Thursday, March 20, 2014

Interview with S.E. Smith

Today I am happy to have S.E Smith here for an interview. I first heard of her when I won her book Hunter's Claim and after I received it and read it I absolutely loved it. First a little about S.E. Smith. S.E. Smith enjoys the art of writing and being a storyteller who shares love and laughter through her works. She likes to travel and go camping in between working on computers and spending time with her family. Readers can check out her website at http://sesmithfl.com. She would love for you to stop by her site and say hello. So without further ado, here is my interview with S.E. Smith.

1. Did you always want to be a writer?

I think the question is more did I always dream of being a writer. I did but never believed it could ever be a reality. So often you hear of being rejected by publishers or having a great story but no one reads it. That can be a huge deterrent to most writers. For me, I started writing for my own enjoyment and continue to do so. I know if I enjoy the story, it came out right. I am fortunate that others enjoy them as well.

2. You write in a lot of genres. What is your favorite?

That is a hard question to answer. Truthfully, I have had stories that would go right along with Stephen King and Dean R. Koontz to children and young adult to Science Fiction, Paranormal and Time Travel romance that I have shared. My favorite is any that has to do with a fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal element. Those capture my attention and ignite my imagination.

3. I read "Hunter's Claim" by you after winning it in a giveaway. I will be honest romance is not my favorite genre. However I started the first few pages and was hooked. You did the romance part so well. I know this is one of your most recent books. Tell me a bit about how you came up with the concept. And then please tell me about the strong bond between Jesse and Hunter, because it was very romantic without being overdone and I cried at some points and I am NOT a crier!

For me the story is about the relationship between the characters. How they handle the situations they are in and react to each other. While all my stories have a romantic element through them, it is not the primary focus of any of my stories. We all have relationships in our lives, whether they are between siblings, parents, friends or someone we fall in love with. When you meet someone you fall in love with it isn't like you say, 'I'm going to fall in love with that person', it usually hits you one of two ways, gradually you realize it or bam, right between the eyes when you least expect it. That is part of life. In Hunter's Claim, this is what happens. You see the relationship that Jesse has with her sisters, how they handle the situations they find themselves in, who they are in good times and bad, and how she finds love when she leasts expects it. This goes for Hunter as well. In any good relationship, there is learning, acceptance, understanding and the willingness to be a partner. I'm glad to see you saw and felt that in their story.

4. I love the strength and endurance and closeness of the characters in Hunter's Claim. Is this something you do in other books with your characters?

Yes, is the best answer to this question. I think this is why my secondary characters are just as strong as my leading ones. You want to know more about them because you see the bond between them. As I mentioned above, the stories are about the relationships between the characters. Even the most minor are important as they influence and affect those around them. It is who we meet in life that makes us who we are. Even seeing something special that a stranger does for you or someone else can have an impact on you later on.

5. Tell me about writing strong female characters like Jesse.

Jesse is your every day girl. She is you, me, my sister, my mom, my friends. Each of us faces challenges every day. The strength comes from how we handle them. Sometimes it may be with a scream, a cry, then pulling up our 'big girl panties' and moving on. Sometimes it is just with a grit of our teeth and a let's get this over with. It is okay if sometimes we are overwhelmed as long as we push ahead. We are strong like Jesse. That is what I think of when I write my female characters.

6. Are any of your characters based on you or anyone you know?

I see a touch of my characters in everyone around me. I think that is what is the most interesting thing. I know I've felt like Gracie when I wanted to throw the mother of all temper tantrums. It feels great once you've done it and then you move on. I see men and women every day, both in person and on the news, that have triumphed over huge obstacles. I see my friends and family who love and care about each other. I think it is using them as role models for my characters that make the characters seem like someone you know.

7. Who are your greatest influences?

The everyday people who don't give up. There are those who became famous, of course. But it is the everyday people I live and work with that continue to amaze me. Sally, Julie, Elizabeth and Narelle who would reach out to a stranger and offer their hand, strength and shoulder even though they didn't know me. Lisa who laughs and brightens the world around her as she juggles a daily schedule that would send most people screaming. And my own hero, who has given me the strength to believe in myself and my dream and stand next to me through thick and thin.

8. Out of all of your books, which do you like the best and which were the most fun to write?

My favorite is a toss up between Lily's Cowboys and Gracie's Touch. I love all the stories but those two are very special in their own ways because of the female leads. My most fun to write would have to be Choosing Riley. I swear, she kept me on my toes the whole book and I couldn't wait to see what she would have to say next or how Vox would handle it. Though, Capturing Cara was a very close second!

