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Stevie O’Connor, science fiction author and recent winner of Waking Writer’s Writing Prompt Contest sat down to discuss writing and her latest novel. 

When and why did you begin writing?

As a young child, I started writing ghost stories, and the teachers would read them out to the class. Then, I won the Edward Burne-Jones Award for Literature when I was fifteen. I always had my head in a book or was dreaming up stories. Writing is an intuitive and instinctive process for me.

What have you written so far?

In A Mirror City, Under the Stones, Carmelita de Rosa.

Do you work to an outline or plot sketch, or do you prefer to let a general idea guide your writing?

In A Mirror City and Carmelita de Rosa were written on the fly. I wanted to let the characters and plots develop themselves, and also I hate formulas and synopsis. But for Under The Stones, being a thriller, I spent a while developing the plot and characters before allowing myself to start on the actual novel.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Write every day! It’s a shocking old cliché, but it’s true. If you start out just writing a single paragraph a day, you’ll soon find that over time, the paragraph becomes a page and then a few pages. I try to write 1000 words a day, I don’t, but it’s my aim.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

This is tricky. Writers to me are like rockstars, and I love them. But Doris Lessing is my all-time superhero. I always hoped to meet her but sadly never did. Her intelligence, perspicacity, dry wit and empathy shine out in every novel/short story that she ever wrote.

If there was one thing you could do to change the world, what would it be?

Make men get pregnant and have babies instead of women. It would be the quickest way of changing the current paradigm that I can think of.

Who are some of your favorite authors that you feel were influential in your work?

Doris Lessing, Ray Bradbury, Keri Hulme, Ian Rankin.

What is one great lesson you have learned as a writer?

Be thick-skinned and ignore the naysayers. Don’t let anyone put you down, don’t listen to the sneerers. Do exactly as you want. It’s your life, not theirs. Follow your dream.

What is one thing you hate about being a writer?

Eyestrain and migraines!

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?

I’d like to be a cosmonaut.

Berneta. L. Haynes WAKING WRITER June 2016

UNDER THE STONES by Stevie O'Connor

"Wow, I really enjoyed this book. Such a great opening. It really is a wonderful thing to find an Author that can entertain you from the first page of their story right through to the very last page. The characters are definitely the standout in this book, and the detail and background Stevie O’Connor has put into each one of them. It’s quite understandable when a lady ends up in shock after finding a hand sticking straight up out of the stones on the Kernbeck beach. Certainly not something you would expect if you were out for a walk, and the police inspectors are amazed when the body is unearthed that there is a wallet full of money, and identification with it. Not that a quick identification of Douglas Petrie, a London Literary Agent is going to help them pinning down who murdered him. DI Mark Lambert straight away suspects Petrie’s husband Jake Smithson of the murder. Even though Smithson swears he didn’t do it, DI Lambert knows he is hiding something from the police. John and his wife Liz Murphy thought they had found the perfect retirement plan in smuggling cocaine on a two man yacht into the UK. However they didn’t count on the storm from hell. I love the way the Author has woven the story line, and eventually all the characters start to come together. I really hope this book is turned into a series. Well worth a read! "

Todd Simpson (Australia) Barnes&Noble

"A hard hitting story with an accompanying writing style, and with one of the best prologues I've ever read! This book grabs you from the start and won't let you go until the final paragraph. Emotive reading and highly recommended!"

David Blake (London) Amazon.co.uk

"Excellent moody thriller, full of life and menacing characters, set in this rugged and colourful community. With all Stevie O'Connor books much insight, delicious humour, emotional struggles and hidden gems for us to uncover!"

Beth Dori (Edinburgh) Amazon.co.uk

IN A MIRROR CITY by Stevie O'Connor

"An absorbing read that quickly intrigues the reader. What is this world we find ourselves in? The reader is left to guess at the full back story until near the end, which I found satisfying as I tried to piece the clues together (I guessed it, kinda not really almost). The main character Maja is a sassy cage fighting ninja mind control freak. I was left wanting more of her back story too, which is a good thing. Will look for the sequel."
T.J.Slee, Goodreads.com

"It's not often I read a book during the day that haunts me at night. I'm not saying Stevie O'Connor's, "In a Mirror City" is a horror story, at least I don't think it is, but it draws you in and holds you there, trapping you deep within the mind of the book's protagonist. It reads almost like a literary scholar's science fiction, with wave after wave of beautiful prose being thrashed against a hard, dark dystopian world that you find yourself desperate to leave, but compelled to stay. An absolute "must read" for 2016!"

