E. R. Phoenix

I am a full-time novelist named E.R. Phoenix. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. My passions revolve around the environment, freedom, human rights, and societal justice. I have a strong affinity for dystopian fiction, which is both my preferred genre to read and write. I enjoy combining dystopian elements with romance, especially when love unexpectedly emerges in a dangerous setting that cannot be ignored. My stories are filled with action, danger, suspense, steamy romance, and characters who will do anything to fight for their cause. In the past, I have worked as a middle/high school science teacher and a personal trainer. When I’m not writing, I spend most of my time reading and cherishing moments with my family. Dancing, hiking, watching anime, going to the beach, and playing video games are some of my favorite activities. My Promissa Trilogy books have gained significant recognition and are among my most notable works. Currently, I live in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

“Welcome, readers, to this interactive author interview. We have the pleasure of speaking with the talented author, E. R. Phoenix, who specializes in the dystopian romance genre. Let's dive right in! Can you tell us what inspired you to write in this particular genre?”

I write dystopian romance, because in this genre, you can write stories of resilience and overcoming adversities. A story in which hope, love and the fire that lives in each one of the characters makes them triumph even though the possibilities of winning are not in their favor.

Romances in these stories are more dangerous and face greater challenges. This makes the relationships even more intense and deeper than others.

We see injustices every day, both social and political. It’s important that we realize where these events are moving. I want people to understand that we shouldn’t wait until it’s too late to make this world better. We should learn to stand up and fight for our rights, and know that even if we’re just a few, we are capable of moving mountains.

“That sounds great! It's clear that your stories carry important messages. Can you share with us what inspired you to write?”

What inspired me the most to write the Promissa Trilogy is having the ability to reach people and tell them that we need to fight for our rights and freedom as human beings. That although sometimes the world seems dark and there are so many injustices, humans have the capacity and resilience to overcome everything that comes our way.

I focus a lot on this feeling and on the importance of supporting each other and getting up, no matter how many times we fall or are crushed. I want to convey the message that there is no power great enough to extinguish the spark that each one of us keeps inside.

“That's a powerful message indeed. Now, let's talk about your writing routine. Can you share with us how you approach your writing process?”

It depends on the day. There are days when I’ve spent 10 hours writing without realizing it, and others when I can’t write at all.

I usually write about four hours, starting very early in the morning, coffee being the most important element.

I’m what they call a pantser. That means I sit down without any plan. I know what I want to happen because ever since I started; I have these clear ideas of the scenes that will occur and the ending of each book and the trilogy. But every time I write, I get into that world and let the characters choose. They know very well what they’re doing. This approach enabled me to solve plot problems and uncover fascinating aspects of each character. That’s why I let them be free.

“That's similar to my approach. What advice would you give to aspiring writers who want to pursue self-publishing?”

To make the writing as fluid and close to reality as possible, including many aspects of daily life and interpersonal relationships. Put notes of reality into what you write to make each of the characters more human, so that the reader feels they are part of that story. Be true to yourself and get yourself a good editor. That is the key.

“I love this answer. Finally, could you share with us the most rewarding and challenging aspects of self-publishing and how you navigated those challenges?”

The most rewarding aspect of self-publishing is knowing you’re the one in control and having everything done according to what you want. It somehow feels like the book is your own baby, one you started from scratch and have made what it is on your own. The challenging aspects are mostly monetary and also time-consuming in terms of marketing and promoting your book. Nevertheless, I find all the experience rewarding on its own self, because I keep learning daily and pushing through. It makes it even more fulfilling.

“Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us. It has been a pleasure speaking with you. If you’d like to check out E. R. Phoenix's work, simply click on the books displayed below. And if you want to stay updated on her journey, you can follow her through the social media links provided.”

Thank you for having me. It's been a pleasure. Happy reading to all!