9. Where do you like to write? For example in a nearby park, out of your patio, at a favorite desk?

Now, I most write in the small bedroom I've converted into an office, though I'm sitting in the car in the driveway answering this question. LOL. I can write just about anywhere which is awesome.

10. What is your must have snack/drink while writing?

Hot tea. I love drinking a cup of hot tea while I write. Sometimes just holding the cup between my hands while I think, read or re-write a section helps. There is just something very calming about it.

11. You have such a body of work. Do you carry a notebook around with you for all of your ideas or are you able to remember everyone and keep the characters and stories straight?

I wish! Actually, Julie has taken on the task for me now. Until now, I keep everything in my head. For me, when I return to a world it is like visiting old friends. Still, as the number of series grows and the worlds get bigger and more detailed, I know having a guide will save me from going crazy.

10. Tell me about what you are working on now and what we have to look forward too from you.

I just released Krac's Firebrand: Zion Warriors Book 2. I plan to take a few days off to catch up on other things (like cleaning the house, mowing the yard, organizing my office) before I start on Twin Dragons: Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 7. I will also continue work on my young adult story Milo and the Wizard's Ink. Just the first chapter gave me goosebumps!

Thank you for having me. You asked some really awesome questions and it was a pleasure to share my thoughts and answers with you. For more information on my books, readers can check out my website at http://sesmithfl.com/ Join me for additional information about the books at http://www.pinterest.com/sesmithfl/https://twitter.com/sesmithfl,  https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5?fref=ts, and at my new book discussion forum at http://www.sesmithromance.com/forum/.

Wow that was an awesome interview! Thank you so much for putting so much thought into the answers. I am nothing if not honest and if there was an award for the most pleasant surprise in a book and favorite new author, you would win that. I am really looking forward to reading all of your other books. You are welcome to come to my blog anytime to promote your new books or to do a guest blog. I would be happy to have  you. Thank you again for agreeing to the interview and I hope to have you back soon.

Please be sure to stop by and visit S.E Smith at the links provided above and I can personally recommend Hunter's Claim as a book of hers to read. My review is posted here on my blog.


We are not done yet! S.E. Smith has been nice enough to host an awesome giveaway so here are the details. S.E. is giving away two autographed sets of the Zion Warrior series which includes the books Gracie's Touch and Krac's Firebrand. So I want to thank S.E. for this generous giveaway and I encourage you to enter. Just look to your right and you will see the rafflecopter form. I am going to let the giveaway run for a week so get your entry in or miss out on two great books!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!


25 comments:

  1. I love SE Smith's books. I've read them all and she is a must buy. I love that her female characters have a brain and are not afraid to use it!

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  2. You can't go wrong with SE Smith's books. They are great!!

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    1. When I was done with "Hunter's Claim" I asked S.E. Smith what would be a good next book and she gave me the name of two. I agree with you. I think I could pick anyone and I would enjoy it :)

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  3. I found her randomly on kindle, and have fallen in love with her characters!

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    1. Well you read the interview. I won the book from a contest and from this first book, I have fallen in love with her characters as well. I cannot wait to read my next S.E. Smith book!

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  4. I also love SE Smith's book. Starting at 8p the night before the release of a new ebook, I on amazon to see if it's being release early.

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    1. I did not even know that books got released early. Now that I am a fan, I will have to check too. Thanks for stopping by and giving me the tip :) I hope you enjoyed the interview. It was one of my favorites. .S.E. Smith just has a way with words.

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  5. i found her when i was looking for something new to read, something different and was so glad i found her books i'm hooked and have read everything that is out so far

    Jessica Parsons

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    1. Isn't that funny how that happens? Like I said in the interview and above in another comment I won "Hunter's Claim" in a contest and it is my favorite book of this year so far. I told S.E. Smith when I spoke with her that I will be reading all of her books now! I am glad you enjoy then and found them also. ENJOY!

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    2. I found capturing cara first even though it was the second in the series i wasn't lost but after that i found everything i could and spent a long week catching up on what was already out :)

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  6. SE Smith is my favourite author! Love all her books

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    1. I have only read the one books but I think she is going to become one of my very favorite authors. I am so glad you love all of her books. Like I said before, she has such a way with words and I love it!

