Spotlight Author with Gabi Stevens

Welcome back! This week I am spotlighting Gabi Stevens. Her latest release THE WISH LIST can be found from Tor Books in May 2010. So Gabi, tell us a little bit about THE WISH LIST.

When Kristin Montgomery discovers her three aunts are actually fairy godmothers, her orderly world disappears like magic. No, not like magic; it is magic. Not only does she have to deal with burgeoning powers, she also uncovers a threat to the balance of the Arcani and Groundling worlds. Only by trusting her heart and her instincts can she keep herself and the ones she loves out of danger. THE WISH LIST is a lighter paranormal set in San Diego.

What do Gabi Stevens fans have to look forward to in 2010?

First, I will be at RomCon in Denver in July, and then I will be at the RWA National Conference in Nashville later in July. I have an essay in a book on GLEE in the fall, and then next year, April 2011, book two in the Time of Transition series, SPELLBOUND, comes out. It continues the story started in THE WISH LIST.

You write both Paranormal and Historical romance, two very different genres. How do you juggle them both? And do you find it hard to switch from one genre to the other when starting a new book?

I have always had many, many stories running around in my head (Still do). My two favorites genres in romance are paranormal and historical. The feel of the two genres can be very different, and for whatever reason, I don’t find it hard to separate the two. Now, add in the day job, being a mom, and everyday life…that’s the real juggling act.

What is the hardest part about your job?

Matching the vision in my head with the words on the paper is by far the hardest part for me. One thing I believe is important for writers to accept is that the words will never convey your story with one hundred percent accuracy. That doesn’t mean we don’t try, but a writer can get caught up in making things perfect and never finish anything or be so disappointed in a story she will never submit it. I sometimes spend hours trying to express just the right emotion or finding just the right word.

How long was your road to publication?

My first published book was the first book I ever wrote, but (and this is a big but--I should insert a joke here, but I think they’ve all been made) seven years elapsed between finishing the first book and publication. I made so many errors in that first book, but I liked the story. Essentially it was rewritten, not just revised, three times.

What steps did you take to make your dreams come true?

I made writing a priority in my life. My children, even when they were small, knew I was a writer. I took the time to write. I didn’t always have a spotless house, nor was every meal home-cooked, but I did carve out time for writing and took it seriously. I joined writers’ groups and made it a goal to be published.

What’s one thing that you know now that you wished you knew when you started your journey as a writer?

The writing road is not smooth. Many, many heartaches exist along the way and sometimes you have to be stronger than you believe you can be.

Do you have any advice or writing secrets for aspiring authors?

Read. Write. Then do both some more. And never, never give up. My first agent told me three things can make an author successful: talent, luck and persistence. An author only needs two of those three things, but one must be persistence.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years I hope to be releasing at least two books a year, possibly three. I would love to write in both paranormal and historical. But I definitely see myself writing (did you read my answer about never giving up?). Oh, and traveling more. Fodder for books, doncha know?

What are you reading right now? If nothing at the moment then what do you like to read when you have time?

I am always reading. I consider myself a reading addict. There have been times when I had nothing to read in the house, so I turned to my husband’s engineering journals. In addition, I teach literature to eighth graders. So at this moment I’m reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, just finished Jodi Thomas’s Texas Princess, currently reading Leanna Renee Hieber’s The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, and I have Sense and Sensibility and Sea Serpents lined up next.

Thanks Gabi for stopping by Micole Writes Romance. It’s been great having you here. You can find Gabi Steven’s books at www.GabiStevens.com or at Borders.com, Amazon.com or at a bookstore near you.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of Micole Writes Romance. If you have any questions or comments please make sure to leave them for us. We love to hear from you!!!! see you next time!!!

Hugs

Micole