She writes what she likes to read.

Since Erin could remember she always had a passion for reading and writing. She began her storytelling journey in elementary school when a teacher gave her class a sentence to finish and simply told to write a story. The teacher read their stories anonymously and said that Erin’s story was crowned the class favorite.

She has always had a way with words and knew she needed to publish her own work when she read other peoples stories and would change their words in her head as she read. Now she is finally ready to share her work with the world and hopes that everyone loves reading it as much as she loved writing it.

A few fun facts about Erin: She grew up in and still lives in Pittsburgh, PA. Most of her books take place there. She’s a dog mom to wonderful English bulldogs. If there’s a dog in her book it’s probably a bulldog. Oh and she’s left handed and loves to cook, stay home and chill.

1) First, I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me! When did you know that writing is what you were called to do? What is it about being a writer that you love the most? What about being a writer frustrates you the most?

No, thank you for reaching out to express your interest in interviewing me. It truly means the world to me. I don’t think I ever doubted writing to be my calling. It may sound weird, but I don’t recall a time not being able to read or write. I’ve had a passion for storytelling since before I can remember. Life just has a tendency to get away from you and make you prioritize things above what’s actually important to you. What I love most about writing is being able to escape from the mundaneness of life and be a vessel from my characters and their stories. I also have a tie on what frustrates me the most about being a writer. The first thing is when I get writer’s block and have a stalemate on a project I’m actively working on. And the next qualm I have is the lack of sells. The end doesn’t always justify the meaning. Sure, I love to write, but it certainly doesn’t pay my bills. One day it will! Until then, I’m thankful for my boyfriend for supporting me and helping me to finance this dream.

2) Can you tell us a little about your book(s) and where our readers can find out more about them and you?

I’m currently building a diverse catalog. I try not to place myself in a box as a writer. So whether I’m writing a holiday short story or a romantic suspense that is an epic novel. I’m sure I have something someone would love. My books are exclusively available at Amazon and you can keep up to date with my catalog on Erin Wakefield: books, biography, latest update My social media handles on Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok is @authorerinwakefield.

3) What projects are you currently working on?

I feel like my current WIPs is an endless list lol. Right now, I’m actively working on a boxing romance called Forever Your Champ. Its been refreshing to work on this project because I’m not emotionally invested to the characters and I’m working off a clean slate. So everything has been flowing organically. I’m hoping to release it as a standalone this summer. Book 2 of Mahr is also in the works. I ask for readers to give me grace with that series. The subject matter with that one is a bit dark and gritty, so when my life is lifing (which it has been since the completion of the first one) I find it hard to want to escape to that reality and write. It’s not a good head space to be in for long, so this book has been taken longer expected to complete. Hence the reason the Sunflower Series came about and I’m working on book #6. I also am working on a fun fiction tale that’s called Good Pu$$y Problems, which is essentially about a girls’ trip from hell.

4) What has been your most significant achievement as a writer thus far? Where do you see yourself within your career in the next five years?

I still consider myself to be a newbie author, so to me, my biggest achievement has been obtaining the gall to step out on fate and release my projects. In the next five years, I anticipate being a household name. And have a few #1 bestsellers under my belt. I’m manifesting the Mahr series is developed into a TV series and the Sunflower Falls short stories get turned into some type of cutesy hallmark movie. I predict to be working with the likes of Issa Rae, Courtney Kemp, 50 Cent, Lena Waithe and Katori Hall.

5) How have you dealt with rejection within your writing career?

I don’t think I’ve face much. Being as though I’m an indie author and such. The biggest rejection I’ve dealt with so far has been a low book rating. Not everyone is going to love my writing and I’m completely fine with that.

6) Do you have a schedule for when you write? Do you outline your novels? How long does it generally take you to finish a novel?

Yes, I do have a writing schedule. It varies per day and depends what I’m working on as well. The schedule I create provides me with discipline to write. At one point in time, I used to just sporadically write or wait for the whim to come to me. The whims frequented me seldom. So every day for a few months, I told myself to just write. Whether it was a couple of words or a few thousand. I developed a routine. Eventually I burnt myself out and took a hiatus. Now I balance the best of both worlds. The closer I am to a deadline, the more work I accomplish. But the sudden burst of inspiration impulses end up being my greatest chapters.

