Welcome,
Zara Stoneley.
For those who might not be familiar with you, would you be a
dear and tell the readers a little about yourself? How did you get your start in
the writing business?
Hi, and thanks for letting me visit your blog today!
Well, I’ve been writing stories for as long as I’ve been
reading them. I submitted my first novel, a thriller, when I was twelve years
old. Life then got in the way and I had a career in IT, ran a dog grooming
business and was a teacher for a while (I like variety!).
I never really stopped writing altogether though. I moved on
to writing romance when my son was a baby, but didn’t take it seriously until
2011. But it wasn’t until the start of 2012 when I saw a competition being run
by Xcite Books, at The Festival of Romance, that I decided to try my hand at
erotic romance. Last year they published two of my novels, a novella and a
short story. I’ve also signed a contract with Breathless Press for a short
story due out in the Spring, I self published a novel just before Christmas and
Lyrical Press are publishing my first contemporary romance in 2013.
All writers fear
the dreaded “block”. Please tell us how you handle it.
It took me a while to click with what was causing my block,
but I know now – and it always comes down to me not understanding the
characters motivations properly. If I hit a block I go back to looking at the
characters. What do they want? Why? What’s stopping them? Usually I uncover
some hidden conflict in them, some fear, something that has happened in their
past. And then I understand what they need to do.
Contrary to what some people envision about a romance
writer’s life, it’s not all glitz and glam. Well not for the majority of us.
With that bubble sadly busted, when you’re not writing, how to do you spend
your time?
I’ve got a part-time job with young children which is very
unglamorous and involves a lot of sitting on the floor and getting covered in
glue! I’m very good at avoiding housework and shopping, but unfortunately still
have to do some. I also love going for a walk when I’ve got time, guaranteed to
help me with some story ideas, and I do love horse-riding (good for blowing
away the cobwebs), but with recent health problems have had to put that on hold
for a bit.
I guess I’m happiest curled up on the sofa in jeans and
sweater, with my laptop or a good book. (Though I do love putting on the high
heels and going out too!!)
I know many writers, such as Dirk and myself, keep their
pastime/career a secret. Do those close to you know you write? If so, what are
their thoughts?
My family all know that I write, but some of them are a bit
shocked by what I write and refuse to read any of it! Most of my friends know,
but I tend to keep a quite low profile in the town because of my work with
young children. And I’m not sure everyone knowing would help my teenage son’s
street cred!
Will you share with us your all time favorite authors? If
you’re like me, it’s a long list so give us your top ten.
This is a really difficult one because I know so many
brilliant authors and don’t want to miss anyone out! I must admit though, that the
author’s I grew up with hold a special place. People like Shirley Conran, Jilly
Cooper, Stephen King, JRR Tolkien, Dick Francis, Jackie Collins, John Le Carre,
James Herbert, Ian Fleming, Alistair Maclean. I’ll read more or less anything
if it’s got a good gripping storyline!
If you could choose one book to go to the big screen,
yours or otherwise, which book would you choose and whom would you love see
casted in the parts?
I’m going to give you a strange answer here! I’ve got a WIP
called Jessica’s Boys, it’s about one feisty determined woman and a group of
hot men, and I would love to see it on the big screen – it would be perfect!
Cameron Diaz would make an elegant, determined Jess but I’d need to do some
serious screen testing for the Boys.
Would you care to tell us what you’re working on now?
That is if it’s not top-secret information. If so, just whisper it in my ear. I
swear it’ll go no further.
No secrets, lots on the go! I’m working on the next book in
the ‘Good Enough…’ series, finishing an erotic romance novella that a publisher
requested some time ago, I’m also planning out a follow up to ‘Riding High’
that’s been requested by a lot of readers (all about James), and Jessica’s Boys
is taking shape. Plus, I’ve got another contemporary romance on the go (which
will be published under my Susie Medwell name). A busy year ahead!
Where can we find your stories and is there a particular
reading order?
You can read my books in any order, although ‘Good Enough to
Share’ is Book 1 in a series, so others will be following shortly.
‘Good Enough to Share’ is only available on Amazon at the
moment Amazon
(com) Amazon
(UK) (It will be more widely available from the end of February 2013)
My other books are more widely available at Xcite Books,
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ARe, I-Books and most good e-retailers. You can
find some of the links here
on my website.
Would you please share how your present and future fans
can contact you?
I love to talk to people, you can find me at
Twitter – @zarastoneley
Before we conclude this enlightening interview, do you
have anything else you’d like to share? The stage is all yours.
Phew, more? Well I’d just like to say a massive thanks for
having me – it’s been great! Love the blog and I’m looking forward to seeing
you over at my place soon.
There you have it, ladies and gents. I want to again thank
Zara for stopping by and I look forward to the next time we can sit down and gab. 🙂
Oh and Zara, I love the cover to “Good Enough to Share”. Yummi!
