Stephanie Newton Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about who Stephanie Newton is.

A. I’m a pastor’s wife, stage mom, soccer mom, carpool driver, coffee maker, dog walker, bedtime tucker, homeschool “principal,” chauffeur, chef (albeit not a very good one), friend, small group member, and child of God. (There could be more, but that’s today! :

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. After I finished writing the first manuscript and couldn’t quit, I realized that writing wasn’t just a hobby that I was playing at. Then later, after a weekend retreat with some amazing Christian writers, I went home and told my husband I felt like it wasn’t just what I wanted to do, but what I felt like I was supposed to be doing.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release, Perfect Target?

A. When Bayley Foster “rescues” a dead body from the Gulf of Mexico, it’s her first warning that things are about to change, but her fiercely protective neighbor, detective Cruse Conyers isn’t about to let Bayley get caught in the crossfire?

Q: Tell us about the day the box containing your author copies of Perfect Target arrived on your doorstep.

B. A. I pretty much attacked the poor UPS man at the door and ripped into the box. I wouldn’t let anyone touch them until I took pictures. Then the first book went to my soon-to-be-teenage daughter. She’s been dying to read it. Every little stage has been exciting from getting the call to receiving my first contract and getting my revisions letter. Receiving copy edits and later AAs?ooh, and the cover art! All of it has been a thrill!

Q: Was Perfect Target the first book you wrote or do you have a few manuscripts sitting a drawer?

A. Perfect Target wasn’t my first book, but I’m not really a keeper (moved too many times) so I don’t have old manuscripts stuffed in drawers or anywhere else, not even on my computer.

Q: Perfect Target flawlessly combines romance and suspense and should keep both the romantic reader and the suspense reader happy. Did you start out wanting to write romance or suspense, or both?

A. Oh, wow, thanks! I’m glad to know I did my job! I love romantic suspense and once I discovered that I could combine romance, suspense, and a faith element, I knew that’s what I wanted to write.

Q: Perfect Target has a great spiritual message woven throughout. If your readers could take away only one message from Perfect Target, what would that be?

A. In the big things and the small things, God is trustworthy. Both Cruse and Bayley have to find that out in their own way.

Q: In Perfect Target, Cruse Conyers your male lead is a police officer. You have obviously done research to write this character so realistically. How did you research the job?

A. I have a really good imagination, but I had a few go-to people. If I had a question about how a cop would react in a situation, I’d call and say, “Hey, what would you do if?” In a similar fashion, I have a firefighter checking my details in some of the scenes in SMOKE SCREEN, the book I’m writing now.

Q: Your heroine of the book, Bayley Foster, finds herself a target of a stalker, yet she doesn’t allow herself to become a victim. She is strong and independent. How did you come up with this character and what was the most important thing you wanted her to portray?

A. Bayley evolved over time like most of the characters I write. They start out very two dimensional to me in the beginning, but as the book develops, they begin to take on quirks and characteristics of their own, just like real people have. That said, I knew from the beginning I didn’t want Bayley to be weak. I wanted her to face her fear head-on, but to be smart about it. Still, she faces some extremely trying situations and wonders where God is in those, just like we all would, I think.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A. Reading, I guess? I love to read a book that makes me think about the characters and relationship between them long after I put the book away. Sometimes movies or good creative drama on television inspires me to run for the computer, but more often it’s a good book.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession or has it?

A: Several of my best friends are published so I knew what to expect. The reality is that it’s still hard to balance writing at a faster pace and home life. That will always be the case, I think.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A. I’m writing SMOKE SCREEN, book three in the Emerald Coast 911 series. The hero is Jake Rollins, who appeared in PERFECT TARGET as Cruse’s pastor and friend.

Q: Would you name three favorite fiction books you read in 2007 or 2008 and tell us why you enjoyed them?

A. (Aside from Love Inspired) I went on a Susan Elizabeth Phillips glom last year. I bought a bunch of old ones and read them all. She is so, so good at characterization. JD Robb’s Eve Dallas books are an auto-buy. I love the cast of characters she’s put together And my dad and I always share the latest Daniel Silva books. Silva is top-notch at thriller writing.

Q: What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?

A. I speak French. Sort of. The last time I was there, native speakers all over Paris laughed at me, but it was enough to break the ice and then they were extremely friendly.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?

A. I love creative television. I watch The Closer, Burn Notice and House all the time and a few others when I can catch them.

Q: What is your favorite movie?

A. My favorite movie of all time is THE PRINCESS BRIDE and the last one I saw at the movie theatre was TAKEN.

Q: What item would I always find on your pantry shelf or in your refrigerator?

A. Well, coffee is a given. But I usually have various kinds of pasta and organic tomato sauce for a quick throw-together dinner.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A. I feel very privileged to do what I do and I’m so appreciative of Susan for having me here for a visit. Thanks so much for the opportunity and thanks for reading!