Bashing Up The Summer

It's really getting hot here. So what better way to beat the heat than with Erin Albert. Hi Erin and welcome to the bash.:-)

01: What is the first story you’ve published. Tell us a little bit about it.

The Prophecy will be my first published novel.  It’s the story of a young woman kidnapped by a group of religious zealots and proclaimed the fulfillment of a long-awaited peace prophecy. 

02: What inspired the story?

The idea for the story literally came out of nowhere while I watched a movie one night. I would say the two main inspirations are Game of Thrones and Arthurian legend. 

03: Do you have a writing process? If so what is it?

When I have an idea, I write the story itself as fast as I can.  My characters demand to have their story told and keep me restless until it’s all been written down.  After that, I go through and agonize over grammar, sentence structure, and word choices.  The longest, hardest part is the editing. 

04: What do you currently have in the works? Give us a small preview.

I am always working on something.  Right now, I am revising the sequel to The Prophecy (working title--The Outlanders).  I wrote the whole trilogy at once, but I made some changes to The Prophecy that now must be filtered down to the other two.  I’m also putting the finishing touches on a speculative fiction short story to enter into a contest.  And finally, I’m in the process of revising a futuristic thriller tentatively called Number 25598.  Like The Prophecy’s sequel, it’s already written, but I’m doing some major rewrites. 

Teaser line from Number 25598: “Her fake human body didn’t look nearly as believable as Ryder’s, but it would have to suffice.” 

05: Who are some of your favorite authors?

Since I write YA, I read a lot of YA.  I enjoy the works of Rick Riordan, Cassandra Clare, Richelle Mead, Mary Waibel, Meradeth Houston, Michelle Pickett, Victoria Schwab, Victoria Scott, CJ Redwine, Carrie Jones, and Bree Despain.

06: Do you have one author in particular who inspired your writing career? Who and why?

I have wanted to be an author since childhood, so I guess my favorite childhood authors influenced me—Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, EB White. 

07: Are your stories based on real events or people?

No, but there is a loose correlation to Arthurian legend. 

08: How much research goes into your work?

Depends on the work.  My unpublished historical fiction novel required three years of research because I wanted the story to be exactly right.

09: Have you ever killed off a character based on someone real? If so why?

Haha!  No.    But I’m not saying I wouldn’t…  ;)

10: If you could visit any period in history, what time would you go to? Why?

I would visit Shakespearean England.  I ADORE Shakespeare.  In this fantasy, I travel back in time and meet him.  We spend all day talking and people-watching together.  My Shakespeare professor in college told me Shakespeare must have been an excellent people watcher because he so accurately understood people’s motivations. 

11: If you could gather any three people in the world, living or dead together, whom would you want to meet and talk with?

Shakespeare (I’m going for a record of how many times I can mention his name—LOL), Val Kilmer (my lifelong crush), and Anne Boleyn. 

12: What do you do for fun when you aren’t busy writing?

I enjoy reading, boxing/kickboxing, watching TV, and running.

13: What is the one thing people believe about writers that upsets you?

That it’s easy.  LOL! 

14: Is there any genre you haven’t written that you’d like to try your hand at?

Historical fiction, middle grade, and chick lit.

15: If you were independently wealthy what is the one place on Earth you’d most like to visit? Why?

Hawaii…beach, waterfalls, and no snakes.  Paradise!!  ;)

16: What is your favorite color?  Blue, like my eyes

17: What is your favorite food?  Nachos

18: What is your favorite movie?  That’s a hard one… Tombstone

19: What is your favorite TV show?  Game of Thrones

20: What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas