I've always been a hopeless romantic with an undying love for a good romance novel, so it's only fitting that I now writes them. Originally from Glasgow, Scotland, this is where my books are predominantly set. My books are romantic, suspenseful and sometimes funny but there's always a HEA (eventually).
What got you into writing your own stories?
I’ve always been a reader. At school my English teacher said I had a flair for writing and one of my short stories even got published in the school paper. I fell in love with romance in my early teens and haven’t looked back. When I left my job in a busy office in 2011 to work with my husband doing admin for our business, I was so bored that I decided I’d do some writing. I enjoyed the escapism so much, and when a friend told me she loved what I’d written, I decided to publish it.
What genre do you write?
I write spicy contemporary romance. My stories have a good balance of spice and plot, and usually a life lesson or two that my characters learn along the way.
Tell us about your WIP.
Guarded Hearts is book 2 in my Crush Cabaret Series. It’s a bodyguard, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity romance. The characters have featured in other books and the story revolves around my MFC Clara being targeted by an anonymous entity due to her father’s vast wealth. Needing a minder to appease her overprotective father, she asks the head of security at the cabaret club she works at to help her, much to her father’s annoyance.
How would you describe your writing style?
I’d say my writing style is empathetic, suspenseful, and heartfelt. I want my reader to feel the same empathy for my characters as I do. After I’ve put them through the wringer that is.
What comes more easily, plot or characters?
It’s a mix of both for me. My characters and their flaws or backstory help to drive the plot and they both have to be strong at the same time in order to tell the story.
Do you cross over genres or do you only stick to one?
I don’t cross genres. I write what I love to read and I have read many different genres throughout my life but contemporary romance has always been the one I gravitate back to.
What is your "writer's den" like?
My husband gave me his man cave to write in a few years ago because I used to write at the dining table. It was uncomfortable and he took pity on me. When I’m writing it’s chaotic. I keep all my writing craft books beside me on my desk for quick reference when I’m writing. The main thing is it’s cosy and private. A place I can lose myself in my work and be creative.
How do you get into the flow for writing? Do you have any rituals?
Before I start a new project I like to clean my office. Organise all my things and dust an vacuum the place. I also set up either a new notebook or a new section in a notebook to help with plotting and notes. I also like to set up a new playlist of music that I think might match the vibe of the book I’m writing. I love listening to the stories in songs. A lot of times it gives me inspiration. In fact a scene in my book Game Changer was written because of the words in a specific song.
What is your personally most significant achievement as a writer, and why?
Finishing and publishing nine books to date while, raising my family, running a busy business and doing a hard grafting job. I’ve learned a lot about publishing in the last eight years I’ve been publishing books, but I’ve learned a great deal about myself in that time too.
What would be the greatest achievement for you to aim for as a writer if anything were possible?
I’d love to be able to write full time. When you have other responsibilities, especially another business to run it’s hard to devote as much time and energy to the writing process as you really need.
What are you most grateful for as a writer?
I’m grateful to anyone who picks up my books and reads them. Whether they like them or not isn’t important. That someone chose to read at all gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction.
Do you have a day job? What is it?
I run a plumbing business with my husband. I am hands on and help to fit bathrooms.
Has a real-life experience informed your writing? Share the scene it inspired.
There are a few things I’ve put in my books that have been inspired by real life experiences. Most of them are highly emotive and I prefer to keep people guessing what might be real and what could be made up.
Do you read the same genre you write? Why, or why not?
I read mostly contemporary romance but I have been known to read the odd Stephen King book or a good murder mystery.
Do you read fellow indie authors' works? Why or why not?
I read mostly indie author's books because I feel they’re less constrained in what they write. And if I’m honest some are better written than a lot of traditionally published books.
Is there an author who inspires you?
I’ve been inspired by a lot of different authors and so I couldn’t give one in particular. The fact that someone dares to dream and hits that publish button inspires me every day.
Give us some fun facts about yourself.
I’m a plumber (in training) by day.
I have an unhealthy obsession for pens and notebooks.
What's one of your funniest experiences?
Most of my funniest experiences involve my kids but one that always makes me smile involves my daughter who is now 22. When she was 5 she went to a Christmas church service with her school and I gave her some change to put in the collection plates when they came round. I asked her if she put it in later that day and she said yes she did but that her friend didn’t have to because her dad is the Prime Minister. What she actually meant was that her friend's dad was the minister of the church!
Do you have any hobbies?
Until my writing can make me a steady living I suppose it’s writing at the moment.
What's your favorite holiday? Why this one?
Halloween and Christmas. I love decorating the house.
What's your favorite season? Why this one?
Summer. My birthday is in the summer and the sunshine always makes me feel happy.
Do you have pets?
Yes. An English Springer Spaniel named Coco. At almost 13 years old she’s a perpetual puppy and wired to the moon. Oh and she’s agoraphobic!
Connect with C.L Stewart here.
Featured Book: War Games
C.L. Stewart has done it again. What a beautiful story! War Games is a deeply moving book about seeking redemption. I’ve always admired Stewart’s books because each one deals with important psychological themes and this one doesn’t disappoint. I’d like to thank the author for raising awareness about PTS syndrome. It is a condition that isn’t taken into account enough and that is poorly understood by the general public. This book is well-researched and beautifully written. I totally loved it.
Why would you like to feature this book?
This has been the one book I’ve written that brought me to tears as I wrote it. I felt so much sympathy for both of the main characters and their struggles in their lives.
Who was your favorite character to write?
Joe. His resilience to deal with his PTSD and not go down the same route as Nessa’s brother (turning to drugs and ending it all). He embraced the help his family gave him and proved that ex-army personnel need help to reintegrate into society when they come home.
What was your favorite scene to write?
The scene where Nessa finds out about her father’s true feelings toward her and her brother. I felt her pain and shock as I wrote the scene.
What was the spark that started this book?
I watched a documentary on ex-British army soldiers and the effects of PTSD on their lives when they came home from war zones. It hurt to watch how it affected not only them but their families and when they spoke of how little help they received when they came home I felt it was something that was taken for granted.
What was the most interesting random fact you researched for this book?
Probate law in Scotland. It was interesting of find out that spouses and children cannot be disinherited in Scotland even if it’s written into a will. As the United Kingdom, there are laws that apply to all four nations, however all the devolved nations have some of their own too. I’m sure there are similar laws in England however as the story takes place in Scotland this was the law I researched.
What's the message you worked into this book?
That family isn’t always blood related.
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