Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Lynn.
Erica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember. My mom read to my siblings and me every night before bed, and I firmly believe that’s what did it. Thank you, Mom! When I got my hands on my first Nancy Drew book in elementary it was a done deal. I devoured them. I quickly moved on to the master R. L. Stine (high five my fellow Goosebumps and Fear Street readers)! As an adult, I continued to read all the time, forming book clubs with my friends over the years. By then, I’d moved on to the one and only Stephen King, but regardless of the author, mystery/horror was always my genre of choice.
Then I had babies and as it turns out those suckers take a lot of attention and time! I needed to be able to find something I could start, put down for a week or two if need be, and pick back up without having to go back through and worry I’d forgotten some important detail.
On a whim, I had my kindle and clicked on a romance novel by Tessa Bailey, A few chapters in and I was in love! It was fun and sexy and the characters were so hilarious. From then on, I went a little crazy and read as many as I could find. I’d never been a romance fan, truthfully I used to find them boring *gasp*, but I was SO wrong.
One evening I told my husband, “I think I can do this.” He said to go for it, and I did. A few months later, I sent out my first novella to a handful of publishers and shockingly, one bit. Big THANK YOU to my wonderful hubby because he really did give me that push I needed. I honestly doubt I would have had the guts to put myself out there the way I have if it wasn’t for him. He’s always got my back! Love you, babe!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think the only time things like this go smoothly is when you’re staying true to yourself. When I started writing, I’d knock out books constantly, and it was great. I was happy with my work, my readers were super supportive, and I felt like I’d found such a fun and creative outlet.
The challenges for me were only when I tried to fit myself into some else’s mold of what a “writer” should be, or how we should go about trying to get our work out there. Should we release a book a month? Should we write a story that’s been bouncing around in our head, or should we write what we know our audience wants? If a storyline is going to turn a direction that may not be popular with your genre, do you do it because that’s how this story goes, or do you make the changes so you can sell more and keep your readers happy? Ultimately, is it about your artistic expression or money? Or maybe a little of both?
As you may have guessed, my books have a lot of sex in them, and I never realized how many people were so shocked at the idea of someone writing a sex scene until I began writing sex scenes! So do you change the way you write? Or do you light a candle, enjoy that glass of red wine, and write that hot scene?
By the way, I don’t think there are right or wrong answers to any of these questions. My only point is that my challenges began when I forgot who I was and why I began writing in the first place.
I’m going to write the stories I want to write. As long as I stay honest with myself about what I’m writing and why I’ll be proud to put my name on my work.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I write erotic romance. No, that doesn’t mean erotica, and no, that doesn’t mean there’s only sex in them. hahaha
Erotic romance books are so much fun. If you haven’t given one a try, I encourage you to do so. There are so many great authors out there just waiting for you to enjoy their work.
If I had to pick something that might set me apart from a lot of other writers, I’d say it’s my characters. I like to write about people I’d be friends with. Real people with real issues, trying to find themselves and their places in this world. While also having a good bit of hot and sweaty sexy times in the sheets. I mean, is that really so bad? I think not!
My books also always revolve around friendship. Yes, there’s the romance going on, but at the end of the day there’s a group of friends who always are there for each other. Actually, the heroines in my first three novellas were loosely based on my two best friends and myself! Don’t underestimate the importance of friendship, y’all. You can’t put a price on people who will always have your back.
What were you like growing up?
I was a total theater nerd in school. Honestly, I really miss it. There’s something so special about getting to be part of a production. Being there for the behind the scenes work, all the hours of rehearsals. It’s so fun. I’m crossing my fingers my girls go that route. They’re definitely dramatic enough!
Other than that, I think I always marched to my own drum and found friends that did as well. Those four years of high school really did seem like they’d never end, but I was lucky enough to find friends who liked me for who I was. Which was and is a total dork, by the way. Haha but I’m fine with that.
Pricing:
- 0.99 digital novellas
- 3.99 digital novels
- 9.99 print books
Contact Info:
- Website: http://msericalynn.com/
- Email: msericalynn@outlook.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ms_erica_lynn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricaLynnAuthor/
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011122396777
Image Credit:
Bought through Depositphotos for teasers, Others were taken by Erica Lynn
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