Theresa Stillwagon Shares her Journey to Publication

Today Theresa shares her journey to publication and why she writes contemporary romances. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win one of her ebooks. Take it away, Theresa!

I don't remember a time when I wasn't writing.

My first attempt at writing a book was a historical, and I wrote it long-hand. I was in my mid-teens. I don't think I wrote more than the first chapter.

My second attempt was in the mid 1980s. That one was a romantic suspense I planned on sending to Harlequin. The best thing I could say about that one is I finished it. Every mistake a new author could do, I did.

The next few years were a learning experience for me. One thing I learned was that if I did a plot outline for a book, I would be too bored with it to actually write it. I also learned to show, not tell, to write believable dialogue, to start the book in an interesting place, to know the characters inside and out, but one thing I wished I knew then that I know now is -- not to be afraid to show your work to someone else.

For years I wrote alone, no one even knew I was a writer. It was as if I was ashamed of it. I wrote for ten or so years, finishing three or four books and starting twice as many without 'the end', before I finally trusted my writing enough to let others read it. I was nervous, yes, but I didn't need to be. I still call those first critique partners my on-line friends. Almost every one of them is now a published writer, and I'm proud of that.

A second thing I wish I knew then was to ignore the bad comments of others. People have been telling me my whole life I'll never amount to anything. It wasn't until I decided to stop listening to those negative people that I found out I could.

What would be my advice to a new writer?

Don't be afraid to put your work out there. I started writing almost thirty years ago, and I've only been published since 2008. If I'd listened to my own heart, my own mind, I might have been published years earlier.

You have to believe in your dreams.


Tell us more about your work and your favorite genre.

I love history, yet I could never write an historical.

I love romantic suspense, but I have a hard time keeping track of the suspense part of the story.

And, as for paranormal, fantasy, or steampunk genres, I'm way too lazy to build a proper set of rules and customs to make the story believable.

So why do I write contemporary romance?

I think writing in the same period as you live frees you to add a bit of suspense, or a ghost, or a mystery, without having to worry too much about research.

Basically I write contemporary romance because I'm a lazy researcher. As I'm writing and I come to a spot where I need to research something, I stop what I'm doing and Google the problem. When I have the facts straight on the subject, I go back to writing. In the book I'm writing now, I needed to know the process on how a woman became a Catholic sister. I stopped writing and Googled the town she lived in and found the Sisters of St. Joseph, and I found all the answers I needed. I needed to be sure she could walk away from it. (And, yes, she can.)

For an older book, A Betrayal of Friendship, I stopped writing and researched the state of Alaska and flying. I found out more than I needed to know about the state, but I also found out something interesting about me. I really would like to learn how to fly. (Maybe someday, I'll do just that.)

One bad thing about writing this way is I'm easily distracted. I really need to force myself to write. In those times, I disconnect from the internet and just write.

Theresa Stillwagon's Renovations

Blurb for Renovations --

Was she making a big mistake?

Megan Callaway now owned Green Oaks Plantation, with all of its outbuildings and forest of trees and grass – and problems. She planned on changing it into a bed and breakfast. Yet she didn’t have complete control. She would have to agree on everything with Andy Perry, the president of the local historical group.

The man didn’t want to see anything change on the property.

Megan wanted to demolish all the outer buildings except an old-fashion outdoor kitchen.

Sparks fly every time the two get together.

But it’s not until her past starts catching up to her, things get interesting.

Would Megan really be able to let go?

Excerpt --

A slight grin lifted his lips as if saying, Why are you hiding from me? She fisted her hands together, forcing her fingers away from her glasses.

His grin faded. "Look, I'm trying to tell you I'm sorry for how I acted the other day."

"I accept your apology."

He stepped past her on the stairs, stopping her halfway down them. Eye to eye, she was forced to look directly in to his astonishing brown ones. She'd never seen eyes the color of this man's before, brown with little hints of caramel coloring reflecting brilliant in the harsh light of the stairwell. A woman could never be safe with a man with eyes like his. Mysterious, full of promises. She suddenly wanted to agree to those promises.

No, no, no.

"You're not acting like a woman who has just accepted a man's apology."

Pulling her gaze from his, she slid past him and raced down the stairs.

"Hey?"

Oh, how foolish could one woman be? Part of the reason she'd driven eight hundred miles was to get away from a man who'd promised her the world. She definitely didn't plan to get involved in any way with another one for the same reasons.

