Ask the Author: Erin Lynn
Answered Questions (4)
Erin Lynn
Write what you know, and go with your instincts. There's a lot of talk about what readers want, genre-specific tropes, and writing to market. But I find that what engages readers the most is vivid, identifiable characters. Spend some time with your protagonist--get to know her, understand the reasons why she does what she does and says what she says. Make sure she has a personal problem that needs to be addressed throughout your story. Remember that story is not plot! Story is about internal conflict resolution as it relates to your plot, while the plot is merely the actions taken to resolve said conflict. Listen to your protagonist--if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't!
Erin Lynn
Currently, I'm working on a series of cozy witch mysteries (The Elder Witch Mysteries) featuring two characters from my Fate Weaver series. Mag and Clara Balefire are powerful witches who move to the small town of Harmony to basically babysit the coven's 1,000-year-old high priestess, who has decided she's sick and tired of hiding in the shadows. Unfortunately, Hagatha's exploits have to take a back seat to solving murders!
What I love about Mag and Clara is that they're different from the young, inexperienced main characters in a lot of witch books. In my Fate Weaver series, Lexi is one of those, and while she's incredibly fun to write, it was time for a change. We got a lot of feedback when we were developing this series, and we're hoping our readers appreciate a more mature perspective.
What I love about Mag and Clara is that they're different from the young, inexperienced main characters in a lot of witch books. In my Fate Weaver series, Lexi is one of those, and while she's incredibly fun to write, it was time for a change. We got a lot of feedback when we were developing this series, and we're hoping our readers appreciate a more mature perspective.
Erin Lynn
The best thing about being a writer is twofold--the first is that I get to take all of my frustration, anything that's bothering me, things I love, things I like, things I want to wax philosophical about, and put it into my work. I get to create characters and creatures and entire worlds that didn't exist before. It's a creative outlet that also helps pay the bills. Who could not want this job?!
The second amazing thing is that I get to be home, and work in my pajamas. My day begins at 6:30 when I get my two sons up and ready for school. I feed my dogs, take them out for a walk and some play time, and then once the kids are on the bus I start my day. I'm always home when they're home, and I get to take little walks throughout the day whenever I'm in need of some inspiration. It's the best job I've ever had, and I intend to do it for the rest of my life!
The second amazing thing is that I get to be home, and work in my pajamas. My day begins at 6:30 when I get my two sons up and ready for school. I feed my dogs, take them out for a walk and some play time, and then once the kids are on the bus I start my day. I'm always home when they're home, and I get to take little walks throughout the day whenever I'm in need of some inspiration. It's the best job I've ever had, and I intend to do it for the rest of my life!
Erin Lynn
I don't actually get writer's block in the traditional sense, where I just can't write anything no matter what. I've learned that when I open a project and the words don't flow, or I just sit there staring at the screen for an inordinate amount of time, it means there's something wrong with the plot or the chapter outline. Since I co-write with my mother, that's usually when I get her on Skype and say "What's up with this?" and then we talk it out and fix it.
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