Local Author Interview | Erika Ruskin

I’ve recently had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Erika Ruskin an emerging Canadian author and writer of Murder Mystery. The Island being her debut novel and the first in a series! Her creative roots were cultivated by the writing of James Patterson in her teenage years. She loves the work of Karin Slaughter and many others. I met her at our local library and we immediately hit it off. She is so kind and down to earth. And, best of all? She’s a fellow Canadian, living in Windsor, Ontario, Canada! Read on for a wonderful glimpse into her world. Enjoy!

NB: Firstly, please tell us about yourself – what are you all about?
ER: I love the genre Murder Mystery – both reading and writing, which is why I go to the library quite often. Outside of that, I love my black cat – named Salem. Classic, right? He’s everything to me. By day I work for a non-profit organization, and by night I write!

NB: Without spoilers, of course – what is your novel about?
ER: My novel is called The Island and is about a journalist who is living in Toronto and has a podcast about finding abandoned places and reporting on them. She hears about this abandoned island in British Columbia where there was a mining explosion and all her listeners want her to go there. She just graduated, so she decides to explore the story. Once she’s there she finds out that not only there has been a mine disaster in the past, but also a murder of a journalist in the eighties! That becomes the focus of the story: solving the murder of the journalist. The book goes back and forth between the present day journalist and the journalist in the eighties.

NB: When did you first start writing?
ER: I first started in high school, I didn’t have a lot of friends. I was gifted a laptop for my grade eight graduation and loved reading James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series. He was my inspiration at that time and I wrote a bunch of superhero novels as well, which were rooted in the inspiration. Then, I got busy with life – moved to Toronto, did the whole corporate existence and it wasn’t until last year that I rediscovered writing. It took me a long time to get back into it, but I finished the first draft of the novel within eight months! There was a lot of story that needed to get out that I was just pushing down for a long time. It was so easy for me to finish that first draft because it was fresh in my head.

NB: Did you go to school for writing? If not, what did you take?
ER: I did not. I wanted to, all I wanted to do was write books. My parents knew I was a good writer – but, they said I needed to do something that made money. Hindsight is 20/20 – I get it, they wanted to make sure I had a stable future. So, I took Labour Studies at the University of Windsor, but they closed the program two years into me taking it. I pivoted pretty quick and went to St Clair for the paralegal program but realized I didn’t want to work for lawyers. Then I moved to Toronto and did my Human Resources management certificate.

I also go to Vanessa Shields Writers Assemblies workshops, one Sunday a month every month. That’s been a huge source of inspiration and education too!

NB: When did you realize you wanted to be an author?
ER: When I was thirteen, Twilight was the big thing and I wanted to be Stephenie Meyer – now I look back and I cringe. That initially was the inspiration… Oh! Okay, I love these books, and I could write them. I went for a walk with my dad when I was really young, and I told him, I remember – I’m going to be an author and I’m going to sell a bunch of novels, and I’ll buy us a bunch of houses, etc.

NB: How do you find time to write?
ER: *laughs* So, the library has been huge. My job takes a lot of my brain power – I love my job, I do. I love what I do, I make a good impact. But then it’s hard to come home and start to write. One of the things that my mentor recommended – is finding a new space to write. She recommended the John Muir Library. I would come after my day job ended at 4:30 and knocked off just a little bit, and went home to have dinner and such when it closed. I have also dedicated my Saturday mornings to writing.

NB: What is the best time of day for you to write?
ER: Usually in the evenings, if I didn’t have to work in the morning – it would be then. But, I can’t write at 5:00 in the morning. So, 8:30-9:00? And late at night too! Sometimes, I go for a walk to get some inspiration.

NB: How do you know what to write?
ER: I go by my gut. That’s really hard when it comes to revisions and editing. I smashed out my first draft but now going back and editing it has been difficult. I just like to create. I’m very big on writing through inspiration, just put it on paper when it comes! Even if it’s not within the story I’m writing right now, I get it on paper, start a chapter and then read it later on.

NB: Does writing energize or exhaust you?
ER: Ooohh. I don’t think I do it enough for it to exhaust me! When I have the opportunity to write, I’m just so excited that I cherish it. But it’s hard, I wouldn’t say it’s easy… Sometimes I sit down and I have time to write, but my brain is like radio silence. Other times, I don’t have time to write but the ideas are there.

