Behind the Book with Sylvia Stein

Behind the Books with Sylvia Stein

When did you first decide you wanted to be an author?

I wanted to first become an author since as early as the age of 7.  I can still recall writing my first stories about fairies and enchanted places.   I always wanted to create a make believe world since my mom and dad divorced and we had to go and live with my grandparents. 

Tell us about your life when you're not writing?

I love to spend time with my husband Jeremy and three wonderful children Paul 8, Michael 7 and Consuelo 3. 

What's the one thing people don't know about you?

 I can speak Spanish fluently since I grew up with the language being born Mexican American born and raised in Brownsville Texas to parents that immigrated from Mexico and became citizens in the 1970’s. 

If you  weren't an author, what would your other career choice be? 

I would be a song writer because I love music, and writing songs.  

Was there any one person that helped you decide to pursue this path?  If so who?

Yes there was.  It was actually two people my mother in law Kathie Stein because she was is a fiber artist who works a full time job and she told me to focus on what I love and not give up on it!   I also wanted to thank Best selling author Melissa Foster whom I met on fb and has inspired me to keep going with her World Literary Cafe and the #Sharethelove4Authors from the WLC Community,  Melissa’s Awesome Support Team etc.  She along with other fellow authors have been amazing. 

How do you come up with the stories you write?  

I start to envision my characters, then I create the story around that particular character.

What's the most frustrating part of being an author in your opinion?

The most frustrating part of being an author in my opinion is finding more time to write.  I love being a wife and mother of three however since I have little ones, I have to adjust my schedule to their own.  

What's the most positive part of being an author in your opinion? 

The most positive part of being an author is creating stories and characters that all come to me. 

What category do your books fall under? 

I write all types of genres.  My categories are fictional stories- that fall under fantasy, romance and also psychological thrillers.

Have you ever considered writing outside that category?  If so which one and why? 

Yes I have as a matter of fact.   I have joined a writer’s group on LinkedIn and I write

anything from science fiction to mystical and so forth.  

What advice have you followed that has made a significant change in your perspective?

The advice I was given when I first got into writing was to join a writer’s group so that others could help to critique my work.  This was done by best selling author and Book doctor David Henry Sterry.  David and his wife Arielle who has been a literary agent for years and also author teamed up to help authors perfect their pitches in what it is they are writing and have helped many authors.   It changed my perspective and has helped in the way I write my dialogue and in creating my characters. 

If a new author came to you and asked for advice, what advice would you give?

If a new author came to me and asked for my advice I would tell them to write and always find the time to write and never give up on it.   No matter how busy you get find time to always create and write. 

Would you rather be a self-published author or signed to a major publishing company? 

I think I would like to start out as a self publish author and try and publish if I can as an independent author and then if it so happened a major publishing company would sign me that would be great too.  However,  I have met some very talented and wonderful independent authors and I have to say that I respect both Indie as well as traditional publishers. 

What's the difference between your online personality and your personal life? 

There is no difference between my online personality and my personal life.  I am Sylvia Stein all the time wife, mother, friend, author and I love to treat everyone with respect all the time.  I do not think I need to change and be different.  The only thing is I do keep two facebook pages one of my personal with my family and kids but I do share about them also in my separate writing page!

When you think about writing, do you consider this more of a professional career or a hobby?  

I consider my writing as a professional career.  I really am enjoying this part of my life so much.   I waited so long to make it a reality. Now that it is here I just want to do it all the time.   I am also going for a Master’s of Creative Writing.

What was the first story you wrote?  Did you publish it?

The first story I wrote was The Hidden Message with my writer’s group.  Prior to that I had written stories as a kid and also wrote plays and poems.   I do have poems that were published on Poetry. com.  However my first published work became a reality this past February 14, 2013 when my first Anthology with my writer’s group was published along with 15 other authors.   This has been a dream come true. 

How have you changed as an author since your book was published? No I have not changed since I became a published author.  I always recognize that this could not have been possible without the support of my family.  My husband is very supportive and also the Writers Group. 

Do you consider yourself a sociable person in real life or more private?  

Depends on the event.  I am friendly and sociable and not a shy person.  I grew up as the oldest of 7 in our family so I always tended to be the one who tried to protect everyone else.

What was your favorite vacation, and why?

My favorite vacation has been whenever I get to go back home and visit Brownsville, Texas because I miss my family and friends and the good Texas food. 

If you could have your book read by any celebrity, who would it be and why?

I would have to say Jodi Picoult and Nicholas Sparks who have been such big inspirations.    Also Jillian Flynn. 

Are there any social causes that you support?  If so what are they and why?

I tried to support social causes that deal with women and children.  The main reason is that my mother was a victim of domestic violence so whenever possible I try to support that cause.  Also I am a mother of three and I think causes that deal with protecting our children and also I am against Bullying- no child or anyone should ever have to deal with that type of issue.   

Follow Sylvia Stein

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