Author's Spotlight "Erin O’Reilly"
In the midst of the Nano craziness I was lucky enough to get the time to talk to Erin O’Reilly, author of Revelations, and the book New Beginnings that she co-wrote with J.M. Dragon. Welcome to Dreamtime Erin!
Moon: Tell us about who Erin O'Reilly really is?
Erin: Hmm, interesting question. I discovered that I enjoyed writing stories about five years ago when my good friend JM Dragon challenged me to fill in the shell of a story. When I'm not writing I work as a computer consultant. Presently, I live on a lake in Texas and enjoy boating, fishing and gardening.
Moon: Tell us more about this project with JM Dragon
Erin: I started doing beta reading for JM and I would suggest storylines and she would say "Why don't you write a story yourself." Well, I didn't think I could but she insisted and went so far as to write the beginning to a story and give it to me to round out the storyline. Not one to back down from a challenge I added to the story and then posted it on the internet - was that scary. Surprising to me, people seemed to like the story so I wrote another one and was on my way.
Moon: How did you get into betaing? Do you still do it?
Erin: My friend JM asked me to read over a story she wrote and tell her what I thought. As I read, I couldn't help fixing any errors I saw. I tend to be picky about using the right words for the image the writer wants to create. I do still beta read but only for JM Dragon for we have developed a trust in each other's opinions. I am by no means a professional editor for when they edit my stories they always find something.
Moon: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
Erin: Good question. For as long as I can remember, I have composed stories in my head. I suppose fear kept me from actually putting anything down on paper for the idea of sharing my thoughts in that way was very disconcerting to me. That is probably why I write under a penname for it separates the private me from the public one.
Moon: Do you find you can write with more freedom using a pen name?
Erin: Of course. I think that is true for many who write in the lesbian genre. I want readers to know Erin as a competent writer but at the same time, I want to keep my other persona a separate entity. That is not the main reason I write with a nom de plume. I think that in this day and age of electronic surveillance and computers anonymity is paramount for with the right knowledge, it is easy to can track down anyone. With my computer background, I have seen this first hand and I would rather not go there.
Moon: Is Revelations the first novel you’ve written without a co-author?
Erin: No, I have written several novel length stories for the web. Intaglio will release my new novel Deception in the spring. Although I think that JM and I are very compatible as writers we both prefer to write alone and bounce ideas off the other. It takes a true and tested friendship to co-write a story and lots of fortitude.
Moon: Can you tell us a bit about what Revelations and Deception are about and what inspired these stories?
Erin: Originally, I titled Revelations 'Emma's Journey'. Emma Sanders survived in a dark world of fear and shadows created by her mother. Circumstances thrown into her life's path kept her isolated, alone and far removed from the trappings of modern society. She did what she had to in order to endure life in spite of her perceived inadequacies and worthlessness. When a shadowy figure emerges from the muddy depths of water near her boat dock, Emma's life takes a dramatic turn and she must fight for her life. As for inspiration for the story - the setting somewhat resembles a lake where I spent my summers - the idea for the story started as fish dying in a lake and a PI is hired to find out why - of course that is not what became of the story but it was a start.
Deception - Lane Cuthbert knew exactly where she wanted to go and what she had to do to get there. Her goal was to challenge the network legal gurus for their positions but first, she needed a juicy scandal or murder. What she found was a beautiful woman with a secret in need of a lawyer. Inspiration for the story - I remember driving from New York to Texas and every night when I stopped at a motel, I would turn on the news. There was some big legal case going on and it seemed to me that all the legal reporters for different networks were jockeying for the best interviews and I thought 'hmm how can I make a story out of that'.
Moon: Great ideas! So do your inspiration normally come to you like that, or do you have ways of charging yourself creatively when you need to?
Erin: Honestly I have no idea when an idea will come to me. If I hear a song lyric that I like, I think if it can be somehow weaved it into a story. Currently I am writing a Christmas story for my website and listened to Christine Aguilera singing Reflections from Mulan and that became the title. Then I listened to the words - "Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me" - and the story began -
Ruth Arnold stood in front of a full length mirror and assessed her nakedness. Her forty-seven year old body wasn’t as supple and firm as when she was in her twenties, but all in all, it was in remarkably good shape. Her gaze traveled to the face with the familiar light brown hair framing the jaw line, cheeks, lips, and nose. She frowned when she looked into the dark blue eyes reflecting back at her. She whispered, “Who are you,” before she stared into the depths of the vacant, lifeless orbs.
Charging myself to be creative is difficult at times. Often I get in a slump and can't motivate myself to write more than a page or two. I have many stories that are up to twenty pages that I lost interest in or I was stuck as to where to go next. I mainly write character based stories and if I am not in love with the main characters I lose inspiration easily. Then I will listen to music and suddenly I am off writing again.
Moon: What are some of your favorite artists and/or songs for inspiration? For pleasure?
Erin: Any song can be used for inspiration if it speaks to me. I wrote a short story, 'Those Three Days' from a song Lucinda Williams sings. I like variety so I don't usually listen to one particular artist - if the lyrics are good I will listen to anyone sing. On my iPod I have, Alison Krauss, Andrea Bocelli, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Casey Chambers, Daughtry, Evanescence, Grace Slick, Heart, Jewel, Kathleen Battle, Kelly Clarkson, KD Lang, LeAnn Rimes, Melissa Etheridge, Nickelback, Norah Jones, Patty Griffin, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, U2, and Willie Nelson to name a few.
Moon: There’s an eclectic mix. Do you listen to music while you write, or just as a creative kicker beforehand?
Erin: It depends on the story. If I am writing an emotionally difficult story or scene I like complete silence with no distractions. If I listen to anything while I write it is usually something like Secret Garden or a symphonic piece otherwise it is silent.
Moon: I’d like to talk a bit about the co-writing you did. I can’t image how people pull off writing with another author. How did you two manage it? Is it an experience you think you’ll ever attempt again?
Erin: If you co-write with someone, you'd better be sure you are compatible. Each brings to the table her own writing style and concepts for the story. Discussion and an open dialoge are essential for co-writing for it is so easy to step on each other's writing. I find the experience challenges me to be a more creative writer.
For JM and I the biggest obstacle is time zone. She lives in New Zealand and I in the US so we have to be flexible in making the time to co-write. We begin by discussing the story and profiling who the characters are and their personalities and reactions to situations. From there we discuss the story and how we envision the path it will take. Since each of us is responsible for particular characters, we can independently write some of the scenes. For the direct interaction between the characters we construct that online in real time. We've found that this method makes the story real for neither knows how the other's characters will react until it actually happens.
Would I attempt it again? Absolutely. I have written five stories with JM and we are in the midst of writing another. I think since the first collaboration our joint stories just keep getting better. Of course, we drive each other crazy at times - I like to correct as I go and JM wants to go with the flow.
Moon: I can see how that’d be a challenge. So, back to your own writing. Do you exclusively work on the lesbian genre, or have you dabbled outside of it at all?
Erin: Most of the stories I write are based on the lives and love of women. I have written several short stories that are non-lesbian but for the most part the lesbian genre is my main focus in what I write for that is my audience.
Moon: What first drew you to writing lesfic? Have you faced challenges working within that genre?
Erin: I, as I believe many lesfic writers did, found that the series Xena Warrior Princess had a large legion of loyal followers and many of them began writing stories focused around those characters. Not long after the conception of fanfic one by one authors ventured into the world of lesbian relationships built around the two characters of Xena and Gabrielle. That is where I first attempted to write lesfic. The challenge is always to make a believable story that readers can relate to and feel satisfied with the conclusion.
Moon: Did you find it difficult to move from writing fanfic to original fiction? How was the reception you got for your own work from the reader who knew you from your fanfic days?
Erin: To write uber fanfic all you needed was to describe your characters so they would loosely be like the main characters of the television show. I didn't find switching to original fiction hard since I never wrote a Xena story and the only reference I made in my stories to the series was the description of the main characters and perhaps some of their quirks. I'm not exactly sure when my stories began to be described as original rather than uber but I think to readers the change was gradual. The support I've received over the five years I've written hasn't wavered. I have a very loyal fan base and they are who I write for. Without their encouragement I may never have continued to write.
Moon: I want to thank you so much for taking this time to talk to us. Before we open up for questions or comments from Dreamtime’s readers, I have one last question. What are some of the most memorable things you’ve learn from being a writer?
Erin: Thank you the interview has been an enjoyable experience. I think the most memorable thing I've learned from being a writer is that nothing is impossible. When you write you are in complete control of everything about your characters and their lives. It is therefore up to the writer to manipulate them in a way that weaves a story that is appealing satisfying. The biggest reward - having someone say that my story made them feel something.