NB: What is the most difficult part of writing a book?
ER: Keeping consistent. Obviously. Keeping with it, sticking to it. Especially if it’s a novel. Finishing it. Right? It’s really easy for me to start at least a couple chapters – I feel up to five chapters is where you really have to decide if you’ll commit or put it aside. I read somewhere that to write a novel you have to be obsessed with the topic – there’s so much that goes into it. You have to think about it from so many angles.

NB: If you had not gone with writing – what else could you see yourself doing?
ER: I was a recruiter for many years, for about 5 years. Now, I work for the multicultural council. I really wanted to be in a position to give back to my community. I have a passion for newcomers and immigrants to Canada – so it really allows me to support that group given my skills. Even if I wasn’t writing at all – it’s still something that I would enjoy doing. Writing is just something fun on the side.

NB: How did your first novel (The Island) come about? What inspired it?
ER: I watched a lot of Youtube videos, one of my favourite channels is called Yes Theory and it’s about these guys that travel the world and do a bunch of crazy stuff, but one of the places they visited was an abandoned island in Japan (Ikeshima) that still had a school and a couple people living there holding down the fort. I became so fascinated with it. This is where the idea of obsession comes in… I was obsessed over this abandoned island in Japan! At first, I wanted to write about the actual Island itself, but I’m not from Japan, I’ve never been to Japan, and don’t have enough knowledge. So, how could I take that idea? I thought of my favourite author (Karin Slaughter) who writes a bunch of crime fiction (hence the name!) She talks a lot about Atlanta and the geography of the city is brought into her mysteries! I wanted to do that, but from a Canadian perspective. This concept that started in Japan but I’ve canadianized it!

NB: How did you come up with the title?
ER: I know it seems very generic but it was a gut feeling. It’s actually going to be a series, and I’d love to cover different areas of Canada. I’ve already started a second that’s called The Coast. I want that Canadian nature vibe!

NB: Can you describe your writing routine?
ER: Yeah, it’s whenever I can do it. So, like I said – it used to be 4:30 PM everyday – now it’s every Monday and Wednesday 5:30 PM onwards and Saturdays. Saturday mornings have become my new favourite time to write.

NB: Describe your ideal work space?
ER: Lots of sunlight, nature, white noise – I used to read and listen to Deep House, but now I write to it. It really helps me to focus. It’s really slow and melodic. The way the beats are structured is called Binaural beats. It actually helps you think better – something about the frequences – your brain really likes it. I’ll listen to it when I’m feeling stuck, and it’ll help me get out of a rut. I have a playlist, and no matter where I’m writing it gets me into it and in the mood. In short, good music, natural light, ideally a comfy seat and coffee in my hand of course!

NB: What is the most important thing you’ve learned through writing your first novel?
ER: To keep going is the most important part. And, just jump into it – even if you have 15 minutes, use it! A lot of the time, we can get up in our heads, myself included. Write two paragraphs, write a set of dialogue. I’m not the type of writer to bust out 15,000 words because I just don’t have that sort of time. But if I can write 50 every day that’s still getting me somewhere. Taking advantage of those small moments and not judging yourself.

NB: What is your favourite part of the writing process?
ER: I felt this when I got to the end of The Island, where I’ve worked on it for so long – I’m hiding the killer throughout the whole book. I’m doing backflips, and jumping over myself to make sure it’s hidden and there’s no clues and it’s not super obvious. I think getting to the point where I could wrap it all up – I don’t think I’ve typed faster in my life. I’m just like “YESSS! It’s all coming together, and he did this because of this“. And, just watching it come out. Furiously typing. With Murder Mystery you’ve got to wrap it up really quickly. 

NB: How long from start to finish did your novel take?
ER: For the first draft it took 8 months, and I’m still editing it. I finished it and initially wanted to self publish it. So, I had Vanessa do a manuscript evaluation, and then we did a substantive edit and now I’m just going through it and actioning her feedback. Then I’ll send it out to query it.

NB: Can you explain the publishing process? What’s it like?
ER: From what I know so far, if you go the traditional publishing route you have to send your manuscript off to publishing houses and literary agents that would fight or buy your work. Or, you can do the self publishing option which is what I was looking into before. I was actually looking at Friesen Press that has a lot of really great Canadian self publishing options. I think I was looking at a package that did everything for you from start to finish for between $5,000 to 6,000.

