So many moving boxes...

10 Pieces of Advice

The Fast Friday Interviews: Stephanie Mirro

Stephanie Mirro

Tell me about yourself, Stephanie?

I once was a super introvert with social anxiety, but now I’m an extroverted introvert with social anxiety, which makes for some awkward conversations. Great writing fodder, though. I’m only in my 30s, but I grew up without watching much TV or gaming. The desert of Southern Arizona was my playground and fueled my imagination. I wrote my first “novel” at the age of 10 about two girls who make an adventure. That’s actually the title — “Two Girls Make An Adventure.” They both end up marrying the same prince because it was before I learned about polygamy. (Which, when consensual, I fully support as an adult, but kids have no clue.)

Tell me about your current Book:

When an archaeology student uncovers an ancient Roman amulet, Serafina must protect it with from the mysterious forces trying to take it from her or die trying.

"Vampires, Immortals, Bacchae—they’re all the same. The name may change, but their appetites never do."

Ever since archaeology student Serafina Finch found an ancient Roman amulet on a dig in Italy, she's been having dreams. Strange dreams that leave her with an eerie sense of foreboding. But between a busy college schedule and a boyfriend she's hoping to marry, she doesn't have time for strange.

Then a mysterious cult takes an obsessive interest in the artifact. Serafina finds her life in chaos as she's thrown into the supernatural world, where vampires and witches alike claim ownership of the amulet. Her amulet.

As her connection to the amulet grows, she discovers a dark secret about her past. Serafina realizes she must protect the powerful relic at all costs—even if it means losing one of the people she loves most.

What are you working on now? 

Book 2 in my Immortal Relics series! Her Majesty’s Fury continues the story of Serafina and the amulet and should be out early this fall. I’m also writing a short story for an anthology about a pandimensional flying inn. When I can squeeze in the time and brain power, I’m outlining book 3 in my series, Descent to Hel. (Yes, one L.)

Tell us something that people don't generally know about you:

I am allergic to hair dye and have nerve damage in one of my cheeks which makes me smile off-kilter. I also deal with depression and anxiety (I kind of wonder who doesn’t these days) and advocate for mental health awareness and reform.

What is a favorite lesson you have learned about the business of writing?

Writing is the easy part. LOL.

What is the best piece of writing advice you give to new authors?

Research, reading, watching writing-related videos, going on a walk, etc. — all of that is part of the writing business. If you need to take a break from the actual writing, do it. You’re not giving up, you’re resetting and reinvigorating your creative brain.

Links:

Email: authorstephaniemirro@gmail.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Mirro/e/B07PX49RN3
Website: https://www.stephaniemirro.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniemirro
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/stephaniemirro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemirro

Images that Inspire

Quotes of the Week

There is no friend as loyal as a book.
—Ernest Hemingway

Write about only three things: what you love, what you hate, and what you’re deeply conflicted about.
—Marlon James

A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.
—Salvador Dalí

Sometimes it comes easily and perfectly, sometimes it's like drilling rock and then blasting it out with charges.
—Ernest Hemingway

When I'm writing I write. And then it's as if the muse is convinced I'm serious and says 'Okay. Okay. I'll come.'
—Maya Angelou

Write like it matters, and it will.
—Libba Bray

Sing your song. Dance your dance. Tell your tale. Inspire them.
—Frank McCourt

The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.
—Ernest Hemingway

I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.
—J.R.R. Tolkien

You must write. It’s not enough to start by thinking. You become a writer by writing.
—R.K. Narayan

I Moved!

My wife and I recently moved to a new home!

One of the best parts of that move is that I get to build out my new writers den exactly the way I want.

The renovation has begun.

It starts with paint and new flooring. Next week there will be custom cabinets, counters, shelves, my massive white-board. lights, voice control, and even a window-seat for Bailey to hang out and watch squirrels! I even have a new computer system and printer.

I also will have a totally awesome BOSE sound system.

--I will keep you informed!

Welcome to Summer

--Have a great Summer Solstice!

Images that Inspire

Quotes of the Week

Writer and reader alike, we'll finish the last line or two of a short story and we'll ponder what we've just written or read; and if we're lucky, maybe our hearts or intellects will move off the peg just a little from where they were before.
—Raymond Carver—

Writing is a hellish task, best snuck up on, whacked on the head, robbed, and left for dead.
—Ann-Marie MacDonald

The best writing advice I’ve ever heard: Don't write like you went to college.
—Alice Kahn

You're only given one little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it.
—Robin Williams

Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.
—E. L. Doctorow

Writers are not here to conform. We are here to challenge. We're not here to be comfortable—we're here, really, to shake things up. That's our job.
—Jeanette Winterson

I was kind of excited about going to jail for the first time and I learnt some great dialogue.
—Quentin Tarantino

Nothing that happens to a writer, however happy, however tragic, is ever wasted.
—P.D. James

Write about only three things: what you love, what you hate, and what you’re deeply conflicted about.
—Marlon James

Meet the Author! June 9th, 2pm - 5pm

I will be signing books and visiting with people over a glass of wine on Sunday, June 9th at 2pm at The Wine Attic in Clifton VA!

Stop in and say hello!

The Wine Attic
7145 Main Street, Clifton, Virginia 20124

READING: Lethal White

This week I read LETHAL WHITE by Robert Galbraith.

Here is the blurb from Amazon:

When Billy, a troubled young man, comes to private eye Cormoran Strike's office to ask for his help investigating a crime he thinks he witnessed as a child, Strike is left deeply unsettled. While Billy is obviously mentally distressed, and cannot remember many concrete details, there is something sincere about him and his story. But before Strike can question him further, Billy bolts from his office in a panic.

Trying to get to the bottom of Billy's story, Strike and Robin Ellacott-once his assistant, now a partner in the agency-set off on a twisting trail that leads them through the backstreets of London, into a secretive inner sanctum within Parliament, and to a beautiful but sinister manor house deep in the countryside.

And during this labyrinthine investigation, Strike's own life is far from straightforward: his newfound fame as a private eye means he can no longer operate behind the scenes as he once did. Plus, his relationship with his former assistant is more fraught than it ever has been-Robin is now invaluable to Strike in the business, but their personal relationship is much, much trickier than that.

Robert Galbraith is the alter ego of JK Rowling. Great stuff JK!

--This is the fourth book in the Cormoran Strike series.