Meet Speculative Author Erin R. Howard

 

It is my pleasure to introduce you to one of my favorite people, Erin R. Howard! I met her in a writing group, and found out we had grown up about 10 miles from one another! 

As this post comes live, Erin and I are traveling to Hot Springs, Arkansas for ScrivCon 2024, a writing conference hosted by our publisher, Scrivenings Press LLC. I have a feeling there will be some fun going on during this trip!

A little bit about Erin:

Erin R. Howard is the award-winning fantasy author of Window of Time and the Managing Editor for Expanse Books, an imprint of Scrivenings Press. Her other titles include The Kalila Chronicles (YA urban fantasy) and The Gates of Deceit (dystopian) series.

When she’s not writing or editing, Erin loves playing video games with her husband, watching movies with her children, and fueling her many craft addictions. Erin has a Creative Writing degree and is a member of Realm Makers, RagTag Writers, and Once Upon a Page. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.

Welcome, Erin! I'm so happy to have you on our blog today! Let's dive in ...

What inspired you to write, initially, and what encouraged you to continue?

 

I started writing in middle school, so the love of reading initially inspired me to write. I loved to get lost in story worlds and I wanted to be able to create my own. As I got older, that want turned more into a need. I had so many ideas, characters, and worlds that just needed to be let out. The stories just had to be told. Now, when readers message me or tell me that they couldn’t put my book down, or if there’s something that touched them as they were reading—that keeps me writing.

 

Do you look on writing as a “calling?” 

 

I definitely do. It is what I was always supposed to do, even though I pursued several different careers and majors. LOL! But I believe God gave me the talent and love for writing for a reason, specifically writing clean books. While I love Christian books and stories, I didn’t want to be put in a box. I want my faith to shine through, shed light in a dark world, and let readers know that there is hope. I want to reach readers who may not pick up a “Christian” book but will pick up a clean read, and then let God speak to their hearts.

 

I totally agree! When I write, I write about people like me, therefore being a Christian is just part of their lives without preaching!

 

If you were on a deserted island with a laptop and no wifi, what are two programs or apps you would have to have on your computer?

 

The Sims. I’ve played that game since the very first moment it came out. Also, Microsoft Word. I have to have a place to write!

Oh, my! My daughters loved The Sims! I remember once they couldn't get rid of the "nanny" and had to go to extreme measures to make her go away! LOL!! MS Word is a must for me, too! (and could I maybe sneak Canva in? ;)

Thanks, Erin! 

Here's the blurb for Window of Peace, book 4 of the Stained Glass Legacy series, of which I'm a part, too! Erin was a finalist in the Selah awards for this book, and it was such a great addition to the series!

A kingdom in the future, a girl from the past, and a stained-glass window that can’t be found.

Mia Miller just needed a moment to breathe and admire the stained-glass window in the chapel before she had to plaster on a fake smile for her only sister’s wedding reception. Her artist’s eye drew her to the window but something else entirely made her fall through it. Now she’s stuck in a strange land, a different time, mistaken for a princess, and the stained-glass window nowhere to be found.

With Rebels stealing his Kingdom’s low food supplies, Prince Liam Dunne agrees to an Engagement to secure better trading routes. When the princess arrives without a shred of luggage or her entourage but plenty of anxiety, his heart has a hard time staying out of it. Princess Amelia challenges what he believes in—in a world where faith is eradicated. But when the truth comes out about her true identity, will he have the courage to live up to his family’s legacy?

Here's how you can learn more about Erin and her books! Connect with her today!

https://www.facebook.com/E.R.H.Fiction

https://www.instagram.com/erinrhoward/

https://www.tiktok.com/@erinrhoward

www.erinrhoward.com

www.scrivenings.link/windowoftime

Interview with Award-Winning Author Nadine Brandes

Today, let's welcome award-winning author Nadine Brandes to The Diamond Mine!! She's the author of the three-book Out of Time speculative fiction series. And her newest book is due out this July: Fawkes.

She's a gifted, imaginative writer whose stories will rivet you with vivid characters and compelling settings. What an exciting and rewarding experience it is to read her books! Welcome, Nadine! I'm so honored to host you today!

So, let's begin by hearing a brief description of your Out of Time series.

These books are about a world where everyone has a clock telling them how long they have to live. The main character starts with one year left to her life.

A premise like that really grabs the reader from the beginning. I know it did for me! What element of this story really brings it alive for you?

It feels very personal because Parvin (the main character) wrestles with a lot of the same questions I did as a teen: What’s the point of being alive? Can I really make an impact on this world? How do I tackle this God thing?

You did a great job of exploring these questions that so many teens as well as adults find themselves struggling with. Very true-to-life. 

Speaking of that, are any of your characters based on real people?

I draw all of my inspiration from real life, but no character is based off one person in general. :) 

I know what you mean! So many of my characters have aspects from real people, but have their own unique personality which develops as the story does. 

Do your books begin with a small idea that grows as you write, or do you have a fairly fleshed-out story in mind before you begin to write?

It really depends on the book! For A Time to Die, it was a small idea that grew as I wrote it. (Grew into a three book series!) But for Fawkes (my upcoming release) I had the story fairly fleshed out before I started. 

So just like your characters, your books have their own personality, too! Do you write nearly every day for a period of time, or do you write in short or long bursts depending on inspiration?

Haha! I definitely don’t write every day. My creative juices have to refuel, so I usually have two “big chunk” writing days a week. The other days are spent plotting, blogging, and interacting with my readers via social media.

Sounds like a good balance that obviously works well for you. I'm curious. Which book of your series was the easiest one to write, and which was the most challenging?

My second book, A Time to Speak was the easiest to write because by that point I knew all the characters and the world had been established. I was ready for things to get real (plot-wise) and get bigger. I loved writing that book and it came out so smoothly! The growth in that book is my favorite  and a lot of readers say it’s their favorite, too.

The hardest book in the Out of Time Series to write was the last one. Man, trying to wrap up all those plot threads and have a decent ending was almost the death of me! I rewrote that ending at least four times and was afraid it would go to press incomplete! Thankfully, God brought it all together in the end. 

But if we’re talking about all my books, Fawkes was the hardest book I’ve ever written. But I’ll have to get into that another day. ;-)

Wow, you've got me mighty curious about Fawkes. Guess I'll have to wait until July, though! So, which do you prefer to write: a series, or a stand-alone story?

This might sound weird, but to me all my stories feel like standalone. Some are just longer than others. I prefer to write the story the way it needs to be written. The Out of Time Series had to be a three book series to finish the story. But currently my next two books, Fawkes and Mysterious Title Mwahaha, are both average-length standalone. :)

I see what you mean. Even in a series, it's good for each part to be its own unique story, and deliver a different experience to the reader. When you imagine someone reading your books, what reaction or reactions would you most like them to have?

I want them to leave inspired. Not just inspired writing-wise, but inspired to totally go after life with 100%. To not back down and to realize that they can impact this world in magnificent ways. :) And to realize that God is worth it. There are so many poor representations out there, but when you really get to know Him…He is the one who will send you off to change the world.

Absolutely! What a great point!

Now for a rather personal question. Do you enjoy feedback about your stories even if it’s critical?

I don’t think anyone likes learning that some people didn’t like their stories, but I really appreciate honest readers and the courage it can sometimes take to post a negative review. I love and learn from all feedback. And no matter the level of criticism, I just hope we can be friends. :-) (Even though that sounds cheesy.)

I don't think that's cheesy. Sounds mature to me.

So, what do you like most about being a writer?

Connecting with readers! You would think that I would like writing the best, and I do like that a lot. But it’s so special to connect with readers and show them that I’m accessible and I’m here for them. When I was growing up and social media wasn’t really a thing (wow, that makes me sound old) all my favorite authors felt untouchable—as though they were in this other world. And I would have loved to talk to them about how their stories changed me. Now that there’s social media and I’m an author, I want to be that author that can be reached and that does talk back. :)

Wow, I never thought much about that. What great advice for every author to think about. Thanks Nadine! I'll have to start doing that!

Okay, tell us a bit about your newest book, and what you’re working on now.

My newest book, Fawkes, is a historical fantasy that tells the story of the Gunpowder Plot—where a group of men decided to blow up the king of England in 17th century London. My story is told through the eyes of a plotter’s son and how he joins the plot for his father’s approval, but then faces the impact of whether or not he’s brave enough to go through with it.

 True story, too! (Except for the fantasy elements. :P ) It’s currently up for pre-order and releases July 10th!

Sounds like an awesome story! That's on my to-read list! Nadine, thank you so much for spending time at The Diamond Mine. I really enjoyed this interview!

Well, readers, here is a short bio about Nadine, followed by her social links:

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning Out of Time Series and Fawkes (July 2018) Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she's not busy writing novels about bold living, she's adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband are building a Tiny House on wheels. Current mission: paint the world in shalom. 

Here are my main social media links:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/nadinebrandesauthor

Instagram: http://instagram.com/nadinebrandes

Website: http://nadinebrandes.com/my-newsletter

Interview and Giveaway with Nadine Brandes!!

A great big Diamond Mine welcome to Nadine Brandes, author of the speculative fiction series known as the Out of Time trilogy. For those of you who are unfamiliar with her story, here's Nadine's description of it: It’s like the movie In Time meets The Hunger Games but with a God-flare. 
Imagine this:

You live in a world where everyone has a Clock telling them exactly how long they have to live. Your Clock has a single year left…and you’re only seventeen. That’s Parvin Blackwater’s story. And she’s determined to find purpose in her last year alive…but will she defy the authorities to find it? 

