Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Needing to find something to do with my time when my kids took off for college, I bought a Kindle and never looked back. Reading became my passion, which turned into wanting to try my hand at writing a book after being challenged by my husband. I wrote my first book in 2014 and have written 5 books and one novella since then.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Hidden in a Small Town is my latest book. All of my prior books have been contemporary romances – most coming of age. I was in the mood to try something different so I tried my hand at a suspense, sprinkled with a bit of paranormal and romance.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m a slow writer – I admit it. I will write like gangbusters for a while and then I may set it aside for a month. It all depends on how the story flows and if I know where I’m going. Also, I don’t use an outline of any kind. I normally have a beginning, middle, and end and fill in as the story dictates. Lots of times, this will change but mostly the path I take comes to me as I write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Colleen Hoover, Tammara Webber, and Jamie McGuire were authors I read early on, changing the myth of how stale romances could be sometimes. But when I read The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher, it changed everything. It made me realize that I crave the real, raw grit of characters. The more flawed they are, the more I love them. I adore everything Tarryn writes – her mind fascinates me.
What are you working on now?
I am back to writing contemporary romance about a woman who has an emotional affair with a young man nearly fifteen years her junior who helps her come to terms with the current state of her marriage.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ll let you know when I figure that out. lol Promoting in this business is frustrating. Facebook and Instagram are my go-to’s.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up and keep writing. It’s very easy to feel like you’re beating your head against a brick wall when it comes to finding an audience for your books. You can’t dwell. You must move on and write your next book. And then your next.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t compare yourself to other authors – old or new. And keep writing book after book. The more you write, the better you become. I believe this to be true.
What are you reading now?
I am reading The Hawks by SD Hendrickson.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Possibly attending my first signing – I’ve never done one before. And…keep writing.
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 three books from the Love You With Lies series (The Opportunist, Dirty Red, and Theif) and F*ck Love – all by Tarryn Fisher.
Author Websites and Profiles
Stacy Wray Website
Stacy Wray Amazon Profile
Stacy Wray Author Profile on Smashwords
Stacy Wray’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
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