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Author Bio
Erica is a writer, dedicated mother, and proud North Carolina A&T State University graduate. Four Kings: An Act of Opposition is her first novel in the Four Kings series, inspired by short stories created for her sons. When she is not writing, she enjoys quality time with her family.
"You can be a target to someone else for any reason. The only choice you have to make is whether you will make it easy for them."
- Erica S Adams
Background
Where were you born and raised? I spent my early years in Maryland before moving to Virginia in the sixth grade.
What has shaped your life, and who are your influences? My parents are significant influences in my life. They are both hardworking and always strive to give us a better life. The first teacher to encourage me to write was Ms. Dent of Oakland Elementary in Maryland in the third grade.
Why is this subject important to you? Four Kings is derived from short stories developed for my sons. Family bonds and individual development are central to our family. It is pivotal to prepare my sons for a world that will judge them based on predetermined bias. I did not want them to let the perception of others dictate their lives, and they should always do their best even though it may not be someone else's definition of perfect.
What got you interested in writing this story? I have always loved good storytelling in all forms. As a child, my best friend and I would frequent the local library in Virginia. I gravitated toward mysteries and thrillers. When working as a teacher assistant, I received excellent advice from Mrs. Rappert, my former teacher turned colleague. She told me, "it does not matter what they are reading as long as they read." With my children, I searched for things that were of interest to them to encourage them to read more. With all the technology at their fingertips, getting them engaged in a book and using their imaginations was sometimes a challenge. My sons gravitated to comics and graphic novels. Through them, I became immersed in superhero storylines. When we ran out of comics, graphic novels, or money, I would create short stories inspired by my sons.
Tell us some stories about some disappointments or challenges you’ve faced. As a single mother of four boys, I work full-time to provide for my sons. To realize the creation of this book, I would spend any available time writing, but it is a labor of love. While writing the book, I researched and studied the publishing process.
What is the one thing you hope your audiences will “take away” from reading your book? One thing I want people to take from Four Kings is that everyone is not provided the same resources or skills but how you use what you are given is up to you.