Every once in a while you come across a person with such a sweet spirit that it’s recognizable immediately, even across the internet. The author I present to you today is one of those people! I hope you enjoy getting to know her. 🙂Â
What’s your name or pen name?
My name is Emerald Barnes, and it’s my real name. I didn’t think a pen name was necessary given the unusual name my parents had given me.
What are your genres?
I write in the young adult category mainly, but the sub-genres vary. One is thriller, another is romantic suspense, and my latest books are Christian romance.
What have you written?
I’ve written Piercing Through the Darkness, a YA thriller novella, Read Me Dead, a YA romantic suspense, Entertaining Angels, a YA Christian romance, and Before We Say I Do, a Christian romance short story and follow-up to Entertaining Angels.
When did you begin your writing career?
My actual career began in 2011 when I first published my novella, Piercing Through the Darkness, but I started writing a long time ago, back in high school (2004). I finished up high school and went through college, finally self-publishing in 2011, two years after graduating college.
Are you a full-time or part-time writer? How do you make time to write?
Well, I work from home, but I’m not a full-time author yet. (I have high hopes I will be one day.) I try to schedule in a little bit of writing time each day, whether it’s a few hundred words or a thousand. I just know that I have to write something to make this my full-time career.
What’s your writing process? (Number of days you write per week, a.m. or p.m., specific music you play while writing, or anything else that you feel is a vital part of your creative process.)
I’m going to be honest. I don’t have too much of a process. I kind of pants my way through writing really, being a master procrastinator and just generally busy. But, as far as my little process goes, I tend to write mid-day or at night. Usually, I’m sitting in my recliner, listening to my nieces and nephews play with cartoons on. If I listen to music, it’s a mix I’ve specifically made to set the mood of the story I’m working on, but that’s basically it as for my writing process. I write what I can, when I can, and go from there.
Do you keep a journal? If so, for how long? Do you find it helpful for your professional writing?
No, I’m not big on journaling unless I’m stuck and need to refresh my mind a bit. I do suggest journaling in situations like that because it’s very helpful for me. I start writing until I come up with a conclusion for my novel.
What’s your inspiration?
My inspiration is the fact that I get to help someone with something in their lives, be it purely for finding entertainment in my book or for actually getting a look deeper into their soul. When I hear stories about how my writing has helped someone connect to something they felt was missing in their lives or that I helped open their eyes, it fuels me. It’s what keeps me going. Knowing that I’ve somehow helped inspire them inspires me.
What kind of legacy do you expect your writing to leave?
I hope that the legacy I leave behind with my writing is that teens and women will learn to love themselves and overcome whatever obstacle is holding them back. My Entertaining Angels series is just about that. It’s stories to help heal, and I hope that I’ve accomplished that in some way.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?  Â
I get asked this quite often, and it varies because there are so many pieces of advice I could give, but for this year, it’s dream big. Don’t get crushed by feeling overwhelmed and saddened by the fact that it doesn’t feel like your dreams will be reached. Instead, I say dream big! Don’t ever give up because you never know when your big break will happen.
What’s on your bookshelf or in your e-reader library?
Oh such a big question! I have a couple of hundred paperbacks and hardbacks and over 2,000 ebooks! But, what mostly decorates my library is Christian fiction, most of the popular YA series and books out there, some autographed books from my friends and favorite Indies, and a few thriller and mysteries. I have a few contemporary romance novels and new adult novels, too.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on book two in the Entertaining Angels series called Delivered by Angels.
Latest release and book blurb?
My latest release is Before We Say I Do, the follow-up short story to Entertaining Angels.
Following the best-selling first book of the series, Entertaining Angels, comes Before We Say I Do, An Entertaining Angels Short Story.
Chase Sanders and Madison Andrews are about to declare their love for one another in the most sacred of ways. Everything has been going perfectly, especially when an old friend returns to town to stand by Chase’s side on their big day. But is Zach there to see their union, or is he concealing the truth of why he’s actually back in town?
Chase has lived perfectly fine without his father around, but now that his father is divorcing again, he is seeking forgiveness. Chase can’t look at his father, let alone forgive him.
Before Chase and Mads can say “I Do,” Chase must first learn to let go of the past before the dark forces that haunt his nightmares come to life.
*This is a short story and isn’t a prequel to Entertaining Angels. In order to understand it, you’ll need to read Entertaining Angels first.*
Tell us about your main character? What actress or actor would you cast to play him or her in a movie about your book?
My main character is Madison Andrews. She’s a bit overweight, but she’s beautiful. She soon learns that she is with the help of Zach and Chase. If I had to choose an actor to play her, it would probably be Nikki Blonsky. I think she fits the bill perfectly of how I would picture my Mads.
How can we purchase your work?
You can purchase most of them through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.
How can we stay in touch with you?
There are many ways you can stay in touch with me, and I’d love to see you on each of them!
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Emerald says:Â Thanks for having me on your blog! I enjoyed the interview, and I hope you all do, too!
Author Bio:
Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for Women. She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove it.
She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages! She’s constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with. She blogs which takes up more of her time than she anticipates but loves it so very much! She’s also a volunteer at the World Literary Cafe which is amazing, and she is a crazy grammar nazi who proofreads novels!
She’s an auntie to three beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews who take up the other half of her time, but she couldn’t imagine spending her time in any other way!
She’s a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person. God is number One in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.
Faith Simone says: I like the way Emerald thinks! This is my favorite line in the whole interview: “I hope that the legacy I leave behind with my writing is that teens and women will learn to love themselves and overcome whatever obstacle is holding them back.” I have a heart for women/teen girl who struggle with self-esteem and other issues, too. Been there, done that AND got through it.Â
Faith Simone 