This month’s featured author is Anna J. Stewart.
I was recently introduced to Anna J. Stewart when I was reading Harlequin Heartwarming’s The Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. It is a clean and wholesome romance about a Montana family. The Rancher’s Homecoming was the last book in the series. I was so impressed with the way that Ms. Stewart was able to focus on the main characters and still wrap up the series. It was genius and I loved it.
Anna J. Stewart and I have the same taste in television shows. We both love Supernatural, honestly, it is my favorite show right now. Ms. Stewart has a way of sucking you right into the heart of the book. I find myself forgetting about the real world and rooting for her characters.
Are you ready for the interview? Here we go.
Personal
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
By now I am such an open book, I don’t know if there’s anything people don’t know about me. So….I think I’m a borderline hoarder? I can’t seem to get rid of stuff I’ve had no use of for years. Don’t get me wrong, I can move about my house just fine. I just have way too much “stuff”. I think I need a Marie Kondo intervention.
What inspired you to start writing?
Reading. The more I read, the more I wanted to have my name on a cover.
Who is your favorite author?
Nora Roberts. She wrote the first romance I ever read. Runners up are Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Sherrilyn Kenyon.
What is the first book that made you cry?
Ugh. Palamino by Danielle Steele (note she is NOT on my favorite author list). I still hate that book.
What book are you currently reading?
I just started Connections in Death. A bit late for me. Normally I read the In Death books the day they come out. Now they’re a reward for hitting my deadlines.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
This is going to sound so silly, but I’d want to be a peacemaker. I’d just like to have people be kinder.
Where is one place you want to visit that you haven’t been before (real or imaginary)?
Australia and New Zealand. Hands down. Someday, I keep telling myself. I will get there!
If you looked in your refrigerator right now, what would you find?
I recently went no-sugar, so my fridge is loaded with veggies and protein, LOL. Super boring. Lots of eggs, kale, arugula, and turkey.
Are you a better baker or cook or take out connoisseur?
I’m an awesome cook (she said humbly). It’s my happy place. I’m an okay baker (takes more talent and patience). I never order take-out. It’s never been particularly convenient where I live, although now there are services to use. It’s still cheaper to cook and I know what’s in my food, LOL.
Which do you prefer?
Tea or coffee: TEA
Hot or cold: HOT
Movie or book: Ooooh, that’s a tie.
Coke or Pepsi: I don’t drink sodas.
Writing/Books
What do you love most about your writing process?
This is probably a bad time to ask me that as I’ve been having a rough spell (I’m late with 2 projects). That said, probably the first 50 pages of a book is when I’m happiest as I’m still figuring things out (I’m a pantser). My process seems to change from book to book.
Do you like music or silence?
It’s kind of a combo. Depending on where I am in the book, it’s either silence or I have headphones on listening to a CD of instrumental music and ocean sounds. The sound of water always helps me be more creative.
Do you have goals of certain # of words a week or when inspiration strikes?
Ideally, I like to get 5k words a day. I’m at my most productive then. If I’m far enough out from deadline, I can let myself get away with 2 or 3K, but I feel as if I’ve accomplished my goal and done my job if I hit that 5k (which is about 20 pages).
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
There have been times. My secondary characters are more likely to do that. They’re like “hey, I’m over here. I’m more fun!” As far as the main characters? I think I have pretty good control, but again, I don’t plot, so I’m not sure if I could tell if they got out of control.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
I can procrastinate for weeks. Endlessly. There are days I will clean the house to avoid writing. That’s usually when something isn’t going right with the story, so I know it’s time to step back and re-evaluate. A simpler answer is remembering the difference between descent and decent, and lay, lie, and laid (I try not to use any of them, LOL).
Is anything in your book based on real-life experiences or purely all imagination?
I think there’s always a bit of me in my heroines at least. They’re very independent, sometimes to self-sufficient and a lot of them always have taken on too much and learn to say no, LOL. That quality is definitely me. But I’m getting better. As far as real-life experience? Not really. I’m pretty boring and haven’t done anything worth writing about. So in that way, it’s all imagination.
What project are you working on now?
I’m finishing the second part of my paranormal novella LOVE AND MAGIC BOUND which began in the April issue of Heart’s Kiss magazine (and will conclude in the June issue). I’m also writing book 7 of the Butterfly Harbor series (it’s been giving me fits). And in about a week, I’ll start my fifth romantic suspense, which I’m calling my Prison Break meets Grey’s Anatomy story. Lots to write! Busy, busy, busy.
Do you have any other books coming out this year?
I do. In September I’ll have two Harlequins out. One is a Heartwarming, SAFE IN HIS ARMS, which is book 6 for Butterfly Harbor (Kendall Davidson’s story) and the other is a Romantic Suspense for the Colton’s continuity series. That one is called COLTON ON THE RUN and it is completely different than any other story I’ve ever written. It was a real challenge, but when I was done, I was really happy with it. Then Butterfly Harbor #7 will be out in November. I’ll also have some novella releases between all these as well. Never a dull moment!
If you would like to learn more about Anna J. Stewart and her books:
Anna J. Stewart’s Books
Butterfly Harbor Stories
The Nemesis Files
Continuity Series Books
And there are many more books by Anna J. Stewart. So, check out her website or your favorite book retailer.
Giveaway
Prize: Signed copies of Recipe for Redemption and A Dad For Charlie with a bookmark. In the US and Canada only. International winners will receive ebooks of the same titles.
A special thank you to Anna J. Stewart for agreeing to answer my questions and to be featured on the Baroness’ Book Trove.
Until the next time, happy reading!
Leave a Reply