Ask the Author: Stephanie Barr
Answered Questions (12)
Stephanie Barr
Right now, I have no plans to make it a series (Even my series can be read individually) so you get a complete story.
However, I left plenty of room so I could write another some day. There are a lot of fun characters to play with.
I do have some prequel short stories available for free pretty much everywhere except amazon in "Second Slavery".
However, I left plenty of room so I could write another some day. There are a lot of fun characters to play with.
I do have some prequel short stories available for free pretty much everywhere except amazon in "Second Slavery".
Stephanie Barr
She lay awake until she heard them again tonight, the furtive steps of her son sneaking in past curfew. She'd heard them each and every night, but he wouldn't be in his bed tomorrow morning, not since he died in car crash rushing home to meet curfew twelve years previously.
Stephanie Barr
That's a challenging question. Over the many years, I've read about a lot of different worlds and environments, some real and most not, some fascinating and some oppressive. I love to visit them vicariously.
But I'll tell you, I wouldn't want to *live* in any of them (well, maybe in Saving Tessa's near non-dystopian future). Most of them involve dangers and limitations that are very exciting to read about but scary or challenging to survive in. I wouldn't want to go unless I was confident I could get back. However, if I could visit and not be at risk (yes, I'm only intrepid on paper), places I'd love to see are:
Pern
The Liaden Universe
Several of Heinlein's futures
The near future of the In Death series
Ancient Japan from Shogun
But I'd be very reluctant to do anything but observe as unobtrusively as possible. Most of the worlds have complex rules of engagement and dangers I don't fully understand. I don't think jumping into the adventure would say much for my life expectancy or could do those that facilitated me considerable harm and I surely wouldn't want that. In the end, I'm a practical soul.
But I'll tell you, I wouldn't want to *live* in any of them (well, maybe in Saving Tessa's near non-dystopian future). Most of them involve dangers and limitations that are very exciting to read about but scary or challenging to survive in. I wouldn't want to go unless I was confident I could get back. However, if I could visit and not be at risk (yes, I'm only intrepid on paper), places I'd love to see are:
Pern
The Liaden Universe
Several of Heinlein's futures
The near future of the In Death series
Ancient Japan from Shogun
But I'd be very reluctant to do anything but observe as unobtrusively as possible. Most of the worlds have complex rules of engagement and dangers I don't fully understand. I don't think jumping into the adventure would say much for my life expectancy or could do those that facilitated me considerable harm and I surely wouldn't want that. In the end, I'm a practical soul.
Stephanie Barr
I need to read finish reading Rena's Silver Lining by Sandy Knauer Morgan
I need to finish reading the Saga of Menyoral series by M. A. Ray
I would also like to read Asante's Gullah Journey (Library Soul) and Pratima's Forbidden Book by S. A. Gibson
Other books on my list of TBR (in no particular order) include Dragon's Treasure by Maya Starling, Water Girl by Juliann Whicker, Hell Gate by Josh Matthews, Why She Ran by Ed Ryder, Shiva XIV by Lyran Shanti, Controlled Descent by K. M. Herkes, Threadcaster by Jennifer Stoltzer, Dragon's Fire by Tiger Hebert, Crimson Fire by Mirren Hogan, P.A.W.S by Debbie Manber Kupfer, My Name is Aktul by J.T. Ford, A Sense of the Ridiculous and Carpet of Snowdrops by Heather King, On Basilisk Station by David Weber, Fate of Perfection by K. F. Breene, Winter Wishes (anthology), Sweet Dreams (horror anthology), Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold, Look Evelyn, Duck Dynasty Wiper Blades. We should Get Them by David Thorne, The Poisonwood Bible and the Bean Trees by Barbara Kinsolver, Reckless and Fearless by Cornelia Funke, The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Vampires of Rome by Peter Joseph Swanson, The Obsession by Nora Roberts, Feed by Mira Grant, The Actor and the Housewife b y Shannon Hale, and Wizard's Bane by Rick Cook.
There are several mangas waiting for me, too. Don't expect 'em all to be done this summer.
