Welcome Author Erin Rhew!

This week's author of the week is Erin Rhew!

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Look to your left, what's there?

It’s a “who,” not a “what” in this case. It’s the love of my life, Jay Scott (pen name: Deek Rhew).

How long ago did you finish eating it?

Eating what? The “who” to my left? Ummm…no comment. LOL!

Fill in the blank:

If you like Game of Thrones, you'll love my book.

What social media works best for you from a marketing standpoint?

I prefer Twitter to reach the YA market. I don’t do the spam out my book tweets. I believe in networking and developing relationships. I think it’s better to have a small group of dedicated followers who actually read my tweets than a humongous number of followers who have me on some “infrequently read” list.

What's your opinion on bad reviews?

They happen. You can’t please everyone; it’s impossible. I do read them though, and the ones who offer constructive criticism give me something to think about and ways to improve myself as a writer. Even though I’m a published author and edit for a small press, I have no illusions that I have mastered the whole writing thing. I don’t think anyone ever masters it; there is always room for improvement in any aspect of life.

How do you relax?

My favorite place to relax is in my bed. It’s one of those Sleep Number beds, so it seriously feels like I’m on a cloud. Jay and I pop up some popcorn and lie there talking, watching TV, or reading. I can’t think of a better way to relax than that (except maybe doing all that with an ocean view). ;)

Be honest - how much of your villain is based on a real person?

My villain for THE PROPHECY (BTW, he’s nothing compared to the villain in the sequel, THE OUTLANDERS) is not based so much on a person as a concept. He’s a combination of my love of historical events and the old saying, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Why did you write your book?

Because the voices in my head told me too. That sounds creepy, like I should be wrapped up tightly in a little white jacket and carted off to some padded room, but it’s the truth. These characters live in my mind, and they demand to have their story told. I must write; I must give voice to these people who are as real to me as the people of this world.

What do you tell yourself before you start writing?

I remind myself to let the characters tell the story. There have been a few times where I tried to direct my characters to what *I* thought they should be doing, and it doesn’t work. This story is theirs to tell, and I am just the medium through which they tell it. Don’t mess with the message, Erin. ;)

What advice would you give to other writers?

First piece of advice…edit, edit, edit. When you think you’re done, edit again. Involve critique partners and beta readers to help sharpen your work, find plot holes, and point out spelling errors. When you submit to a publisher, your work must be as clean as you can possibly make it (I speak as a writer and as someone who works for a publisher and sees tons of submissions).

But my biggest piece of advice is…dream big and don’t ever give up. I am a North Carolina native and have been a North Carolina State fan my whole life. We had a truly inspirational coach who succumbed to cancer far too early. His speech at the ESPYS, not too long before his death, always rings in my head (he was from NY, so imagine it with an accent)—“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up.”

We love you, Jimmy V! Remember his words, my writing friends!