Aspiring Author Thursday: Introducing Stacy Henrie

Today I'm happy to have Stacy with me! She has an awesome blog and leaves the nicest comments ever. To check out her blog and give her a follow, click here. ;)

When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I started writing poetry and the beginnings of stories as a kid. I even made the goal at age 11 or 12 to publish a novel one day. But I don’t think it was until I wrote my first book that I realized I could do this – I could be a writer.

That is awesome that you wrote poetry, even as a child. I can't write it at all! :)

Do you have a writing schedule, or do you just sit down whenever you get a spare moment?

When my two oldest were younger and napping, I’d write during nap time. One summer, in order to finish a book, I got up an hour earlier and wrote then. Now I tend to write more sporadically. With school in session again, I’m looking forward to getting more scheduled writing time during my daughter’s nap.

Oh, how I love nap time!

Could you tell us a little about yourself? Random facts? Hidden talents?

I love digital scrapbooking, interior decorating, and reading (obviously). I don’t really consider something a true dessert unless it contains chocolate. I did ballroom dancing and acting in high school and college. My husband and I actually met in a high school drama class. We did the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet at a Shakespeare Competition. But with no kiss, mind you. He was willing, but I was shy.

I think that is the cutest "how I met my hubby" story I've ever heard! *sigh*

If you were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing you couldn't live without? (Besides your family and a laptop of course.)

It would be a three-way-tie between a good book, a camera, and chocolate!

LOL! :D

What is one book you could read over and over and over?

I would have to say Robin McKinley’s Beauty.

That's a great one!

What book are you dying to read this year?

I want to read Ally Condie’s Crossed, and of course, being that I write inspirational historicals, there are a bunch on the list to read.

I'm so excited for Crossed as well. I loved Matched. :)

What genre do you write and why?

I write inspirational historical romances (say that five times fast) because that’s what I’ve always loved to read. History fascinates me and I’m a sucker for a happy ending and a good, clean love story.

I love history as well. Though, I don't think I could research that much. And I LOVE happy endings. Pretty sure everyone knows that by now. ;)

Do you have any writing rituals? Music, silence, eating, etc.

I’m kind of boring when I write – no music, no snacks. I’ve tried the music thing in the past and it’s worked, but I think it depends on the project. Right now, it’s silence.

I agree. It depends on the project for me as well.

Where do you come up with your ideas? Dreams, while driving, etc?

I’ve had ideas come from dreams or on road trips. Mostly they come by asking questions like “What if this happened . . .” or “What type of person would do this. . .”

I'd love to go on a road trip. That would be the perfect time to daydream. Unless I was driving of course ... That would be an accident waiting to happen!

Any advice for other aspiring authors?

Avoid comparisons. There will always be someone who writes faster, who has more books, got his/her agent quicker, got a better contract, etc. Everyone has their own journey to publication, their own way of approaching writing, and that’s okay. Be true to who you are and don’t worry so much about how everybody else does things.

I totally agree. I still have a hard time with comparisons. It's hard not to, but you'll drive yourself crazy if it's all you think about.

Random Writing Question: If you could travel back in time, what time period would you go to and why? :)

Right now I’d say Iowa during WWI – random, I know. But that’s where my WIP takes place and I’d love to get some firsthand research in.

Cool! That era is fascinating! Your book sounds awesome!  Thank you so much, Stacy! :)