Interview and Giveaway with Author Stephanie Rowe

Today we have author Stephanie Rowe. She is the author of over 10 Novels. Two of my favorite Kiss at Your Own Risk and Touch if You Dare. Thank you so much for joining us today Stephanie!

What made you decide to write paranormal romance?

          It was actually kind of funny how I got into it. I was contracted in contemporary YA and romance at the time that vampires were first starting to get really big in the romance genre. I had never read paranormal or fantasy growing up, and I was absolutely mystified how the blood-sucking soulless undead could possibly be romantic. So, I grabbed one of Katie MacAlister’s vampire books, read it, and was immediately hooked. I started reading every vampire romance I could find, and then I expanded to every kind of paranormal romance there was. From there, the love was born, and I eventually began to write paranormals as well.
Have you always known that you wanted to be a writer?I’ve always been a story tell, and I wrote my first book when I was ten (and immediately stopped writing it when someone asked to see it). I was a story teller to camper when I was in college, and made the stories up on the fly. When I was a lawyer, I used to write short stories on the computer to give myself a break from the day, but it never remotely crossed my mind to be a writer until I was in my 30s. I was trying to decide what I wanted to do with the rest of my life, and I saw an article in my college alumni magazine about two grads who’d written a thriller and gotten a movie deal. The lightbulb went off in my head at that point, and I was off and running. It took me 18 books before I sold my first one, but it was still mean to be!


2)    Where do you get the ideas for your characters?
Honestly, they come from my heart. When I start a new book, I start brainstorming the characters, and as I begin to write about them, I can feel their emotions and the angsts and their joys in my own soul. Sometimes I feel them before I’m able to articulate anything about them. So, I guess I would stay that they start with a feeling and then grow from there

3)    I know that you write more than one genre. Which is your favorite to write?
I love the paranormal because if gives me the chance to be super creative. There are no limits to what you can create in the paranormal worlds, and I love that freedom and that challenge. At the same time, it’s also tough to be fresh, and to juggle the world building with the need to spend times on the characters themselves. But I also enjoy the contemporaries as well, because that is where we all live our daily lives, so sometimes the characters struggles can be more visceral to the reader because they are struggling with the same things we face every day. So, I like them all!

5)    What is your writing process like?I prefer to start writing in the morning and get some good headway done before having to take a break. I like to write until my brain is fried, and then I take a break to workout or play tennis. Then a little more work until the kidlet gets out of school. Then I’m mom until she goes to bed. I try to work in the evening at that point, but my efficiency is usually somewhat limited. I’m most effective in the day during the mornings.
6)    Do you plan a general outline for your stories or do you just let them take shape?
I have extensive pre-work brainstorming that I do. My main focus is on really developing the characters, and then, as they develop, plot points evolve organically from that process. I keep a separate list of the plot points as they evolve and after I’ve done all my character brainstorming, the main plot points of my story are all in alignment, and I can go write.
7)    Who was your biggest influential writer?There are far too many to count! I’ve been a voracious reader ever since I was a kid, and there have been so many amazing story tellers! My favoriate romance of all time, however, is probably Mine Until Midnight by Lisa Kleypas. It was truly a magical love story.
8)    What was your favorite genre to read as a kid?Anything! I read the Ramona books, Encyclopedia brown, Judy Blume, James Herriot and anything that was nice and sweet and had a happy ending.
9)    Do you find it hard to balance writing with young children?It is a challenge for sure. The biggest challenge is having to learn to be productive on demand. If I have an hour while she is at a playdate, I need to sit down and hammer right then. I don’t write much when she’s around, and I try to focus my writing while she’s in school or asleep, and I treasure that I have that flexibility in my schedule to be able to be there for her. But I do have to admit that sometimes is a real challenge to switch back into writer mode in an instant. But, as moms, we all do the best we can do, right? I will confess, however, that my house is not as clean as it once was. Something’s gotta give, and it’s not going to be my writing, my workouts or my mom time!
1      What do you feel is the biggest accomplishment that you have made with your career?
Each time I finish a book, that is my biggest accomplishment thus far. Each book is better than the last one, so when I finish a book, I always have an immense feeling of satisfaction that I have reached a new plateau and I’m so proud of myself. That’s one of the things I love about being a writer, is that I am always growing and improving and taking my writing and storytelling to a new level.

 Fun Facts
Coffee or tea? Neither! I drink water mostly.
Chocolate or candy? I love chocolate, but it gives me horrific headaches, so I try to stay to stay away. So, outside chocolate, my favorite sweet is key lime pie.
Favorite movie? The last movie I saw was the new Pirates of the Carribean. I love Captain Jack Sparrow!
Last book read? I am reading a Lynn Kurland book right now, but I can’t remember the name of it (it’s in the other room, and I’m all snuggled down on the couch).
 Favorite author(s)? Lisa Kleypas as a romance authors. Dick Francis for non-romance
 Favorite childhood book? The James Herriot books.
 Romance or Horror? Romance, for sure!!!
 Favorite food? Green grapes, scallops, filet mignon, pizza, cheese… but I love lots of foods!
 Dogs or cats? Both! But I have only a cat right now.
 Favorite actor/actress? Hugh Jackman, of course. What a hunk of burning love he is!

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us Stephanie! It's been a blast.

If you haven't checked out Stephanie's books yet you are definitely going to want to.

To find Stephanie you can check her out

Stephanie has generously offered up one copy of Touch If You Dare to one lucky commentator!. U.S/ Canada only. Giveaway will end Saturday July 30 2011 and winner will be announced Sunday July 31 2011.

      

      

10 comments:

  1. Great intervew. I would so love to win a copy of this book. Shannon S.

    calitigerlilly@yahoo.com

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  2. Thanks for stopping by, Shannon! Good luck in the contest!

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  3. Hi Stephanie, I can't wait to read Touch if You Dare. Is it ever difficult to let a character go as you start writing a new story? What is the hardest part of starting a new book? Thanks for the great writing!!

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  4. Hi Pollie!

    First, I love pugs. Cutest dogs ever!!! And yes, is very difficult to transition when I start a new book. I'm totally in love with my characters from the book I just finished, and I can't think of anyone but them! The hardest part of a new book is brainstorming it and bringing the characters to life in their own unique way. If I do that well enough, then the book will start pretty easily. If I hadn't done then, then often it will take days for me to get the first scene written b/c I can't quite get it right.

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  5. Hi Stephannie!
    Loved the interview!
    Hugh Jackman is my favorite actor too! I first fell in love with him many years ago when a small Aussie movie he was in came out in the states called "Paperback Hero". Ironically enough he plays a man who writes romance novels under his friend's name. Have it bookmarked on YouTube so I can watch it again!

    elena(at)elenagray(dot)com

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  6. I've heard of that movie, Elena! I had no idea that Hugh Jackman was the actor in it. I've heard that is a grat movie!

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  7. Loved the interview:)
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    elliott2668(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. Love the interview too! The pugs ARE cute! My cousin loves hers :) edysicecreamlover18ATgmailDOTcom Thank you I would love to win!

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  9. Great interview ladies! I have been wanting to read this, I just love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway!
    readingbetweenthewines10 at gmail dot com

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  10. Great interview! I'm really looking forward to reading this one whether I win it or not. Thanks for the opportunity!

    ntelhiard at gmail dot com

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