She heard him calling her name, but she ignored him. The front entrance came into view as she swallowed bitter tears. Before she reached it, a hard hand stopped her. She jerked out of his grip and turned toward him.

"Are you okay?"

Megan couldn't talk as she fought her tears.

He dropped his hands and backed away from her. "Now I've made you cry."

"No."

His eyes widened at her negative answer. "Then why are you?"

"I don't..." She didn't know what to tell him because she wasn't sure why. "Sometimes women just... need to cry." What the hell is wrong with me anyway? "I'm overwhelmed by all that's happening now."

He looked chastised. "My attitude certainly isn't helping you, is it?"

"No." She blew out a relieving breath. "But I'll be all right."

His steady glance told her he didn't quite believe her.

Buy links

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-228/The-Sisters-Calloway-Book/Detail.bok

http://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Callaway-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B0067DE6L8/ref=sr_1_4?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1321562080&sr=1-4

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sisters-callaway-book-two-theresa-stillwagon/1107396598

Theresa Stillwagon Interview & Giveaway

Theresa's Bio: Theresa Stillwagon has been writing most of her life. Since one of her teachers praised a poem she wrote for a class assignment, she's been putting words together in the hopes of seeing them in print. Not caring if anyone other than herself ever read them. Her dreams came to reality in 2008 when she signed her first writing contract. She's now just signed her fourth one and isn't looking back.

A former resident of the state of Ohio, Theresa now lives in her RV in the sunny city of Savanah, Georgia with her husband of twenty-seven years, Mike, and her two cats, Fred and Barney. She's currently seeking for a job while still hard at work on her next romance.



[Anne] Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Theresa] I really can't think of one. It's been so long since I've been a child. One book that comes to mind is The Little Engine that Could.

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Theresa] Not really. I love reading and have a lot of them.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Theresa] Salem's Lot. And the scene is the one where the kid is scratching at the other boy's window. I read this many, many years ago, and I still remember how scared I was after reading that scene. Late at night, with the wind blowing, I had scratching at the window. Believe me, I stopped reading.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Theresa] I love Gettysburg, PA. I've been there a few times, hoping to experience some ghostly residence, but no such luck. Love the place.

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Theresa] A kitchen, even though I'm not much of a cook. I like shopping for new clothing even less.

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Theresa] A comfortable long t-shirt and a pair of green socks.

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Theresa] Spaghetti.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Theresa] Reading, messing around on line, or playing an online game called My Free Farm. It's amazing I get anything done.

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Theresa] A BMW. A friend had one, and I loved riding in it.

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Theresa] NCIS. (Love those guys.) I don't really have a favorite movie. I love The Mummy and Lord of the Rings series, though.

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Theresa] I've thought and thought on this and can't come up with anything. I've decided I'm the most untalented person around. I have sung in a choir before, and nobody told me to shut up, so I guess I sang. (With a choir of voices behind me.)

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Theresa] I want both but if I have to choose only one I'll say to fly. I'll be able to get places without standing in a long line at the airport. Plus I'll get to my destination quicker.

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Theresa] I think the most surprising thing I learned was that I could actually write. I'd finally found something that I could do reasonably well.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Theresa] I research flying for one of my released books. I enjoyed that.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Theresa] Someplace quiet where I can be alone. I can't write with any kind of noise or people around me.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Theresa] Not really. Other than having a pot of coffee nearby, and quietness, I'm fine.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Theresa] Well-rounded, real characters and a believable conflict. The more damaged the character the better.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Theresa] I'm actually working on two things now. The third book in The Sisters Callaway, A Difficult Choice, and the second book in my paranormal series with Beachwalk Press, The Dressmaker's Dilemma. I can do two at once because they are so different. I'm trying to finish The Dressmaker's Dilemma now.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it....

He grabbed me up and twisted me toward the wall. I screamed and fought against his tight hold, kicking the sharp heel of my shoe into his calf. He groaned out my name.

"Didn't I worn you I'd hurt you if you touch me again?"

He groaned again.

I kicked out my foot once again, hard, connecting with his right knee. Pleasure raced through me as he loosened his hold and dropped me to the ground. "That's what you get for not believing me."

Great job, Theresa! I loved your answers. Folks, be sure to comment throughout the month on one of Theresa's posts for the chance to win one of her ebooks.