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  7. Fantastic stories. I found S E Smith by accident and was intrigued by the cover and blurb so I tried a sample and was hooked from there. I love her characters she makes them so real

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    1. That is funny I am reading all of these comments and people seem to have found S.E. Smith by accident. But what a find! I agree with you about her characters. I like to care about my characters and for that to happen they have to be real so you can connect to them. I am so happy you love her stories. I cannot wait to read the next one.

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  8. I totally agree! As a first time reader of S.E. Smith's books, I spoke with her about the strength of her female characters. Love it. Thanks for stopping by! I cannot wait to pick and read my next book :)

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  9. LOVED Choosing Riley! She kept me in stitches and on my toes as well! I think I'll go re-rad that one :)

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    1. Not that they are not on my list already but I will put this one one my list because you are so enthusiastic about it! Have you read Hunter's Claim? That is the one I mentioned I read and darn it if I did not love the romance which I usually hate lol! S.E. Smith has a fan for life. I am so happy you loved the interview. She was great I asked if she would and she said yes. Lucky us right? She is very talented and the book world is lucky to have her. Happy reading!

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  10. I own every book SE Smith has written. She is my top recommend to anyone who likes romance and I'm happy to see her here on your blog. Read Choosing Riley, it's a blast and the sassiest heroine I've read in a long time. She writes women the way women actually are!

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    1. WOW! Every book? You are a fan! I am a newbie but still a big fan. You are the second person that mentioned Choosing Riley I may buy that today. I have some gift card credit at Amazon. I prefer the softcover but I may want to just start reading it. I am so happy you liked the interview and commented. I have got to know S.E. and she is a wonderful woman and I loved Jesse in "Hunter's Claim" so yes she does write woman they way they are. I thought so at least. So as happy as you were I am glad she said yes to being here on my blog. She is definitely the most popular and most loved author I have interviewed in my 4 1/2 months blogging. I guess you are waiting patiently for her next book since you own all of hers. But I bet they are good to re-read. I hope to have her back to do a guest blog and I will be reading and reviewing more of her books. Thanks for reading my blog and I know S.E. is on a little trip but she has seen all of the comments. Take care :)

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  11. That is a great story. I love books that are part of a series but stand on their own. I am going to follow all of S.E.'s media (I thought I had) so I know when her next books are coming out and I am going to start with the intention of reading all of her books. It is rare to find a great author where every book they write is good. I hope she will come back and do a guest post or stop by to do another giveaway and say hello with her next release. Nice to know you. I made a circle of everyone who left a comment here so I can ask for book help lol! Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you entered the contest and if so good luck!

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  12. Love this interview and love SE Smith. I randomly found one of her books on amazon kindle store and have been in love with her writing since!

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    1. Thank you so much Amanda. I loved being able to interview her. So you are kind of like me you got a random book and fell in love with her writing. Awesome. I hope you entered the contest. If not I am sure there will be more. Enjoy all you S.E. Smith books!

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  13. Thanks for hosting an interesting interview with SE Smith, you had some great questions. I hope you enjoy the next book you read by her, if you enjoyed Hunter's Claim I too would recommend Choosing Riley or River's Run as the next book you read. I find I am rereading at least one of her book a month so I don't think you will go wrong with most of hers! (Although side note, my mother, who I introduced to SE Smith last fall, was a bit uncomfortable with the ménage situations in Lily's Cowboys and Touching Rune. If you feel the same you may want to read her other stories first. Thanks again for the interview and giveaways.

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    1. You are so welcome it was my pleasure trust me. S.E. is one of the nicest and most generous people you will ever meet. Thank you (blush) for saying I had great questions. An interview thing that bothers me that even famous bloggers do is ask the same boring 10 question to every author. I tailor my questions to the author and the book if I have read it. Thank you for the recommendation you are the third person to recommend Choosing Riley next to read. And thank you for the warning about the s-e-x lol! But I am okay with that. Your mother sounds cute. So again I do my best to bring new and established authors to you and tons of giveaways. I have won so many giveaways and know how awesome it is to win. Especially a book and especially with the prices of books. I hope to bring you more authors you like. I am bold and will ask an author I do not know to do a guest post or interview so let me know who you would like to see and I will do my best to get them here. Thank you again for your comment. All my best

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  14. Thanks for your post, Holly. It is strange but some characters say 'This is a menage' while others are like 'no way'. I never know until I start writing. Tell your mom I said hello! - )

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