Hey, it's mid-August, and here we are again! I mean, it's Monday, so there MUST be an author interview, right?
RIGHT!
E.S. Luck, an emerging voice in the world of post-apocalyptic romance, brings a unique blend of grit and heart to her storytelling. Growing up in Ontario, Canada, she developed a passion for storytelling at an early age, which eventually led her to pursue an honors degree in English Literature. After publishing an academic paper, she transitioned into fiction, where she found her true calling. Her debut novel, The Wastelander, introduces readers to a desolate world where survival is paramount, yet love manages to flourish amidst the ruins.
Luck's writing is heavily influenced by her love of music, video games, and her vivid imagination, often letting the rhythm of a song or the intensity of a game guide her creative process. As a "pantser," she writes with spontaneity, allowing the story to evolve naturally without a rigid outline, which she finds stifling to her creativity.
In addition to her writing, Luck is an avid reader, with a deep appreciation for classic literature, particularly works by Mary Shelley and Sylvia Plath, as well as modern romance authors like Lisa Kleypas and Julie Garwood. When she’s not crafting her next novel, you can find her gaming, indulging in peanut butter, or spending time with her husband and their dog, Rosie.
In this interview, we’ll delve into her creative process, her views on reboots and the MCU, and what’s next on her literary horizon. Get ready to meet an author who’s not afraid to mix romance with the harsh realities of a dystopian world.
DCU or MCU?
Definitely MCU, though I must confess that I stopped following closely after Endgame. Except for Deadpool. Always Deadpool.
Reboots – a great idea or a lack of creativity?
Reboots are great when they manage to explore new territory or narrative possibilities while remaining true to the story or spirit that people loved about the original. Unfortunately, that is an extremely difficult balance to strike, and as a result, most reboots are not as well-received as the originals.
A book you’re looking forward to release (by someone else)?
Entwined by Rebecca Quinn!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
As soon as I knew what a writer was. I had a big imagination as a child and told stories out loud before I could write. As soon as I figured out that I could use the written word to change and finesse my stories, I became obsessed with it.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Much of my best writing was created from music. When I listen to music, I see images in my head that I then connect to create a story based on the feeling or mood it evokes. Often, when I’m looking to write a specific scene, I search for music that fits the vibe I want so I can “see” it more clearly. Sounds crazy, but it works!
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
My very first book was written when I was a child of maybe five or six. I glued together a bunch of construction paper pages and wrote a kid’s book, complete with what I am sure were beautiful illustrations. My first real novel was written when I was around 11. It was well over 300 pages, and just awful in every way imaginable, but it was a start, anyway!
Is there a trope you find yourself going back to in multiple works? Or one you avoid?
I can’t get enough of that “touch her and die” stuff. I can’t explain it. It just does it for me. There’s something incredibly compelling and attractive about a dude who’s willing to kill for the woman he loves, what can I say.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I currently have one book out, The Wastelander, which is my debut novel. My prequel novella, Island, is releasing this week, and I am hard at work on the sequel to Wastelander. Asking a favourite is cruel! But I will say that I’m very excited for the sequel, as I think it promises to be even better and more exciting than the first book.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I’ve been very lucky to receive some lovely messages from readers about my book. Hearing that they really enjoyed it always makes my day, as well as hearing their excitement for my upcoming work. Readers also ask me if messaging me about my book is intrusive—I assure you, I love it!
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Easy—both. A good idea can be incredibly invigorating, and the excitement and rush of writing and completing a new story for the first time can’t be beat. On the other hand, editing and revising—two of the most important parts of writing—are often exhausting because they’re so detail-oriented and require a lot of focus to fix problematic elements and keep everything consistent. Overall, though, writing gives me purpose in my life, and that is more energizing than anything else.
Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
Definitely hurts, for the most part. You need to have a certain amount of confidence to write, but at the same time, having an ego often gets in the way of your writing becoming the best it can be. People with big egos often don’t take criticism well, and unfortunately, constructive critique is really the only way to significantly improve as a writer.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Ha, reading bad reviews. I don’t read reviews super often anymore, but when I have seen the bad ones, it kills my inspiration to write for a bit. Thankfully, writing is something of a compulsion for me, so returning to it is inevitable.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try not to think of readers at all when I’m in the creation phase of writing. I can’t work if I feel like there is, figuratively, someone looking over my shoulder. Those considerations come later, during the editing and revision process. That said, no idea is truly original; it’s your unique take on an idea that makes a story worth telling rather than the idea itself.
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
Yes. I think it would be more difficult in many ways, but writing about that experience—a lack of emotional resonance—could itself be an interesting story. Lots of people struggle with getting in touch with their emotions, so I think that could be a very relatable topic. Ultimately, someone out there has experienced something similar to what you’ve gone through, so I think no matter what your story is, it’s worth telling for someone.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you building a body of work with connections between each book?
Right now, my main project is The Wastelander Series, which are direct sequels to the first book and aren’t standalone. I do have other projects planned that are standalone but set in the same world.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
Writing my first book was an exercise in experimentation. I was trying hard to figure out what worked best for me, and I discovered that going into writing with judgment was an instant creativity killer for me. I couldn’t sit down and plan everything, because I’m an overthinker, and that would stop me from ever accomplishing anything. So I just jumped in, wrote what moved me, and worried about the rest later during the editing and revision process.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Cover art. Excellent cover art is by far the most important expense as an author. Your cover art literally sells your book on its own most of the time, and bad cover art can leave your book dead in the water (no matter how fantastic the contents may be).
What do you have coming next?
The sequel for my first book, The Wastelander, is scheduled to be released sometime this winter. My prequel novella, Island, which takes place in the same world, will be released for free for my email subscribers on August 23rd.
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