Hi! I'm Erika
I’ve always been drawn to stories — the kind that make you stay up too late, rethink what you believe, or feel just a little less alone in the world.
My love of storytelling started early. As a child, I once won a giant cookie for writing a persuasive essay about why I deserved the cookie — an early lesson in how powerful the right words can be. That curiosity continued through years spent studying classical art and theatre, where I learned how narrative, structure, and emotional resonance shape the way audiences experience a story. Creativity has always been part of who I am, whether imagining Shakespearean worlds on stage or exploring new fictional ones on the page.
By day, I’ve built a career in digital content and e-commerce. My work centers on understanding how people read, what helps information feel clear and engaging, and how thoughtful language choices influence the overall experience of a piece of content. I regularly develop product messaging, social selling content, and creative assets designed to connect with readers quickly and effectively — skills that translate directly to helping writers strengthen clarity, structure, and flow within their manuscripts.
By night (and early mornings, and weekends), I’m a writer — someone who understands both the excitement of a new idea and the uncertainty that comes with shaping it into something meaningful. I know firsthand how vulnerable it can feel to share unfinished work. Writing asks us to take the ideas living quietly in our minds and place them on the page for others to see. That takes courage. It also takes support.
That’s why I created Narrative Compass — to offer thoughtful editorial guidance that helps writers strengthen their stories while preserving their unique voice. My goal is to provide clear direction, honest feedback, and steady encouragement so you can move forward with greater confidence in both your work and your creative process.
What I Write
I write speculative fiction with strong emotional threads, layered mysteries, and characters searching for truth in complicated worlds. My current series explores time, legacy, and the stories we inherit — and the ones we choose to change.
Like many writers, I didn’t start with perfect drafts or perfect confidence. I started with questions:
Is this working?
Am I communicating what I meant to say?
Will readers understand what this story is trying to do?
Writing has taught me that stories rarely arrive fully formed. They evolve through exploration, revision, and reflection. Sometimes the most important breakthroughs happen when someone else helps us see the story more clearly.
Through Banter with Banks, I share behind-the-scenes insights into my own writing process — the challenges, discoveries, and lessons learned along the way — because I believe transparency helps writers feel less alone in the journey.
Editing Philosophy
Every writer’s voice is different. My role as an editor is not to change your voice — it’s to help you strengthen it.
I approach editing as a collaborative process focused on clarity, intention, and reader experience.
When I edit, I often focus on questions such as:
Where might readers feel confused, disconnected, or unsure what matters most?
Are character motivations clear and emotionally believable?
Does the structure support the story you want to tell?
Are there places where clarity, flow, or word choice could be strengthened?
Where is the manuscript already working well, and how can we build on those strengths?
I believe feedback works best when it is honest, specific, and encouraging. My goal is always to help you see your story more clearly so you can decide what direction feels right for you.
Writing can feel overwhelming at times, especially when you’ve spent months or years inside a manuscript. Having another perspective can make the next step feel clearer.
Think of me as a guide — someone who helps you navigate the path, while you remain firmly in control of where the story ultimately leads.