Ask the Author: Erika Mitchell
Answered Questions (7)
Erika Mitchell
I don't know my biological father, and haven't spoken to him since I was a young child. I've always thought there was rich story material there, because really, he could be anywhere in the world doing anything!
Erika Mitchell
When I started Take the Bai Road back in 2015, cartel violence was on the rise in Mexico. The more I researched it, the more intrigued I became by the culture and business models of the drug cartels. The story evolved out of that as I realized I could put Bai smack in the middle of a conspiracy in cartel country and then try to get him back out of it.
Erika Mitchell
I'm in the middle of a short story for an upcoming anthology. Plus, I have a couple more rounds of edits to do on my book, Take the Bai Road, which comes out in July 2017.
Erika Mitchell
Don't write for an audience, write for you. Take your time and never let other people read something until you're absolutely certain it's ready. Learn and grow. Each story you write should be better than the last one you wrote, but a little bit more clumsy than your next.
And whatever you do, DO NOT self-publish without paying for the services of a professional editor. No, your best friend and your mom don't count.
And whatever you do, DO NOT self-publish without paying for the services of a professional editor. No, your best friend and your mom don't count.
Erika Mitchell
My chief goal in writing is to entertain my readers. If I can give someone a few hours' enjoyment and escape, I consider my job well done. The best thing for me about being a writer is when readers let me know I succeeded.
Erika Mitchell
I think writer's block is usually the result of intimidation on the writer's part. It's the feeling that nothing is worth writing because it's wrong or not good enough.
For me, the only way through it is to write for me. I tell myself no one will ever see what I'm working on, and I just start a story and see where it takes me. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but I almost always feel better when I'm done. Every once in awhile, it's necessary to write just for yourself to rediscover why you love it.
For me, the only way through it is to write for me. I tell myself no one will ever see what I'm working on, and I just start a story and see where it takes me. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't, but I almost always feel better when I'm done. Every once in awhile, it's necessary to write just for yourself to rediscover why you love it.
Erika Mitchell
I'm a huge fan of the Dresden Files series, and have always rooted for Harry and Karrin to get together. I think Harry's earned some happiness, and Karrin is one of the few people who understand and support him no matter what. They've both been through so much, though, that I'm starting to wonder whether they're both too damaged to make it work at this point.
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