StellaMarie Talks Back

StellaMarie is back! and she has answers to your questions!

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Hi,Thanks so much for having me.

OMG. I can’t believe a whole month has gone by. Caroline been so sweet to invite me back. Since then, “How to Train Your Knight” has spent two weeks on the Amazon Best Seller list and is still going strong. I thought today it’d be fun to answer questions people always ask.

How long did it take you?

I usually write from 5:30AM until 8:00AM, seven days a week and I wrote three books in three years. So I guess, if you do the math, 365 X 2.5 hours, you’ll have your answer. Understand, during that time, I was learning the craft of writing, so many hours were spent in rewrites and rewrites and rewrites…

Did you major in English? Take any courses?

No, but I’ve always been a voracious reader. Of course, I’ve picked up a couple books along the way to help me in self-editing. Both were recommended by a RWA contest judge.

RWA Contests? What are those?

Many Romance Writers of America chapters have yearly contests. I didn’t do the traditional route of writing hundreds of query letters, instead, a publisher asked me for my full manuscript.

Then why write Medieval? Did you study THAT in college?

Uh. Nope. I majored in “Sound Recording Technology” in Fredonia, NY where I met my husband. Hahaha. That is a story for another day. Where were we? I got lost in the 1980’s for a moment. Oh yes. Medieval. I took a course in “Medieval Philosophy” in my sophomore year. Does that count?

After writing a contemporary romance, and then a paranormal, I wanted to try something different. A couple themes played out in my head, after reading a particularly whiney Regency era novel.

What would it be like to write about feelings, before the concept of romantic love had become so firmly entrenched into our language and beliefs?

Then how did you make it all seem so real?

Google and imagination. For example, envision yourself in a huge, cold, stone building, before windows were invented. YIKES! But, you have scores of sheep. I would be putting wool blankets everywhere and covering slits with tapestries…and putting comfortable chairs around the only fireplace and so on.

Are you self-published? Why not?

No. I am published by Soul Mate Publishing, located just outside Rochester, NY. Honestly? I wanted to know I was good enough for a traditional publisher.

Can I have a signed book?

Not yet. Soul Mate publishes first in e-book and then releases in paperback. In eight months, come hell or high water, I WILL have book two in the series ready.

Ah, okay, Stella. By the way, is that your real name?

No. There was already a Romance writer by my given name so I needed to make one up. Stella, I chose, because everyone always yells… Steeelllllaaaaa, like Brando.

Marie because it is my real middle name.

And Alden, because I am a descendent of John Alden and Pricilla Mullins, off the Mayflower. I give her a lot of credit for marrying a barrel maker instead of Miles Standish, the leader of the pilgrims.

And so my friends, I must get back to writing book two. In it, the smart-aleck Thomas, comes home after five years of successful trades abroad, to find he has a son and a forced marriage. It’s not so funny when the sword is turned.

Thanks to all who have or will buy my first book. A novel is an odd art for it requires work from the recipient in order to be appreciated.

I send out my love to all,

STEELLLLAAAAAA…….

About How to Train Your Knight
In 1276, in the hours just before dawn, blasphemous curses echo throughout a stone manor. A knife clatters to the floor and a feisty young widow is bound and blindfolded. The king could not possibly have sanctioned this farce of a marriage, could he? After all, she alone has transformed a few mud huts and starving serfs into a flourishing town. Abandon her beloved people to be ruled by an ignorant Templar knight? “Never,” she vows.

Winner of RWA’s “The Molly” and “Show Me the Spark” contests, this Medieval Romance will appeal not only to the historical buffs, but for anyone looking for an exciting voice with a new twist on an old tale.
Find me at www.stellamariealden.com

About StellaMarie Alden
Stella Marie Alden loves Zumba, yoga, watercolor painting, and all genres of romances,

Her first book won Romance Writers of America coveted Molly and Show me the Sparks Contests, and placed in the top three in four others. Truly remarkable, considering she’s only been writing for three years.

Growing up in Vermont, she loved to make up stories. Crayons fought each other over size and placement in their cardboard box and imaginary friends crowded the house. Her brother often complained. “Tell her no one’s here, Mother.”.

Her career paths have varied. She’s been a librarian, a classical clarinetist wanna-be, recording studio engineer, broadcast electronics repairman, and now she architects software programs. She lives in Bergen County, NJ with her life-long hero and their two cats. Her two girls are grown but ever supportive. You go Mom!