Erin Bevan was born and raised in Southwest Arkansas. She spent her teenage years working for her aunt at the local gas station flipping burgers and making milkshakes, dreaming of the day when something better would come her way, and it did in the form of a five foot six, one hundred and fifty pound engineer.
Fast forward ten years later, she found herself stuck inside an apartment in South Korea while her daughter went to preschool and her husband went to work. Alone and unable to speak the local language she turned to books for a friend. After reading a few hundred in such a short time, she decided to try her hand at writing one.
That first one sucked, but by the fifth and sixth book, Erin started to get the hang of this writing thing. Getting the first contract in the mail was a dream come true. Now, with three babies at home, she squeezes in stories one word at a time, one sentence at a time, one day at a time.
She’s a full time mom, a full time wife, with a little writer sprinkled in whenever she can get the chance. And the laundry? Well, it’s best not to open the washroom door!
That first one sucked, but by the fifth and sixth book, Erin started to get the hang of this writing thing. Getting the first contract in the mail was a dream come true. Now, with three babies at home, she squeezes in stories one word at a time, one sentence at a time, one day at a time.
She’s a full time mom, a full time wife, with a little writer sprinkled in whenever she can get the chance. And the laundry? Well, it’s best not to open the washroom door!
My critique partner Hilde has twins and suffers from the same kind of laundry problem.
I love firsts, so tell me about the moment when a publisher told you they wanted to publish your book. Oh, that’s a story. It was December 2013. I was waiting to hear back from one more publishing house. I had received more “No’s” and negative comments about my writing than I thought I could handle. I hadn’t been writing for long, maybe two years. In reality, two or three years before you get published isn’t that long.
Still, I was pretty down by all the rejections, and I told myself that if this last house said no, I was hanging up writing for good. The e-mail came in and I began to read. The first two paragraphs were basically filled with how bad of a writer I was. I almost clicked the delete button until I saw a huge BUT in the third paragraph.
The last two paragraphs went on to tell me that this editor was willing to take the risk on me if I was willing to do the work, and a contract was attached. Now, I’ve just signed my fourth contract, and I hope they keep coming.
What is the most exciting moment, so far, in your writing career?
Most exciting moment so far has been release day for Cupid’s Angels. I had published a short story, The Ranch Hand, previously, but Cupid’s Angels was my first novel. It was a day to tell the world, I’m here for good. I am a real writer.
What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
I like going to the gym, and I love shopping. Oh yeah, and eating!
How do you motivate yourself when inspiration takes a vacation?
Good question, and that’s something I’ve struggled with lately. Usually, I talk it out with a friend. I’m a social person, and I rely on others heavily for help and inspiration.
Got a recipe you want to share?
Nope, sorry. I’m not a great cook, but if you have something you want to share with me, I’ll let you. Sure! Check out my recipe tab and see if something appeals to you.
Any advice for new writers just starting out?
Just write. It’s going to suck at first. Don’t worry about that. With each new word on the page, you learn something. Learn about yourself, learn about your craft, and write for you.
What genre or genres do you write?
Contemporary Romance at the moment.
Tell us about Cupid’s Angels
This was a fun story to write. I like old people. They make me laugh, so I decided to write a book about them. Here is the blurb:
Ellie Childs isn’t looking for love. She’s looking for an AC technician for the Forest Wood Senior Center. But, when the repairman happens to be tall, dark, and handsome, he has the goods to make her change her mind. Unfortunately, he’s taken by a blonde Barbie.
David White moved to Cupid, Arkansas, to be closer to the woman he loves, his grandma, and away from his ex-fiancée. Believing his broken heart would never work again, he’s proven wrong. Ellie’s shimmering auburn curls and compassionate nature sends his heart thumping. His mind soars with thoughts of giving love another shot. But as luck would have it, she’s taken, and the guy she’s seeing is a real jerk.
When David’s grandmother sees how perfect Ellie would be for her grandson, she gathers the troops. She and her three friends form Cupid’s Angels. Their mission, to bring David and Ellie together. Despite their best efforts, the Angels’ plans backfire, pushing David and Ellie farther apart and into the arms of others. Or, so they think.
Will the Angels’ good intentions win out, or will their plots and schemes undermine what could have been the love of a lifetime for David and Ellie?
I read the opening chapters on Amazon and it sounds great!
What’s your current WIP?
I have two. The Night Train and Wrapped Up In You. I hope they are both available to you next year. The Night Train has been my favorite book so far to write. I’ve connected with those characters more so than any others. They’re just real and raw. I love that story.
I’m a bit stuck on Wrapped Up In You. I’m not sure which direction to go. I’m sure I’ll figure it out. It’s a Christmas story, and I’ve never wrote a Christmas story before. I do enjoy the challenge it brings.
I love Christmas stories!
And finally, where can we find you?
You can find me at www.erinbevan.com
or
Facebook:www.facebook.com/erinbevanwrites
or Twitter: @ErinBevan
Thank you for being here, Erin. Erin's is offering a copy of Cupid's Angels as a giveaway. Read on, my friends. Books keep us together.
