From USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Erin comes an all-new action-packed, romance-filled paranormal series.
Hi friends! I’m super excited to be a part of the Invocation book tour hosted by Xpresso Book Tours. Aileen is such a talented author, with lots to say about how she pursued her passion for becoming an author. With over 20 books published already, it appears we will see many more novels from Aileen. Keep reading to get to know more about her writing style, marketing techniques, and personal background.
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Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do for a living?
I’m from Texas, and after a fourteen-year stint in California, I’m back living in the Texas Hill Country. I’m an author for a living! Which is kind of the dream.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I always loved writing—always wrote stories—and books have been my escape throughout my life. But I thought it was an impractical idea to write full-time. So, I went to UT Austin for a degree in Radio-TV-Film. I graduated in 2005, moved to LA, and worked in post-production. Except I didn’t love it. I started writing after work for sanity’s sake, and eventually quit my day job in 2007, got a gig nannying, and went back to get my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. Life is way too short to work a job you absolutely hate. I found a way to make the impractical much more practical.
What inspired you to write a book?
Sanity! I was bored and unhappy in my day job, so I decided to write. It really was my outlet for a lot of years until it became my job.
What are your favorite books to read?
I love reading contemporary romance, new adult, and fantasy books. Any type of fantasy—urban or epic.
What is your favorite part of being a writer?
Writing is my favorite part! I love it so much. I’m pretty much addicted to writing now, and I can’t stay away from the keyboard for long. More than that, I love being indie. I own my own publishing company, and I get to pick what I want to write and when to put it out. It’s a lot more work, but I find it incredibly rewarding. It’s allowed me to jump genres from time to time.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing your books?
I learned how much of a control freak I truly am. I never thought of myself that way, but I really love being indie. Having the power to choose what my cover looks like, what I write, how I write, what editors I work with—I love every aspect of it.
How do you handle writer’s block?
Writer’s block is just a sign that I’ve made a misstep in the plot. I don’t sweat it. I take a break for a day or two, and then come back to the page with fresh eyes. That’s usually enough for me to figure out what I need to change so that I can keep working.
Was there a book or author that you admired that played a role when developing your book?
This book is a spin-off of the Alpha Girls, but I got to play around with spirituality, my experiences and beliefs, things I liked in film—especially the film Poltergeist. I have a big nod to it in the book.
Do you have a set schedule for writing, or are you one of those who writes only when they feel inspired?
If you wait around to feel inspired, you’ll never write! It’s my full-time job and has been for 10 years. So, writing for me is like a normal working day. I spend at least 4 hrs/day actively writing or editing a book.
Tell us about your writing style, how is it different from other writers?
My writing is first person and very close, immediate, fast-paced. People think my books are short, when really, almost all of them are all over 100K words. (My Aunare Chronicle books are 150K+.) But I work really hard to make sure the pages turn quickly, and that the reader doesn’t want to put it down.
What, according to you, is the hardest thing about writing? What would you say is the most natural aspect of writing?
The hardest thing is knowing when to stop working on something. There becomes a time when the book is done, and you get diminishing returns for the work you put into it. But perfectionism. Another tough part is Act 2. The middle is the toughest to get right and can at times feel like a slog. Which means the reader will feel that. So, it’s tough to go back and make sure that everything is flowing well. All the dominos are being set up correctly, so that when you hit Act 3, they can all fall and create a satisfying ending for the reader.
The most fun part—which I guess is the most natural—is the first draft. It’s exciting and fun, all the potential and ideas. I could write first acts of books 24/7.
Any advice you would like to give to aspiring writers?
Don’t be precious with your work. The best thing that my degree in film gave me is my ability to take notes well and edit the heck out of my books. There’s an infinite way to get from plot point A to plot point X, and you have to be open to notes. If you want to learn and grow, the ability to edit your work is essential. Find a critique partner or an editor or a trusted friend and let them read your work. Then, take their notes seriously. You don’t have to change it exactly how they say, but you need to understand why they have that note and fix it so that it works.
Are you working on something new at the moment?
I’m working on Days of Iron and Clay Book 2, which I don’t have a title for yet! And I’m working on an untitled Romantasy.
How do you market your books? Is there any advice you’d like to share about marketing a book?
Social media is your friend—ads, posting, etc. I reach out to influencers with boxes. Also, NetGalley is super helpful! And I work with a distributor who helps reach out to the retailers to get me amazing placement on their sites.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
I hope you enjoy reading Invocation! It’s a wild, fun, spooky-at-times ride, with a good dose of romance.
Join us for an interview!
If you’d like to be interviewed here in the Den, please email contact@booksmugglersden.com, and we’ll get back to you within 7 – 10 days. Visit our author interview page to see more interviews and get to know your fellow authors!