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| photo: Tara Ellis Photography | |
S.C. Stephens's debut novel was Thoughtless, about an angst-filled love triangle. She's been writing ever since. She also enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading, listening to music, watching movies and spending time with her friends and family. She and her two children reside in the Pacific Northwest. Stephens's new novel in the Thoughtless series, Untamed, was recently published by Forever Romance/Hachette.
On your nightstand now:
I just started The Fires of Heaven, book five of the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I read about half of the 14-book series years ago, but I got sidetracked with children and work, and wasn't able to finish it. Since there are so many details and characters to remember, I started over with book one last year, and I'm determined to make it through all of the books this time. At 800–1,000 pages per book, it's a big commitment, but it's completely worth it. The world Jordan created is absolutely amazing.
Favorite book when you were a child:
When I was young, I was completely obsessed with the Baby-Sitters Club books by Ann M. Martin. I read as many of them as I could get my hands on, and most of them I reread multiple times. Even back then, the romantic bits were always my favorite parts.
Your top five authors:
It's hard for me to narrow down my favorite authors, because there are so many I love! Fantasy is my favorite genre, so Robert Jordan, George R.R. Martin and Terry Goodkind are always at the top of the list. My next two favorites would have to be Richelle Mead and Stephenie Meyer. Both of them are so talented at writing compelling characters that grab your heart and refuse to let go.
Book you've faked reading:
I wish I could remember the name of the book, but back in high school I had to do a report on a book that I hadn't finished; I think I had only read the first few chapters. Not only did I get an A on the report, but the teacher commented that I had made her want to read the book again! She made me wish I had read it!
Book you're an evangelist for:
I'm always trying to get people to read The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, but I'm horrible at explaining what it's about, so nobody ever actually reads it. I love it, though. It's so rich and detailed, you feel like you've been transported back to that time period. Definitely one of my favorites.
Book you've bought for the cover:
I always read the summary before I buy, but right off the bat, the cover of Frostfire by Amanda Hocking sucked me in. Even though my to-read list was a mile long, I picked it up and added it to the pile.
Book that changed your life:
This one might sound strange, but it was really Stephenie Meyer's Twilight that changed things for me. After reading that book, I was so inspired to write. I wanted to create characters as compelling as the characters in Meyer's world, and I spent every waking moment daydreaming. Eventually all of the fantasizing led to Thoughtless, and after I wrote and released that book, my life was never the same.
Favorite line from a book:
My favorite line always seems to change, but right now it's "The Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills," from the Wheel of Time series. When things get hectic, I find myself repeating it, and it actually does calm me down. My second favorite line is "Winter is coming," from A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, just because it's fun to say to people.
Which character you most relate to:
I most relate to Kiera from my Thoughtless series. She was my first female character, so I gave her a lot of my own quirks and insecurities. While I believe I would have handled the situations she found herself in differently, I probably would have a lot of the same reactions.
Book you most want to read again for the first time:
Since it altered the course of my life so dramatically, I'd love to read Twilight again for the first time. I'd love to be inspired like that again, and I'd love to fall that deeply in love with a fictional character again.