Fighting Prose Interview with Erica Wright

Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds. This week I’m interviewing Erica Wright whose been selected for one of O, The Oprah Magazine's Best Books of Summer!

How long have you been writing?

I remember writing my first short story (about the 13th labor of Hercules) at 12 or 13.

Of the books you’ve written, which is your favorite?

I've been staring at my blinking cursor for about five minutes now, trying to decide. They're all labors of love. (Maybe labor will be the theme of this interview.)

What’s your favorite genre to read? Write?

I read more poetry than anything else, but that's closely followed by crime fiction.

Tell me about your process: how do you get in the mood to write? How do your characters come together? How do you get your ideas?

If I'm struggling to write, I let myself read for 10-15 minutes before I get started. I'm a morning writer. I like the prioritize whatever I'm working on, then no matter how that goes, I feel better about my day. For my new novel Famous in Cedarville, the idea came from wanting to write about my small, rural hometown. Why would a silver screen actress move there, and what secrets might she be hiding?

What do you admire the most about the writing world?

The crime writing community is pretty supportive in general, but then there are superstars like Alex Segura and Kellye Garrett who go above and beyond to help young writers.

If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?

Mostly hanging out with my dog Penny.

Have you ever had writers block? If so, how did you get out of it?

Getting stuck is frustrating, but if you're making an effort to write and nothing is happening, I think that's a good time to take a break, see if your subconscious is trying to tell you something. Has your story taken a wrong turn perhaps? Or are you avoiding an emotionally difficult scene?

For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?

Root for your friends to succeed as much as you root for yourself. Publishing is a slow, fraught process, and you'll need those celebrations along the way.

Have you always been creative?

My creativity is pretty much limited to writing. Cooking is one of my least favorite activities, and I definitely can't paint. I actually enjoy taking visual art classes, though, because they make me more patient with my own students. Sometimes you can understand a concept, say shading, but still not be able to execute it.