Author Interview: Erin Thomson

Author Interview: Erin Thomson – I’m so thrilled Erin Thomson chatted with me about her newest book, Five Dates Between Friends – out September 9th. We chat about Erin’s writing style, reading for pleasure, and Marvel movies. This post may contain links to purchase books & you can read our affiliate disclosure here.

About Erin Thomson:

Hi, I’m Erin, lover of nachos, baker of cracking chocolate cakes and writer (and reader) of swoony, steamy contemporary romance novels.

2021 (in the midst of a lockdown here in Melbourne) saw the launch of my debut novel The Wedding Planners. The follow up, Five Dates Between Friends, is coming soon.

If you’d like to see my adventures in indie publishing come and follow me on Instagram, where I share snippets, mood boards and behind the scenes sneak peaks along with all of the confusions, frustrations and excitement of being an indie author.

Synopsis for Five Dates Between Friends by Erin Thomson

What’s the big deal about a few dates between friends?

Here’s the thing — Mack has been Chase’s best friend for half her life, and they’ve always been platonic with a capital P. He’s also her business partner, and without question the best person she’s ever met. And Chase? She’s a self confessed disaster; she works too much, considers curly fries a food group, and might have an unhealthy dependency on iced coffee and whiskey. Then there’s her relationship history, which leans more towards tragic backstory than happily ever after.

An unexpected kiss turns their friendship—and Chase’s world—on its head. She’s pretty sure crossing that particular line was a mistake, but saying no to Mack has never been easy. So when he asks for one date, to show her what they could be, Chase agrees. She tells herself, and him, that it will only be one. One date and they go back to friends and pretend the whole unfortunate incident never happened. She won’t be agreeing to a second, or a third and definitely not five.

Because five dates with your best friend can only be a bad idea… right?

Five Dates Between Friends is a laugh out loud, open-door romance and is intended for readers over 18 due to its language and explicit content.

Buy Your Copy of Five Dates Between Friends by Erin Thomson

Author Interview: Erin Thomson

Erin, I’m so excited to talk to you today about Five Dates Between Friends. Thank you for joining me for this Q & A. Five Dates Between Friends is your second novel. Can you tell readers what tropes and/or themes to expect from your newest book?

Five Dates Between Friends, as the title suggests, is a friends to lovers contemporary romance, with some grumpy-sunshine, epic Christmas presents and mystery dates. It’s about two people who despite their insecurities, manage to get their sh*t together and find their happily ever after. 

The Wedding Planners was your first novel. For your new readers, can you tell a bit about this title?

The Wedding Planners is about a couple of chefs who, after an anonymous one night stand, are thrown together to… plan a wedding! They get off to a pretty rocky start but soon discover that they’re an excellent team, and also have scorching chemistry. 

Can you tell me a little about the inspiration behind Five Dates Between Friends?

I don’t know if there was any specific inspiration I drew on for Five Dates Between Friends. Originally Chase and Mack were supposed to be a novella. I wasn’t sure exactly what their story would be but when I finished The Wedding Planners I thought I’d write them as a bonus for readers. I knew it was going to be a friends to lovers story but how they got there evaded me for a while. Once I started doing a little planning the two of them completely took over and I realised there was no way I’d be able to fit everything into a novella.

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Like Chase, I too consider curly fries a food group. Chase is a self confessed disaster who works too much. Can you tell us more about Chase?

Chase is a bit of a grump and her own worst enemy. She is incredibly loyal and loves her friends like crazy but doesn’t do terribly well in relationships thanks to a whole lot of deep seated insecurities. She is also a cocktail making genius.  

Mack is Chase’s best friend and business partner. Can you tell us more about him?

Mack is a sunshiney sweetheart, who’s a bit of a shameless flirt. He loves to surf, make pie and do pretty much anything with Chase, even if it’s just counting stock at their bar. But under his smiling, sunny exterior he’s got some insecurities too.  

Do you have any favorite scenes in Five Dates Between Friends? 

There are so many! The first date scene was really fun to write. The Christmas present exchange scene didn’t exist until the final draft. I had an idea for it quite early on but it didn’t make it in initially. I’m so glad it did in the end though because I absolutely love it. Also, any scene with Harley because she is outrageous. 

Author Interview: Erin Thomson – Let’s Chat About Writing

I would love to know if you’re a plotter or a pantser. What seems to work best when you’re working on a new manuscript?

I’m a plantser. Too much information makes me feel like I already know what happens and don’t need to write to find out. Also, my characters are a little too headstrong to be hemmed in by a structured plot. Instead I like to have a few signpost plot points along the way and then I let the characters lead me in the right direction. 

Do you have any favorite snacks, music or rituals for your writing? For instance, are you blasting music or need complete silence? 

I don’t really have a routine, my writing fits in around everything else. When I’m working on the first draft I write where I can, when I can. This might be on my phone during a lunch break. First thing in the morning before the kids are up, or in the evenings after they’ve gone to bed. What I listen to depends on my mood, sometimes it’s music, rain or ocean sounds. 

Do you have any advice for fellow writers?

Don’t stress too much if you’re doing it “right”. Everyone has a different process, some write every day, others only on the weekend. Some will do it in a dedicated space, others are writing on their phone on the run. There is literally no one correct way to write a book. And on the first draft, just get it down. I lost track of how many times I said to myself “that’s a second draft problem” and moved on just to keep the momentum going. 

Author Interview: Erin Thomson – Romance Recs, TV adaptations, Favorite Movies & More

What started your foray into reading and loving the romance genre? 

I dipped my toe into the romance genre through YA and fantasy… (embarrassingly maybe) the first book that really sparked that love for reading again was probably Twilight! 

What are some romances on your TBR and/or must read romances?

My TBR is loooooong! It’s also constantly growing thanks to all the amazing books being released. Since self publishing The Wedding Planners I’ve started gravitating towards other indie authors, a few on my TBR are B.K Borrison, Amanda Chaperon and Nellie Wilson.  

As far as favourites reads goes, Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating is one I always recommended. Also the Savoire sisters series by Juliette Cross is really fun for an urban fantasy romance read. I adored Neon Gods by Katee Robert (a Hades and Persephone retelling) and The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton, which is just witchy, historical brilliance. This year I also finally read ACOTAR and really enjoyed it. But I recently started Crescent City and I like it even more. 

I always love talking about TV and movies. If you were to cast an adaptation for Five Dates Between Friends, do you have anyone in mind for your characters?

Ooooh I love this question! Ok… in my head Chase looks like Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist, Matrix Resurrections, The Gray Man), but Mack is a little trickier, he’s kind of the love child of Chrisopher Mason and Charlie Hunnam. 

Do you have any favorite TV shows or movie franchises?

Yes! I love the Avengers movie franchise (with special mention to Thor Ragnarok), and the Tom Holland Spider-Mans. Otherwise I love a good rom-com. On TV shows, I am obsessed with Stranger Things, The Umbrella Academy and Only Murders in the Building, they are all so deliciously bingeable. One of my favourites to have in the background when I work is The Vampire Diaries (which isn’t surprising considering I was a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fanatic in my teens), although all of Elena’s crying and Stefan’s brooding can get a little distracting! 

What are you hoping readers feel when they read Five Dates Between Friends?

I try not to anticipate how people will react… obviously I want them to enjoy it, and fall in love with Chase and Mack, but otherwise I’m happy for them to just feel the feelings, if that makes sense? 

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with me, Erin! How can readers best connect with you?

Thank you for having me, it’s a pleasure to answer these questions! Readers can best contact me on instagram at authorerinthomson, or through my website www.erinthomsonauthor.com

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