Author Stacy Jones #interview

Please give a warm welcome to author Stacy Jones

Tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m terrible at this! I can talk about my books and characters all day, but talking about myself always feels awkward. Suffice it to say, I’m an extroverted introvert with an endless love of writing books, my family, animals, sexy yet awkward men with a hilarious lack of game (which is why my heroes always end up fitting this mold to some degree LOL), snacks, and coffee.

Have you always wanted to become an author?

I haven’t, actually. It never occurred to me that I would one day write books. I went through an extended period of postpartum after the birth of my son. One day, mostly out of boredom, I picked up one of the old ‘bodice-ripper romance’ books my grandmother had sent me as a perhaps odd welcome to motherhood. I was instantly addicted. Something about the emotions the book fed me helped me to control my own messy emotions from the postpartum. I devoured every book in that box, then the library, then Barnes and Noble online, and finally amazon. Years pass and one day I’m lamenting to my husband that I cannot find that one book I desperately want to read. His response- so write it. And I did. It took me a solid year, and mostly in the Notes app on my iPhone, but I wrote Chosen and haven’t stopped writing since.

What was your inspiration for your current book/series?

My inspiration for The Arena was the strange dreams I occasionally have. I may have snippets of memory of what happened in those dream, but never anything clear. What makes them stick with me is the soreness or tiredness I wake up with. Overactive imagination led me to wonder exactly why I was sore upon waking with no marks to show for it. Aria and The Arena were born, wherein she experiences those same kinds of dreams… but she follows them to the other side.

What are you working on now?

As I’m writing this, I’m working on The Arena

Do you have any quirks while writing?

Oh yes LOL Many! I write almost exclusively at my favorite local coffee shop, I’m always listening to music while writing, and I inevitably go through five phases over the course of a book.
1. This is AMAZING!! This is the best story ever! I love it so much! I think readers will devour this!
2. Oh shit! Deadline is approaching!! Hurry up it’s been 95 years since you released the last book! Ppl are going to forget your name!
3. I’ve made an egregious error. This is the worst book ever. Ppl are gonna hate it. Vocally. They’re going to leave horrible reviews and never read my books again!!
4. OMG it’s not going to sell. We’re gonna starve. ‘Babe! We need to plan out a starvation budget! Get The Notebook Of Shame ready!!’
5. OMG THEY LIKE IT!!! This is the best job in the entire world!!! I need to do that all over again stat!! Best. Feeling. Ever.

What are your hopes for the future?

My hopes for the future are to continue writing stories I love and that readers love. I would love to be successful to the point where I can take care of my family because family is the most important thing, for me.

Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?

The best advice I was ever given- Write what you want to read! Yes trends play a part and the market is ever-shifting, but you have to love your book before anyone else can. If you love it, that shines through the story and people will love it as well.

Do you have anything to say to your readers?

It’s still odd to consider that I have fans LOL, but yes, I do. Without each and every one of you, this journey wouldn’t be possible. I published my first book on nothing but hopes and dreams. The second book was published because of you, because of your support, your messages of encouragement, the love you had for my characters. I appreciate you, all of you, more than I can say. I hope you continue to love the worlds I build and the characters whose stories I tell.