions.  Sometimes I have to leave home because my dear husband just can't comprehend that. 

7. I know you are on your 4th. book in the series, after this series if finished what are your plans for writing? 
 There are several secondary characters in the Haunting Series that are begging for their own book and I may give it to them.  I'm also working on a new idea that is very, very different from anything I've ever written but it is so much fun!  Not ready to talk about it, but I'm cooking it up in the back of my head. 

8. And... the famous question -  What 3 books would you take with you to a Deserted Island?
 Holy batshit.  I can't answer that.  I don't go to the doctor's office with less than 3 books.  I couldn't choose 3 to take.  I'd load up my kindle to the max and take the whole library in one.   

9. This question is from my husband - Do you do all your writing on the computer or do you do some writing by hand in a notebook? 
  Interesting question!  I do both.  When I'm trying to bang out the first draft, I'm usually at the keyboard, but sometimes I have to take a pen and paper and figure out where I'm going.  The reason I think this is such an interesting question is that I find I tap into a completely different part of my creativity when I use paper/pen as opposed to keyboard.  It's not better, necessarily, but different.  I don't know why--just is.  

Please help me welcome Erin by posting your comments and questions to her. She will be checking and posting back personally through the day.  
*** One lucky commenter will win an autographed copy of Haunting Beauty, Whispers or Echoes (Reader's Choice of one)!

Comments

  1. Erin,
    I too would love to be a writer! What is your advice for me getting my book off the ground?
    - Casey

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  2. Great interview.

    I liked question #7, the idea of branching out into characters that are already in the Haunting Series.

    Its interesting to see how a writers mind works.

    How do you come up with the characters that you write about?
    Wendy,s mom

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  3. Great questions! Yah hubby for helping :)
    (not an entry)

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  4. Hi Erin!

    Great interview (to both you and Wendy).

    I thought question #9 was a great question (good job Glen). I too have always wondered if authors in todays world strictly use computers or still use a trusty old pen and pad of paper from time to time.

    I'm curious about how you do your research before beginning a book. I noticed you won the "WILLA Award for Historical Fiction." Are you a history buff? Do you just research online or do you read other author's books who write about history?

    Thanks,

    Paula (Wendy's Niece)

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  5. Hi Everyone! Hi Wendy, thanks again for having me as a guest. You have such a nice blog. I love all the pictures. It's so lush where you live. Out here in the desert, not so much. :)

    Casey, we writers are everywhere and I recommend you look in your local area for a writers organization. If you send me an email to write2erinquinn (@) aol.com, I'll help you find one near you. There are so many things to learn that I could write a book on how to write a book, lol.

    Wendy's Mom :) I wish I knew the answer the to that question. Characters seem to come up with me. Sometimes I have crystal clear images of who I'm writing about before I start, other times I learn about them as we go.

    Paula, every writer I know has a different process. Some use recorders, others pads/paper exclusively and others use only PC.

    I LOVE history, and, as a matter of fact, that's how your aunt and I met. We were both reviewing historicals on goodreads and we started talking about how much we love historical books. Echoes was my first try at writing a historical and it was so rewarding and exciting to craft a story around all the history I learned in my research. For Echoes, I read a lot of diaries from the time period which really gave me a personal look into the lives of the people of the time (1850 US). It was fascinating reading.

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  6. How long does it usually take you to create one of your stories? What do you find to be the hardest part about writing a book?

    Thank you, :-)
    Shelley

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  7. Fantastic interview Wendy and Erin!

    The books sound great - anything with magic and time travel can't be a bad thing, now can it?

    You know I've always been bothered by the fact that the author normally has no input on the cover. It just makes no sense to me- it's their book, they should. It should really be a combined decision as I realize the publishing company wants something they approve of as well but it shouldn't only be up to them although I will say this one is pretty hot and steamy. lol.

    Interesting question that hubby came up with Wendy. I think it's different too Erin. I think with a paper and pen you can just jot down ideas wherever you are whereas you've got to get to the computer first. I always like to have a notepad handy for thoughts.

    Again, fabulous interview. Best of luck to you Erin! Great job Wendy!

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  8. Awesome interview! Great questions, too. I have often thought about trying to write a book, but my thoughts are so jumbled most of the time, I don't think I could put anything down on paper (or computer) that would make any sense. I still keep the thought in the back of my mind, though. :)

    Best of luck to you, Erin! So nice to meet you :)

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  9. Great interview Wendy (mom).

    Erin I have three questions:
    1. When you're introducing a character for the first time, I'm sure you have a picture of that character in your head... do you try to explain as much as possible so the reader pictures exactly what you're imagining or do you like to leave details to the imagination of the reader?

    2. When you read a bad review on your book, do you take it as constructive criticism and use that to influence your next book or do you pay no attention to reviews for fear they might inhibit you or cramp your writing style?

    3. When you're a writer, I'm assuming you can't just take a vacation from the job because you're always thinking about your next book. Am I right? If so, how do you give yourself a vacation, what do you do for "me time" and how do you lessen the stress of an upcoming deadline? Yoga? Trip to the beach? A four day nap? lol

    Ashley (Wendy's daughter)

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  10. Shelley, it takes me anywhere from 6 months to a year to really craft a story. When you start having a schedule of books coming out, the luxury of "as long as it takes" is taken away. :)

    Missy B-- it's like that for all of us. My thoughts are always a snarled mess and getting them out of my head is the challenge. :) I do it draft by painful draft.

    Ashley--on the characters--absolutely not. Think of introducing a character like a first date. You give just enough to make the person across the table want a second date. With appearance, I usually try to focus on a few important characteristics (smile, eyes) and let my readers fill in the rest. I hate when I read something and the author has gotten so detailed about appearance that my imagination is stifled.

    Bad reviews--I don't take it personally necessarily, but I sure don't like it. Sometimes people say the strangest (and cruelest) things and it's hard not to be upset. I've been lucky that most of my reviews are the good kind. I've never had anyone flat out trash one of my books (knock on wood)

    Vacation? What's a vacation? I don't know how to answer that question because I haven't figured out how to do it. Just unplugging is a start though. I can deal with the voices in my head so long as I'm not in front of a keyboard, ha ha.

    Part of being a writer includes alot of administrative things though and when I'm on vacation, I do no do any of those. :)

    Wendy, you have the nicest blog pals! Thank you so much for inviting me.

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  11. Erin, I don't know if you're planning on checking back again but I'm so glad to hear the part about wanting to leave things to the imagination. There are so many books where the content of the first three chapters are mainly descriptions and I get so bored I end up never picking the book back up to finish it. I like your first date theory. Always leave them wanting more!!

    Thank you so much for giving us your time and insight. It was a pleasure to get to know a little bit about you!

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  12. Hi Ashley, you know the one that drives me out of my skull? When they look in the mirror and analyze their "round, expressive turquoise eyes" and "pouty mouth". Call me insecure, but I've never looked in the mirror and analyzed anything but my bad hair day and shiny nose. :)

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  13. Wendy,
    This was a really exciting post. Great interview and how neat that Erin was able to monitor and respond.

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