14 Questions for Stacey Joy Netzel!

Good morning!

Continuing my two day author event with Stacey Joy Netzel, I figured I should let you all get to know the brain behind the brilliance of "Lost in Italy." 


So, first, here's her official, back of the book, bio:

Stacey fell in love with books at a young age, so for her the graduation to writing them was natural. An avid reader and fan of movies with a happily ever after, she is thrilled to call herself a full-time writer after 20 years as a travel agent. She writes romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and the occasional paranormal short story just for fun.

She lives in her native Wisconsin with her husband and three children, a couple horses and some barn cats. In her limited free time she enjoys gardening, canning, and visiting her parents in Northeastern Wisconsin (Up North) at the family cabin on the lake.

 

And now, what you all know I do when I interview authors:

 

14 Questions for Stacey Joy Netzel!

1) Tell us a little about yourself...(feel free to offer up any or no biograpical info)

Thanks so much for having me on the blog, Sarah! I’m happy to be visiting with you and your readers. I used to be a corporate travel agent; now I make up stories for a living. Sure the first was more practical, but the second is SO much more fun.

2) What book, movie, or character inspired you to write?

Romance. Books, movies, or characters in romantic movies inspired me to write. I’ve been coming up with stories since my early high school years.

3) Best/worst movie based on a book :

In general, I’ve heard people say time and again, “Oh, you’ve got to read the book—it’s so much better than the movie.” But you know, once I’ve seen the movie, I have no desire to read the book because I already know the story (for the most part). There are just TOO many stories out there for me to read the book AND see the movie. That said, now I have to admit I have a copy of the Hunger Games DVD sitting by my TV for the past month. I LOVED the first book, and one of these days I’ll actually watch the movie, too. It may be a first—I honestly can’t remember.

4) Do you write with a soundtrack for whatever you're working on, or do you write in complete silence? No soundtrack. Sometimes I have the TV playing in the background, but silence is better.

5) When do you find time to write? What's your schedule like?

Now that I’m home as a full-time writer, I get words on the page when the kids are in school. I love those hours of silence. LOL

6) For "Lost in Italy" did anyone in particular inspire your main characters? (And why is this book so AWESOME?)

Aw, thanks! I love hearing words like AWESOME in connection with my books, and yet at the same time it makes me very…self-conscious and shy. I want to hear it, but I feel funny talking about it and accepting the praise. So contradictory—something my dad will tell you I’ve been all my life. LOL My inspiration for Trent was Joe Flannigan who starred in Stargate Atlantis. I had a pic of him on my desktop and every morning when I’d turn on my computer, I’d see the pic and say, “Hello, Joe.” I know, my main character is Trent, but somehow it worked. (again with the contradictions) The book really is a romance reader’s fantasy—being rescued by the sexy, larger-than-life movie star hero and capturing his heart in the process. (okay, so maybe I’m specifically talking about this romance reader’s fantasy.)

7) I've spent some serious time on this blog talking about the future of publishing and e-publishing. What are your thoughts?

You don’t have enough room on your blog for this question. Um, I mean the answer. I contract a cover artist and editor to help bring out the best in my work, and suffice it to say I’m very happy indie publishing right now. As for the rest of it, I have no crystal ball, not even any guesses…I just go with the flow and try to keep my head above water. Sorry I can’t offer more.

8) Favorite scene you've ever written? 

Currently unpublished. I’d love to share, but still plan to use it someday. Let’s just say it has a frazzled heroine inept at childcare, and a jackass, arrogant hero who reveals a soft side and magic touch with babies. It’s stuck with me for over 8yrs and melts my heart every time I read it. The jackass arrogant hero is part of why it’s still currently unpublished.

9) What are you reading right now?

Some Enchanted Waltz by Lily Silver, Savage Cinderella by PJ Sharon, A Night of Southern Comfort by Robin Covington, and then there’s WAY too many more on my TBR list.

10) Starbucks or Caribou coffee? 

Lipton black tea with honey and sweetener. I’m trying to cut down on sugar with little success.

11) How many degrees are you removed from Kevin Bacon? (Or any celebrity?)

 I was about to say more than 6 degrees, but then I remembered that my brother is friends with someone who used to be on a hit Prime Time show. You’ll have to take my word for it though, because he doesn’t brag about it and neither will I.

12) If ______________showed up on my doorstep and asked me to run away with him, I would.

Ten years ago I’d have filled in that blank line with any number of names. Nowadays, older and oh-so-much-wiser (ha ha), I realize that name only represents the image I see on a screen, or the character someone’s written in a book. Movies and books are entertainment for a reason—they’re fantasy, not reality. There are more than a few little things I’d love to change about my husband, but in the end, he is the man I chose, and I’d choose him all over again.

13) What would you like readers to take away from "Lost in Italy"? (Besides the fact that it is most awesome!)

I have to admit, these questions always make me feel like a loser because I don’t have any deep hidden meaning in the book that I hope the reader ‘gets’ when they reach the end. In fact, I’ve had reviews written where they thought about the meaning of the book more than I did and I wrote it! Oh, boy, that really makes you want to read my books now, doesn’t it? Well, I’m just being honest.

