Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in a small town in Tennessee called Jonesboro. It’s the oldest town in Tennessee and I lived walking distance to the historical downtown district. I spent a lot of my teen years wandering around the old houses and letting my imagination run wild.
The house in Ruthie, my first book, was inspired by an actual house on Main Street in Jonesboro. I’ve always been fascinated by old houses with old stories.
I’ve recently moved to Michigan (husband’s job) and I love it here! I feared the winter would be difficult but as luck would have it, menopausal hot flashes coincided with this past winter so it worked out quite well!
I have a Boxer named Cece. She is rotten. And I have a huge cat who weighs in at twenty pounds! Really! And I have another cat who is more normal at twelve pounds.
I love wine, football, and my husband (not necessarily in that order, I suppose…!)
I’ve written three books so far and am beginning work on another series.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Again, the third book in the Ghost Girls series.
I honestly don’t know what inspired it! It came to me in bits and pieces and created itself.
Some of it was inspired by my daughter, who is also a writer. She had a partially finished story that she ‘gave’ to me and I used it for the middle part of the book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Don’t think so! But I suspect most writers are unusual anyway. So, maybe…?
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I pulled up my Kindle to see what authors I’ve read the most. In no particular order I have Jodi Picoult, Liane Moriarty, Mark Edwards, Harlan Coben, Michael Crichton, and of course, Stephen King.
I can pick up any of their books and all I want to do is read until it’s finished!
What are you working on now?
A new series! It follows a character who spins off from the last book, Again.
After her husband passes, Connie begins working in a real estate office. Eventually she finds that she has a unique gift that the agency can definitely use and she begins matching buyers with haunted houses while also appeasing restless spirits with stories to tell.
And, of course, she must deal with one particularly pesky ghost from her past who just won’t leave her alone.
Each book will be based on an actual house and I will pull in various stories from history to build the ghost’s story. I plan to add in a fair amount more humor also.
I loved writing Ruthie, but the topic was difficult.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Don’t know yet! Hopefully this one!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
You won’t figure out your method or process on the first book so don’t waste your time trying. Just plow through it and get it done. Then you can refine and tweak your process. Trying to follow all the advice out there will drive you crazy. Take the time to pay attention to what works for you and keep doing it until you are finished.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Do what works for you!
What are you reading now?
Elusive by Sara Rosett and What You Wish For by Mark Edwards. Also, Help! My Facebook Ads Suck by Mal and Jill Cooper and Successful Self-Publishing by Joanna Penn.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finish the series I’ve begun.
Continue to hone my craft.
Figure out how to format in Word so I’m not locked into Kindle Create (not that it’s a problem…I just want to be more flexible).
Keep learning about marketing and advertising.
Suck it up and get a professional photo taken.
Write!!!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
How to Find Food on a Desert Island
How to Make Shelter on a Desert Island
How to Signal for Help on a Desert Island
How to Make Wine on a Desert Island
Author Websites and Profiles
Lynn Stout Website
Lynn Stout Amazon Profile
Lynn Stout’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account