Exploring The Passion And Purpose Behind The Promissa Trilogy And Its Unforgettable Characters
E. R. Phoenix discusses her transition to full-time writing, her passion for dystopian fiction, the challenges of indie publishing, and how her background inspires her gripping, socially conscious stories.
E. R. Phoenix is a literary force to be reckoned with, a novelist whose passion for storytelling is matched only by her dedication to addressing critical global issues through her work. Born and raised in the vibrant landscapes of Puerto Rico, Phoenix brings a unique perspective to the dystopian genre, weaving tales that are as thought-provoking as they are thrilling. Her stories are a masterful blend of action, suspense, and romance, set against the backdrop of a world teetering on the edge of chaos. With her Promissa Trilogy, she has captivated readers, crafting characters and narratives that linger in the mind long after the final page is turned. Phoenix’s ability to combine heart-pounding adventure with deeply human themes of love, resilience, and justice is a testament to her extraordinary talent.
In this exclusive interview with Reader’s House Magazine, E. R. Phoenix opens up about her journey from science teacher to full-time novelist, the inspiration behind her gripping dystopian worlds, and the challenges she has faced as an indie author. Her passion for the environment, human rights, and societal justice shines through in her writing, making her stories not only entertaining but also profoundly meaningful. Join us as we delve into the mind of this remarkable author and explore the creative process behind her unforgettable works.
What inspired you to transition from teaching to becoming a full-time novelist, and how has your background influenced your writing?
Eleven years ago, I wrote down ideas for a novel. Due to life circumstances, I took a job as a teacher and saved what I’d written in an old computer.
The idea of writing a novel was always on my mind and when I stopped being a teacher because of health issues, I decided to look for what I’d written a decade ago.
To my surprise, I found a letter addressed to me, from me, in that old computer. It said that I had to follow my dream and finish that novel.
I became a full-time author and wrote my debut novel, Rebel Unbound, and just last month, I finished my second novel, Rule of the Elite.
As for my background, I am a biologist and an advocate for the environment. I’m very passionate about defending human rights and fighting against oppression and injustice.
In my novel, the world turned into chaos when the consequences of global warming started affecting countries around the world. Due to it, many nations went into war to obtain control over resource rich territories.
In multiple parts of the story you’ll find references to science which come directly from my background as a biologist.
I believe education is a key component of society. My passion for education and opening young people minds, is one of the things that pushed me to write about the future and the possible scenarios that might occur if we were to ignore what was right in front of us. For me, education is crucial for society’s progress. Once it is attacked, people forget what is important and lose one of the most important tools to fight against oppression and injustice.
Your novel Rebel Unbound is set in a dystopian future. What draws you to the dystopian genre, and how do you approach world-building in your stories?
I firmly believe that if we ignore what is happening today, this kind of future could easily become a reality. We need to wake up to what’s going on in the world and the reality that many people encounter day by day. We tend to stay in our comfort zone, sit by, and watch.
I believe the dystopian genre wakes something inside each of us. A sense of resilience, of hope. I think by writing dystopias I can awake that part inside each of us that doesn’t tolerate injustice.
I wish to move people. To wake them up.
As for my world building, I’m a pantser. What does this mean? That I sit with the idea, start writing, and let the characters take control of the story. I build the world around them and the situations they encounter, and it just keeps growing. I do dedicate a lot of time to thinking about how to build it, and sometimes instead of writing I just sit to think. It is a difficult ordeal, but once it’s done, the world is clear and the story moves on.
How do you develop your characters, and what techniques do you use to ensure they resonate with readers?
I try to keep it real. I want the people that read my novel to feel that the characters are as real as them. I develop friendships and empathy between them.
I put them in day-by-day situations and develop the story around them. I want readers to laugh and cry with them, to think they’re silly, to worry about their well-being, to want to fight with them. If I get the reader to feel that way, I achieved my goal.
My characters run the story, and surprise me at every corner. They live in my mind and they are the ones continuously pushing me forward.
Can you share your writing process, from initial concept to final draft?
I do outline what I want to be the climax of the story and possible endings, then move the story toward those scenes. Once I start writing, everything that happens before or after these events is done at the moment, without a plan or an outline.
I sit in front of my computer every day at 5am with a cup of coffee. I try to write at least two thousand words daily, but push for more. Once I’m done, I close the computer, and the next day read it through again. I edit what I can before moving on to the next two thousand words. After each chapter, I do read through and edit more.
Once the rough draft is done, I edit again at least twice, then it goes to my editor.
What challenges have you faced in your writing career, and how have you overcome them?
As an indie author everything falls to me. Sometimes it’s overwhelming, but there’s a lot of support out there. When I started, it was a lot, but I took it one step at a time and continued forward. There are a lot of resources out there and the author community is amazing. We help each other and continue on.
As for writing, dealing with writer’s block is one of the worst things I’ve experienced. When nothing flows, I tend to read, play videogames, or go out to nature. These hobbies tend to help me push through as they refresh my mind so I can start over.
I’ve also experienced anxiety for the story I’m writing and its characters. I become very immersed in the story and am affected by the scenes that I write sometimes. The key to this is to write even though you feel like this. Push through and see where the characters will take you, usually they know just what the story needs.
Then there’s the famous imposter’s syndrome, and that one is a rough one to push through. I know most authors go through this, especially once their books are ready for publication, so I ignore it and continue forward overlooking any self-doubt.
Cover art by Christian Bentulan
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