NB: What makes a great story in your opinion?
ER: I want you to rip my heart out – in a good or bad way, right? This goes for all kinds of things, music, books, art, tv shows, etc. Just make me feel something!

NB: It’s no secret that you love books – who are your favourite authors?
ER: Karin Slaughter for sure! Huge inspiration for writing my own books. Sarah J. Maas, Cassandra Clare, and Mark Manson for Self Help.

NB: Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
ER: I’ll have a book published, whether it’s self published or not. I’ll put that out there. I will make it happen as a commitment to myself! It’s what I want to do before I start other life things. Right now, what I’ve been enjoying is when I started writing again it was for this singular idea – and now I’ve been having fun playing around with different ideas. I imagine that will continually be a part of my life moving forward. Always making time for that experimentation in writing and if another novel comes that’ll be fantastic. I’m half way through the second book.

NB: If you could be compared to any author who would it be?
ER: I want to be the Canadian Karin Slaughter!! I like her mysteries because they’re so deep – while other ones are so quick. Hers are so complex and the characters are so developed – it makes it so murky.

NB: What qualities make a great writer?
ER: A distinct voice is really important. Use descriptive, strategic language. Short or super detailed. I really appreciate someone who keeps me guessing – but doesn’t do that cheaply, it has to be authentic.

NB: If you could travel anywhere for inspiration, where would it be, and why?
ER: Europe or Japan. I’ve always wanted to go to Europe – the history would be really interesting!

NB: What was your most rewarding experience throughout your writing career?
ER: The Accessing Authors talk I did at John Muir Library. It took me a long time to just call myself a writer. Because I’m not technically published yet. Going to Vanessa’s Writers Assembly really helped me to build that writer identity for myself. I came to the library to just write and didn’t expect to build relationships and speak in front of a group of people. It was really fun sharing and everyone was engaged.

NB: What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing your book?
ER: I learned everything about mine operations and how they are set up and how they eventually meet their demise. Because I wrote about the mine explosions. The Island is abandoned because of the mining disaster. I had to learn a lot about how they’re set up, what’s the size, what’s the type, what kind of roles, the hierarchy of engineers, etc. So much research! I loved the process and going down the rabbit holes.

NB: How do you handle writer’s block?
ER: I try to find a new space. If I’m really stuck I start with writing prompts. I like the ones that start with a sentence. Like “He’s always known…” You just fill it in with the flow of consciousness. Listening to music helps, but writing prompts are the most effective way. And just getting out of the space and finding a new space.

NB: What’s your mantra?
ER: Keep at it – keep going! Don’t let anyone know your secrets. Don’t reveal the killer!

NB: Your top five writing tips for an aspiring Author?
ER: Meet the facts of life – the most important things. If you’re writing just to make money or get published you’re doing it for the wrong motivation. Enjoy it – make sure to enjoy what you’re doing. Create a routine, it doesn’t have to be the same every week. Make connections. My writing really improved when I started going to the Writing Assembly. Getting connected with other writers is super huge. Co-writing sessions are great too! It doesn’t necessarily have to be another writer. If your friend has a different passion, being with them can keep you accountable!

NB: Aside from tips, do you have any encouragement for aspiring authors?
ER: I hesitated to call myself a writer at all. When I went to the Writer Assembly this Sunday, in front of each seat there was a name tag that simply said “poet” and Vanessa said take the name tag and put it on and you’re a poet. Just observe the world around you and put it into words. So, if it’s that easy to become a poet it’s the same for being a writer.

Acknowledging that it’s special – it’s a special thing you do, and not everyone can communicate in this way. I think it’s a gift. Having different voices in literature is what makes it good. We don’t all want cut and paste James Patterson everywhere. Just because your style or what you write doesn’t necessarily fit the mainstream bill doesn’t mean that it’s not worth it. Break the mould!

NB: Do you have anything else to add?
ER: Follow your dreams, just find the time – see yourself where you’re at. Make those opportunities to write, even if it’s just 30 minutes, an hour, 15 minutes – all of that will accumulate over time! Enjoy!

Images supplied by Erika Ruskin and Janet Brown.
Other images via Google and © to their Respectful Owners.
Interviewed by Natalie Brooke for Musings Of A Brunette © 2024