Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Carmen Gross, but my pen name is Carmen Stevens. I was born in Fargo, North Dakota, in March 1992. I currently reside in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, where I attend college full-time and make time for promoting my book, which I recently self-published on Amazon. I love reading, writing, acting, serving in my church, law, movies, music, shopping, and spending time with my pets, friends, and family. I have written only one book, which I consider my magnum opus-my “great work”.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first and latest book that I just published is titled “Anne”, and it centers on a young, arrogant, orphaned girl who dreams of true happiness in her life, but must endure various hardships in order to attain true satisfaction. She must also get past her deeply ingrained fears and ever-inflating ego, which stems from her rough, loveless past as a homeless orphan and the need for self-preservation. Anne makes many wrong, selfish choices throughout her life, which only pushes her dream of happiness further away and makes her life worse than it ever was before.
I’ve had many inspirations for this book of mine. First, two of my three sisters write like I do, and I think my older sister was especially influential. She wrote many books as we were growing up, and I even had the chance to read a couple of them. As for my younger sister, she piqued my interest in writing again after I had stopped for a while. I may have only one book, but I wrote various autobiographical stories as I grew up that I submitted to county fairs, and also some fan fiction. I’ve had other inspirations for my book as well. Charles Dickens inspired me with his strong, poignant stories and memorable characters, such as in Oliver Twist. However, Lynn Austin, my favorite author, has probably been the most influential author. Her historical fiction novels are so rich in detail and her writing so vivid that I tried to make my book like hers. But I think the primary reasons why I wrote this novel are because I felt the need to write-both because I loved it and I think God gave me that gift to use it, and also because I felt the need to write something that contained the themes of world peace, love, and goodness. I began writing this book when I was seventeen, and back then my eyes had just begun to open to the kinds of things the world had been experiencing;certain events it experiences that shake it so negatively to the core and change it for the worse. I wanted to put this book out there to express to people that we must treat others as we ourselves wish to be treated, love each other, believe in peace and strive to live in harmony with the things that God has given us.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have this red binder that contains many, many notes on the story of my novel, as well as the notes of the historical research I had to undertake for the book. I filled every page completely of notes; it’s crazy to look at. You’d probably laugh if you saw it. Sometimes my writing is big and messy on the notes and sometimes it’s extremely small. Very funny.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As stated previously, the authors Charles Dickens and Lynn Austin have really influenced me. I think I took something from every one of Dickens’ books that I read, I mean, I took an element or writing tactic. Though I think Anne is very much like Estella from Great Expectations, of course I didn’t plagiarize that character. But Dickens was a great influence. And I want to be just like Lynn Austin sometimes. She’s a terrific author.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am busy promoting my book in any way I can. I try to set aside at least two hours a day promoting, even when I have homework and other obligations.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I find WordPress to be excellent, as this is where my blog is located. I also have a facebook page that I dedicated to my book. As far as promoting methods go, I have researched various methods for promoting self-published books and I am going off that list of methods whenever I have time for promoting-making a book trailer and promoting that, enrolling my book in KDP Select, talking about the story on social media networks, etc.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write often, and don’t give up. And whether you self-publish or take the traditional route, hard work combined with patience is essential.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Oh, I’m not sure. I’ve heard quite a bit of this kind of advice through my lifetime. The best are sayings like good things come to those who wait, never give up, you reap what you sow. If you’re an author, it’s good to remember those particular sayings.
What are you reading now?
I have the habit of reading a few novels at once, because when I get bored with one, I pick up another. Right now I’m reading three novels: Utopia by Sir Thomas More, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, and Secrets of the Heart by Al Lacy. The one I’m reading primarily is Secrets of the Heart, which is an exciting, Christian historical fiction page-turner that is a joy to read.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I guess I’ll be exercising my promotional methods until more people know about my book, and then if people like the book enough, I may write a prequel or sequel, since I have some ideas for additions to the story.
What is your favorite book of all time?
I don’t have one favorite book, but several: The Sound of the Fury by William Faulkner, Lynn Austin’s Refiners Fire trilogy, Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell, Light in August by William Faulkner, The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky, and others.
Author Websites and Profiles
Carmen Gross Website
Carmen Gross Amazon Profile
Carmen Gross’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile