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Today we have the lovely and very busy Stormy Smith visiting Gin’s Book Notes. Stormy’s debut novel, BOUND BY DUTY released this week! Be sure to enter the giveaway for a $5 Amazon Gift Card at the end of this post and also enter the Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a paperback copy of BOUND BY DUTY (3 WINNERS).
Hi Stormy! Welcome to Gin’s Book Notes and congratulations on your debut novel, Bound by Duty (Bound Series, Book One). How does it feel to release your first novel?
So very exciting. And nauseating. And it makes me want to take a victory lap around all of Des Moines right after I hide under the covers until it’s over.
When I started out on this journey – one year ago – I had no idea where it would take me. I knew I had a story in my head, which had never happened to me before, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to truly tell it. It took a lot of support from my husband, my friends and family, the Rebel Writers (my writing group) and a few authors I look up to, to get me this far. I honestly still can’t believe people are out there right now buying my book.
Which character surprised you while you were writing Bound by Duty?
Bethany. I had no idea on the first page of the first chapter when I introduced her how integral she would be. I didn’t know she would be the voice of reason, albeit with her own southern flavor. She is one of my most favorite characters and I just let her tell me who she was. Her parts were the least rewritten and ones readers have connected most to.
What is your favorite scene from your book?
Oh, goodness. That’s like asking a parent which kid is their favorite…no fair! But, if you’re going to make me pick, I think it’s one toward the end of the story. I can’t really tell you much about it without giving a lot away, but suffice to say that when you get to the part where she shares a memory with someone she’s just met, that’s my favorite. It’s some of the most emotional and vivid writing I did. I’m hoping to pull more of that flavor into books two and three now that I’m really comfortable with my style.
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