Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Kindle Contest and Interview with “Craved” Author Stephanie Nelson

Craved Button
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.




           Flames ****Rapid Fires****  Flames



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  Duke or carolina ?   Carolina


Yuck face
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.


220294e3stephanienelson

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....................

37 comments:

Gail said...

Great interview. I'm looking forward to reading CRAVED.

Thanks for the chance to win.

Unknown said...

Another great interview babe..stop by my blog if you get a chance! Book sounds awesome and so does a kindle!
Viajeradelmar@AOL.com

AmyS. said...

Great interview. I am adding this book to my list of books to get.

truebloodfan AT rock DOT com

Unknown said...

I enjoyed reading this interview. I love learning how the author became a writer and what inspires them. The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyers is what got me started reading in the paranormal genre. It is neat to read she has inspired people to write, as well.

Happy Reading and Writing,
Laurielu
Bona Fide Reflections

Crystal Trent Dotson said...

Love the blog ad I really liked the interview !! Thanks !
Crystal Trent Dotson
cfcbc@netzero.com

Unknown said...

LOVED the interview...and my best friend is a Duke fan and HATES Carolina!

Julie S said...

Great interview and giveaway. Sounds like a fun read, thanks for introducing me to this author.

Unknown said...

Thanks for having me! I enjoyed the interview = )

mnjcarter said...

Great interview! The book sounds great! Yep, being with Eric for a week would be an awesome fantasy!!

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

mnjcarter@charter.net

Unknown said...

great interview i enjoyed reading it.
good luck to all!

terri_dion@hotmail.com

LadyVampire2u said...

I enjoyed the interview. Congratulations on Craved! I am adding this one to my wishlist.

LadyVampire2u AT gmail DOT com

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...

Great interview! I entered and will be checking out Craved :)

Unknown said...

Such A great Interview! I am really looking forward to reading craved!
kristinaparmenter51(at)gmail(dot)com

Nora Weston said...

Hi, Blue Shedevil & Stephanie!
What a super fun interview, and Craved sounds awesome. Being Sookie would not be bad at all for a week...but I think I'd leave Bill and Eric in the sunlight for Alcide! lol

Paige said...

Thanks for the awesome giveaway! Best one i've entered all day!!

The Cowboy and Vampire said...

Craved sounds awesome. Thanks for the great interview and insights...

LisaRayns said...

I loved Craved and now i can't wait for Hunted!

LisaRayns said...
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LisaRayns said...
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Anne said...

Congrats to another IL native! The book sounds like a great read.

I'm so happy you mentioned The Tales of an Urban Werewolf series by Karen MacInerney. I have never seen anyone else mention it and I really liked it and hope she writes another.

Debra Guillen said...

Thank you
dguillen at kc dot rr dot com

K. An said...

Interesting author, look forward to reading her books.

Tricia2272 said...

Great giveaway!!

Michelle L said...

Love the interview. Nice to know a little more info about the Author.

mllmogaml at gmx dot com

StephanieC said...

thanks for the interview! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

stepperB said...

Nice interview, real shame about Carolina.

BethW7372 said...

Great interview, looking forward to reading her books. And keeping my fingers crossed about the giveaway!

Charlotte said...

Hi, great giveaway! I'm following you on Twitter, and FB, thank you! :)

Anonymous said...

Great book. Thanks for the chance to win a kindle.

NASCAR Race Mom said...

Loved the interview - super job

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for the chance! Fingers, toes, and eyes crossed! nanuwins @aol.com

LaceyMomma said...

After reading your interview I want to read Craved! I also am a huge Stephanie Meyer fan! :)

omahablack said...

I think that this looks great and Happy Halloween to you too!

Angel Rose said...

I loved the interview. Can't wait to pick up Craved!

Allyson Bossie said...

CRave sounds really great! Thanks for hosting this great giveaway
masugr at yahoo dot com

katball said...

would love to read this book

off2europe2005 said...

What a great book that you wrote.