Revelations by Erin O'Reilly
Release Date: July 2007
Emma Sanders survived in a dark world of fear and shadows created by her mother. Circumstances thrown into her life's path kept her isolated, alone and far removed from the trappings of modern society. She did what she had to in order to endure life in spite of her perceived inadequacies and worthlessness.
When a shadowy figure emerged from the muddy depths of water near her boat dock, light began to creep into Emma's lonely existence. Cay O'Neill's path twisted and turned bringing her to Jones' Lake and one Emma Sanders.
Slowly, Emma allows Cay into her life rejoicing in her new found emotion of friendship. A common enemy threatens the fledgling relationship, but together they form a strong bond in a fight to stay alive.
Emma Sanders' life is about to take a turn as the light of a once inconceivable world shines on her.
New Beginnings
by Erin O'Reilly & J. M. Dragon
This is a two story odyssey inextricably linked about the lives of four women and how they fight their own personal demons to find the strength to love. A curious mix of intrigue, deception and finally understanding follow all four.
Lauren Walker and Maggie Sullivan meet in a quiet lakeside vacation point and have a spontaneous attraction to each other that sparks immediately. The speed of their romance is only superseded by the pace of events that crashes around them.
Tragedy appears to be the middle name of Harriet Aristides, and she wears the glove so well it is hard to believe she will ever be truly happy again, after a terrible accident robs of her of the woman she loves. Corporate intrigue and the promise of wonderful discoveries, however make up the rest of her life. Incredibly she enters the unknown realm of a field trip into the jungles of South America with a small team of people who work for her.
Nichola (Nicky) Ralston has a personal secret of her own, which if it came to light, would dramatically change the way that Harriet views their friendship. As they become close in the confines of the jungle, Nicky sets about innocently to change the way Harriet looks at life and leads her back to a place where she can love again.
As things begin to change in Harriet’s world, a situation insidiously enters her life. Drawing her and Nicky’s, lives to that of Lauren and Maggie, will she allow herself to forgive and forget?
Both Revelations and New Beginnings can be found at Intaglio Publications or any of your local bookstores. We at Dreamtime always say if you want great fiction out there, you need to support the authors writing it. :)
Moon: Tell us about who Erin O'Reilly really is?
Erin: Hmm, interesting question. I discovered that I enjoyed writing stories about five years ago when my good friend JM Dragon challenged me to fill in the shell of a story. When I'm not writing I work as a computer consultant. Presently, I live on a lake in Texas and enjoy boating, fishing and gardening.
Moon: Tell us more about this project with JM Dragon
Erin: I started doing beta reading for JM and I would suggest storylines and she would say "Why don't you write a story yourself." Well, I didn't think I could but she insisted and went so far as to write the beginning to a story and give it to me to round out the storyline. Not one to back down from a challenge I added to the story and then posted it on the internet - was that scary. Surprising to me, people seemed to like the story so I wrote another one and was on my way.
Moon: How did you get into betaing? Do you still do it?
Erin: My friend JM asked me to read over a story she wrote and tell her what I thought. As I read, I couldn't help fixing any errors I saw. I tend to be picky about using the right words for the image the writer wants to create. I do still beta read but only for JM Dragon for we have developed a trust in each other's opinions. I am by no means a professional editor for when they edit my stories they always find something.
Moon: When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
Erin: Good question. For as long as I can remember, I have composed stories in my head. I suppose fear kept me from actually putting anything down on paper for the idea of sharing my thoughts in that way was very disconcerting to me. That is probably why I write under a penname for it separates the private me from the public one.
Moon: Do you find you can write with more freedom using a pen name?
Erin: Of course. I think that is true for many who write in the lesbian genre. I want readers to know Erin as a competent writer but at the same time, I want to keep my other persona a separate entity. That is not the main reason I write with a nom de plume. I think that in this day and age of electronic surveillance and computers anonymity is paramount for with the right knowledge, it is easy to can track down anyone. With my computer background, I have seen this first hand and I would rather not go there.
Moon: Is Revelations the first novel you’ve written without a co-author?
Erin: No, I have written several novel length stories for the web. Intaglio will release my new novel Deception in the spring. Although I think that JM and I are very compatible as writers we both prefer to write alone and bounce ideas off the other. It takes a true and tested friendship to co-write a story and lots of fortitude.
