Indie Lights Book
Parade – Stacy Claflin, author
Distraught over his own missing daughter, Chester
insists that Macy replace his lost girl. He locks Macy up, withholds food, and
roughs her up, demanding that she call him dad. Under duress from his constant
threats and mind games, her hold on reality starts to slip. Clinging to her
memories is the only way of holding onto her true identity, not believing that
she is Chester’s daughter. Otherwise she may never see her family again.
I love writing and reading a variety of genres. I've
been writing and telling stories as long as I can remember. As a kid, my story
telling would get me into trouble when I would try to convince other kids that
my stories were real.
When I'm not busy writing, I spend a lot of time
with my family. I run a preschool from home and homeschool my kids.
You can find me at: http://stacyclaflin.com/
Connect
with Stacy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/growwithstacy
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/growwithstacy
Book Updates/Newsletter: http://bit.ly/10NrfMw
Author Interview
Is there a message in your novel that you want
readers to grasp?
Yes. In Gone, the main
character is a teenager who sneaks off to meet a boy she met online. After she
meets him, Macy realizes that he isn’t who he pretended to be. It’s too late
though, because she can’t get away.
She’s ripped away from
her family and everything she loves. Though she struggles to get away, her
captor has thought everything out thoroughly.
The message I want
readers to get is that you should never meet with someone you met online alone.
Be safe and smart about it. I also want parents who read this to realize how
important it is to know what their kids are doing online.
How much of the book is realistic?
I tried to make it as
realistic as possible. I read about several true kidnappings so that I had a
good idea about what the captors did and how the kids felt. Even though it’s
completely fictitious, I believe the events could happen in real life.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
It was somewhat
emotionally traumatic writing about a girl being kidnapped. I actually had to
take a month or two break from writing it because I was experience physical and
emotional stress from writing and researching.
After my break, I was
able to finish without any more issues. It’s a sensitive subject, so it makes sense
that being so close to the subject matter would be upsetting. I think it would
have been more concerning if I hadn’t reacted in some way.
What are your current projects?
I always have multiple
projects going at any given time. I’m writing a story that is an offshoot of
the Gone books. This one is about a side character who discovers that her life
is in danger.
I’m also editing a book
from another series. It’s a paranormal romance – quite different from my
suspense novels!
Do you have any advice for other writers?
I have a lot because
I’ve learned so much as an author. A few of my top tips:
-Learn from successful
authors. Follow their blogs, listen to their podcasts, join online groups, and
do anything else you can to find out their secrets.
-Always educate
yourself on the craft of writing. Ask for constructive criticism, read blogs
and books on the topic, join critique groups…use your imagination!
-Treat it like a
profession even if you have a day job. If you act like it’s only a hobby,
that’s all it will ever be. I consider it my second job, and treat it as such.
What book are you reading now?
I just finished reading
The Fault In Our Stars. It’s time to
pick up something from my large to-be-read pile!
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I bet that was a tough story to write. Congratulations, Stacy.
ReplyDeleteIt was, but also quite rewarding. Thank you, Alex!
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