Still, I was pretty down by all the rejections, and I told myself that if this last house said no, I was hanging up writing for good. The e-mail came in and I began to read. The first two paragraphs were basically filled with how bad of a writer I was. I almost clicked the delete button until I saw a huge BUT in the third paragraph.
The last two paragraphs went on to tell me that this editor was willing to take the risk on me if I was willing to do the work, and a contract was attached. Now, I’ve just signed my fourth contract, and I hope they keep coming.
Most exciting moment so far has been release day for Cupid’s Angels. I had published a short story, The Ranch Hand, previously, but Cupid’s Angels was my first novel. It was a day to tell the world, I’m here for good. I am a real writer.
What is your favorite pastime, other than writing?
I like going to the gym, and I love shopping. Oh yeah, and eating!
How do you motivate yourself when inspiration takes a vacation?
Good question, and that’s something I’ve struggled with lately. Usually, I talk it out with a friend. I’m a social person, and I rely on others heavily for help and inspiration.
Got a recipe you want to share?
Nope, sorry. I’m not a great cook, but if you have something you want to share with me, I’ll let you. Sure! Check out my recipe tab and see if something appeals to you.
Any advice for new writers just starting out?
Just write. It’s going to suck at first. Don’t worry about that. With each new word on the page, you learn something. Learn about yourself, learn about your craft, and write for you.
What genre or genres do you write?
Contemporary Romance at the moment.
Tell us about Cupid’s Angels
Ellie Childs isn’t looking for love. She’s looking for an AC technician for the Forest Wood Senior Center. But, when the repairman happens to be tall, dark, and handsome, he has the goods to make her change her mind. Unfortunately, he’s taken by a blonde Barbie.
David White moved to Cupid, Arkansas, to be closer to the woman he loves, his grandma, and away from his ex-fiancée. Believing his broken heart would never work again, he’s proven wrong. Ellie’s shimmering auburn curls and compassionate nature sends his heart thumping. His mind soars with thoughts of giving love another shot. But as luck would have it, she’s taken, and the guy she’s seeing is a real jerk.
When David’s grandmother sees how perfect Ellie would be for her grandson, she gathers the troops. She and her three friends form Cupid’s Angels. Their mission, to bring David and Ellie together. Despite their best efforts, the Angels’ plans backfire, pushing David and Ellie farther apart and into the arms of others. Or, so they think.
Will the Angels’ good intentions win out, or will their plots and schemes undermine what could have been the love of a lifetime for David and Ellie?
I read the opening chapters on Amazon and it sounds great!
What’s your current WIP?
I have two. The Night Train and Wrapped Up In You. I hope they are both available to you next year. The Night Train has been my favorite book so far to write. I’ve connected with those characters more so than any others. They’re just real and raw. I love that story.
I’m a bit stuck on Wrapped Up In You. I’m not sure which direction to go. I’m sure I’ll figure it out. It’s a Christmas story, and I’ve never wrote a Christmas story before. I do enjoy the challenge it brings.
I love Christmas stories!
And finally, where can we find you?
You can find me at www.erinbevan.com
or
Facebook:www.facebook.com/erinbevanwrites
or Twitter: @ErinBevan
Thank you for being here, Erin. Erin's is offering a copy of Cupid's Angels as a giveaway. Read on, my friends. Books keep us together.
Thank you, Susan, for hosting me!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Erin.
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt and hope to read more. Thanks for this opporotunity.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Nancy!
DeleteThanks, Nancy! I hope you enjoy CA when you read it.
DeleteReading Cupid's Angels right now---actually in between taking food to my son at band camp. My mom worked at a Senior Center (Activities for 50+) for over twenty years. Wow! You nailed the setting! The characters (Mary, Hazel, Mac) remind me of some of the regulars at my mom's center. Can't wait to share your book with her!
ReplyDeleteHey Anne, I hope you're enjoying the read! I guessed on the setting, so I'm so glad it was on track!
DeleteHi Erin, I enjoyed reading Cupid's Angels. I agree with Anne - you nailed the setting. For three years, I visited my mother at her retirement home. So much of that experience came back as I read your novel. Joanne :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne!
DeleteThank you, Anne and Joanne. I agree with you!
ReplyDeleteWonderful story, Erin. Thank you for hosting, Susan. This sounds like a super book. I like 'old people' too, especially since I am quickly becoming one! And most of my family and friends are 'old people'.
ReplyDeleteHey Ryan! Life has a way of sneaking up on us! Thanks for the comment.
DeleteThanks for hosting Susan and great interview and excerpt Erin.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Deletefun interview
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThis looks like a very enjoyable book!
ReplyDeleteI think so too. Its on my TBR list. Read the first few chapters on Amazon. Loved them.
DeleteThank you, Jonella! I hope you love it.
DeleteSounds like a fun book. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fun book. Good luck.
ReplyDelete