David Blake (London) Amazon.co.uk

"Wow, what a great Story! When I read a book I want the Author to take me away to another world, and Stevie O’Connor has certainly done this for me. Some parts of this book are quite mesmerising, and this really is a very unique story. Maja Larsen came from a terrible place they called the cage. A refugee camp where people live under the worst possible conditions. She manages to make it out of there, and taken to a pleasure house to work for the entertainment of men. So Maja is still a prisoner, and she has the ever present threat hanging over her head, that she could end up in the fighting pits. Where prisoners have to fight for their life, for the entertainment of the elite men and women. Maja and her friends manage to escape and end up in the town of Fortuna, where Benny one of the escaped prisoners has family. Unfortunately a sadistic guard by the name of Lundrun saw them escape and manages to capture Merv. When Maja and Benny see Merv on TV being tortured by Lundrun in the most inhumane way, they know they have to go back and get him out. This is when Maja’s luck runs out and she is caught and tortured herself by Lundrun. He really is evil. Queenie comes to Maja’s rescue and gets her out, but this is when she starts to wonder who is really on her side, and who can she trust. Once again they are all on the run. There aren’t enough words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. It really is a story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Do yourself a favour and read this book."

Todd Simpson (Australia) Barnes&Noble

"Fantastic read! The story gripped me from start to finish. Highly evocative and exciting, and yes, forcing us at times into uncomfortable places, yet we continue with Maja through her dark twisted landscape to the end. Superb imagery from Stevie O'Connor!"

Beth Dori (Edinburgh) Amazon.co.uk

CARMELITA DE ROSA by Stevie O'Connor

"Those who follow my reviews and book choices will know I had definate tastes and love a series to get into about a place, a detective team or character.
Occasionally I like to step out of my comfort zone and embrace different genres, new authors and interesting books that are difficult to place.
Carmelita de Rosa is a fine example of this and Stevie O'Connor is a fresh writer for me.

Unfortunately I am unable to categorise this novel and still less talented to review a unique reading experience. Full of descriptive vocabulary that lifts the narrative and words that delight and thrill. To which is given colour and depth and the stories unfold filled with passion and a sense of place.
The writing both entices and mesmerises you as it doesn't just circumvent convention it bulldozes right through.
Based in a real time in a real country it is a book that a sense of being timeless and existing before it was begun and will never finish. It isn't just one story but an ensemble of characters who enchant, live independently but all change after Carmelita arrives. It is her story but part of her nature is to embolden others, engender some resentment, but mostly love from her friends and neighbours. Her life enriches and empowers others to live and grasp for more than the povety and status quo.
So as these other characters interact and live with and beyond the close circle of Carmelita's friends they go on their own journeys and in discovering new lands add to the stories with the story.
Part fantasy, part fairy tale. Complete nonsense an erudite social commentary. A journey of self-discovery an example to change and find one's own destiny.
A journal of the seasons and the harness of climate and isolation, but perhaps a diary of companionship and community enterprise.
Above all a magical read that thrills and delights, shocks and stimulates laughter. A book to escape within but learn something of life in the process.
A novel of wit and empathy filled with the potential of life and the power of love.
A book which will decorate a bookshelf but a story to be read and enthrall its readers."
Richard Latham (England) Amazon.co.uk

"Simply Splendid. Stevie O’Connor is such a talent. This is the third book I’ve read across three different genres, and I’ve loved each one of them. Spengler didn’t quite lose the shirt on his back playing cards, but he still managed to lose a house in Spain. Carmelita was more than happy to take it off his hands as she was getting bored with Paris, and thought it might be a good time to move. Maris and Simone both decided to join Carmelita and move to El Rio Sol. The adventure didn’t start out quite so well when their train hit an Ox. After spending an uncomfortable night in a little out of the way village, that was ill- equipped for a train load of passengers. The three of them were in for a surprise when the train did get back under way, to find they had an extra passenger. 7 year old Granida decided she had enough of the village and her neglectful mother, and stowed away on the train after being totally mesmerised by Carmelita. They arrive at El Rio Sol and take ownership of the house, and even though it’s in need of repairs, it has the most magnificent views and a lot of potential. So begins their new life. The Author has done a great job of giving us some insight of what life would have been like in the 1920’s, and I like the history that has been woven into the story. This is a story of three amazing women, that find their place in the world and manage to thrive. A beautifully written and very entertaining book, that I would certainly recommend. Easily worth the 5 star rating."

Todd Simpson (Australia) Barnes&Noble

"Love this book!! A wildly beautiful and imaginative piece of writing. A tale of magical feminine power, naturally instinctive and passionate with much emotional energy and a great deal of fun with Stevie's brilliant wicked humour.
An absolute must read...guaranteed to leave you smiling!"

Beth Dori (Edinburgh) Amazon.co.uk

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