Sounds good, doesn't it? These first two books of the trilogy are out, and if you leave a comment after the interview, you will be entered in the drawing to win whichever one of these books you choose. Please leave your email so we can notify you if you win!

Now for the interview!

Hi Nadine! Glad to have you here.What do you feel is the most difficult part of writing a speculative fiction story?

That really depends on what type of writer you are. For me, it’s often the world building. That takes me the longest to flesh out, and then also figuring out the voice of my characters. The Out of Time Series was easier because it’s a futuristic USA. But my current work-in-progress is fantasy and I find my characters speaking very modern-day lingo. That’s one of my most difficult hurdles.

What do you enjoy most about writing speculative fiction?

The fact I can create the world. (Ironic since I just shared that I struggle with world building.) I love that there are no limits, that I can add quirks or gorgeous visuals that you wouldn’t find in our world.

So you can really let your imagination loose, and satisfy the urge to create! How did the idea for your trilogy come to you? All at once, in degrees of inspiration, or did it develop as you wrote it?

The books all came to me pretty separately. I’d intended A Time to Die (book 1) to be a standalone, but by the time I was halfway through it I realized the story was much larger than I’d expected. That’s when I decided to make it a duology. Partway through book two, I encountered the same problem and it became a trilogy. My ideas always start small and short and then grow as I write them.

Just like a living thing! That's cool.

Do you structure your writing ahead of time, or craft as you go, or both?

I mostly craft as I go. I brainstorm the idea for a few months before starting the actual writing process, but I always figure, “If I’m going to write something down, it might as well be the story itself.” I’ve tried outlining or planning on paper multiple times and multiple ways. It’s just not for me.

I know what you mean. Are any of your characters based on you or another real-life person?

My main character, Parvin, is based loosely off of the questions I asked as a teenager. She’s not me, but she asks the same questions and struggles with a lot of similar doubts. Other than her, all other characters are their own person. ;)

Is there an underlying theme in your writing that you want your readers to come away with?

Hope. That no matter how dark the world looks or the situation or the people around you, there is hope always to be found in Christ. I try to weave this in in a way that feels natural and non-preachy. Usually my stories start a little darker, but journey toward the light as the character grows closer to Christ.

I like your approach. Do you write in more than one genre?

I stay in the speculative fiction genre, but I like to juggle subgenres. My next book is fantasy. I don’t think I’ll ever want to write another dystopian. I’d mix it up too much with the Out of Time Series. [grin] But sometimes my mind entertains contemporary YA or middle grade. Who knows if I’ll ever walk that road. ;)

Depends on how it strikes you, right? You never know!

What’s a typical day like for you?

Right now there’s no such thing as a typical day because I just moved across the country! Ha! I’m working out my new schedule and habits, but I expect the core things will stay the same. Before I moved, I woke up not too early (I’m no early bird) and had breakfast with some Jesus-time. Then I’ll update social media for about 30 minutes. Half the week I’ll edit (since that’s my main job) and the other half I’ll write all afternoon. Evenings are hubby time.

I don’t write every day because my brain doesn’t have enough creative juice for that, but I do brainstorm every night as I go to bed. It took a lot of training to make sure my brain remembered its brainstorming once I woke the next morning, but now it’s habit and I plan out what I’ll write next as I fall asleep.

I find myself doing that, too. It's rather nice to lay there relaxing, and see where your mind goes with a story line or idea.

What are you working on now?

A YA fantasy standalone (possible duology.) I’m really excited about it, but if it doesn’t turn out to be something a publisher wants to print, then I’ll turn my eyes to a new story. Probably still fantasy, though. 

I know it will be good, just like your trilogy! Thanks for the interview, Nadine!

Here's a teaser about the first two books of the trilogy:

Blurb for A Time to Die:

How would you live if you knew the day you'd die?

Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system. 

But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall -- her people's death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.

Blurb for A Time to Speak:

What happens when you live longer than you wanted to?

Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she's being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow.

The Council uses Jude's Clock-matching invention to force "new-and-improved" Clocks on the public. Those who can't afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Council's purposes.

Parvin and Hawke find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Now here's a short bio, along with Nadine's social and buy links:

Nadine Brandes is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. Her dystopian trilogy, the Out of Time Series, challenged her to pursue shalom, which is now her favorite word (followed closely by 'bumbershoot'.) When Nadine's not taste-testing a new chai, editing fantasy novels, or being a Harry Potter super-nerd, she and her knight-in-shining armor (nickname: "hubby") are out chasing adventures.

Social media and buy links:

Website & Newsletter: http://nadinebrandes.com/my-newsletter

Facebook: http://facebook.com/NadineBrandesAuthor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/NadineBrandes

Instagram: http://instagram.com/NadineBrandes

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/NadineBrandes

Buy link for A Time to Die: http://nadinebrandes.com/books/a-time-to-die

Buy link for A Time to Speak: http://nadinebrandes.com/books/a-time-to-speak