MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR STEPHANIE AYERS

MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR STEPHANIE AYERS

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

I am Stephanie Ayers. I am a speculative fiction author who specializes in horror and fantasy.

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

Most of the short stories in either collection from The 13 series came from prompts. When I first got serious about writing as a profession, I had three or four main writing groups I hung out in and participated in the prompts for. These selective groups inspired a lot of the stories and many of the things I’ve written just by the act of getting me writing. I miss these groups dearly because they are no longer around.

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)?

My brother always said. “Write the dark.” I’m not sure horror is what he meant, but I actually ended up a horror writer by accident. When I first picked up my pen again in 2010, I had no clue what genre even was. My writing starting take a dark edge to it, and another writer caught it and told me I found my voice.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

A lot of my writing is done from imagination or from real life—imagined or experienced. I’ll double check stuff if I need to… like how fast can someone bleed out because I still want my stories to be believable. After all, isn’t it in the believing it could happen that makes anything more scary?

Can you tell me about your Series?

I have two, but I’ll focus on the horror for this interview. One morning in late August, I had this brilliant idea. Let’s turn The 13: Tales of Illusory into a 13 book series. Let’s make each volume contain one story less than the one before. And let’s only publish them once a year on Halloween. I think the idea spawned from browsing Grady Earl’s book cover design page on Facebook. He’s the creator of the cover for Tales of Macabre, and I want to own ALL his covers. Now I will own a dozen…

Do you have a favorite book out of this series?

No. But I have favorite stories. In Tales of Illusory, A Child Lost is one of my favorites. Its about a tribe of evil pixies who live and operate a carnival under the pond and what they do when their human betrays them. As for Tales of Macabre? I had the most fun writing Send in the Clowns. This one was written in two days. It moved quickly once I found the perfect creepy music box song to listen to while I wrote. The jewelry box might be cursed, but it’s more about how the earworm it’s song sticks in your head can affect you.

Where did you get the inspiration/idea for your series?

I write more shorts than I do full length novels. In all honesty, I only have one full length (50,000 words or longer) novel completed now. So, I have all these short stories lying around. I put my first solo book out in 2013, and settled in as an author unconcerned with how fast I put out another one. I mean I have stories in anthologies, but some of my stories… okay, most of my stories… are on the weird side and don’t really fit many anthology themes out there. My stories need an audience though, so I had decided to put them in a collection. It took a couple years longer than expected, but much of that was because I wanted to do them under a theme.

Was it always meant to become a series?

No. I mean I knew I would do other story collections, but the idea to make them a series just hit me recently.

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

I am prepping my first novel in the Destiny Defined fantasy series, Elven Games. I hope to release it in December or early January.

Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?

Steampunk

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Finishing my stories.

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I think book trailer are fabulous incentives to readers. I do have trailers for all but one of my solo books on my YouTube page.

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

Myself. I’ve had a lot to overcome in my life, and while I am far from the person I want to be, the journey I’m taking to get there is something I’m proud of.

Have you always liked to write?

yes. ever since my 4th grade teacher read my story out loud to my class and I realized it set me apart from the rest of the kids.

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Don’t be intimidated by the blank page. It’s easily defeated with a single mark.

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

Graphic design.

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 them, but I don’t respond to them. If I get a lower review, it sticks with me for a little bit, but usually I get too busy to dwell on it long.

What is your least favourite part of the writing / publishing process?

I really enjoy making a book become a book. I hate the waiting for people to buy it part.

What are you working on now?

I am working on your interview. 😛

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

Where did your love of books come from?

I think I was born with a book in hand.

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

Inkheart by COrnelia Funke, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Lord of the Rings by Tolkien, Divergent by Veronica Roth, Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah, Child of the Thief Guild by Andy Peloquin, and The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favourite and why?

Tribba is hands down my favorite. She’s sassy, she spunky, she’s sweet, and she is VERY LOUD in my head.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I’m a pantser, so I follow where my characters lead. I’m full of twisted imagings though, and I hope that translates over to my readers.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I have a lot of author friends. They all encourage me when I need a boost, offer their support when I need that too, and are a sounding board for when I need criticism or help with anything book related. I have my tribe and I love them.

If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

I am writing a book about my life. It’s currently titled “Life in a Cardboard Box.”