Today's guest author on Interviews with Dante is Carmen Stevens. Enjoy learning a bit about this wonderful author.
What do you have coming out in the future?
Right now, I'm simply working hard on promoting my novel. But I may put out another book in the future.
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Yes, actually. Or at least my protagonist, Anne, is based on the dark side of my personality.
What authors inspire your writing?
The great Charles Dickens, and also my favorite all-time author, the queen of historical fiction-Lynn Austin. She has inspired me especially. Her writing in her books is so vivid and moving, her characters and plot lines so developed, that I want to make all of my stories like hers.
What kind of books do you like to read?
Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre of stories to read, but I also really enjoy nonfiction, psychological, suspense and crime stories. Also Christian fiction.
How did you come up with the title of your book?
Ok, so it took me forever to finally come up with a title for my book. Even now, I sometimes wonder if the title that I chose is sufficient enough. My book is simply titled 'Anne', the name of my protagonist, but since the story revolves around Anne's fervent belief in fate and her desperate search for happiness, I guess the title is fitting enough.
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
I have a few favorite characters. Guinevere is an amazingly kind, gentle, young woman who befriends Anne and treats her with nothing but love and respect. Rad is a young man who falls in love with Anne. He's a wealthy gentleman who is very kind and selfless. Henry is Anne's firstborn child. He is Anne's foil, and the reader has reason to sympathize with him as the story unfolds.
Right now, I'm simply working hard on promoting my novel. But I may put out another book in the future.
Do you ever base your characters on real people in your life?
Yes, actually. Or at least my protagonist, Anne, is based on the dark side of my personality.
What authors inspire your writing?
The great Charles Dickens, and also my favorite all-time author, the queen of historical fiction-Lynn Austin. She has inspired me especially. Her writing in her books is so vivid and moving, her characters and plot lines so developed, that I want to make all of my stories like hers.
What kind of books do you like to read?
Historical fiction is probably my favorite genre of stories to read, but I also really enjoy nonfiction, psychological, suspense and crime stories. Also Christian fiction.
How did you come up with the title of your book?
Ok, so it took me forever to finally come up with a title for my book. Even now, I sometimes wonder if the title that I chose is sufficient enough. My book is simply titled 'Anne', the name of my protagonist, but since the story revolves around Anne's fervent belief in fate and her desperate search for happiness, I guess the title is fitting enough.
Which of your characters is your favorite and why?
I have a few favorite characters. Guinevere is an amazingly kind, gentle, young woman who befriends Anne and treats her with nothing but love and respect. Rad is a young man who falls in love with Anne. He's a wealthy gentleman who is very kind and selfless. Henry is Anne's firstborn child. He is Anne's foil, and the reader has reason to sympathize with him as the story unfolds.
Fourteen-year old Anne Falkman is an arrogant, desperate orphan trying to live any way she can on the streets of London. Through her desolate, lonely years, a hope was born within her, the hope that fate would bless her and give her lasting happiness. Growing up with an abusive, alcoholic father, Anne has nurtured a fear of men. She also fears marrying and giving birth, which was the death of her mother and caused her father to go mad and violently hate his daughter. When a series of events gives Anne a chance for happiness, she takes it and achieves her dreams, but at what cost? Will she attain the life of happiness that she dreamed of? Which choices are the best ones to make?
What is your preferred writing environment?
Anywhere that's quiet, preferably with just myself in the room.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a 23-year old, recent college graduate who spends my time promoting my novel, working part-time, and searching for a career in my field of study. I enjoy reading, music, movies, shopping, and spending time with my pets, family, and friends.
Is your book a stand alone or a series?
I'm not quite sure yet. I've debated turning my novel into a trilogy, but I'm not even sure if I will ever write another book.
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow. With 'Anne', I wasn't even completely sure what the story would be about until I was at least 25% done with it.
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
I decided to go with self-publishing because I initially submitted 'Anne' to a traditional publisher, but it was rejected. Then I realized how uppity many traditional publishers are, and how I wanted control of my own book and what happened to it. So, I decided to self-publish.
What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I can't think of any talented British actors/actresses off the top of my head who match my characters' traits, but I'm sure there are some. I would certainly want them to be talented, even if their names aren't too well-known.
Anywhere that's quiet, preferably with just myself in the room.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a 23-year old, recent college graduate who spends my time promoting my novel, working part-time, and searching for a career in my field of study. I enjoy reading, music, movies, shopping, and spending time with my pets, family, and friends.
Is your book a stand alone or a series?
I'm not quite sure yet. I've debated turning my novel into a trilogy, but I'm not even sure if I will ever write another book.
Do you have a careful plan when plotting your stories or do you just go with the flow?
I just go with the flow. With 'Anne', I wasn't even completely sure what the story would be about until I was at least 25% done with it.
What was your road to publishing like? Tell us about it.
I decided to go with self-publishing because I initially submitted 'Anne' to a traditional publisher, but it was rejected. Then I realized how uppity many traditional publishers are, and how I wanted control of my own book and what happened to it. So, I decided to self-publish.
What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?
I can't think of any talented British actors/actresses off the top of my head who match my characters' traits, but I'm sure there are some. I would certainly want them to be talented, even if their names aren't too well-known.
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