Alison Stone Interview

Q: How did you get your start writing fiction and what genre do you predominantly write in?
A. Years ago, shortly after my oldest child was born, I saw an advertisement in a magazine about writing children’s fiction. I had always been more focused on math and science and earned a degree in engineering, but that magazine ad got me thinking…and writing. I soon switched to writing romantic suspense and I have been writing in that genre ever since. It took me several years to get published, but once I did, I sold 8 books in a short period of time.

Q: In this busy world, how do you find time to connect with God and how does this impact your writing?
A. I connect with God through prayer. Prayer is a natural part of my life. I wake up and say a prayer and I pray before I sleep. I think prayer impacts every part of my life. I find if I’m getting stressed about deadlines or my plotlines, a prayer brings me back to center.

Q: What part of a writing career do you find most difficult?
A. My biggest challenge with my writing career is procrastination. I’m working hard to change that. I remind myself how wonderful I feel when I get the work done quickly versus the angst I feel when I drag my feet. Ugh!

Q: What does your writing space look like?
A: This is my office, but I tend to move around from the couch, to my bedroom, to the family room, basically anywhere I can get comfortable with my laptop.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release Silver Lake Secrets?
A: I think the blurb says it all:
Nicole Braun left Silver Lake under a cloud of suspicion—and someone isn’t about to let her forget her troubled past now that she’s returned home. The single mom has worked hard to overcome her reputation, but suddenly she’s the target of an unknown enemy. Only local police chief Brett Eggert has the power to protect her and her young son. But nothing prepares the lawman for the discovery that Nicole’s little boy is the nephew he never knew he had. With Nicole’s secret revealed, Brett is more determined than ever to ensure her safety and find out what’s behind her deadly homecoming.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for this story?
A: The inspiration for this story came from my sister. The reason is explained more in the answer for the next question.

Q: Tell us a little about your main character and how you developed him/her.
A: The heroine, Nicole, returns home and is forced to work as a cosmetologist for a funeral home because she doesn’t want to work in the salon where she’ll certainly be the topic of conversation because of her wild past. I was inspired to write this story because my sister is a licensed funeral director. From the time she went to school, I was fascinated with her job. I don’t think my publisher wanted my heroine to be a mortician, so I softened her career choice a bit by having her do the makeup for the deceased.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing this book? Least?
A: I loved developing the creepy setting and characters. The setting in and around a funeral home was ripe for this. I least liked the constant revision, but I know it’s necessary to put out the best possible book.

Q: What is the main theme or spiritual message of this book?
A: The main theme is that people can change and they have to be willing to face their past to move forward. Also, people shouldn’t judge people so harshly. We can never truly know what is in someone’s heart.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?
A. I am currently finishing up my 6th book for Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. It is my 3rd Amish suspense set in the fictional Amish town of Apple Creek, NY.

Q: If you could have dinner with 2 people, who would they be?
A. My first instinct is to pick 2 members of my family who are no longer here, but I’ll assume for the sake of this question the people have to be alive. If I had to pick today, I’d love to have dinner with Pope Francis and Tony Robbins. I’m sure we’d have some awesome dinner conversation.

Q: Do you have a favorite hobby?
A. Right now, my favorite hobby is to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel on Netflix with my youngest. The shows are guilty pleasures for sure, but the writing and plot are clever.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing you have ever done?
A. Tough question. The first thing that comes to mind is when I used to do a lot of math tutoring. The sense of satisfaction when I help a student go from not understanding to excelling in math is very rewarding. I don’t like when students decide they’re not good at something and give up. If I can play a small part of helping them see that they are smart and they can do something they once thought was impossible, I have done my job. Time commitments don’t allow me to tutor anymore, but I get this same sense of satisfaction when I’m able to help my kids with homework, especially math. This may sound odd, but I also find it very rewarding that I can actually help them. Sometimes I have to dig deep into my memory banks, but the math skills are still there! Math is like a puzzle and I enjoy putting the pieces in place, much like a plot in one of my stories.

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?
A. Website: www.AlisonStone.com
B. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlisonStoneAuthor
C. Twitter: https://twitter.com/Alison_Stone