Welcome to Author Wednesday once again. Today I welcome new author friend, Stacy Eaton. Stacy and I met through Rachelle Ayala and the Romance in a Month class, but really became connected when both of us became a part of the romance box set, Heroes to Swoon For, which will be released on December 8. Stacy is tireless in her work and in her writing. I’m very happy she’s here today to talk about her books.

Hello, Stacy. What a treat to have you here today. I’m always curious about writers and their process. One of my heroes is Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring. She said in an interview once that she never chose a subject because as a writer, the subject chose her. Does this happen for you?

My subjects have always chosen me. I can’t remember a time that someone said, “Hey, can you write about this,” and I did. The stories come to me, they dwell, and then they want to come out.  They can be so forceful that it’s almost painful not to write them down and get them out of my head.

That’s a wonderful thing. For years, I had to write what others told me to write, and it certainly stifles the creative mind. Do you have similar messages or themes running through your different novels? 

I write in a few genres: paranormal, romantic suspense, relationship and such.  Most of my books, I can’t say that I am trying to convey a message, but in the three novels I have written on domestic violence (Whether I’ll Live or Die, published, and two to be published early next year, You’re Not Alone and Barbara’s Plea), I teach. My point in writing those books was not only to entertain, but to help people understand what domestic violence is, and why it’s not so easy for a victim to leave.

I love it when fiction can be used to a purposeful end, and that’s a very powerful message. Do you have a favorite character that you’ve created? 

Favorite characters, whew… I have a few of them. I think my two favorites are Jay and Tasha in Six Days of Memories. I absolutely love the chemistry between them and how strong both of them are. With that said, I just finished writing a book, Barbara’s Plea, and the lead male is Grey Bloodstone. I think I am a little bit in love with him (shh…. Don’t tell my husband). He’s an all-around good guy who grew up with morals and principals and believes in family. I loved writing him and so far my Beta team is fighting me for the head of his fan club!

I’m going to have to check this fellow out! Tell me about the title of your books. How do you choose them? 

With almost every single book, the title has come from a sentence written on the pages within. Most titles come to me pretty early on in the writing process. I knew the title to Whether I’ll Live or Die, before I even put my fingers to the keyboard. My latest story, Barbara’s Plea is the first one that I really had to dwell on it to come up with the title. The final title wasn’t decided until I had finished the story.

That’s happened for me. My newest release had two titles prior to the final Native Lands. I like the title Barbara’s Plea. You just needed incubation time to come up with it. How long do you spend on your books, from an idea to a published product?

Most times, when I come up with an idea, and it is jumping up and down in my head, screaming let me out, I get the idea and start working on it. Six Days of Memories was written in twenty-eight days, from conception to final first draft. Barbara’s Plea was a total of six days, five of them were writing days. That story was an obsession that needed to be released before I could do anything else. Other books have taken me longer. Second Shield took me a few months, as did Distorted Loyalty and You’re Not Alone. It all depends on what character wants to talk and how loud they are speaking. It also depends on how much time I get to write. My work schedule is sometimes not very pliable and I might find myself without time for a few weeks, then I have a long weekend off and get some major writing done.

Second Shield is a part of our box set, Heroes to Swoon For, which is very exciting. I’m pretty sure you don’t get much of it, but what do you do during your down time?

Down time? What the heck is that? Lol… Actually, writing is my down time. Being a detective in real life, my days are stressful. Coming home and losing myself in the lives of my characters, where I can have almost complete control (I say almost because they can get out of hand and take over), is where I find my relief. I step out of real life drama and fall into fictional drama. If I’m not doing those, I own a business and I play taxi to my very social and active 11 year old.

Unbelievable! You are my hero, for sure. I wonder if you ever have time to read. Are you reading something now? 

I am actually re-reading a series that I have read before. I wanted something hot and spicy with major alpha men and didn’t feel like searching for something. So, to answer your question, I’m reading JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I love those books!

After talking to you, I’m even more honored that you managed to spend a few minutes with me for this interview. You are an amazing woman, and I’m honored to be working with you. I hope you’ll come back one day with one of your new books about domestic violence and talk to us more about that subject.

About Stacy Eaton: Stacy is a full-time police officer who enjoys crime scene investigation, and above all else, taking a passion in putting the pieces together to figure out the crime. She is also a business owner where she helps people get the awareness out for the causes they care most about. She is a mother of two, a son proudly serving in the United States Navy and a young daughter. Her husband is also in law enforcement. Stacy is currently serving on the board of directors for her local domestic violence center. She is very much into photography and carries her Nikon Digital SLR with her almost everywhere, just in case.

Click below to connect with Stacy

Facebook

Twitter: @StacySEaton

Website

Amazon Author Page  – Purchase her books here.

Pinterest