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Stormy Steele

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Meet Up and Coming Author,
Stormy Steele,
Author of
"Behind the Screen"

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SC:  When did you decide you wanted to write?
 
SS:  Well Shay, it actually wasn't until I was almost thirty years old! I have always had a love for reading since I was about 8 years old, but I never thought I could really write a book! The more I read books by my favorite authors, the more I was inspired to write.
 
SC:  How many novels in all have you written?
 
SS:  One. "Behind The Screen" is my first. I'm currently working on my second novel.
 
SC:  How long did it take you to write your first novel?
 
SS:  It took about two years before I finally finished it. I could have had "Behind The Screen" finished in six months, but I kept putting it on hold.
 
SC:  Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?
 
SS:  My inspiration comes from real life experiences. Either my own or those around me.
 
SC:  What made you decide to write a story like Behind the Screen??   Are the characters based on real people?
 
SS:  I decided to write Behind The Screen when I realized one of the reasons Internet Dating doesn't work for many people, is because they rush into it. I met my husband online, and we have a few married friends who met the same way. Everyone thought our story was so amazing. But because I kept it a secret for so long that I was doing the online dating thing, most of my friends and family thought I'd just met some man over the Internet that I barely knew, and jumped up and married him in a couple of months. Not so! So, I decided that that's exactly what my first novel would be about--a women who meets the man of her dreams online. Only thing is, I added a whole lot of fiction and drama. The only real characters in the book (although all of their actions aren't real) are Kyla and Charles. So Pleeeease don't ask me if I really know a Tasha, Fonda or any of the other characters. I swear that I don't! Ha! Ha!
 
SC:  Can you tell us a little about the story?
 
SS:  Yes, Kyla Sullivan is a divorcee. She has two kids Malcom and Amber. Being a single mom, and trying to balance motherhood and dating is difficult for her. But she manages, her kids always come first. The story starts out with her ending a very stressful relationship with an older man. This is a man she started dating not long after her divorce, so she feels that maybe she rushed into things and should chill for a while. She tries putting dating on hold. But, her loneliness and libido won't let her. So, a co-worker introduces her to Today's Singles, one of the hottest Online Singles sites around. She joins a message board and this is where she meets Charles Stone.
 
Charles Stone, also a divorcee is a bona fide playa. Period! He has no interest in Kyla unless she can give up the goodies. Plus he thinks she's probably crazy or desperate like most of the women he meets. When he realizes that Kyla is different, he changes his attitude towards her, and starts developing a friendship with her. The two are best friends first.
 
SC:  Do you plan to write a sequel to Behind the Screen??
 
SS:  I'm still undecided. I've gotten quite a few requests though. The second novel I'm working on is not a sequel.
 
SC:  Did you self-publish?? If so, how was that experience?
 
SS:  Yes, and it was a wonderful experience! But... I don't plan to self-publish my future novels. When you self-publish you have to do everything yourself and with my touring and everything, I just don't have enough time anymore. I self-published to learn the ins and outs of the industry first. I have learned so much! I'm positive I wouldn't have known as much as I know now had I not self-published first. If you can do it, this is something I recommend all aspiring authors to do.
 
SC:  What feedback have you received from fans?
 
SS:  The feedback has been phenomenal! It has inspired me to keep writing.
 
SC:  What authors do you admire? Did one of them inspire you?
 
SS:  Kimberla Lawson Roby. That's my girl! And Eric Jerome-Dickey, that's my writer boo! Both of them have not only inspired me, but have been great mentors (in one way or another) as well. Oh, and Roselyn McMillan. I've never met her, but she's also been an inspiration to me. I love her books!
 
SC:  Is writing your only passion?
 
SS:  No, music is my other passion. It's still in my blood.
 
SC:  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
 
SS:  I see myself as a household name, and making the national bestseller list. I see my books being turned into movies. (don't we all? :)  And I see myself branching into screen writing and television script writing.
 
SC:  What advice would you give aspiring authors?
 
SS:  Write about what you know. If you don't know about something do the research. Continue reading books in the genre which you want to write, but also broaden your reading to other genres. It really helps! Research the industry as much as you can. And last but not least, if you have the means to do it, self-publish first!
 
SC:  What would you like readers to learn from your stories?
 
SS:  Mainly, that this thing called life is not easy, but you can find peace and happiness. It starts within yourself. I would like for them to learn something from each story. For example in Behind The Screen, that patience is a virtue.
 
SC:  Are you working on another novel? What is it about?
 
SS:  Yes, it's about a woman who has what most would call the perfect husband. When he dies her life is turned upside down. The story tells how she must deal with this and how she moves on with her life. That's all I can give up for now. (smile) It's going to be pretty dramatic and suspenseful.
 
SC:  Where can people purchase your books?
 
SS:  In any Barnes & Noble, Walden's, B.Dalton, or Borders Bookstore. Also online through Amazon.com. Some African American bookstores carry it as well. If you don't see it on the shelf you can always ask the bookseller to order it. I think it takes about a week for them to get it into the store. If you don't wish to wait a week, just send me an email. I have a few copies on hand, and can Fed-Ex them right out. Behind The Screen is available in paperback and hardcover.
 
SC:  Do you have a website?
 
SS:  Yes, I have two. For my books visit www.stormysteele.com
I now have a literary magazine as well called The Literary Source. That web address is: www.literarysource.com

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From Cyberspace to the Real World

Kyla Sullivan is an ambitious, hardworking single mom who's trying to get over yet--another failed relationship by meeting new friends and taking time out for herself. She's introduced to Today's Singles, an internet site which lists all of the happenings for singles all over the U.S. Is it just fun and games? Or is she searching for love one more time?

Meet Charles Stone. The cold callous man whose number one motive for being a member of Today's Singles is to bed as many women as he can. Will his indifference to women change once he meets the new member Kyla?

Behind The Screen explores relationships in its many forms--from cyberspace to the real world. If you're wondering how internet dating works and what true relationships are all about, Kyla and Charles have a story to tell!

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