Moon: Can you tell us a bit about what Revelations and Deception are about and what inspired these stories?
Erin: Originally, I titled Revelations 'Emma's Journey'. Emma Sanders survived in a dark world of fear and shadows created by her mother. Circumstances thrown into her life's path kept her isolated, alone and far removed from the trappings of modern society. She did what she had to in order to endure life in spite of her perceived inadequacies and worthlessness. When a shadowy figure emerges from the muddy depths of water near her boat dock, Emma's life takes a dramatic turn and she must fight for her life. As for inspiration for the story - the setting somewhat resembles a lake where I spent my summers - the idea for the story started as fish dying in a lake and a PI is hired to find out why - of course that is not what became of the story but it was a start.
Deception - Lane Cuthbert knew exactly where she wanted to go and what she had to do to get there. Her goal was to challenge the network legal gurus for their positions but first, she needed a juicy scandal or murder. What she found was a beautiful woman with a secret in need of a lawyer. Inspiration for the story - I remember driving from New York to Texas and every night when I stopped at a motel, I would turn on the news. There was some big legal case going on and it seemed to me that all the legal reporters for different networks were jockeying for the best interviews and I thought 'hmm how can I make a story out of that'.
Moon: Great ideas! So do your inspiration normally come to you like that, or do you have ways of charging yourself creatively when you need to?
Erin: Honestly I have no idea when an idea will come to me. If I hear a song lyric that I like, I think if it can be somehow weaved it into a story. Currently I am writing a Christmas story for my website and listened to Christine Aguilera singing Reflections from Mulan and that became the title. Then I listened to the words - "Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me" - and the story began -
Ruth Arnold stood in front of a full length mirror and assessed her nakedness. Her forty-seven year old body wasn’t as supple and firm as when she was in her twenties, but all in all, it was in remarkably good shape. Her gaze traveled to the face with the familiar light brown hair framing the jaw line, cheeks, lips, and nose. She frowned when she looked into the dark blue eyes reflecting back at her. She whispered, “Who are you,” before she stared into the depths of the vacant, lifeless orbs.
Charging myself to be creative is difficult at times. Often I get in a slump and can't motivate myself to write more than a page or two. I have many stories that are up to twenty pages that I lost interest in or I was stuck as to where to go next. I mainly write character based stories and if I am not in love with the main characters I lose inspiration easily. Then I will listen to music and suddenly I am off writing again.
Moon: What are some of your favorite artists and/or songs for inspiration? For pleasure?
Erin: Any song can be used for inspiration if it speaks to me. I wrote a short story, 'Those Three Days' from a song Lucinda Williams sings. I like variety so I don't usually listen to one particular artist - if the lyrics are good I will listen to anyone sing. On my iPod I have, Alison Krauss, Andrea Bocelli, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Bon Jovi, Carrie Underwood, Casey Chambers, Daughtry, Evanescence, Grace Slick, Heart, Jewel, Kathleen Battle, Kelly Clarkson, KD Lang, LeAnn Rimes, Melissa Etheridge, Nickelback, Norah Jones, Patty Griffin, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin, U2, and Willie Nelson to name a few.
Moon: There’s an eclectic mix. Do you listen to music while you write, or just as a creative kicker beforehand?
Erin: It depends on the story. If I am writing an emotionally difficult story or scene I like complete silence with no distractions. If I listen to anything while I write it is usually something like Secret Garden or a symphonic piece otherwise it is silent.
Moon: I’d like to talk a bit about the co-writing you did. I can’t image how people pull off writing with another author. How did you two manage it? Is it an experience you think you’ll ever attempt again?
Erin: If you co-write with someone, you'd better be sure you are compatible. Each brings to the table her own writing style and concepts for the story. Discussion and an open dialoge are essential for co-writing for it is so easy to step on each other's writing. I find the experience challenges me to be a more creative writer.
For JM and I the biggest obstacle is time zone. She lives in New Zealand and I in the US so we have to be flexible in making the time to co-write. We begin by discussing the story and profiling who the characters are and their personalities and reactions to situations. From there we discuss the story and how we envision the path it will take. Since each of us is responsible for particular characters, we can independently write some of the scenes. For the direct interaction between the characters we construct that online in real time. We've found that this method makes the story real for neither knows how the other's characters will react until it actually happens.
