Interview with an Author featuring E A Porter

The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is E A Porter! Her latest release, War Pony (Native Warrior Series) released on December 1st 2022.

How long have you been writing?

I wrote my first story at age 11, and I really haven’t stopped since. I knew what I wanted to be, and, because of my wonderful readers, I’ve been lucky enough to have a career doing what I love.

Do you have a writing quirk or ritual?

My only quirk (as far as writing goes) is that I will not end my writing day until the goal is reached (normally the end of a current chapter).

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Inside my head (as I suppose the case is with many writers) are characters demanding to be heard. It’s a scary place but I’m getting used to it.

When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

Every story, every character, every situation is different. It’s not so much about what “I” think but more so about how the story plays out in my head.

I love the covers to your Native Warrior series. What made you decide to use Indigenous men on your covers?

Thank you! I just seemed like the thing to do. My Native Warrior Series is all about Indigenous people (well, save the heroine of the tale, in most cases) so it was only proper to match my covers to the stories.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Reviews are for the readers – not the author. I’ve ceased reading my reviews because, while most of them are glowing, one “bad” review will have me tied in knots for a long time. Once I release the book to the wild, I’m certain that I’ve done all I can to make it as correct and entertaining as possible. I don’t believe there is anything I can do with a published story to make the negative reviewer happy. Good reviews make me feel wonderful – but a bad review can crush me. So, again, reviews are for the potential readers.

Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?

Ok. I’m gonna let everyone in on a little forbidden secret here (in the spirit of honesty). The book I most enjoyed writing, the characters that made me smile, the worlds I would have loved to visit… well, they are all in books which are no longer published. They were fantasy, vampiric, paranormal, etc. I really enjoyed writing those books, but it seemed no one was interested in reading them. A decision has been made to combine my love of paranormal/supernatural with my love of the Native culture. The characters are running circles in my head trying to tell me their story. I’ve just gotta pay attention and get it on paper.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

Yes. My newest series is based in Native mythos (combining, as I stated before, my loves of Native culture and the supernatural).

What advice would you give to other authors?

Reconsider, as this one is 90+% frustrating. I joke, of course, but it can be hard on the psyche. The only real advice I can offer is to know your characters and subject. If you have any doubt, research (then research from another angle or three!). It’s a shame to lose readers over small incorrect details in an otherwise great story. Oh, and don’t be afraid to publish. Get it right first but then, publish. Readers cannot read a book that isn’t out there.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

I’ve put everything I have into these stories. The historical aspect of my stories is spot-on, and the stories have very little “sugar-coating” when it comes to the Native way of life at the time of the story. Life was hard (from our modern-day perspective) and I try to portray that in the best way possible. Sure, the pairings of lovers may seem a little fantastic but, hey, they are meant to take you away from the real world and swallow you, keeping your attention and entertaining you all the way through to the last page. They are my heart and soul, my blood, sweat, and tears. I’d like my readers to know how much I appreciate their support. Without them, there’d be no reason to continue writing.

Thank you E A Porter for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her newest release, War Pony today!

~Synopsis~

War Pony had everything he could have hoped for in life – his beautiful wife, Pretty Raven, and their unborn child. However, Pretty Raven’s death at the hands of the white man destroyed his future. Instead of following his desire to seek revenge, the Warrior did as his wife would have wanted. He remained in the village to help his people.
Many seasons passed, and the Warrior found himself desiring companionship. Welcoming the company of the most willing woman in the village did not fill the void in his heart.
After being informed that his wife had been taken from the village alive, War Pony, with renewed hope, will risk everything to find her. Will his determination and love be enough to free her from her abductors? Or will it end in tragedy, the Warrior left once again broken-hearted and devastated?

Elizabeth Anne Porter was born in Ruislip, in the London borough of Hillingdon. She currently lives in Oklahoma with her pedantic husband and two literary cats.