Interview with Author Stacy Eaton

Stacy Eaton

Whether I’ll Live or Die Launch

Thank you Andrea for inviting me to join your site and meet with your readers! I’m so excited to be here and share my newest novel, Whether I’ll Live or Die.

When did you start writing?

When I was growing up, I wrote poetry, but hated writing stories of any kind. I have always been an avid reader and have used reading to help me relax and slide away from the stress of daily life. It wasn’t until October of 2010 that I got an idea for a story and actually sat down with it fresh in my mind to write. Once I started my first book, My Blood Runs Blue, the writing bug had taken hold and more stories just flowed.

It is not unusual for me to have 4 or 5 different plots and a whole host of characters clouding up my mind!

What is your favorite writing style?

Personally, I like to write in first person and from several different viewpoints. I have always been one who likes to know what people are doing and why they are doing it. Using this style allows me to share with readers exactly why the characters do what they do and for what reasons. I know many people enjoy it that way too.

Where do you get your ideas?

Lol… right out of thin air! The thin air in my mind! Usually something around me inspires me for the idea. When I started My Blood Runs Blue, a series where the vampires and police work together, I was working a night shift and saw something that got the wheels turning.

Recently, I took an arson investigation class and the knowledge that I obtained in that class has helped to inspire another novel I am working on. It is in plotline stages right now.

Whether I’ll Live or Die came from experience, personal and professional. I’ve seen what domestic violence can do to a person and I deal with it on a daily basis in my job. My hopes for this book are to be able to reach out to victims and help them see they can find a way out.

What’s the best thing about writing?

Being able to unleash the creativity! I love letting my mind wander into odd situations and figure out an outcome that could be possible. My paranormal novels bring the world of criminal justice to fantasy and I think it gives it a sense of reality.

Being about to not only unleash the creativity, but to allow my mind to grow with thoughts and ideas is inspiring! You can never say my mind is boring, that is for sure!
 
One of the other things about writing is knowing that you touched someone. Most books are read quickly within a few days’ time. I love hearing that someone sat down and read my story while they were relaxing and unwinding from life.

What’s the worst thing about writing?

I used to say editing was the worst thing, but then I started working with Dominique Agnew and she takes the pain out of it! I love working with her, she understands me and I cherish her opinion. She gives me great advice on content ideas to make the words flow better and so that the average person will completely understand what I am talking about.

I think right now the worst thing is all the time I spend marketing – or try to spend. Marketing is a huge process that never ends. If you disappear from the public’s eye – they forget about you. So it is time consuming! In a perfect world, I would hire someone to take care of that for me and spend more time writing.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Wow… what don’t I do! First and foremost, I’m a full time police officer and investigator. I love forensic work and putting the puzzle pieces together to make them all fit!

When I am not doing that, I spend time with my family. My husband is a police officer too, so our schedules are rather erratic. My daughter who is almost 9 is busy in her social life of play dates and is advancing quickly through the belts of Tae Kwon Do. I love attending her classes and just signed up to take them myself (I used to do martial arts many years ago and I can’t wait to go back). My son is currently serving in the United States Navy and I am proud of him, but wish he was home more – empty nest syndrome at its finest! Lol…

When I am not doing those things, I work on my business and try to spend time with friends.

Do you like reading?

I love reading! I read very fast and in a normal week, I will read 3-4 books. This last weekend I had time to relax a bit and ended up reading 4 books in 3 days. I love to fall into a good story and my kindle is full of great books! While the family is snuggled up at night watching television, I am normally sitting beside them with my kindle.

Tell us about your newest novel, Whether I’ll Live or Die:

 

WILoD is a very emotional and intense story about domestic violence. The book will introduce you to Amanda who is a young adult and goes from one abusive relationship to another looking for love in all the wrong places. The abuse she deals with is not just physical, but emotional too. You will also meet Nicole who is a police officer and deals with the legal aspects of abuse.

The story is emotional charged and brings to light a subject that is taboo to many. My hope with this book is to reach out to victims and help them see the light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe after reading this, they will see they are not alone, and that they can have a better life. For those who are not in those situations, I hope that if they know someone who is, they can reach out and help them.

I am a giver, and I hope this book gives back to people. In return, I am giving back a portion of the proceeds to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for people who need help.


Thank you again Andrea for allowing me to visit and share about myself and my work! I’d love to hear from your readers and I will check in for comments!!

Thank you Stacy for visiting today. I wish you much success with Whether I'll Live or Die. Please visit us again anytime.

To learn more about Stacy, visit her on her blog.