I’ll tell you what you will take away, or what reviewers have said they take away: A heartwarming feeling of family and sense of community from the small town romance series, thrills and excitement in the romantic suspense, and in all of them, hope that no matter how bad life gets, second chances and happily ever afters are possible. As long as I’ve entertained you, and you close the book with a satisfied smile, I feel I’ve done my job.

 

14) What's next for you?

I’m re-rereleasing my 2010 Write Touch Readers’ Award Mistletoe Rules anthology in three separate books and branding them under my new Romancing Wisconsin series. First up is Mistletoe Mischief, and it’s available now for a special price of $0.99 at Amazon, BN, Apple. Upcoming books in the series will move past the holiday timeframe, introducing new heroines and heroes while visiting old favorites from Pulaski and the fictional town of Redemption in the Welcome to Redemption series written with Donna Marie Rogers.

I also have a paranormal ghost story in the TALES FROM THE MIST Anthology, which releases Oct. 17^th. My story is Beneath Still Waters, and I’m currently writing the follow-up HEA for those characters in Rising Above (Still Waters Part Two). And soon after all that, I’ll be starting Run To Rome, the sequel to Lost In Italy.

 

Thank you so much, Stacey for the interview and your great answers!  Now...all of you...go forth and WRITE...and read "Lost in Italy!"

Need inspiration for writing? Try these!

Good morning!

Where are you in your writing career?  Just starting?  Have an idea for a book?  Slaving away at a work in progress?  Stuck in the middle of a plot?  My friends over at Online College have shared a really interesting article with me.  "25 Inspriring Biographies for the Aspiring Writer."  My personal favorite, the one I read every so often, is Number 21.

Enjoy!

25 Inspiring Biographies for Aspiring Writers

Before setting off in pursuit of literary and intellectual greatness (or at least goodness), it behooves the journeyman author to learn a few things from those that came before. Don't get bogged down in fantasy. Take the time to read up on how successful writers — no matter their chosen genres or mediums — generate ideas and inspiration, process them, then bestow them life on paper or screen. Painting teachers often request their students to copy old masters in order to learn techniques they may uniquely, creatively build upon as their own visions begin emerging. And the exact same strategy works beautifully for the written arts in kind.

1. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou: Oftentimes cited as one of the greatest American memoirs, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings chronicles the beloved poet's sexual abuse, struggles with race and class divides, teen pregnancy, and how sheer willpower and bibliophilia carried her through. It's a testament to the importance of strong character and an open-mindedness to new ideas when writing.
2. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway: Ernest Hemingway's sexy memoir of expatriate experiences in Paris is a oenophile's dream — oh, and it also stands as one of the best peeks into Europe's pre-WWII creative circles. Read up on his interactions with the likes of Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, and (most famously) F. Scott Fitzgerald, with whom he shared one of the most legendary road trips ever.
3. The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath by Sylvia Plath: For the deepest look into the highly troubled poet's mindset, be sure to read the uncensored journals husband Ted Hughes never touched before publication. Even readers with no desire to launch writing careers can still learn valuable lessons about the realities of mental illness (specifically, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety) and its frequent intersections with creativity.
4. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers: In this Pulitzer nominee, Salon.com editor, McSweeney's founder, and all-around literary Renaissance man Dave Eggers unpacks the one thing that left the greatest impact on his life. Specifically, losing both parents to cancer and winding up the exclusive caretaker of his young brother while still a young man attempting to figure out his own life.
5. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass: Frederick Douglass' memoir eventually grew into one of the undeniable cornerstones of the abolitionist movement and solidified his status as an excellent orator, writer, and activist. In his game-changing publication, he reflects the extremely inhumane conditions in which slave-owners forced others and why that needed to end.
6. J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter: Because the beloved Lord of the Rings author's family authorized this biography, readers will learn about him through family and friend interviews as well as personal notes and correspondence. Fans of literary history with or without an interest in the fantasy genre will appreciate the insight into Oxford's legendary Inklings circle, which included his once-close companion C.S. Lewis.
7. The Life and Death of Yukio Mishima by Henry Scott Stokes: Raising a private army to overthrow the Emperor probably isn't the best course of action for wannabe writers of note, but that doesn't mean they can't find inspiration in Yukio Mishima's fascinating life. Henry Scott Stokes was a good friend of the seminal author, which granted him probably the most well-rounded glimpse of his nuances.
8. Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo: Personal failings and epiphanies have fueled creative pursuits for almost as long as creative pursuits existed, but Confessions usually exists as the quintessential example. You don't have to be religious to understand (maybe even appreciate) the author's candidness and how his own experiences led him into theological rock-star status.
9. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi: Cartoonist Marjane Satrapi worked her trauma from the Iranian Revolution and the (sometimes subtle) displays of discrimination and racism she faced in Europe into a simultaneously tragic and hilarious graphic memoir. Through her art and writing alike, she inspires others who've experienced very real (and not always historical) horrors to seek solace and reveal truth through creation, not destruction.
10. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom: When the author watched his elderly sociology professor Morrie Schwartz on Nightline and learned about his ALS, he called him up and rekindled their intellectual relationship. The dying man eventually took on a mentor role during the 14 meetings they shared before his death, influencing his former student far, far beyond the literary.
11. The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe: New Journalism's trailblazer Tom Wolfe followed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest author and MK Ultra participant Ken Kesey and his gang (The Merry Pranksters) on a psychedelic exploration of the United States and drug subculture. Ingesting various hallucinogenic substances may not necessarily stand as the most legal route toward inspiration out there, but it exists as an option utilized by many creatives all the same.
12. The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell: Frequently touted as a forerunner to the modern biography — not to mention one of the all-time greatest examples of the genre in the English language — this James Boswell masterpiece covered the entire life of the ubiquitous literary giant with whom he was acquainted. So astute were his observations and inclusions, contemporary doctors wound up diagnosing Samuel Johnson's seemingly erratic, eccentric behavior as Tourette's Syndrome.
13. The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein: The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas is actually about renowned modernist and art patron Gertrude Stein rather than her eponymous lover, though she relays her own biography through that particular perspective. It covers the entirety of their time together, as well as the creative luminaries who phased in and out of the apartment during one of Europe's most fertile, volatile eras.
14. Born Standing Up by Steve Martin: Although obviously more well-known as an actor and comedian, Steve Martin certainly deserves recognition for his writings, both humorous and not-so-humorous. For him, self-expression allowed him a worthwhile conduit for the pain he felt over isolation from his parents; authors hoping to pursue their craft citing similar reasons might find this narrative useful.
15. My Years with Ayn Rand by Nathaniel Branden: Pretty much everything anyone needs to know about this biography pops up right there in the title. Objectivism founder Ayn Rand's protege and paramour (and the pioneer of self-esteem) dishes about their problematic relationship. To this day, the Atlas Shrugged author remains a polarizing figure, and reading about her here shines a more human light on what she offers literature.
16. Excelsior! by Stan Lee and George Mair: The Spider-Man/X-Men/Avengers/countless others co-creator should never be mistaken as the inventor of comics, but his bombastic, campy writing style undeniably left a major impact on popular culture. Learn all about his early life, early career, and eventual success here, though do keep in mind his talent for, um, exaggeration.
17. Pimp: The Story of My Life by Iceberg Slim: By age 18, Iceberg Slim already established for himself a pimping career, placing him directly in the urban underbelly which eventually fueled his literature. Critics embraced his fiction and literary nonfiction alike, believing it an accurate depiction of an often overlooked, marginalized atmosphere in serious need of assistance.
18. The Diary of Anais Nin by Anais Nin: With the same eloquence as her beloved erotic fiction, the extended journals of Anais Nin romantically reflect on everything from DH Lawrence's writings to her famous entanglements with Henry Miller and his wife June. However, her sensuality stands at odds with a discomfort toward overt sexuality — surprising, considering her oeuvre.
19. Why this World: A Biography of Clarice Lispector by Benjamin Moser: After perusing the modernist's own private writings and manuscripts, Benjamin Moser peeled back much of the mystique surrounding Clarice Lispector. No other biography comes remotely close to exploring her nuances like this one, and even those who've never once picked up any of her myriad works will still find her tragic and beautiful life riveting.
20. Ignatius Rising by Deborah George Harvey and Rene Pol Nevils: Gut-busting tragicomedy and Pulitzer winner A Confederacy of Dunces sports a publication story as compelling as the narrative itself, though way more heartbreaking. Delve deeply into John Kennedy Toole's complex relationship with his mother, issues with sexuality, and other factors that eventually led him to suicide before ever seeing his masterpiece go to print.
21. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King: Not only do On Writing readers receive quite the insight into ubiquitous horror author Stephen King's own personal mindset and process, they also learn quite a bit about the art. It's oftentimes cited as one of the best literary autobiographies and practicums to boot, so consider it an essential read!
22. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson: You don't have to shovel a dump truck full of hallucinogens and alcohol into the gullet every morning to learn a little something from the quintessential gonzo journalist. At once fiction and nonfiction, his most famous work delves into the frustration of finding inspiration and chasing the shattered American Dream.
23. Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain: Learn all about the great American wit from his own unique perspective here, which saw publication after he died and didn't exactly care what people thought. Completely unedited and unabridged, his autobiography should sit on the shelves of every aspirant writer around, no matter their chosen medium or genre.
24. Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson: Influential LGBTQ author Jeanette Winterson's real-life struggles between her Pentecostal upbringing and lesbian sexuality famously inspired the novel Oranges are Not the Only Fruit. This memoir unveils the realities behind her most famous work, which might inspire many up-and-comers to seek emotional solace in their own literature.
25. The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson: In his charming memoir, popular travel writer Bill Bryson candidly discusses growing up in Des Moines during the Cold War's first two decades. Some of it sheds light on his later publications, but it also reveals the curiosities and quirks one can find in current amenities, inventions, family, and friends.