Erin Forbes: Teen Author Launches Second YA Novel

“It is foolish to believe you are insignificant.” ~Erin Forbes, Fire & Ice: The Lost Dreamer

On December 1st, teen author Erin Forbes launched her second novel Fire & Ice: The Lost Dreamer just in time for the holidays! To celebrate the new release, there will be a book signing at Fairview Public Library in Margaretville, NY on Saturday, December 9, from 1:00 pm-2:30 pm and another one on Saturday, December 16, from 12:00-2:00 pm at Barnes & Noble in Poughkeepsie, NY. Find more upcoming author events here. Fire & Ice: The Elementals and Fire & Ice: The Lost Dreamer are both available on Amazon.

About the Author

Erin Forbes is an 18-year-old high school senior from Rhinebeck, NY. She has been homeschooled for the majority of her life. This alternative education path provided her with the opportunity to follow her creative passions of art and writing, in addition to all of the required school subjects.

Erin discovered her love of books at a very early age. She never took much interest in video games, but would rather sit and read for hours on end. Erin got the idea for her first novel at age 12. At the time, she was transitioning to the YA book section in her local library, but was discouraged by the choices available. She couldn’t find anything beautiful and uplifting like she was looking for, so she decided to write the kind of story that she would want to read.

Erin became a dedicated writer at the age of 13. In October of 2016, just a few weeks before her 17th birthday, she self-published her first book, Fire & Ice: The Elementals, the first installment in an enchanting series. The response was overwhelming, with readers begging for more! So obviously her experience is relatable to many teenagers.

Erin is known for her vivid descriptions and fantastical fiction. Her writing style is engaging, poetic, and has been referred to as a “masterpiece of lyrical genius.” She draws much of her inspiration from music, nature, and personal experiences, as well as her favorite authors.

Her favorite authors include: C.S. Lewis, L.M. Montgomery, Rachel Hartman, and Lois Lowry. When Erin is not busy reading and writing, she enjoys art, nature, music, dance, and riding her horse. She lives on a small farm in upstate New York.

In addition to her book series, Erin runs an author blog on her website, where she writes about her journey as a teen author. Here is her best advice for young authors…

Erin Forbes’ Advice for Aspiring Young Writers

READ!
I have never met a writer who does not like to read, and I believe this is because the two passions are inseparable. You simply cannot be a very good writer if you never find the time to read the works of other authors. Reading is essential to developing your own creative talent and way of articulating words. My advice to you is this: read almost as much as you write, and write almost as much as you read. I always try to find time to read the works of other authors.

Carry a Notebook
It is always best to start your writing with a unique idea, but these ideas don’t always arrive when you are sitting at your laptop. Inspiration can strike at any moment. I find that my best ideas come to me when I am least expecting it. Therefore, it is essential to have a notebook and pencil on hand at all times. However, I often use Notes on my iPod for the same purpose.

Find Inspiration in Your Surroundings
When my mind is clouded in a terrible state of writer’s block, I find my inspiration in everyday surroundings. You can connect with these ideas through a walk in the park or forest. I recently went on a trip to Ireland. It was such a pleasure to reunite with my family and explore the countryside. As you can imagine, it was fuel for my writer’s soul. Music is also a fantastic way to discover writing inspiration. I have created my own Spotify playlists for Fire & Ice. [It’s a great list of songs by such artists as the Lumineers, Of Monsters & Men, Mumford & Sons, Ed Sheeran, and Grace VanderWaal.]

Make Time to Write
We often find our schedules too busy to take the time that we need to write; however, I believe that we should all make the time to write. Whether you find a moment in the early mornings or late afternoons, allow yourself a few hours to sit with a cup of tea and pencil in hand. A writer must prioritize the time that they spend working on their craft.

Never Give Up
If you have always dreamed of finishing your first novel or becoming a published author, do not allow yourself to sit around and wait. Start writing! Take action! Stay focused and devoted to your creative project. Great things do not happen from doubt and uncertainty. If you truly want to devote your life to writing, pick up the pen and allow your words and ideas to escape through the ink.

Erin Forbes on Reading vs. Writing

Writing is pure magic. It gives any person the ability to create a unique world of ink and thoughts. However, writing holds no value without the action of reading. Therefore, the reader is just as important as the writer.

The experiences of writing and reading are beautifully distinct.

Many people have asked me if I enjoy writing more than I enjoy reading. This is a very difficult question for me to answer, but the truth is that I could never decide. Both actions hold equal and steadfast importance in my life, for a writer can never be good without a love for reading. The best way to become a good writer is to lose yourself in the world of words and ink.

Fire & Ice: The Elementals and Fire & Ice: The Lost Dreamer are both available on Amazon.

Fire & Ice: The Elementals is a tale of magic, friendship, and adventure; it is also a story of self-confidence, courage, and value. In this book, Aisling is an enchanted realm where each individual is born with a unique and magical Gift. For centuries, this realm has been slowly crumbling due to an ancient curse set on the land. However, the moment that Alice and Emery Hanley step into the Academy for Gifted Youth, their lives are forever changed. Amidst the disappearance of a fellow student, the twin sisters discover a prophecy that could save the realm of Aisling from destruction.

Fire & Ice: The Lost Dreamer builds upon the magical adventures of Alice and Emery Hanley. As their family moves into the manor that once belonged to their late grandmother, the sisters must adjust to life in the enchanted countryside. Between the extravagant galas, beautiful gardens, and elegant wardrobes, their new lifestyle begs for the title of perfection. It is not long before the twins are greeted by the peculiar memories that dwell in the old house. A forgotten mystery beckons for attention, and the truth threatens to reveal a series of ancient secrets. The simple answers of the previous year are countered by the complicated history of the Gifted society.