Author Interview - Tena Stetler - Paranormal Romance Guild

Interview with Tena Stetler

by LaShawn Williams

1. What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

A trip to The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. It’s rumored to have connections to Stephen Kings, The Shining. Just standing in front of the series of buildings that make up the hotel makes the hair on the back of myneck stand on end. Of course, everyone knows, I have an overactive imagination. LOL.

Planned Pilgrimages: I loved Tony Hillerman’s books about the southwest. We are planning a road trip to see all the places that his books were set. I actually met and talked with his daughter Anne a few years ago. That was an interesting conversation. She took off writing where her father stopped at his death. One day I’d love to go to the east coast and visit Nora Roberts bookstore Turn the Page in Boonsboro, MD. I grew up reading her books. Recently connected with her JD Robb books too. Also plan to visit Salem, Massachusetts the week of Halloween. So many stories, so little time. Since I love all things paranormal, I’d like to visit Whitby, England. This spot has historically inspired writers like Lewis Carroll, Charles Dickens, and Bram Stoker. One of the most famous scenes from Dracula was set in that town. Seems it would be creepy and romantic all at once.

2. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

There are a few, but most have timetables as to when they will be submitted and published. Fingers crossed. When I write, I usually have three books going at the same time. One book in the writing phase, one in the research phase and one in the editing phase. The only book that will never see the light of day,and this is the first time I’ve ever mentioned it is… The one I wrote to finish off the Twilight Series the way I thought it should have ended. Yep, with Jacob and Renesmee’s story. It was my feeling they deserved their happily ever after. So I gave it to them. LOL

3. Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?

Not sure what you mean. I love to read all genres of fiction. Favorites are mysteries, cozy and regular. Of course romance but usually it has to have magic in it to keep my interest, or a handsome, rich, powerful, yet understanding Irishman. LOL. I guess one point would be that romantic fiction has come a long way from the bodice rippers of yesteryear. Now you have mysteries, time travel, science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal that all can have elements of Romance and vice versa.

4. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

When characters start talking in your head and you are trying to do something else. Like grocery shopping, banking, and cooking dinner. Many an evening, my husband has come into the kitchen, stood looking at me and said, “You weren’t talking to me. It was those voices in your head you were arguing with. Right?” Then he snorts and chuckles on his way out of the room.

5. What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Okay, when I was around two years old, I learned that the word NO was very powerful. It stopped adult conversations and irritated the heck out of my mom. Got me in a lot of trouble as a youngster and teen too. Looking back, I guess you could say I was a difficult, determined individual at any age.As I grew up, the difficult mellowed, but the determined part remains.

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BIO

Tena Stetler is a best selling, award winning author of paranormal romance. She has an over-active imagination, which led to writing her first vampire romance as a tween to the chagrin of her mother and delight of her friends. After many years as a paralegal, then an IT Manager, she decided to live out her dream of pursuing a publishing career. With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of witches, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, and gryphons, with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in telling her their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Well, okay there are a few companion animals to round out the tales. Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, you can find her kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.