Please help me give a big Hoosblog welcome to Erica M. Chapman!
I’m so excited to have Erica here! We first met online when I was living in Mexico and she followed my blog, then met in person when I returned to Michigan in 2010. We’ve both moved around west Michigan since then, but we always find time to hang out and she is the BEST brainstorming friend a writer could have! And her book is AMAZING!!
Hi! So excited to be on your blog, Melanie! I love this feature you do ;o) Thank you for inviting me!
Let’s get down to business.
Erica M. Chapman is a young adult author who writes dark, emotional novels with bursts of humor, and lighter contemporaries with smart-ass protagonists. Her debut novel, Teach Me to Forget (Simon Pulse) is out now. She’s a member of SCBWI and a lifetime Detroit Lions and Michigan football fan who loves alternative music. She tweets, and watches various CW & Freeform shows while typing her next story on her MacBook.
Tell us about your latest book.
I wrote Teach Me to Forget originally to explore my feelings after my dad died from suicide when I was sixteen, but I found in writing this story, I actually explored a lot of my own feelings of depression and anxiety. It was very therapeutic.
For the new paperback version that came out July 30th, Simon Pulse picked a new cover (which I LOVE and even got a tattoo on my arm to commemorate it!) and we added a resources page, as well as an author’s note with trigger warnings. I wanted to make sure readers knew what the story entailed, and Simon Pulse was really receptive to my suggestion. It’s been a great experience working with everyone there.
Here’s the official blurb!
Ellery doesn’t want to live anymore.
She’s unable to bear the loss of her sister, or face the rest of her broken family. So, she’s made a plan—bought the gun, arranged for her funeral, and picked the day. Everything has fallen into place. Then, on the day she intends to take her own life, she meets Colter, a boy who recognizes her desperation and becomes determined to stop her.
Ellery won’t be swayed so easily, but as she struggles with her hopelessness it becomes clear Colter has good reasons for his vigilance—deep, personal reasons. And whether Ellery likes it or not, he can’t let go.
Order Teach Me to Forget:
Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | IndieBound | Audible
Now for the fun stuff!
What’s your favorite genre? Do you read what you write?
I love YA fantasy, contemporary—basically anything in the YA category. I also love to read anything YA, and I love books on healthy well-being and food, as well.
You were one of my first friends who had no qualms about pretty much only reading YA. At the time I thought that seemed strange but now I totally get it. It’s just about all I read too!
What’s your favorite part about writing?
I love exploring feelings I didn’t even know I had. I learn so much when I put myself in a character. Plus, it’s entertaining to make up a world and be the all-knowing controller of it!
That’s so true about exploring hidden feelings. Your books definitely make the reader feel all the feels.
What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
I can do middle and endings, but beginnings of stories are the hardest for me. It’s also the hardest for me to read, I love to be right in the action. Pull me in right away or lose me. Also, starting a book. I love it when I’m in the core of a book, but starting it is always hard for me.
I think that’s why your stories are so fast-paced! You jump right into the story.
What’s an activity unrelated to writing that you love?
Oh, golf, learning about healthy eating, cooking, binging a good show, and reading, of course!
I think it’s important that our readers know that we’ve golfed together. 🙂
Who’s your biggest cheerleader?
My sister, she’s usually one of the first readers and she’s very encouraging, but also, honest ;o)
I recently learned that you read your stories OUT LOUD to your sister — I love that so much!!
Now I’d like to play a fun little game called This or That. As a writer, I find that a lot of interviews ask the same questions, so I always appreciate sharing something new about myself. I’m super excited about these questions—and I hope you enjoy them!
Introvert or extrovert? You know, my old answer would be extrovert, but I’m actually a little of both these days so ambivert!
Morning or night person? Night
Coffee or tea? Coffee (Half Caff with Almond Milk)
Sweet or salty? Salty slightly over sweet, but both are great!
Eternal summer or four seasons? This is hard. I would say Eternal Summer/Fall. I could live without Winter and Spring.
Mountains or beach? Both! But beach a little over mountains.
Dogs or cats? Cat lady over here. But I do love doggies!
Over 5’5” or under? I am over, but not by much!
Left or right-handed? Right-Handed.
Hoodie or yoga pants? Yoga Pants!
Mmmmmm…. now I’m craving coffee with almond milk—and I rarely drink coffee!
Anything else you’d like to add?
Thanks for having me on your blog, Melanie!! I love this feature you do ;o) Thank you for inviting me!
Erica, thank you so much for spending this time with me and my readers. Readers, you can find Erica at these links—and be sure to check out Teach Me to Forget!
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads
If you missed the previous interviews, you can read them here.
