On this week’s featured segment, we are delighted to have Erin Grey from South Africa!
First thing first, any connection to Mr. Christian Grey from the popular novel?
He’s the distant cousin we do not discuss. I think he was dropped on his head as a child. Repeatedly. And no, I’ve never read the books. There’s far too much good literature out there to waste time on glorified porn.
🙂 Let’s move on. Tell us a little about yourself—don’t be shy!
I live in South Africa with my tall blonde husband and large black cat. I love books of all descriptions: classics like Dickens and Austen, the Fantasy of Tolkien and Pratchett, the Mystery and Horror of Gaston Leroux, Historical Romance from Georgette Heyer, the poignant social commentary of Paul Gallico, the comedic nonsense of Lewis Carroll and Douglas Adams, and contemporary non-fiction from writers like Peter Mayle, Bill Bryson, and Victoria Finlay. Writing has always been a passion, but real life kept getting in the way. Oddly enough, going through a burn-out actually started me on the path to writing full-time. The resulting anxiety disorders and depression made it necessary to work from home on a flexible schedule. That got me into technical writing which opened up some time for regular creative writing. I am also a lover of music in all genres, cats, gardening, lamingtons, and naps in the sun.
There are so many things one could do. Why write?
I’ve always had multiple stories in my head and a passion for words. But now writing is what I do to survive. Losing my health and a job I loved as a result was a huge blow. Through writing I can create worlds, release my boisterous thoughts, and make sense of the mess inside my head – without it I’d be lost.
Publishing can be a daunting process. Do you have moments of doubt? If so, how do you stay motivated?
I haven’t started the publishing process yet but I have given the options a lot of thought. I’m still in two minds over indie and traditional publishing, and the recent Amazon controversies make me nervous to pursue that avenue. This can be discouraging as I work towards finishing my current WIP. But I find the Twitter writing community a fantastic source of encouragement and support. I absolutely love them and am certain I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have without them.
What about your latest book—what can readers look forward to when they pick it up?
Readers will find themselves on a journey with Jane and the voices in her head as she is rudely interrupted during a suicide attempt and transported to a planet similar to Earth but with more purple. Besides her own mental illness, she must outrun monstrous unicorns, out-sing musical pirates, outwit the evil Regulators of the Abnormal, and find away to return to Earth so she can die in peace.Â
If one of your books were to be optioned for a movie, who would you hope would play your lead character?
Myself! I would love to be Jane. But if I was unavailable for the role due to all my other Hollywood commitments, I suppose Anna Kendrick or Jennifer Lawrence could probably pull it off, minus the South African accent (no one ever gets it right).
Who are your three favorite writers and why?
Gaston Leroux and Terry Pratchett are my top two because they manage to be both humorous and heart-wrenching. Their books make me laugh out loud and sob bitterly. Aside from them, it’s hard to pick a favourite – I have so many!
 If you could be any character from a movie or a book, who would you be?
It could only be Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I would love to spend my life walking the British countryside and arguing with a gorgeous man in between balls.
 When you are not writing, what’s your favorite way to spend time?
Reading. Especially in the sun with a cup of coffee or tea, cake, and my cat.
 What is the best way to connect with you?
Connect with me on Twitter@erintiffanygrey – I love meeting writers from all over the world and sharing ideas and experiences. You can catch my non-fiction writing on my website https://survivorbunny.com which I run with my fellow Survivor Bunny, Kerrythe.
 Finally, is there anything else we should know about you?
I can hang a spoon off the end of my nose.
Very cool! I can’t wait to try this and impress my son. Thanks Erin for the idea! I would love to play my lead character in a movie as well. It’s absolutely free to imagine, why not?
Thank you Erin for spending time with us today and inviting us into your beautiful world. Wishing you every success with your writing and hope to hear back from you again when you are ready to release your book.
If you have comments and suggestions about featured segment, please let us know below. If there is an author, writer, musician or artist you would like us to feature, do let us know as well.
Liked this segment? Don’t miss any updates, subscribe here.
Next week, we will be back with another talented artist. Until then, keep reading and writing. I will leave you with this quote to muse on.
“Emotional pain is not something that should be hidden away and never spoken about. There is truth in your pain, there is growth in your pain, but only if it’s first brought out into the open.” ~ Steven Aitchison