I need to finish reading the Saga of Menyoral series by M. A. Ray
I would also like to read Asante's Gullah Journey (Library Soul) and Pratima's Forbidden Book by S. A. Gibson
Other books on my list of TBR (in no particular order) include Dragon's Treasure by Maya Starling, Water Girl by Juliann Whicker, Hell Gate by Josh Matthews, Why She Ran by Ed Ryder, Shiva XIV by Lyran Shanti, Controlled Descent by K. M. Herkes, Threadcaster by Jennifer Stoltzer, Dragon's Fire by Tiger Hebert, Crimson Fire by Mirren Hogan, P.A.W.S by Debbie Manber Kupfer, My Name is Aktul by J.T. Ford, A Sense of the Ridiculous and Carpet of Snowdrops by Heather King, On Basilisk Station by David Weber, Fate of Perfection by K. F. Breene, Winter Wishes (anthology), Sweet Dreams (horror anthology), Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold, Look Evelyn, Duck Dynasty Wiper Blades. We should Get Them by David Thorne, The Poisonwood Bible and the Bean Trees by Barbara Kinsolver, Reckless and Fearless by Cornelia Funke, The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, Vampires of Rome by Peter Joseph Swanson, The Obsession by Nora Roberts, Feed by Mira Grant, The Actor and the Housewife b y Shannon Hale, and Wizard's Bane by Rick Cook.
There are several mangas waiting for me, too. Don't expect 'em all to be done this summer.
Stephanie Barr
That's a good question. On the one hand, at least compared to most of my characters, my life is pretty dull. On the other hand, there are mysteries in my life that have found themselves in the build of my characters, if not driving the actual plot of a book: What makes people do stupid things, even if they're not stupid? What drives a child to be more moral or thoughtful than his or her parent(s)? What does love really mean?
I find myself exploring these kinds of questions as I build characters and as they interact. That's not an exact answer to your question, but it's where I put myself in my books. The plots are exercises in what-if generally far beyond my own experiences.
I find myself exploring these kinds of questions as I build characters and as they interact. That's not an exact answer to your question, but it's where I put myself in my books. The plots are exercises in what-if generally far beyond my own experiences.
Stephanie Barr
This is not an easy answer, whether you're asking me to choose my favorite couple from all fictional couples I've read or one of my own. I'm a very romantic person and there are dozens of couples I fell in love with over the years. Things I love in a couple include humor and good banter, protective men (and women) and kickass women (and men). I like partnerships between equals. I also like couples where one or both come in a little broken and they help each other heal and grow.
If we're talking fiction, Miri Robertson and Val Con Yos'Phelium have to be one of my favorite couples from the Liaden novels. They're funny, both totally kick-butt heroes and devoted/tied to each other in ways I adore. Both have rescued the other several times and helped each other heal.
Another favorite is Roarke and Eve Dallas. Again, funny, brash, difficult people who care deeply for each other, fight with and for each other. Though, admittedly, Nora Roberts has many character pairings I love.
Another author with tons of pairings I love is Georgette Heyer. Duke of Avon and Leonie will always be a favorite, but I can think of dozens of other couples who delighted and continue to delight me.
As I try to narrow this down, more just come to mind, Aaaah! I read a lot of manga and can think of many many more that melted my heart or won me over.
If you're asking about MY OWN couples, I love all of them. I think you have to if you spend as much time with them as I do, but I would have to give the edge to Dante da Silva and Roxelle from Tarot Queen. Roxelle because she's the ultimate combination of experienced (300+ years old) and naivete (having never gone or done anything herself) and Dante is the world weary care-for-nobody who fell in love. I love that they both have to work through their differences, I love that they're both old enough TO work them out. I love how they change each other's perspectives and bring out the best from each other.
But I love all my couples.
If we're talking fiction, Miri Robertson and Val Con Yos'Phelium have to be one of my favorite couples from the Liaden novels. They're funny, both totally kick-butt heroes and devoted/tied to each other in ways I adore. Both have rescued the other several times and helped each other heal.
Another favorite is Roarke and Eve Dallas. Again, funny, brash, difficult people who care deeply for each other, fight with and for each other. Though, admittedly, Nora Roberts has many character pairings I love.
Another author with tons of pairings I love is Georgette Heyer. Duke of Avon and Leonie will always be a favorite, but I can think of dozens of other couples who delighted and continue to delight me.
As I try to narrow this down, more just come to mind, Aaaah! I read a lot of manga and can think of many many more that melted my heart or won me over.
