I’m so excited to have my good friend Erin Howard on “Writer Wednesday!
Erin and I are both published with Mantle Rock Publishing, but we couldn’t be more different – I’m a grandma-wannabe, she’s a young mom with young kids; I write contemporary romance, she writes fantasy.
But guess what? We both went to the same elementary school in Symsonia, KY (a few years apart, mind you!), and her aunt was my middle-school social studies teacher!
So, without further ado, Here’s Erin!!
What inspired you to write, initially, and what encouraged you to continue?
Erin: I started writing short stories in middle school. My love of reading contributed, but in the sixth grade, we were supposed to write in a daily journal. I asked my teacher if I could write a short story instead. Each day, instead of a journal entry, I would continue the story. When the assignment was finished, my teacher told me something along the lines of, “Keep writing, Erin. Don’t stop.” That was the encouragement I needed to keep going.
Regina: That’s so cool!! Teachers have no idea what kind of influence they have on their students!
Do you look on writing as a “calling?”
Erin: For me, it’s a calling. I struggled many years with the idea of writing as a career. I don’t know if I thought I wasn’t good enough, or that it wasn’t a legit career, but I looked at it as a hobby instead. But always in the back of my mind, I would feel like I needed to write. Finally, I realized this was something I was meant to do.
Regina: I’m with you – it’s a hard transition, but God gives everyone a passion, and writing is ours!
What is one story from real life that you’ve included in one of your books?
Erin: There are so many things that I put into my books, little Easter eggs of either personalities or quirks from my family and friends. Elnora Scott, from The Soul Searcher (book two), is named after my Grandmother, who passed away before my first book came out. She gave me my love of crochet and made the most beautiful afghans. In the opening scene, Elnora is cuddled up with an afghan her Grandmother crocheted. When I was trying to come up with the last name for this character, I entertained the idea of using her full name but decided not to at the last minute. When I went to a name generator online, the very last name was my Grandmother’s maiden name. It knew I had to use it.
Salad or Sandwich?
Erin: Hmm, I’m on a salad kick lately, so I’m going to go with salad.
What is your favorite Bible verse, and why?
Erin: Exodus 4: 14 “The Lord with fight for you; you need only to be still.” For a long time, Jer 29:11 was my favorite, but this verse got me through my son’s Leukemia battle. It’s precious to me.
Regina: Be still. It’s a recurring theme for me, as well!
What is one thing you have to do to yourself before you go out in public?
Erin: This depends on where I am going. LOL! If I’m going to dinner or an outing, I have to put on makeup. But if I’m running errands, I usually skip it.
Regina: Ah, the luxury of youth . . . 😉
What is your favorite movie and why?
Erin: You would ask a tough question like this! Narrowing it down to one movie is impossible, because I love movies so much. It’s just like the favorite book question. I can’t do it. So, here’s my top 5: Anne of Green Gables, Ever After, Pirates of Caribbean, Pride and Prejudice (Keira Knightly version), and The Princess Pride.
Regina: I love your eclectic mix!! I’m very scattered in my favorites, too! LOL!
A lot of interviewers ask for your favorite book. That’s just not fair! What has been the most recent book you’ve read that excited you or moved you in some way? Why?
Erin: I’ve been deep into the editing phase of my third book and a final read through, so I haven’t been able to read as much as I usually do. I did finish Mary Weber’s To Best the Boys not long ago. The book immediately drew me in. And who doesn’t enjoy a labyrinth?
Regina: Hmmm . . . I’ll have to check that one out!
Is there someone, alive or dead, who had a major influence on your writing life, or on your life in general?
Erin: Looking back, I can see several people who influenced my writing and kept me pursuing it. First, it would be my sixth-grade teacher that I mentioned earlier, and then friends in high school who loved to read my poetry, and even exchanged poetry with me. One friend gave me my first journal to write them all in, and I still have it on my desk. I also had several friends that would exchange handwritten letters with me. Long letters, like, five pages long. I still them all in a memory box. I wish I had my first short story from sixth grade though. That would be so much fun to go back and read.
If you were on a deserted island with a laptop and no wifi, what are two programs or apps you would have to have on your computer?
Erin: No wifi? What can you do if you can’t stream Netflix or Hulu? LOL! Microsoft Word, so I could write. And probably The Sims. I love that game.
Regina: I know, the “no wifi” caveat has stumped many! I haven’t thought about Sims in a while. My daughters loved it! I’ve discovered jigsaw puzzle apps lately. My youngest says I’m obsessed! LOL!!
Thanks so much, Erin!
What Erin’s Writing
The Silencer (The Kalila Chronicles, #3), releasing Feb. 4, 2020, from Mantle Rock Publishing, LLC.
Sam’s parents asked him to do the unthinkable:
And it cost him everything.
When Sam Hart was forced to walk away from everything and everyone he knew, The Kalila became his new home. He thought he could keep the past buried but after an unexpected visit from his brother, a family secret is revealed.
Already reeling from a murder of one of their own, an unimaginable chain of events leaves everyone questioning each other’s loyalty. Will Sam, Viktor, and Matthias be able to stop this newest threat before they lose another?
You can order Erin’s book HERE!
About Erin
Erin R. Howard is a Developmental Editor, YA Urban Fantasy Author of The Kalila Chronicles, and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing/English from Southern New Hampshire University. When she’s not writing, Erin enjoys spending time with her family, fueling her craft addictions, and teaching writing workshops. Erin is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the KenTen Writers Group. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.
Connect with Erin
Website: https://erinrhoward.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/E.R.H.Fiction/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ErinRHoward
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinrhoward/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erinrhoward/
Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z6w4q4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEiu-jq-KE-VMIjbtmGLbJA
Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/Silencer-Kalila-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B08361WNND
I hope you enjoyed this look into one of my author friends!! Come back next week when I’ll be featuring suspense writer Virginia Vaughan! I can’t wait!
Happy Writing Wednesday!
P.S. Check out my updated book trailer featuring all three in the Southern Breeze series!! Thanks, Linda Fulkerson!
Thank you for having me, Regina!