Erick Williams

Author Bio:

I am a new author who has published two urban fiction books on Amazon within the past year. I worked in the Texas Juvenile Justice system for almost 20 years. This experience working with troubled youth inspired me to write my books. The Last Time and You Never Said Goodbye. They tell the story of 16-year-old Jordan Skyy and his troubled younger brother KJ who get caught up in the juvenile justice system and how it not only impacts them but also the family. The books touch on many important issues facing youth in today's world. The third book in the series is titled Closure to finish it up. It will be out in early 2022. Besides writing I enjoy riding my motorcycle, fast cars, and traveling to new places. The books can be bought on Amazon or reach out to me through Facebook DM.

Author Interview:

1. What inspires you most to write?

I’m probably older than most new writers, I didn’t realize I had a passion until I started writing. It was fortuitous that I started writing. While working in Juvenile Justice I wrote a short play dealing with the dangers of gang life. I got some good feedback about that play from some of the residents and there I decided to expand it into a book.

2. What is your favorite genre?

I like reading autobiographies about interesting people from all walks of life.

3. Who is one author you admire if any and why?

At the moment I don't have a favorite author besides myself. (Joke).

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

First, I step away from the computer to clear my head, if that doesn’t work, I go back and read 3 or 4 chapters back to see if it will give me a different view maybe make some adjusts to the story.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

I don’t know any illegal advice. I’ve only been writing for about 2 years; I’m still learning myself. The only advice I can offer is to believe in what you’re writing.

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

Two books self-published through Amazon titled You Never Said Goodbye and The Last Time. I am currently working on the third book to finish the series called Closure. No best sellers (yet).

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, why?

There are quite a few, most deal with sequels. The one that immediately comes to mind is Coming to America 2. The first movie was an original funny comedy with progressive characters. The sequel seemed like a money grab and Eddie Murphy's' character Prince Akeem was a total contradiction to the first movie. I was disappointed with everything about this movie starting with the script.

8. What are some difficulties you've experienced in your writing career; how do you handle book critiques/criticism?

Writing the book is just half the story. Promoting it is the other half. I did not have a clue about it, I don’t know which is more difficult writing or promoting. Handling criticism? I don’t take it too personally I know that not every book is for everybody so you can’t please everybody. I know I have good books; I have had people come up to me and tell me how much they have enjoyed the books. The key is getting it to your target audience.

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

When people come up to me and tell me how much they have enjoyed the books and when is the next one coming out.

10. Do you prefer to write in silence and or have some sort of sound in the background?

I definitely need some background noise usually, the tv not really watching it but glance up at it enough to be a small distraction.

11. What are some encouraging words you'd give to another author/writer?

When I started writing someone encourage me to write something every day, no matter how little each page is one step closer to completing the book, “A thousand-mile journey starts with the first step.”

13. Why should anyone read your book?

I know a lot of people read books to escape the everyday world and problems, and I can understand that. Those people would not be interested in my books. My books are set in the everyday world they talk about real-life human issues, that are relevant in the world today. It’s not about race, sex, or age they talk about issues we as people should be able to connect with.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

P.E. Then English, History.

16. Are you self-published or have an established publishing contract elsewhere?

I had the opportunity to go with an established publishing company I just did not like the terms of the contract they offered.