I absolutely outline every novel. It’s easy to get lost in the sauce and away from the theme/thoughts you want to convey without an outline. I do notice that my stories that are less than 7500 words; I do more of a looser outline in my mind. Like, since it’s so short and I know how I want the plot to go, it’s not worth outlining when I can just write it out.

It also varies on how long it takes me to complete a novel. Sometimes I get ideas for a story, come up with the title and book cover, do the outline, then shelf it to work on another project. With my short stories, it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days to complete them. And with longer stories… I can’t say. Like sometimes I can be locked into a project for two weeks straight, complete 60% of it, then I have to attend to life and it pulls me away from writing. But my mental health and my well being takes priority. If my mind and body is telling me to rest, I respect it and oblige. I wish I could constantly be on go and just crank out content every week or even every month, but I never want to release something that seems rushed or void of quality.

7) Do you believe that there is ever a point in life where it’s too late for an aspiring writer to become successful in this industry? Do you feel a late start would hinder their chances?

The only time it’s too late to do something is if you die. Because there’s always tomorrow. I don’t believe it’s ever too late to indulge in what fulfills and brings meaning to your life. Often, a late start can better your chances because you have the opportunity to observe and learn from other people’s successes and failures before you enter the industry. Success is also subjective and each person’s version of what success means to them differs.

8) Are you an avid reader and have you always been? What’s the first book you ever read that really touched you emotionally and moved you? Who is your favorite author? What book are you currently reading?

At one point of time, I was an avid reader. Since becoming a writer, I barely get the chance to indulge in other works outside of my own. However, I literally just renewed my kindle unlimited subscription so I look forward to tackling my lengthy TBR pile.

I remember being quite fond of the Sharon G. Flake’s The Skin I’m In and the book that followed Begging for Change. I recall gravitating to those stories because it was the first time I read an age appropriate relatable story. Also, the author is from the same neck of woods as I am. Then I snuck and read The Hustler’s Wife in 7th grade and my love for urban fiction blossomed then.

I don’t think I have one favorite author. However, there are a few people who I consider my faves and support every time they drop. Those faves are Desiree, Ivy Symone and my good friend Esha C. I believe the last book I read was her Vday novella My Love to Keep.

9) Did the quarantine stifle your creativity or did it make you even more driven to get things done? What perspective did the Pandemic give you that you that now influences what you do creatively?

No, the pandemic was the push I needed to focus on my craft. In 2019, I quit my collections job to put my all into writing and to learn the tricks of the trade. So the pandemic allowed me the chance to complete my manuscript and to learn how to edit, proofread, format, typeset and graphic design. For once, I had the chance to just focus on doing what made me happy. Besides the extreme isolation. I can say I miss the time of quarantine.

10) Given the recent shake-ups in publishing, what are your thoughts about how the publishing industry is being represented today? Do you lean more towards traditional publishing or self-publishing as a preference? Does being a hybrid author interest you?

Hey, I mind my business lol. I’m not sure I know which shake ups you’re referring to. But I can say that within the last decade a lot of avenues opened up to make it easier to self publish. Places like KDP, Ingram Spark, Barnes & Noble and much more came on the scene. There are tools available to the masses that weren’t available before. However, I think traditional publishing houses offer value still. One would just need to find the publisher that best suits them and aligns with their personal mission statement. I lean towards self-publishing because I’m a control freak and like to be hands on with my own success or failures. If something doesn’t work out, the only person I want to place the blame on is myself. I’m not opposed to being a hybrid author, it would just have to make sense. The publisher would have to offer something I’m not able to bring to the table.

11) I feel like writing is a remarkable tool to help people not only express themselves, but also to cope emotionally and mentally. I know for me I write to be and feel more authentic. What unique quality is there about you, about your art, that you feel represents your authenticity? How does writing help you to be more empowered in your purpose?

I agree with you writing is a remarkable way to express oneself emotionally and mentally but also creatively. Writing provides solace and an outlet for me. I truly believe I have a way with words and how I can translate them on a page to make a story come alive. I like for my readers to feel like a fly on the wall. My characters are always going to be one of a kind and have witty banter and distinctive personalities. That’s what makes it authentic. Certain themes are common in all genres. But I think I offer a refreshing catalog that’s going to be transcending with the times. There will never be another Erin Wakefield.