Welcome, Erica. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I believe I put a lot of myself into my characters. They
come directly from my heart onto the page, so while they’re different from me,
they each have a piece of my personality and my faith.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I’m not sure I’ve done it yet. ;) I suppose you could say
the time I did an “I Love Lucy” skit for my church in which I ate pickles with
whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and gummy worms is pretty quirky …
Yuck, but probably
very funny. When did you first discover you were a writer?
When I was ten-years-old. It took a couple of people telling
me I had something special to realize that my urge to write and create characters
others could love might actually go somewhere. I’ve been writing ever since.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
Anything from Historical Fiction to Speculative to
Contemporary! All with a romance intertwined, of course, but I could read
anything. J
I hope you’ll try out
some of my historicals. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
It’s not easy! Sometimes a day catches up to me with work
and writing. Days don’t always seem long enough. But, at the end of the day, I
remember God has given us the gift of time and as long as I don’t waste it,
everything will work out fine.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Ooh! One of my favorite parts of writing! Sometimes, I just
know my characters’ names. They pop into my head instantly. Other times,
because of their personality, I have a harder time. Most times, I end up
looking up the most popular names of the time period I’m writing in and look
over the lists until one name sounds right.
I do that, but always
take the age of the character into the mix, going back to the year of the
person’s birth. What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
That would be my debut novel, The Lost Generation! I
wrote The Lost Generation a few years ago and then I let it sit. However,
when I finished it, I knew in my heart it would be the first of my works to be
published. I was so thrilled to be right.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
If I were an animal, I’d probably be a dog. I like to think
of myself as being loyal and protective of the people I love. J
What is your favorite
food?
Does chocolate count? ;) If not, definitely something
Italian …
Of course, chocolate
counts. It’s food for the body and emotional wellbeing. What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
The “showing not telling” part of writing was the greatest
problem for me. It took a long time to learn that and I still have some trouble
with it today. But every day is a learning experience for me and I overcome the
issues a little at a time.
That’s how we all do
it. Tell us about the featured book.
The Lost Generation is a set during World War One. We follow
three couples from three different countries who come together because of this
Great War. As these six people, who were so unlikely to meet, come together,
they witness the tragedy and despair of a generation of men and women who were
lost from the years 1914-1918. They fight, falter, and find faith amidst the
most trying of circumstances.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
PROLOGUE
1918
I’m standing in a puddle of blood.
Sweat, smoke, gas, and screams. All overwhelm my senses as I
clutch bandages in my fists and try to figure out where to go. But there is no
place to go. Because they’re everywhere; all around me, begging for me to help
as they die slowly before my eyes. A hand tugs on my sleeve and I turn. I’m
numb, dissolving in a puddle of my own grief, but I force myself to move
forward. I once thought that being a nurse would be fulfilling, that it would
give me a purpose here. That I could help. But that dream of healing the sick
is fading faster than I could have imagined.
“Bandages! Nurse, I need those bandages!” a doctor bellows
from across the room.
I sprint toward him, even as my mind drifts back in time to
the place that brought me here. It was a simple place, a place that broached no
harm and where I never would have expected to find the devastation that is
now wrapped around my heart. It was a small place; a warm place where my
neighbors gathered to spend a few minutes of peace, joy and socializing.
The post office. Where thousands of letters exchange hands
every day. Where packages arrive to bring joy to their recipients. Where my heart
was shattered into a thousand pieces.
When I was a child, I used to think telegrams were good
things. But my mother feared them, more than she feared anything in her life. I
didn’t understand that. I didn't understand the terror of little white notes with
my name typed harshly in black ink across the front. Now I do. I know the
terror they hold; I understand why my mother hated them.
“Nurse!”
Against my will I am brought back to reality. I am forced to
move forward, my shoes splashing in puddles of blood and muck as I come to the
doctor’s side. He gives me the strangest look which I ignore. My mind is still
elsewhere. On that small room back home where my world came crashing down on
top of me.
The post office. I used to love it there.
Very interesting. How
can readers find you on the Internet?
I have an author page on Facebook! I’m also on Twitter,
Goodreads, and Instagram. I’m still working on creating an author website. J
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricaHogan316
Thank you, Erica, for
sharing this debut novel with us.
Readers,
here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this
blog.
The Lost Generation - Christianbook.comThe Lost Generation: A Novel of World War I - Amazon
The Lost Generation: A Novel of World War I - Kindle
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15 comments:
You're young but you write with a mature voice of things even your grandparents are probably not old enough to recall. Impressive.
Thank you! I've been told I'm an old soul. :)
A new-to-me author and an interesting time period. I do enjoy historical fiction but haven't read much during World War I. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Linda from PA
Thank you Linda! I hope you enjoy my book if you win!
Erica, your book sounds interesting. Would love to read about this often overlooked period in world history.
Thanks Sandy! It was very interesting to write about. I've always had a deep love of history, particularly the World Wars, so this book is very dear to my heart. :)
Sounds good. north platte nebraska.
I always books set during World War I or World War II. Love to read this!
Beth from IA
Oh my goodness! This definitely sounds like page turner to get lost in! Thanks for sharing! rw620 AT aol DOT com
I'm intrigued by that excerpt!! Would love to read this one! Thank you for the chance to win!
I live in California:)
Would love to read this book. Thank you for sharing .
Melanie Backus, TX
Sounds like a good book! Thanks for the interview and giveaway. :)
Raechel in MN
Historical fiction is a favorite of mine and I look forward to reading The Lost Generation. Thank you for sharing this interview and giveaway.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy historical fiction. The Lost Generations sounds like a great story. Thank you for the interview and giveaway.
Caryl K in TEXAS
Enter me!!
Conway SC.
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