Interview With Author Opal Stone
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Opal Stone is my real name. Not a pen name. Pen names have a purpose but for what I am doing right now, I decided to let my readers know, I am who I say I am. I was not born a Stone, I married a Stonestreet and when we divorced, I decided on the last name Stone. Everywhere I go my name sparks curiosity. They ask, ok, tell me how you got the name Opal Stone and I tell my story.
Enough about that, why did I decide to become an author? My sister and I started to write a children’s book in 2006, at that time self-publishing was something that we were not aware of. We presented our manuscript to a publishing company only to be turned down.
We gave up and put that dream on a flaming back burner that never died out.
In 2020 we addressed that nagging back burner by researching how we can become self-publishers. We went online and researched as much information as we could. I was working full-time as a correctional nurse in a prison and my sister is living on a very limited income, so I had to work hard to save money to set us free.
I told my sister I am writing for our lives. I needed to set myself free from this stressful prison job but I needed savings so we could afford a good book cover designer and other self-publishing expenses. We were determined to have quality books. Once I had a small savings, I resigned so I can help my sister full time.
We became authors Smith & Stone. We are blessed because we both have talents that complement one another. I cannot do this without my sister, and she tells me she cannot do this without me.
My sister was blessed with computer skills, and I was blessed with the gift to promote and reach out to people. We both are blessed with the ability to be creative by thinking outside the box.
We published our first book in July 2022 Tucson Fit Trip, which is an enormous step forward for us because we started this journey in July 2021. We are still learning, and we know that no reviews mean no revenue. But something strange is happening here and we both feel it.
We got our first $2.52 earnings notice from KDP and we rejoiced.
Some folks might think we are not doing well in the publishing business but those who might think this may know us very well.
Publishing gives us so much more than money. We have love, creativity and now a purpose. With our writing we can help others, and this gives us joy.
My sister was a very shy person and just wanted to format our books and not interact with people. I have seen what publishing did for her self-esteem and mine and you just can’t put a price on that.
Yes, right now we have just 2 reviews, but we are not giving up. We keep moving forward and when one gets discouraged the other is always there to give words of encouragement. We are Smith & Stone, and we know that one day our hard work will pay off. Is this easy? No this is not easy, and we know that most books end up in the publishing graveyard. We are determined because this is all we want to do. There is nothing that can make us give up because we have a purpose, and we have each other.
Our advice to new publishers is never give up and who knows the journey might become an interesting story that you need to write to encourage others.
Write on
Smith & Stone
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Tucson Fit Trip
Benefits of a Walk in the Park
• Walking releases endorphins that improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety
• Taking a walk outdoors in a natural environment positively affects mental health
• Walking reduces the risk of clinical depression
• Walking helps weight management
• Walking reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes
• Walking reduces the risk of colon, breast, and lung cancer
• Walking strengthens your joints, bones, and reduces the risk of osteoporosis
• Walking increases good cholesterol
• Walking improves the functioning of the arteries
• Walking boosts the immune system
• Walking aids sleep
• Walking improves confidence and self-image
• Walking under a canopy of trees has positive effects on emotional health because of their scent
Source: (AgeUK London, n.d.)
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes
When Smith & Stone ends a conversation on the phone we don’t say goodbye we say …to be continued and write on ….LOL it’s just our silly thing that keeps us going.
I the Stone must have a clean house before I sit down to write. My sister writes with soft instrumental music that I can sometimes hear on the phone. It can be distracting so I kindly tell her please turn down the music, please. LOL… she does
What authors, or books have influenced you?
All authors influence us. The author of ‘Clan of the Cave Bear” is my hero!
What are you working on now?
A Tucson Arizona Dog Park Book
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Not sure but we are still learning. We will try Amazon ads
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never give up. This is not easy so try to find a person that has a writing passion for support. We know that there are so many people that will tell you “Why are you writing that when you can look it up online” Don’t follow dream crushers and stay away from “crabs in a bucket” people that will try to pull you down when you want to be set free.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Stay away from toxic people that want to crush your dreams
What are you reading now?
Lots of advice online from seasoned authors
What’s next for you as a writer?
Our next book to be published in about 3 weeks. Then our first book in series coming out in late 2022.
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?
All the books in the “Clan of the Cave Bear” Series would be a must so I can read it all over again
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