Twenty-nine year old Erynn Mangum is the author of the Lauren Holbrook series (Miss Match, Rematch, and Match Point), the Maya Davis series (Cool Beans, Latte Daze, and Double Shot), and the new Paige Alder series (Paige Torn, Paige Rewritten, and Paige Turned), along with a standalone novel, Sketchy Behavior.

Erynn and her husband, Jon, are the parents of a three-year-old son, Nathan. They live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

How long have you been writing, and what sparked your journey?

I’ve been writing ever since I was old enough to pick up a pencil. I filled dozens and dozens of notebooks with stories, story ideas and characters until I started just typing them instead. ; )  I’ve always loved reading and telling stories, so when it came time to start figuring out what I wanted to do, my parents really encouraged me to look into writing.

How does your faith play into your work?

It always amazes me that the things I’m learning in my day-to-day walk with God inevitably end up coming out in my writing! Sometimes it’s something as simple as a verse that God has really put on my heart, sometimes it’s a life lesson I’m learning and a lot of the time it’s praying for the focus and energy to write what I need to get done.

Let’s talk about Paige Rewritten (NavPress, October 2013), the second book in your Paige Alder Series. Please tell us about it.

Paige Rewritten is the sequel to Paige Torn and is the continuing story of Paige Alder. In the first book, Paige learned that it’s okay to say no to even seemingly good things like serving at the church and helping out friends—especially when she got so busy that she didn’t even have time for a relationship with God.

 In the second book, Paige is faced with two people from her past whom she’s never been able to fully forgive who both want something from her. God has started softening her heart but now she’s realizing how far she still has to go.


What age group will most enjoy the book and series?

I wrote the book with 15 to 23 year-olds in mind.

Paige experiences detours in life. We all do—and many are the result of God at work, redirecting our path and teaching us something. Have you ever experienced a “divine detour” that taught you something or set you on a better path?

Oh my goodness. SO many. I think all of us have if we just look back at the things that we planned to do and then plans changed and led us to where we are now. In the moment, it’s hard to let go of what we had envisioned for our lives but I’m slowly learning that God’s way is always best.

A few fun questions…

When the words aren’t flowing—or when you want to celebrate if they are—what is your favorite comfort food and why?

Ha! This changes on a weekly basis but most of the time involves some form of chocolate. Lately I’ve been on a milkshake kick. And I can always go for homemade chocolate chip cookies.

This website features musicians as well as writers. Do you have musical, as well as literary, talent?

I definitely have ZERO musical talent. The only person who regularly “gets” to hear me sing is my son. I took piano lessons for about six years total and I can barely pluck out Mary Had A Little Lamb.

If you were a song, what kind of song would you be?

I’d love to say one of those super awesome praise songs but really based on what actually comes out of my mouth all day long since I stay home with our three-year-old son, I’d say it’s probably closer to one of those annoying, repetitive kids’ songs. Ha!

In the story that is your life, are you the strong, female lead; the girl next door; the mysterious woman behind dark glasses; the super heroine; or the little girl trying to walk in high heels?

Probably the girl next door. I’m pretty boring, honestly. The older I get, the more of a homebody I become. I’m honestly never happier than when I get a good day in our jammies with my son.  : )

I’m a dog lover. Please tell us about your pets, if any, or your favorite pet as a child.

My husband and I have a Siberian Husky that we got about a year or so before our son was born. He’s a great dog and super protective of us—especially me right now since I’m pregnant again. He was like this when I was pregnant with my older son too—he’s never more than about three feet away from me.

Thanks, Erynn! It’s nice to have you as a guest at DivineDetour.

Thank you so much for having me!! : )

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For more information about Erynn, visit her website or her blog.

To purchase Paige Rewritten and other books by Erynn, logon to: