Kindle Contest and Interview with “Craved” Author Stephanie Nelson

Author Stephanie Nelson has generously offered to grace my blog today and answer a few questions. She is also giving away a BRAND NEW KINDLE to one lucky person. Details will be at the end of the post.


Can you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Stephanie Nelson. I’m 29 years old and have lived in Illinois my entire life but dream of moving to the mountains one day. I have a wonderful husband who has shown me nothing but support since I decided to become an author. I first became interested in writing about four years ago but never thought about publishing. When I began writing Craved, I knew I wanted to share it with the world. In July, my dream of becoming a published author was no longer a dream, but my reality. It’s been a whirlwind of excitement, stress, and determination, but I’m loving every minute of it.


Have you always aspired to be an author?
I actually hated books until I took the leap and bought the Twilight books a few years ago. I always wanted to read but every book I would start just didn’t capture my interest. When I began reading Stephanie Meyer, I was blown away. I had never connected with a story like that before. Her books ignited the spark which quickly grew into an addiction. The more I read the more my own story started forming in my head. I decided to sit down on my computer and try to write it. I got maybe five pages done before I gave up. I began another story, and then another, and then another until I got comfortable with it. Seven months ago, I began Craved and I knew this book was it, the one I’d been trying to write for the past four years. Reading was the number one factor in my decision to become an author.


Who are your main literary inspirations?
Stephanie Meyer created my love of books so I admire her for her talented writing. Amanda Hocking and H.P. Mallory helped me to see that being self-published can be successful and my husband showed me so much support that he inspired me to follow my dream.


Did your characters sneak up on you or have they been simmering in your head for awhile?
They definitely simmered in my head. It was a frustrating process in finding out exactly who they are but now I know them almost as well as if they were real.


Did any of your characters behave in a way that surprised you?
When I first began writing Craved, I didn’t plan on Aiden and Gwen sleeping together. I wanted to draw out their relationship and have readers begging for them to finally get together but Gwen and Aiden weren’t cooperative. They wanted to be with each other now, no matter how many times I tried to tear them apart.


That is hysterical. You had to act as chaperone for your characters…..I love it!


What’s in your TBR pile?
My TBR pile is quickly growing into a monster. Since I became serious about writing and published Craved, I don’t have time to read anymore. Before I would devour books in a day, now it takes weeks to complete them. Plus I feel guilty reading when I know I should be writing. Some books in my pile that I can’t wait to get to include:  This Side of the Grave and One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost, The Tales of an Urban Werewolf series by Karen MacInerney, Everdark by Elle Jasper, Grave Witch by Kalayna Price, Omega series by Patricia Briggs, and the list goes on and on……


Can you tell us a little about future works?
Sure, I’m currently writing Hunted, which is book 2 in the Gwen Sparks series. The witches and vampires are going to war and Gwen is stuck right in the middle. She’s being torn between her heritage and the man she loves, who she’s been ordered not to see anymore. I’m also working on a book called Life’s a Witch, it’s a collection of short stories. And finally I’m working on Darkened, the first book in my new nightly series. Hunted will be published this Nov-Dec, Darkened will hopefully be published in Jan-Feb, and I’m aiming for Life’s a Witch to be published sometime in between.


Wow, somebody’s got a super packed schedule for awhile.


What is the most satisfying aspect of your work?
When I hear people enjoyed my book. As a writer, readers have no idea how much that means to us. We’ve put so much of our heart and determination into out work and to have it appreciated is like a breath of fresh air.


That’s great to hear. I’ve run across a small number of authors who have a very antagonistic view of their fans.


What’s the most frustrating aspect?
When my muse isn’t speaking to me. Most of the time I don’t face writer’s block but when I do I get very frustrated. The story demands that I write it but sometimes I just can’t find the words.


What would you like to tell/ask reviewers who look at your book?
One thing I’m always curious about is how readers perceive my characters. I have their personalities in my head and wonder if they come across the same way once written. My question would be what was your impression of the characters of Craved?


If you could live the life of any literary heroine for one week, who would it be?
Hmm, well all of the characters I read in paranormal romance seem to have scary lives. Their either fighting vampires, werewolves or demons. If I were faced with that in reality I’d be on the fast track to an insane asylum LOL. If I have to choose though, I wouldn’t mind be Sookie for a week, so long as it’s the part in her life when she’s with Eric Northman.


Tee-hee! Another vote for team Eric!


If you had the opportunity to redo one thing in your life, what would it be?
There aren’t a lot of things that I would want a redo on, In my opinion you grow as a person by the lessons of your mistakes. At the tome I may regret something but after I take a step back and look at it from another angle, I realize the lesson that’s supposed to be learned from my decision.




            ****Rapid Fires**** 



1. Cat or Dogs?   Cats


2. Morning or Night?   Night


3. Sweet or Savory?   Savory


4. Comfort or Fashion?   Comfort


5. Sports car or Harley?   Sports car, although I’m an SUV girl


6. Ocean or Mountain?   Mountains


7. Top or Bottom?   Top


And finally, the Most important question I ever ask anyone…….


   Duke or carolina ?   Carolina



Ugh! Dagger to the heart! And we were getting along so well………..



Well, despite the fact that I am now devastated, I still want to thank you for sharing a little of yourself and your book with my followers and myself.




To find out more about Stephanie Nelson and her work, Click on the links below:


Website

Facebook Fan Page

Twitter

And now about the Kindle contest....................