MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR HARLEY STONE!
What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?
Harley Stone. Military motorcycle club romance.
Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?
I wanted to start an MC romance series, but I wanted it to be different than anything I’d ever read. I was in a discussion with a couple of my friends, and one of them was talking about homeless vets, spouting some pretty unsavory crap about how they had more resources than anyone else and they shouldn’t have “issues.” I wanted to write something that drew attention to problems like PTSD and create a motorcycle club that would actually reach out to and help vets who couldn’t seem to reintegrate with civilian society.
How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?
I’ve always been interested in military struggles.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
Tons. I’ve done a lot of reading and have the assistance of several active military and veteran friends.
Can you tell me about your Series?
The Dead Presidents MC is a series of sexy romance books with alpha-males, strong females, and believable plotlines. Some of the struggles are based on real stories.
Do you have a favorite book out of this series?
They’re all my favorites for different reasons. Link’d Up was my favorite because the relationship between Link and Emily was explosive. Then Wreaking Havoc was my favorite, because I loved the way Havoc and Julia’s crazy combined to form something beautiful. Then Trapping Wasp was my favorite because it was funny, and I got to redeem a player and give a deserving single mom joy and love. Now I’m writing Landing Eagle and it’s my favorite because I get to take two strong, independent people with great chemistry who’ve known heartache and struggle, give them an unexpected pregnancy and see what happens.
Where did you get the inspiration/idea for your series?
I answered this in the tell me about your book.
Was it always meant to become a series?
Yes.
What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?
Every day I go in and edit what I wrote the day before, and then move on. I try to write about 2,000 words a day.
Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?
Yep. Landing Eagle is book 4 of the Dead Presidents MC.
How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?
Not really. I try to find names that fit the characters.
Where do your ideas come from?
Aspects come from real stories, but they’re fiction overall.
Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?
No.
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Writing is easy. It’s the marketing and getting my books into the hands of readers that’s difficult.
What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?
I don’t have one yet, but I should probably make one for this series.
What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?
Every day I don’t quit is a victory.
What’s the best thing about being an author?
That I get to change the world into something more savory… something I’d want it to be. I would want to be a part of the Dead Presidents MC. I’d want to help people the way they do.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Still writing. Still trying to do what I can.
Have you always liked to write?
Yes.
What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Read. Everything. Then read Stephen King’s book “On Writing.” Find an editor who knows what they’re doing and LISTEN TO THEM. You can either be an excellent writer or a prideful writer, but you can’t be both.
If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?
I have absolutely no idea. I write so I can be and do everything.
Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?
I read every single review. Responding to reviews only leads to insanity. If bad reviews are constructive, I try to use them to make myself a better writer. I’ve learned that I’m never going to please everyone and that’s okay. At the end of the day, I know I’m working my butt off, researching, reading, editing, trying to be the best writer I can, and I will continue to do so.
What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?
I love editing. There’s something about taking a good story to the next level by strengthening its wording and improving its flow… I love the process!
What are you working on now?
Landing Eagle.
Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?
“Eagle, huh?” the brunette asked, her gaze taking in my tats, lingering on my arms. “You’re one of the new guys. I’ve heard about you.” Her smile was suggestive, indicating that she liked what she’d heard.
I shrugged. “Don’t go believing everything you hear, babe.” She did have a nice rack, and wearing a low-cut v-neck, she clearly wanted people to look. I got an eyeful before returning her smile. Brass served me a Jack Daniels, neat. I tossed it back, and ordered another before returning my attention to the girl. “What’d you hear about me, anyway?”
“That you’re hung like a horse, you fuck like a wild animal, and…” she hesitated, taking a sip of her drink before continuing, “You’re an asshole.”
She probably expected me to deny it, but instead, I gave her another shrug. “On second thought, believe everything. That shit’s all true.”
“Good to know,” she said with a nod. She didn’t believe it. They never did. The more honest I was, the more they thought they could fix me or harness me or whatever. Like one taste of their pussy would have me tumbling head over heels in love. But my heart never came home from Iraq. There was nothing left for these bitches but my body.
Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?
My bestie, Piper Davenport, challenged me to write an MC romance series. I have a mafia romance trilogy as well, but I’m done with that for now.
Where did your love of books come from?
Growing up, I never liked to read. Nobody in my family read. Then I got married 17 years ago and my husband introduced me to his favorite book series (it was fantasy). It was like a switch flipped, and I found myself reading everything. I’ve been reading at least a couple of books a week ever since.
Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?
My favorite author is Ilona Andrews. It’s a husband and wife team and they write urban fantasy romance. I love everything they’ve written.
Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?
Uh… Havoc. My husband is a black man who asked me to create a character like him and write a interracial relationship. Havoc is so much like my hubs, I can’t help but love him.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Both. Depending on what I’m writing. Some of the scenes… some of the research I’ve had to do, some of the stories I’ve listened to… some of it is so freaking heart wrenching, I want to punch the VA.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try very hard to be original while listening to readers. A lot of readers read so much they’re looking for something different.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I quit writing for a year, but my bestie, Piper Davenport, talked me into coming back and reinventing myself. No, she dragged me, kicking and screaming. My close tribe consists of Piper Davenport, KA Ware, and Lisa Shelby. We talk often, and they’re a great group to bounce ideas around with. I have lots of indie author friends, though. Most of the indie authors I’ve met are wonderful, helpful people.
Where can your fans find you and follow??
Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️
My Books-My World 