If you're asking about MY OWN couples, I love all of them. I think you have to if you spend as much time with them as I do, but I would have to give the edge to Dante da Silva and Roxelle from Tarot Queen. Roxelle because she's the ultimate combination of experienced (300+ years old) and naivete (having never gone or done anything herself) and Dante is the world weary care-for-nobody who fell in love. I love that they both have to work through their differences, I love that they're both old enough TO work them out. I love how they change each other's perspectives and bring out the best from each other.
But I love all my couples.
Stephanie Barr
When I wrote "Saving Tessa" I played with a character (Dylan) who really appealed to me as I was a very unpopular oversmarty growing up and, hey, now. I loved putting some of the weird ways my brain worked into the story and sharing it.
So, when I was thinking of that, I was also thinking of making that character female and putting her in a completely different environment, one where, unlike Dylan, she had no control at all. So, that's the concept behind my current hard science fiction novel in progress.
So, when I was thinking of that, I was also thinking of making that character female and putting her in a completely different environment, one where, unlike Dylan, she had no control at all. So, that's the concept behind my current hard science fiction novel in progress.
Stephanie Barr
Can't give me an inch. It's reining me in when I get an idea that appeals or something that inspires me. A quirky character. A story that went, in my opinion, the wrong way. An idea for a character I can't wait to share.
I can't always see what will spark it, either, but sometimes, I'll just have to do it.
I can't always see what will spark it, either, but sometimes, I'll just have to do it.
Stephanie Barr
I'm halfway through a hard science fiction story (not for young adults) and I have a couple more fantasy ideas stewing as well as two potential sequels.
Stephanie Barr
Write what you love to read. Read a lot of it. Soak it in until you not only know why you loved it but you can think of how you can use what you've learned to make your own ideas into virtual reality.
Know the rules but don't let them hamper you from a good story. That doesn't mean skimp on understand grammar and story structure. You need those skills and having even an innate talent doesn't make up for their lack. I'm really talking about the "rules" on how to get published or how to impress someone. Write the story the way you think it needs to be written and keep putting it out there until someone sees in it what you see.
Bad characters is the number one reason I close a book before finishing it. Good characters can drag me anywhere in the space time continuum. That means you, the writer, need to understand your characters, even if it isn't all put into text. You have to love them and make them sound real, likeable enough strangers would want to get to know them more and spend time with them. But don't forget flaws because a character without flaws is as shallow as the paper it's printed on.
The number two reason I close a book is someone lazy using a thesaurus for words to express themselves they clearly don't fully understand. There are a dozen words for red in the thesaurus, but they don't all mean the same color. If you don't know the difference yourself, don't use it.
Not enough books use humor. Life is funny. Even serious books can be, too. Don't forget to entertain.
Know the rules but don't let them hamper you from a good story. That doesn't mean skimp on understand grammar and story structure. You need those skills and having even an innate talent doesn't make up for their lack. I'm really talking about the "rules" on how to get published or how to impress someone. Write the story the way you think it needs to be written and keep putting it out there until someone sees in it what you see.
Bad characters is the number one reason I close a book before finishing it. Good characters can drag me anywhere in the space time continuum. That means you, the writer, need to understand your characters, even if it isn't all put into text. You have to love them and make them sound real, likeable enough strangers would want to get to know them more and spend time with them. But don't forget flaws because a character without flaws is as shallow as the paper it's printed on.
The number two reason I close a book is someone lazy using a thesaurus for words to express themselves they clearly don't fully understand. There are a dozen words for red in the thesaurus, but they don't all mean the same color. If you don't know the difference yourself, don't use it.
Not enough books use humor. Life is funny. Even serious books can be, too. Don't forget to entertain.
Stephanie Barr
Many times the satisfaction you can't always get in real life you can make in fiction. See an injustice that you can't do anything about? Write a story and make it end the way you want it to. Find prejudices and hatreds that drive you batty? Find a way to put them in a story where minds might be changed. Feeling underromanced? We can fix that.
Stephanie Barr
Well, I'm a weird writer. The vast bulk of what I write is actually written by my subconscious and I can't bludgeon it into providing anything until it's ready. But I generally have a dozen or so ideas stoking at any one time so, if one runs dry, I can often pick up another.
The biggest downside is, when my subconscious is ready to go, I better type, quickly. At least three of my novels were written within 45 days without taking time off my day job or forgoing watching my children. But sleep, that's a whole other story.
The biggest downside is, when my subconscious is ready to go, I better type, quickly. At least three of my novels were written within 45 days without taking time off my day job or forgoing watching my children. But sleep, that's a whole other story.
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