Please help me give a big Hoosblog welcome to Stephanie Scott!

Stephanie and I first connected online through mutual friends, then met in 2019 when I was at a conference near where she lives. She’s super supportive of other authors and while she doesn’t mention it here, she started a Facebook group called Instagram for Writers where we chat about, well, Instagram! (She was also kind enough to make me a moderator there.) Her feed is worth following, so check that out.

Stephanie Scott writes young adult and romance about characters who put their passions first. Her debut ALTERATIONS about a fashion-obsessed loner who reinvents herself was a Romance Writers of America RITA® award finalist. FALLING INTO PLACE is sweet second chance romance part of a multi-author series. She also has a short story in the YA anthology WELCOME HOME from Flux Books and a holiday romance in TIS THE SEASON FOR LOVE, a limited release box set out on Oct 14. She enjoys dance fitness, everything cats, and has a slight obsession with Instagram. A Midwest girl at heart, she resides outside of Chicago with her tech-of-all-trades husband and fuzzy furbabies.

Tell us about your book.

Tis the Season For Love released October 14 – it’s a collection of sweet holiday romance novellas including my story, O-M-G Christmas Tree. Mine is loosely based on a friend’s real-life story where the biggest tree in the Christmas tree lot was supposedly being saved for someone important, only they snatched up it first. In this case, City Girl Megan aims to make up for her lack of family involvement with a huge tree gifted to her mom and new stepfather just in time for the holidays. Only mayor’s son Nick needs that tree for a charity benefit and sorta forgot to pick it up in time. Whoops! The two meet and clash, despite their attraction for each other. It’s a small-town “frenemies” to lovers story with a little bit of sass and some well-timed mistletoe.

This box set will be a limited release with 100% of proceeds going to Love146, an organization committed to ending child trafficking and exploitation.

Buy Tis the Season for Love

Now for the fun stuff!

What’s your favorite genre? Do you read what you write?

I mostly read adult and YA contemporary romance which I write as well. I also like historical fiction and historical romance. This past summer I joined a fun book club on Instagram that read through historical romance author Sarah MaClean’s entire catalog. One book a week for four months – intense, but what a great experience to get through so many months of extreme social distancing. I also read urban fantasy, non-fiction, and memoirs.

OMG that is a lot of reading!! That’s cool you found a group like that.

What’s your favorite part about writing?

The initial phase when story ideas come together. Right now, I’m developing an idea to write for November’s National Novel Writing Month which I do nearly every year. I usually start with a character or a setting and build the story in layers. The best is when I ask my husband for input. We’re both ideas people, but his idea tend to include people dying or fantasy/sci-fi elements that push my thinking outside of the box (but don’t necessarily make it into the story).

I don’t know why, but I get so excited for my writing friends when they’re developing new ideas! Yay! And that’s awesome that your husband helps you develop ideas. Jeremy has been helpful with that too.

What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

The days when I’m stuck on a plot point, or when I’m 2/3 of the way in, where shiny new ideas want to steal my attention. Sometimes deciding which direction a story should go can stump me and block my progress.

The middle of the novel is the hardest part for me. And those shiny ideas are a blessing and a curse!

What’s an activity unrelated to writing that you love?

Video games. I’m a casual gamer, but die-hard for a few franchises. I currently play Destiny 2 which is a fantasy shooter that can be played solo or multi-player. With regular content updates, there’s always something to do. That’s both a plus and a problem because THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING TO DO. They say write what you know, so my next story idea involves multiple types of gaming – console video games, tabletop games, and game development. I love seeing gaming more normalized in fiction – so many adults play games as a regular part of their lives because we grew up playing. I loved when the Wii became big and families were playing together across generations. Other favorites are the Fallout series, Skyrim, and Dragon Age. I love a good character creator and an open world with a compelling story.

I love that you’re going to write about gaming!! I also admire that you play. My husband has played WoW for years and has given up inviting me to play with him.

Who’s your biggest cheerleader?

A tie between my husband and my mom.

<3<3<3

Now I’d like to play a fun little game called This or That. As a writer, I find that a lot of interviews ask the same questions, so I always appreciate sharing something new about myself. I’m super excited about these questions—and I hope you enjoy them!

Introvert or extrovert? I’m right on the line of extrovert/introvert in the Meyers-Briggs personality test. I like to think I’m adaptable to both.

Morning or night person? Night owl.

Coffee or tea? Herbal tea daily.

Sweet or salty? Sweet for sure.

Eternal summer or four seasons? I love my seasons. Late spring with flowering trees and early fall when the leaves turn colors are my favorite.

Mountains or beach? Mountains.

Dogs or cats? Cats – my kitties Poe and Rey are fiercely snuggly and highly entertaining.

Over 5’5” or under? I’m 5’8”.

Left or right-handed? Right handed.

Hoodie or yoga pants? I’d say both but if I have to choose, yoga pants.

I should take the Meyers-Briggs test again. I’ve always assumed I’m an extrovert, but as I’ve gotten older I feel like I’m split between the two.

Stephanie, thank you so much for spending this time with me and my readers. Readers, you can find Stephanie at these links—and be sure to check out Tis the Season for Love!