Stephanie Worlton Interview

            Marketing a novel is a difficult and time-consuming effort. However, one of the great things about it is the opportunity to meet my fellow authors. These are people with a similar passion for storytelling. And on occasion, I am able to involve them in my blog, thereby giving you the chance to meet them as well.

            Today, I am interviewing Stephanie Worlton. She has written three books, and her latest, All the Finer Things, is a romance novel that explores some important issues about love and the pursuit of wealth. If, like me, you’ve wondered what goes on inside the head of a romance novelist, then this is your chance to find out.

 

Q1) What was your motivation for becoming an author?

 A1) Honestly, being an author was something I never aspired to. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been a creative person, I just never saw myself sitting long enough to write anything substantial, especially a novel. My whole writing journey started when my youngest child went to kindergarten and, with new-found time on my hands and a few great business opportunities on my doorstep, I asked Heavenly Father what path would be best. The answer I got was, “Write your book.” At first I laughed then, after getting the support of my husband, I moved forward. Not only was I able to create a beautiful story of love, forgiveness, and self-worth (Hope’s Journey), but I also discovered a love for writing that I never knew I had! I feel like I’ve been blessed with a talent and an opportunity to create value-based clean fiction. Writing has become a huge part of who I am. 

 

Q2) What was your hardest obstacle on the road of publication?

 

A) Fear of rejection. And it doesn’t get any easier with each subsequent book. I hate, hate, hate the very idea of failure. It took me a year to talk myself in to sending out queries for Hope’s Journey. It actually turned out to be a very painless process but then came launch time and all that anxiety started over again. Here I am at the launch of my third book and I’m just as anxious as ever.

 

Q3) What is your strength as an author? What part of the writing process do you do best? 

A3) I get a lot of compliments about my ability to write banter. This always makes me smile because those banter-filled conversations are my favorite thing to write. I love to play the words back and forth in my mind. I often smirk at the things my characters say…. sometimes I even make myself laugh out loud.  

 

Q4) What is it about “All the Finer Things” that compelled you to write it rather than another story?

A4) I woke up early one morning with a very clear image of who Megan was and where her story needed to go. I could see her face and feel her pain. I’ve witnessed the horror of physical and mental abuse in the lives of women that I love. And it’s not always a spouse or a loved-one that deals that abuse. Often women are their own biggest oppressors. But I’ve also witnessed the strength and the beauty in those women as they’ve conquered their fears and moved past the oppression. I couldn’t wait to introduce Megan to the people that would help her get to that place of peace, joy, and self-love.

 

Q5) What is your favorite scene in “All the Finer Things”?

A5) Oh dear, this is a toughy! I have a few faves! … The first one that comes to mind is a scene where Megan gets stranded in the pouring rain and Carter comes to her rescue on his four-wheeler. Imagine this pampered princess, fancy shoes and designer pants kind of girl, fresh from getting her hair done, stuck on the back of a four-wheeler in the pouring rain! She is horrified by the whole experience and every time Carter splashes into a mud puddle or takes a corner with the slightest degree of speed she freaks out. He, however, finds great humor and entertainment in the drive.

 

Q6) How much of your own life went into this story?

 A6) In every novel that I write there are fragments of my own life. The biggest pieces of me are in the character of Carter. He’s a graphic designer by trade but his real love is carpentry. I, too, love to design and build things. My favorite smells are fresh-cut lumber and new paint. The concept to cast him as scoutmaster also came from my life. I spent five years on our district scout committee and my husband has been involved in scouts for the better part of his adult life. Some of the greatest men I’ve ever known are scoutmasters so it just made sense to make the hero of my story one, too. 

 

Q7) Why a plastic surgeon? Is there a deeper meaning to choosing that career for Megan’s husband?

 

A7) The whole concept behind Doctor Hamilton’s character was this societal push that physical beauty is everything. He represents the very ugliest part of our culture – vanity, greed, artificial popularity.

 

Q8) Is there a sequel in the works involving rich Washington DC politicians? Or how about one set in Hollywood and involving the entertainment elite?

A8) No sequel (at least not that I’m aware of at this point). My next novel Beyond Tomorrow deals with corruption within a big city police force and the DEA. It also features a very strong undertone of our connection with those who’ve passed on. It’s a bit more intense than my other novels but it still has a surprising element of romance woven in. I’m very excited about it!

 

Q9) What has been the most exciting part of your author journey so far?

A9) There are two things. First, it never gets old seeing my covers come to fruition (especially when I get to be involved in the process). There is something about seeing my name on the cover of a book that sends shivers up my spine. I hope it never loses that rush!

The second thing is when I get emails from readers telling me how much my book helped them. I love to go to book clubs and participate in their discussion on my books. And I absolutely love all the new friends I’ve made in the process.

 

Q10) What do you hope people walk away with when they have finished your story?

A10) While I consider my novels to be “escape literature” I always hope my readers walk away with a message that will help them in their personal journeys.  The message I hope they take from All the Finer Things is that money and prestige don’t buy happiness. Cliché as it is, we live in a world that very much worships vanity, fashion, money, and fame. Sadly we often set our sights on these things thinking they will make us happy when, in fact, real peace and joy have nothing to do with the quantity or quality of “things” we manage to gather.  I hope my readers walk away with the reminder that the finer things in life aren’t things at all.

 

 

 

 

Married to one of the most lucrative and sought after plastic surgeons in SoCal, Megan Hamilton has it all. Her posh life, designer clothes, and stunning penthouse leave her wanting for nothing… or do they? Controlled by his obsessive pursuit of perfection, Doctor Matthew Hamilton will stop nothing short of breaking his young, spirited bride into a subservient trophy wife. But when parenthood enters their picture, the entire game changes. How far will Megan have to go to escape Matt's obsessive control and abuse? And how much will she have to lose before she gets there?

~Sometimes money costs too much ~

Stephanie Worlton is excited to announce the release of her newest novel All the Finer Things. As part of her book launch, she will be giving away one autographed print copy and one eBook copy of All the Finer Things.

To learn more about the book and TO ENTER TO WIN simply visit the author's Kreating Krazy blog.

  About the Author:  Stephanie Connelley Worlton lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains where she enjoys frequent opportunities to observe nature and feed her creative spirit. She has been blessed to be a stay at home mom to her four children, many of whom share her artistic tendencies. She spends her days designing, building, painting, drawing, landscaping, and snuggling with her dogs. She has her own collection of power tools, a plethora of camera equipment, and a passion for shoes. All the Finer Things is her third published work. To learn more about Stephanie and her other books, please visit her website.