Indie Author Interview with Yvonne Erwin - Author of the Contemporary Women's Fiction The Discovery of Joy.
Yvonne Erwin has been writing stories since she was old enough to read and hold a pencil in hand. Her love of reading and of books brought her to a point where she wanted to tell her own stories.
Interview with Yvonne Erwin
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| Author Yvonne Erwin |
Yvonne Erwin: I always wanted to write stories and I started when I was a child. The first story I wrote, was a ghost story and I wrote it when I was in 7th grade. I've kept journals and diaries all my life. I became serious, real serious, about writing ten or so years ago. About that time, I decided I wanted to write a novel and become a serious author.
Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
Growing up, Louisa May Alcott was one of my favorites, and then after that, I wanted to be Nancy Drew and read all of those books. I've read the classics and I love those as well but I think the writers that I love the most are the more contemporary ones - Richard Russo, Joyce Carol Oates, Rosamund Pilcher, to name a few. I'm also a fan of Barbara Samuel, aka Barbara O'Neal, and I think her writing has influenced me in my writing the most.
"I thought I would be a journalist [...]"
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
When I was ten or twelve. I thought I would be a journalist, actually but that never happened.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Oho yes. I was in seventh grade and I wrote an absolutely awful story about a castle and ghosts. I tried to make it scary but it came out cheesy instead.
Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
I tend to be more productive in the mornings, as the sun comes up. So, I'll write for a half hour or so before going about my daily routine. Late at night, before I go to bed, my story often comes back to me and I'll write another half hour or so before turning in. I work full-time so I have to squeeze the time in when I can get it.
Please, describe your desk/workplace.
My desk is actually my dining room table right now. I don't have a dedicated office.
"[...] getting into my characters' heads and walking around in there"
What do you find easiest about writing? What the hardest?
The hardest thing is making the time because I work, and I have a house and family responsibilities. The easiest is getting into my characters' heads and walking around in there to find out what their motivation is.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
Just the pure act of pouring it out on paper.
Yvonne, please tell us a little about your Women’s Fiction Novel The Discovery of Joy.
I have three strong female characters here. Julie is introduced first, and she is a young mother trying to break free of her married paramour but Julie is so self-absorbed she can't see how her actions are affecting everyone around her. Once she hits a wall and turns a corner, things change. Andrea is my second character and I feel for her because all Andrea wants is a loving husband and a happy home and she has neither. Her plastic surgeon husband abandons her and cuts her off financially. Andrea struggles with alcoholism and another disorder. She's looking for meaning in her life, and she clutches onto something, but at what cost? Claudine is the last character. She is the steely cord binding all three women. Claudine is reeling from a divorce she didn't see coming; and to make things worse, her longtime boss inexplicably fires her. All three of these women find themselves at a place where they have to reinvent their lives. How far will they go to do that?
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
"[...] a book that women of all ages could relate to."
What inspired you to write the book?
I wanted to write a book that women of all ages could relate to. I never meant for it to be a War and Peace kind of book - I just wanted it to be something a new mother could grab for a read while the baby's sleeping, or a busy female exec could read on a plane, a weekend read.
Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
I see women from ages 18 on up as my target audience. Maybe some men as well. You can buy the book on amazon and at bn.com.
What makes your book special?
There is a thread of love throughout the book, and there is a lot, A LOT, of food. Who doesn't like to eat, right?
How would you describe the success of your book so far?
It's been well received but it's early, having only been out a week. I'm hoping for big things.
How long did it take it to write the book?
Two years of hard writing, three months of editing, so a little over two years.
"First of all, DON'T GIVE UP."
Can you give some advice for other Authors regarding the writing process?
First of all, DON'T GIVE UP. It's hard but it's well worth it once you have that finished book in your hands. So, keep going, no matter what. And then, the big thing, once you've finished your manuscript - hire a professional editor. Reason being, you are too close to your words and you need fresh eyes to tell you what needs to be fixed, and your manuscript will need fixing.
Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I am. I've started my next project. It concerns sisters and there will be lots of food in it as well! M
Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
Oh gosh, I hate to see brick and mortar stores disappearing but I fear that will be the case in ten years, or at least there will be very few of them. I think we are going to eBooks, most certainly.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I actually don't own one. I like the feel of a "real book" in my hands.
Do you write full-time or do you have a day job? When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I do have a day job so I am not able to write full-time. My hobbies include photography, cooking, gardening, and reading.
How can readers connect with you?
I have a blog - www.y-write.blogspot.com, I am on Facebook, and Twitter.
Thank you very much for the Interview, Yvonne.
About the Book The Discovery of Joy
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
We have Julie, a 24-year old single mother, is a selfish young woman with no regard for anyone else. She's involved in a paternity action with the married father of her child, a lawsuit draining Julie and her family. Julie begins to acknowledge how her actions affect others but sees herself as a liability until a handsome sheriff's deputy knocks on her door.
Thirty-three year old Andrea, the beautiful but unloved wife of a wealthy plastic surgeon, should have it all. After her husband walks out on her and cuts her off financially, Andrea searches for a calling, but she’s battling some strong demons, alcoholism and a strange fetish for pulling out her hair. Andrea discovers her mission in life and her faith in God will take her far, but at what cost?
The forty-something Claudine, the family law paralegal is reeling from her recent divorce. Claudine is struggling with the loss of her marriage and co-parenting with her ex-husband, who remarried way too soon. When Claudine’s long time boss, who also represents Julie and Andrea, inexplicably fires her, Claudine must find the tools to reinvent her life. Claudine soon learns she will receive an astonishing gift - will she step out of timidity and take a chance on life - and love?
- "Yvonne Erwin perfectly captures those 'behind closed doors' scenes which most people prefer to keep hidden, it made me laugh and it made me cry, which is something I have not done for some time with a book. There were also a few twists and turns that were unexpected and kept me reading. A very entertaining read." - Reader Review
Links to the Book
Link to the Paperback The Discovery of Joy with Excerpt on Amazon
Link to the eBook The Discovery of Joy with Excerpt on Amazon
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