Interview with Author Stephanie Morris:
Hi Stephanie. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...
- Please tell us about your latest book.
My latest book release is Hard to Resist. This is a Contemporary African American Romance story about Nataleigh and Keelan. The moment Nataleigh Brown laid eyes on Keelan Robinson three words came to mind—tall, gorgeous and egotistical!
Keelan might have been born into money but he chose to live in a low-income neighborhood amongst the inner-city kids he taught and urged to make something of their lives. Keelan is too handsome for his own good, had his pick of women…but he chooses to pursue Nataleigh.
Nataleigh wasn’t fooled. Keelan wasn’t a man she could get involved with no matter how good he could kiss. She learned a long time ago that good things didn’t happen to a person like her. Nataleigh didn’t bother to dream that a man like Keelan could be the one for her because she didn’t believe in dreams anymore. But then again, she’d never met a man like Keelan…
- What can we expect from you in the future?
More books! I currently have several more books due to release this year. I also hope to start creating new stories again as soon as the schedule allows. I am also working on my book tour traveling schedule for next year. I am looking forward to all of it. Here are a few that are on the coming soon list:
Beyond Seduction, Amira Press
The Seduction of Hayden: Indulgence series Book#2, Bookstrand
Too Close for Comfort: Sugar and Spice Press
Caught Up in the Moment: That One Night series Book#1, Phaze
- How do we find out about you and your books?
You can always visit my website: http://www.stephaniemorris.webs.com. I update my website daily to make sure my readers are well informed of what’s going on in the world of Stephanie Morris.
- Do you allow readers to contact you? If so, how do they reach you?
Yes! I love to hear back from readers! I can always be contacted at authorstephaniemorris@gmail.com.
- How many readers/fans contact you?
I don’t have an exact number but I always hear from several readers. Typically I hear from readers after a new book release but every once in a while I hear from a reader just stopping by to say hello.
- What are some of the most memorable questions/comments?
One of the most memorable comments from a reader was: After reading Laws of Attraction I see why it’s so hot in Texas. I laughed quite a bit at that one.
One of the most memorable questions that I receive quite a bit is: When is the next book coming out? I always enjoy this question because I know the readers enjoy my work and are looking forward to the next book release as much as I am.
- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?
Definitely! I have actually had readers request a certain plot or character type and I created it.
- Why did you decide to write romance novels?
I decided to write romance because I have always enjoyed reading it and I still do. I love creating that hot alpha male, with just the right amount of sensitivity. I also enjoy giving a heroine the happy ending she deserves.
- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
Quite a bit! If you follow me on any of my social networks, you know that I have a unique sense of humor. I love to make people laugh and you will often find that humor in a story, whether it is Rocky knocking Tovah off her feet every time he greets her or Deon driving Nataleigh crazy with his insistent chatter. You will always find at least one spot in my book that is going to make you clutch your sides in laughter.
Life experiences often come into play within my writing as well. I often share childhood stories of actual occurrences between my siblings and myself. I also take real-life occurrences and turn them into stories but always provide a little twist to them, since not all of these stories have ended happily in real life.
- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing but I became serious about it in high school as a teenager. What prompted me to submit my first manuscript was the fact that I wanted to share the stories that I had such a great time creating with other readers. I have to say that I am so happy that I did.
- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
It depends on how much brainstorming and research are required for the book. This is typically why I write stories about topics I am familiar with or that I have research resources readily available if needed. I also prefer to write a least a 50,000 plus word count book. With this being said, it can take me anywhere from 2-3 months up to 6-8 months to write a book.
- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?
The only writing schedule I set is the one for having edits complete for a book release and I typically don’t set those. When it comes to writing I prefer to go with the flow. It helps me to prevent writer’s block.
- What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?
What motivates me in general is being happy in life and successful at whatever it is I choose to do. In writing, it is to continue to improve my writing style/technique and to share my love for creating hot, yet heart-warming stories.
- Where do your ideas come from?
It is hard to pinpoint where my ideas come from because they come from so many places. It could be an event that occurs in real-life, meeting a stranger on the street, or even just a random thought.
- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?
I feel it is important in life in general. I love to laugh and make people laugh. As I mentioned earlier you will find at least one scene in all of my stories that will make you laugh out loud.
- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?
All of my romance novels have love scenes in them. Some of them have several. At first I used to struggle with writing love scenes but now it comes easy. In this case I do believe that practice makes perfect.
