Author Spotlight: Abbie St. Claire
February 14, 2015 • News
1) How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
I’d crafted stories in my brain for years. When my children were small, I made up bedtime stories to them and they preferred that over The Cat and The Hat. Often times they would tell me characters and we’d develop the story along the way. After college and a career in a different direction, I found my way back to the stories and started putting them on paper for traditional publishing. Not long into my journey, I discovered the Indie route and have never looked back.
2) What hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
Social media is a huge hurdle for me. I didn’t have a clue what Twitter was or how to use it, but what I don’t know, Google and YouTube show me. Finding time to write is always my biggest hurdle because life around me doesn’t stop and I don’t want to miss anything with our children, so finding balance has been a challenge, but I believe I’ve got my routine down now and I have the blessing of my husband and kids, so that helps.
3) Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
My current work about to be released, Conflicted on 5th Avenue, has been my most favorite to write for a couple of reasons. First, there’s quite a few “romps” in this story and some are in the male POV which is a step away from my norm and was fun to write. I’ve been told by my beta readers that they’re very HOT, but the sensuality leaps from the page. The other reason I love this story is that the main characters are single parents struggling to find time and place to sneak around. Some of the scenes with the children are quite comical.
4) For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
There’s a lot of “Advice” floating around out there and many authors writing books on how to write and publish books in the Indie world. To that, I say follow your heart, write the story you want to write, develop a plan and ask questions. There are plenty of folks willing to help thy neighbor. Don’t take the advice of just one, it takes an army.
5) Favorite motto?
“Dare to dream and remember that no dream is exactly the same, therefore yours should be different from everyone else. Don’t follow the pack, follow your dream.” Abbie St. Claire
6) In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
Heart felt.
7) Which author inspires you the most and why?
Seriously a tough question! There are so many authors that I follow and grab up everything they have. I have to say I am a Beth Kery stalker. Girl Crush all the way. A sweet friend gifted me one of her books several years ago and boom, instant fandom. Her stories are very sensual, but the romance drives the intimate relationship even when the characters are taking forever to figure it out. The crisp element in her details pull me in to the story and book hangovers are always on the menu.
8) What is your writing process like?
I can hear a lyric to a song and the inspiration for a story starts. Sometimes even pushing away a current WIP to get it done. I’m a pantser, which means that my characters tell me where the story is going. Writing this way can often lead me to a black hole or take forever to finish the story because I have no distinct direction in the middle of the story arc, only the beginning and the end. I’ve started outlining my stories to help with the process, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to completely plot out a story.
9) Goals for 2015?
Lofty and a bit crazy! The 5th Avenue Series has 3 novels: Conflicted, Complicated and Captivated. I’ll be releasing an erotic golf-themed story, An Unforgettable Lesson in an Anthology this Summer, I have Finding Mr. Champagne coming out at the end of the year, and several more projects in the works that don’t have finalized titles. It’s a full year and I’m looking forward to it. My readers have told me that they want longer stories, so I leaning towards more novels this year in lieu of novellas, giving them more detailed characters and a longer read. Since the novel takes longer to write, it does mean I have to prioritize my writing schedule.
10) What new projects are you currently working on?
The 5th Avenue Romance stories and a “unlawful” themed story, Un-regrettably Cuffed.
11) Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
2015 is going to be a fabulous year, I just know it. The time will pass regardless of how hard any of us try to stop it, so spend it wisely doing things you enjoy with those that matter most to you.
Connect with Abbie!
I couldn’t be more excited about working with Abbie on this project and we always have another in the works. Stay tuned!
– CJC Photography
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram