Continuing our spotlight on the authors of
Renaissance Romance Publishing’s Fall
Fires anthology, today I am hosting C.W. Stevens and digging a bit into her
writing process and goals.
How do you develop your writing ideas?
In the
beginning, my ideas come from one particular scene trying to claw its way out
of my head, which usually ends up somewhere in the middle of the story. After
the scene is written I think about what brought the characters to this point,
and write backwards. While doing that, other ideas come to the surface for use
later, and I write ahead. As all pieces come together, the story takes on
a life of its own and
sometimes writes itself. I am not one who can follow an outline from beginning
to end. At most, I plot a very vague timeline, which I may or may not follow.
It all depends on the moods and personalities of the characters I've created,
where they lead, and what kind of mood I'm in.
A genie grants you three writing-related wishes:
what are they and why?
1.
To have
an improved imagination. Sometimes I don't look very far outside the box, and
my story sounds like every other one out there.
2.
To
possess the ability to stay within the tense I'm writing. This is one of my
biggest struggles, and I would love to be able to write a complete story
without sliding back and forth, from present to past.
3.
To be
able to let the words flow when writing guest posts, interviews, etc., instead
of sitting for an hour, trying to decide what to say, and how to say it. Being
somewhat of an introvert, at times, it can be crippling!
What are your writing goals for the next
year?
I hope to
have at least one more manuscript ready to submit, and hope it's good enough to
be considered.
Name the five biggest distractions from your
writing.
Husband coming
in to "check on me" every fifteen minutes; phone calls; work;
television; the need to sleep.
I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me,
C.W.!
Love,
Unexpected is C.W. Steven’s contribution to the Fall Fires anthology:
Love, Unexpected:
As Michael and Chuck's loving union comes to pass, two, gay members
of the wedding party discover the sweet bonds of a
comfortable companionship. Attraction becomes more as they recognize their
true soul mate in each other, which fills the romantic void in their
solitary lives. It seems only one, small obstacle stands in their way.
A quick peek at what’s under the cover -
Chuck slapped me on the back and
pulled me into a tight hug, giving me a peck on the
cheek. “Evan! It’s so good to see you again. What’s it been… four months?” I smiled while
looking at my friend.
cheek. “Evan! It’s so good to see you again. What’s it been… four months?” I smiled while
looking at my friend.
“You
were up in Oak Harbor helping some friend work on his boat the last time I was
here
for a visit, if I remember correctly,” I reminded him. “You returned the day after I left!”
for a visit, if I remember correctly,” I reminded him. “You returned the day after I left!”
He
got me into a headlock and playfully poked me in the ribs. “Yeah, you just
couldn’t
manage to stay one more day until I got back, could you, punk?”
manage to stay one more day until I got back, could you, punk?”
With
both of us laughing, he released me. When he did, my attention was drawn away;
I
became enraptured by a handsome stranger whose face had the power to make me forget how
to breathe. My palms became sweaty, and my breath caught in my throat while I took in his
features.
became enraptured by a handsome stranger whose face had the power to make me forget how
to breathe. My palms became sweaty, and my breath caught in my throat while I took in his
features.
There he stood, long and lean, and looking very toned. I guessed he was around
six foot
two, his dark wash jeans tight enough to accentuate his ass, hugging it in all the right places.
He had on a deep red, button-down shirt, which seemed created to be worn only by him, the
top three buttons undone. His hair was long, dark, and pushed behind his ears; it was straight
and shiny, and the overhead lights sparkled off each strand. Eyes, which were a brilliant shade
of blue, seemed depthless as they pierced through my soul. Fuck! My jaw had fallen to the
floor, and I snapped it closed before he could see. Chuck noticed though, smirked at me, and
then made the introduction.
two, his dark wash jeans tight enough to accentuate his ass, hugging it in all the right places.
He had on a deep red, button-down shirt, which seemed created to be worn only by him, the
top three buttons undone. His hair was long, dark, and pushed behind his ears; it was straight
and shiny, and the overhead lights sparkled off each strand. Eyes, which were a brilliant shade
of blue, seemed depthless as they pierced through my soul. Fuck! My jaw had fallen to the
floor, and I snapped it closed before he could see. Chuck noticed though, smirked at me, and
then made the introduction.
“Evan, I don’t think you’ve ever met my cousin, Jon Schubert. Jon, this is Evan
Thomas,
Michael’s cousin and best friend. He’ll be serving as Mike’s best man.”
Michael’s cousin and best friend. He’ll be serving as Mike’s best man.”
The stranger captivated me, but I managed
to find my voice. “Very pleased to make your
acquaintance,” I stuttered with a smile while our eyes remained locked together. I was hoping
he hadn’t noticed my tongue hanging out when he raised his hand to shake mine. It wasn’t
much of a shake; more like a lingering touch.
acquaintance,” I stuttered with a smile while our eyes remained locked together. I was hoping
he hadn’t noticed my tongue hanging out when he raised his hand to shake mine. It wasn’t
much of a shake; more like a lingering touch.
“Likewise, Evan. Always a pleasure to meet one of Chuck’s boys.” His voice was
as smooth
as satin when he spoke in a low, rich tone, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand
to attention.
as satin when he spoke in a low, rich tone, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to stand
to attention.
His
eyes sparkled, a smile emerged, and dimples blossomed within his cheeks, his
lips full
and pink. I didn’t miss the fact he was still holding my hand, his eyes never leaving mine while
I hesitated to pull away. He was beautiful, the darkness of his hair highlighting his pale skin.
and pink. I didn’t miss the fact he was still holding my hand, his eyes never leaving mine while
I hesitated to pull away. He was beautiful, the darkness of his hair highlighting his pale skin.
C.W.
Stevens lives in the United States, in the Midwest, where the winters are cold
and icy, and the summers are disgustingly hot and humid. Spring and fall are
her favorite times of the year.
Reading is
one of her favorite pastimes.
She enjoys
writing and loves meeting new people along the way. Music and Abstract are a
couple of her favorite Arts. She enjoys the challenge of trying to unlock the
meaning of what the artist is trying to express. She enjoys solitude and hates
crowds.
C. W. has
two, grown sons, and loves spending time with her three grandchildren.
Life is
good!
You can follow C.W. and her writings at the
following links:
twitter: https://twitter.com/CWStevens1
blogger: http://wocwstevens.blogspot.com/
Stop by tomorrow, when author N.L. Leeks will be joining me in the hot seat.
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