- What kind of research do you do?
It depends on the book. I have written a handful of books that didn’t require any research because I had firsthand knowledge. But there are some stories like, Cutting to the Chase and Too Close for Comfort, where I needed the assistance of someone in the medical field and luckily a few friends were able to provide it. However, when it comes to research for a story, I try not to get too detailed because I only want to use enough for it to be accurate and realistic not read like a periodical.
- Who are some of your other favorite authors and genres to read?
It is easier to name my other favorite genres than authors because the list would be long and I would still leave someone out by accident. I tend to read paranormal and GLBT books. Yes, I know, a lot different from what I write. However, I do read interracial works as well as African American stories as well.
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
Writing, writing, writing! Writing is my passion and I am fortunate to be able to do it. I plan.
- Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes! As I mentioned earlier, I have put pen to paper for as long as I can remember. But in high school while sitting in my English class reading Shakespeare, I knew I wanted to be a writer. I haven’t looked back.
- How many books have you written, and how many of those have been published?
I have lost count of how many books I have written but of those book twenty-five have been contracted for publishing and eleven of them are actually published.
- Among your own books, have you a favorite? A favorite hero or heroine?
This is a hard question to answer because all of my books are a favorite for one reason or another. But if I have to name a favorite book it would be The Past Between Them. I love this book because for beginning to end it just seemed to work for me. It wasn’t easy to write storyline behind this book is very dear to me so I experienced a lot of emotional highs and lows while writing it.
My favorite heroine is Kayla Smith in Her Every Fantasy. This is the third book in the Smith Sisters Trilogy. I love her feisty spirit and her caring persona. In my opinion, she is the perfect balance of character.
My favorite hero is Antonio Carabelli in Propositioning the Rich Italian. This is the first book in the Indulgence series. I love Antonio because he is a sexy-as-sin, red-blooded, alpha, Italian male who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.
- Which of your books has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?
Laws of Attraction was the easiest to write. This story is loosely based on events that happened to a friend of mine and since I was there to experience firsthand I didn’t have to do a lot of research.
Staking His Claim was the hardest to write. I felt like I was taking such a huge risk with this book for some strange reason. I say that now because the book has been well received by the readers. But I was shaking in my boots when I submitted an interracial book with a storyline about an older former military hero and a younger pregnant woman. But it worked!
Playing for Keeps was the most fun to write. The chase that Eric gave Keirra had me in stitches from laughing as I created it. I have never seen a woman run so fast and so hard and I don’t think I will ever be able to create another just like her.
- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
This is a tough question because each book is different. There have been times when the storyline/plot comes to me and I have to create the characters and setting to fit it or vice versa. What I have learned is just to go with it. Try to stay focused, but let the storyline and characters take me where they want to go.
- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
My characters control me. I may create them but they tell me where they want to go and what they want to do. It can be frustrating at times but it is always rewarding.
- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?
The most rewarding thing is seeing my hard work become a reality. Writing is not easy even though people think it is. Creating a story or characters is just the beginning. You have to see it all the way through to the end.
- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?
If you truly want to become a writer, then stick to it. Be willing to do the research and put in the hard work, tireless hours, blood, sweat and tears that it takes to make your dream become a reality. Don’t expect anyone else to do it for you or it won’t get done.
Thank you very much for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation from your talented imagination!
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Author Links:
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Backlist: (Title, publisher)
Better Late Than Never: The Smith Sister’s trilogy Book#1, Amira Press
Playing for Keep: The Smith Sister’s trilogy Book#2, Amira Press
Her Every Fantasy: The Smith Sister’s trilogy Book#3, Amira Press
Cutting to the Chase, Sugar and Spice Press
Staking His Claim, Sugar and Spice Press
The Past Between Them, Sugar and Spice Press
A Matter of Honesty, Red Rose Publishing
Laws of Attraction: The Courtlandt’s of California Book #1, Class Act Books
Propositioning the Rich Italian: Indulgence series Book#1, Bookstrand
Hard to Resist, eXtasy
RaH Links:
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Purchase Links:
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Buy Stephanie's Books at Sugar and Spice
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Buy Stephanie's Books at Red Rose Press
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Buy Stephanie's Books at Class Act
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Buy Stephanie's Books at BookStrand
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Buy Stephanie's Books at http://www.amirapress.com/
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