Interview with novelist Erin Pemberton

Novelist Erin Pemberton is here today and we’re chatting about her new young adult fantasy, The Prophecy.

During her virtual book tour, Erin will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a luck randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Welcome, Erin. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m just a small town girl, living in Ohio and making up worlds for my characters to live in. A preschool teacher by day, I live with my amazing husband while dreaming of walking hand in hand with him on the beach just searching for seashells. Together, we have five incredible kids, who are starting to make their way in this world as they take on college, high school, and elementary school. I love Christmas, the beach, seashells, painting, reading anything fantasy related, and in my very little spare time, creating new worlds for others to enjoy.

Please share a little bit about your current release.

The Prophecy is based loosely on the fairy tale, Rapunzel with bits and pieces of Sleeping Beauty thrown in for good measure. Ella, the main character, has been locked in a tower to protect her from the Shadow tribes, a race of people determined to destroy Ella and her people. On her 18^th birthday, she is to rejoin her parents in the palace and defeat the Shadow tribes as prophesized by the good fairies. However, the Shadow tribes have completely changed Ella’s plans. She must retake her kingdom while finding love along the way and getting her people to trust her after a horrible reign by the enemy.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was watching Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter with two of my boys when the thought occurred to me that I would really like to rewrite a fairy tale. From there, I decided on Rapunzel, because I can remember as a child, being fascinated with having long hair as I couldn’t get my hair to grow out at the time. From there, my story grew.


Excerpt from The Prophecy:

“What are you called?” Ella could hear the bitterness in her long time friend’s voice and knew that she was struggling with not killing this man.

“Why should I tell you that? You’re trespassing on our land. When the others come, I’ll be freed, and you’ll be the ones dead or tied up.” He sneered at Tia, clearly just as impressed with her as she him.

“Enough,” Ella stated firmly while raising her hand along with the man who’s look turned from smug to frightened.

“What are you going to do?” he asked, his voice shaking slightly and betraying the fear that he obviously felt.

“If you don’t tell me your name, you’ll find out the hard way,” Ella responded calmly even though butterflies were carrying out their own battle in her stomach. The magic was showing her just how far she could throw him with its use. She was beginning to think of it as a whole separate entity within her mind.

Just as she pulled her arm back in preparation of launching him through the night sky, he shouted “Erek! I’m called Erek.”

Ella, bemused, smiled serenely at him as she placed him none too gently back on the ground. “That wasn’t so hard, now was it?”

Erek mumbled something under his breath but made no attempt to say anything else.

“What are we going to do with him?” Ella asked, turning to look at Tia.

Tia, ignoring Ella’s question, took a step closer to Erek, grabbed the rope that bound him, and pulled him toward her. “What do you mean we’re trespassing on your land? This land belongs to Dorvin, king of Faven,” she hissed, apparently taking care to spit in his face as she talked.

The ugly smirk appeared on his otherwise handsome face, a mirthless laugh consuming him. “My tribe killed and replaced your king seventeen years ago. This land belongs to the Shadow tribes, and you are as good as dead.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m working on a book now that revolves around a dragon who has been kicked out of her own land for being different and befriends an elf. While befriending this elf, she discovers this new world in which she finds herself a part of is being destroyed by monsters. Monsters who kill everything they come across, including the elves. Only she has been able to kill one since they’ve arrived in this new world. She’ll have to face her fears and convince the other dragons to join her against these creatures.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

In high school. That’s when I made my first attempt. It didn’t go well, but I definitely had a book on my hands. It wasn’t until I had four boys of my own that I made a valid attempt at writing and publishing.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I am actually a teacher who is in the process of transitioning to a preschool supervisor in my school. I only really write as a hobby. That’s why it’s so hard for me to find time to do what I enjoy. Isn’t it always hard to find time to enjoy what makes us happy? Anyway, with a wonderful husband who I love to spend time with, five kids, a full time job, writing has to come during the summer months when life slows down a little for me.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I actually hate asking people to read my stories. I don’t read reviews that I get because I feel like it influences how I write. I write because I love to make up stories, not to make the world happy. Do I like it when people enjoy my stories? Absolutely. I just choose not to ask or read what others say about my stories. It’s just easier for me that way.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Actually, a teacher. It wasn’t until later that I decided to add being a writer to my bucket list. Now, I just want to sit on the beach and have my own ice cream shop! Life goals.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Life is short. Live it one day at a time and don’t stress the small stuff!

Links:

Amazon author page | Website | Amazon buy link | Goodreads

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