Interview with Erin Quinn

I’d like to welcome our very own guest today, Erin Quinn. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called Web of Smoke. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Web of Smoke was actually my debut novel, published in 1994. It’s been out of print for over 15 years, so I’m very excited to make it available again. Web of Smoke is different than my other novels in that there isn’t a paranormal element to this story. In fact, it was published as a mystery. Back in those days, they called it a “woman in jeopardy” story because romantic suspense had yet to be coined as a genre. Web of Smoke was hailed as a tight mystery with surprising twists and turns and, to date, was one of my most successful books.

Web of Smoke is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

As with 90% of my novels, I didn’t choose the title, the publisher did. My original title was Quietus, which has several definitions, one of which is “discharge or release from life.” Although cool, it wasn’t exactly a catchy title, though.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I’ve been asked did you choose the genre or did the genre choose you before and I always answer the latter. I wish I wrote something like Regency or Contemporary romances. For some reason I always trend to a darker story.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

During the time I wrote Web of Smoke, I was a young mother. I lived in San Diego and there was an outbreak of child abductions that were disturbing and heartbreaking, to say the least. The emotional catalyst of Web of Smoke came from my own fears about abductions.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Like is not exactly the word I would use, but I found DC, the villain of Web of Smoke, a particularly interesting character to write. He was so bad and yet I found myself feeling sorry for him in places.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I wish I could spout off about all these complex and highly intelligent methods I use, but honestly, I’d be lying. I start at page one and learn as I go. That’s what makes it so interesting for me. I like finding out things about my characters on the way. What they say and do determines who they are for me.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

I do use maps, charts and family trees when necessary. As for the world building, like my characters, it comes organically from the story I’m telling and the research I’ve found.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

HUNDREDS. Seriously, far too many to list.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I think my newsletter may be the best so far. I’ve tried a lot of creative means for getting the word out, but I’ve yet to see anything really make an impact. However, my newsletter seems to get opened and read.

What do we have to look forward next?

I’ve been having a fabulous time writing novellas with fellow authors Calista Fox and Mary Leo. We stumbled into a collaboration after meeting in the bar at RWA Nationals and have been releasing stories in trios---they aren’t trilogies, but they are related stories with a common theme. My latest, Shaking It Up (part of the Love, Served With a Twist trio), has already hit #1 on Amazon hot new releases for anthologies. It’s been a fabulous collaboration and we plan to do more. In fact, we’ve proposed a workshop at RWA about it.

Thanks, Erin!

To celebrate her book release, Erin Quinn is offering a free ebook of Echoes, Whispers or Shaking It Up to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Check out author’s website at http://www.erinquinnbooks.com/

Buy Amazon Barnes & Noble Books-a-Million Indie Bound

Erin Quinn is an award winning author who writes romance for the thinking girl. Her books have been called “riveting,” “brilliantly plotted” and “beautifully written” and have won, placed or showed in the Booksellers Best, WILLA Award for Historical fiction, the Orange Rose, Readers Crown, Golden Quill, Best Books, and Award of Excellence. Go to www.erinquinnbooks.com for more information.