Elaine Stock Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

A: Since 2011 you may recognize my name associated with my popular blog, Everyone’s Story, where I host weekly authors. I’ve since published a couple of short storied in anthologies and this past January my novel, Always With You, made its debut appearance. I’m blessed that it’s been receiving great reviews and has made the Kindle bestseller list. My tag line on my website reads “Fusing Family Drama and Psychological Suspense.

But, who am I? Originally born and raised in Brooklyn, I’ve live a very quiet life with my husband in upstate NY, near the Berkshires and an easy drive to the Catskills, the Adirondacks, and New England. I work a demanding but unglamorous day job in food service while daydreaming of writing full time.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A: As far back as 3^rd grade when I entered and won a school writing contest, I was smitten with writing. Then, and now, it makes my brain cells happy to create story worlds. I also enjoy the challenge of creativity, making things work together. And yes, this does mean editing as well. Surrounded by a book-devouring mother and a storytelling aunt during my childhood, story has embraced me. The feeling is mutual; I embrace story.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?

A: Well, not including that 3^rd grade contest (grinning), “writing breaks” did not come easy for me. Honestly, it took so many years that I stopped counting. I do want to say, though, that Life 101 happened during those long years of waiting for good news. The biggest event to sideline my writing was my community activity to fight a proposed 100-year-long mining project slated to remove two prominent hills barely hundreds of feet from my front doorstep (we won the 10-year battle!). They say adversity teaches you perseverance. Hmm. Not sure, but will say that God definitely taught me quite a few lessons about mankind and myself.

A lot of hard work and prayer graced me in placing in the Semi-finals category in the 2011 ACFW Genesis Contest. In 2013 I received My Book Therapy’s Frasier Bronze Medalist award for another manuscript. And in 2014, my short story, In His Own Time, won the People’s Choice Award in the FamilyFiction Contest and has been published in a printed anthology: The Story: 2014 Anthology, followed by my short story The Forever Christmas Gift published in the Amazon best seller Christmas Treasures: A Collection of Christmas Stories. Along the way I also acquired my amazing agent, Linda S. Glaz of Hartline Literary Agency, contributed non-fiction articles to the international publication “Happy Sis Magazine” and then in January of 2016 saw Always With You debut. I’ve been praising God daily

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release ALWAYS WITH YOU?

A: Always With You is a story of Isabelle, a young woman who is desperate to find love and faith. This search leads her to Tyler and to make certain choices that—right or wrong—alienate her from her family and will greatly impact not only her immediate future but also the rest of her life. Set against the backdrop for the Adirondacks and Vermont, it’s a story of hope and love in the face of evil. Or, as the suspense author Ace Collins endorses on the book jacket: “Two people seduced by evil disguised as good.”

Q: Where did you get your inspiration for ALWAYS WITH YOU?

A: The story began to brew when I attended a writing workshop in Saratoga, NY during the horseracing season. We were each given a horse’s name and asked to create a story premise based upon the name. Horses have long names! Mine was Don’t-Tell-Isabelle, which became my working title. Right away I wanted to know what was kept from Isabelle, and why, and who were keeping secrets from her. Don’t-Tell-Isabelle became the novel’s original title. Then, 9-11 struck and changed the world forever and ever. My writing changed as well. I needed to explore one of my passions from as long back as possible: why people hate each other. The story continued to incubate until I finally sat down to play with it and see what would develop.

Q: What is the main thing you hope readers remember from this story?

A: Out of loneliness and desperation, any one of us can latch onto the first seemingly good thing that comes along. I hope this story makes others think twice about their action and responsibilities to loved ones.

Q: What is your favorite scene/chapter from the book?

A: I try my best to write an emotionally gripping story, thinking if I smile or cry my readers also may. There’s one scene that no matter how often I read it the scene always tears me up. Possible spoiler alert: when Patrice is watching old videos of her daughter and Isabelle runs to her, upset about her own baby and Patrice shares with her that sometimes, no matter what you do you can’t stop your child from hurting. That chisels my heart.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A: Whatever I’m passionate about. Childhood limitations on what I could say and when I could say them fueled my desire to speak my mind and led me to share my thoughts in written words. I feel strongly that we humans need to respect and love each other and this has become a strong author’s theme for me, certainly showing in Always With You. I’m also passionate about families pushing aside their strife and secrets and how faith can pull loved ones closer together if they open their hearts to God. I can’t imagine not writing about the drama, stresses, lost hopes that threaten to rip families and friends apart… but don’t have to. Most of all, I pray that my stories will fill reader’s hearts with hope.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?

A: Before I was published in full-length fiction, fellow author friends warned that the juggling act of penning stories and self-promotion is fierce and tricky (let alone balancing that feat with family and day-job obligations). Well, I thought that I’d handle all that with a huge smile on my face since I enjoy both. But, wow. Understatement. I’m nearly glued to my keyboard whenever I’m home and awake. This writing biz is beyond demanding. Yet, I’m so grateful that I’m in this position of sharing my stories on a public basis and strive to move forward into the fray.

Q: What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started?

A: Ask yourself if you’re passionate and determined enough to become a published author, which includes: willing to face criticism (both helpful and destructive), possibly long waits (including the close-but-no-contract moments), eating lots of humble pie, believing in yourself and your writing, and trusting God’s timing.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A: Crazily, I’m working on 3 different works, all in different phases. I’m excited about my first time-slip novel, a story very loosely based on the mysteries of my family heritage.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?

A: I love to read, take walks down the country roads right outside my front door, cook dinner for friends, and listen to classical music (Bach is my go to favorite when I need a dosage of serenity).

Q: Where can readers find you on the internet?

A: website: http://elainestock.com

Everyone’s Story (blog): http://elainestock.com/blog

Twitter  http://www.twitter.com/ElaineStock

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElaineStock

Goodreads  http://goodreads.com/ElaineStock

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A:  Only through Christmas Always With You is on sale on Amazon at $.99 for Kindle and $9.99 for print: http://amzn.to/21uGtGF. Plus, you can sign up for my author Mailing List on the top right hand corner of this page: http://www.elainestock.com/about/