Would I attempt it again? Absolutely. I have written five stories with JM and we are in the midst of writing another. I think since the first collaboration our joint stories just keep getting better. Of course, we drive each other crazy at times - I like to correct as I go and JM wants to go with the flow.
Moon: I can see how that’d be a challenge. So, back to your own writing. Do you exclusively work on the lesbian genre, or have you dabbled outside of it at all?
Erin: Most of the stories I write are based on the lives and love of women. I have written several short stories that are non-lesbian but for the most part the lesbian genre is my main focus in what I write for that is my audience.
Moon: What first drew you to writing lesfic? Have you faced challenges working within that genre?
Erin: I, as I believe many lesfic writers did, found that the series Xena Warrior Princess had a large legion of loyal followers and many of them began writing stories focused around those characters. Not long after the conception of fanfic one by one authors ventured into the world of lesbian relationships built around the two characters of Xena and Gabrielle. That is where I first attempted to write lesfic. The challenge is always to make a believable story that readers can relate to and feel satisfied with the conclusion.
Moon: Did you find it difficult to move from writing fanfic to original fiction? How was the reception you got for your own work from the reader who knew you from your fanfic days?
Erin: To write uber fanfic all you needed was to describe your characters so they would loosely be like the main characters of the television show. I didn't find switching to original fiction hard since I never wrote a Xena story and the only reference I made in my stories to the series was the description of the main characters and perhaps some of their quirks. I'm not exactly sure when my stories began to be described as original rather than uber but I think to readers the change was gradual. The support I've received over the five years I've written hasn't wavered. I have a very loyal fan base and they are who I write for. Without their encouragement I may never have continued to write.
Moon: I want to thank you so much for taking this time to talk to us. Before we open up for questions or comments from Dreamtime’s readers, I have one last question. What are some of the most memorable things you’ve learn from being a writer?
Erin: Thank you the interview has been an enjoyable experience. I think the most memorable thing I've learned from being a writer is that nothing is impossible. When you write you are in complete control of everything about your characters and their lives. It is therefore up to the writer to manipulate them in a way that weaves a story that is appealing satisfying. The biggest reward - having someone say that my story made them feel something.
Revelations by Erin O'Reilly
Release Date: July 2007
Emma Sanders survived in a dark world of fear and shadows created by her mother. Circumstances thrown into her life's path kept her isolated, alone and far removed from the trappings of modern society. She did what she had to in order to endure life in spite of her perceived inadequacies and worthlessness.
When a shadowy figure emerged from the muddy depths of water near her boat dock, light began to creep into Emma's lonely existence. Cay O'Neill's path twisted and turned bringing her to Jones' Lake and one Emma Sanders.
Slowly, Emma allows Cay into her life rejoicing in her new found emotion of friendship. A common enemy threatens the fledgling relationship, but together they form a strong bond in a fight to stay alive.
Emma Sanders' life is about to take a turn as the light of a once inconceivable world shines on her.
New Beginnings
by Erin O'Reilly & J. M. Dragon
This is a two story odyssey inextricably linked about the lives of four women and how they fight their own personal demons to find the strength to love. A curious mix of intrigue, deception and finally understanding follow all four.
Lauren Walker and Maggie Sullivan meet in a quiet lakeside vacation point and have a spontaneous attraction to each other that sparks immediately. The speed of their romance is only superseded by the pace of events that crashes around them.
Tragedy appears to be the middle name of Harriet Aristides, and she wears the glove so well it is hard to believe she will ever be truly happy again, after a terrible accident robs of her of the woman she loves. Corporate intrigue and the promise of wonderful discoveries, however make up the rest of her life. Incredibly she enters the unknown realm of a field trip into the jungles of South America with a small team of people who work for her.
Nichola (Nicky) Ralston has a personal secret of her own, which if it came to light, would dramatically change the way that Harriet views their friendship. As they become close in the confines of the jungle, Nicky sets about innocently to change the way Harriet looks at life and leads her back to a place where she can love again.
As things begin to change in Harriet’s world, a situation insidiously enters her life. Drawing her and Nicky’s, lives to that of Lauren and Maggie, will she allow herself to forgive and forget?
Both Revelations and New Beginnings can be found at Intaglio Publications or any of your local bookstores. We at Dreamtime always say if you want great fiction out there, you need to support the authors writing it. :)