Author Interview: Kira Stanley
Tell us about yourself.
I first have to say that I find talking about myself hard to do so if you bear with me…just pretend like you are listening to a friend named Kira Stanley…who just so happened to be an author.
I have been obsessed with romance since…well forever. This romantic passion has bled into most of my personal preferences in life…I love romantic comedies, I gobble up all the anime, manga and Korean/Chinese romantic dramas I can get my hands on and I married my high school sweetheart! I just had a passion for love and all the different faces and tropes that it covers but I found myself adding characters in my head or making up a different ending. I had a lot of trouble with love triangles because I usually liked them both for different reasons and couldn’t “ship” them with either. That’s when I found out about Why Choose/RH and I was obsessed all over again.
There was really nothing special about how I started to professionally write. I always had people asking me to write papers, proof things, making it look or sound better and I thought that if I did that for free for others why not do it for myself? So, one day I started to write a little book called Crazy People. It was about a quirky funny scientist that was trapped in a mental facility, that was told that she was crazy but really wasn’t. Then came in the 4 spies that hated each other but had to work together to get her out and a series was born! I will admit…it took me 9 months to write the first book, (yikes!) but I got faster and better with each book. I always tell people that I am a storyteller that comes up with great stories but my editor and proofreaders make me an author because they keep me within the rules of writing. On 4/20/23 it will be officially two years as an Indie Author.
Tell us about your book.
I have a recent release that I am SUPER excited about because it goes back to my roots of Paranormal Romance! The story is called Reluctant Queen and it’s about Lucifer’s daughter that ran away from Hell to start her own life but daddy needs her to come back and has sent the four horsemen to bring her back! It’s super spicy (not in a taboo way) but it will have you laughing as well as thinking naughty thoughts.
I have always been fascinated with thoughts around Heaven and Hell and God. How Michael felt about Lucifer going to rule Hell… how God made those decisions… how maybe they are just a fucked-up family like the rest of us but with awesome powers. So, Lillian was born in my mind and I have always loved the four horseman as male characters so it just all fit. The fun thing about this book is every angel/demon you meet is named after an actual biblical angel/demon.
Who is your favorite character in your book/series? Why?
I would say that War is my favorite. He is rough and violent (just like my crazy Aries self) but when he is in, he is ALL IN. No turning back, no exchanges. And I just love that.
What is your writing process? Show us a day (or week) in the life.
Um…can I say chaotic? I have a full-time job running a family-owned small business and I take care of two kids under 6…so after the kids go to bed, I write. I pound a Red Bull and write until I fall asleep and then do it all over again the next day. LOL But I will say that I am an outliner. It’s always a loose outline that I can change around and shuffle chapters but I always have a general idea of where the book is going to go.
What keeps you motivated to write?
I would say that the characters and stories in my head keep me motivated. This is also the only thing that I have that is just mine. It’s mine to succeed in, it’s mine to control, it’s mine to nurture and grow how I see fit. It’s giving a little piece of me to the world.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I am not writing (or taking care of children) I am watching TV or movies. It could be junk TV like reality shows, it could be funny sitcoms, it could be reruns or my favorite Asian dramas but it’s really something to just zone out on and give my mind a rest from thinking so hard.
What subgenres or tropes are your favorites to read?
I really read anything but I would say my favorite is why choose/RH enemies to lovers. I like the tension and fighting. I like the miscommunication and I like the battiness. It’s odd but I do.
Are you a cat person or a dog person?
Dog person but I am finding that specific cats I do like so…I can be persuaded.
What’s your reading drink and snack of choice?
My favorite drink is Diet Coke. I know it’s bad for me but I just love it. As for a snack…um… anything with potatoes and I’m good.
Where is your perfect reading spot?
My favorite reading spot is on the couch. I like to be on the long side, pillow behind my head and a blanket over my legs.
What’s your favorite book / #1 comfort re-read / #1 book you recommend to everyone?
This is going to be funny because it’s not why choose/RH BUT it’s an amazing story that I always go back to when I need something I know I will love. It’s called The Emorers Edge by Lindsay Buroker. Great FMC, deadly MMC and a ragtag team of ruffians you just love to pieces.
Who or what has had the most influence on you as a writer?
I would say that a lot of writers have influenced me but the main ones would be CM Stunich and Kristy Cummings. The way they just pull you into a story and make it hilarious as well as deep is a talent.
Where can readers find you online?
You can really find me anywhere but click on the link below for easy access. Also don’t hesitate to say hi or strike up a conversation, I LOVE talking to readers and other authors! https://linktr.ee/kirastanley
