Interview with Stephanie Queen

How did you get into writing?

I was very cordially invited to write a story by the Nuns in second grade. They were persuasive in their insistence. Bless those Nuns.

What inspired you to write PLAYING THE GAME?

I’m a jockette from way back, so it seemed the logical, if self-indulgent, thing to do to write a romance with a sports hero.

What are your current projects?

I’m working on THE HOT SHOTS, which is book 2 of the Scotland Yard Exchange Program series of romantic comedy mysteries. These stories are about ex-hot shots from the Yard who end up in Boston solving crime and falling madly in love. Did you realize there may be a culture clash between dashing Brits and Boston street cops? Could be something left over from that revolutionary war deal…

Did you learn anything from writing your current release PLAYING THE GAME and what was it?

I learned about the power of advertising. To whit, the image of the Marlboro Man still lives even after attempts to kill him off by government regulation and common sense. (Note: The hero’s peculiar vice is that he occasionally smokes Marlboros due to his childhood dream of being The Marlboro Man)

Do you have any advice for other writers?

When you run into the Writer’s Block, jump over it so you don’t hurt your shins. Also, remember that zero words are worse than the worst possible words you could think of writing. In fact, you should probably TRY to write the WORST possible story you can to prove it. That’s my favorite writing exercise.

How important is the support and friendship of other writers?

Writer friends are like my crack addiction, except they’re not illegal and there’s no drugs involved unless you count chocolate. I drive two hours each way every month just to have lunch with some of my favorite writer friends. And the food isn’t that good. Since the advent of on-line workshops, visiting with writer friends is the ONLY reason I attend writing conferences. (There’s no one from the IRS reading this, is there?)

Tell us a little something about yourself that we don't know.

I only wear my Queen Crown out on special occasions. And sometimes to the grocery store if my chauffeur Myren insists.

What would happen if the “priest” of basketball, the man most admired by all dedicated superstar athletes, Barry Dennis, met his match?

And his match was a woman?

Playing the Game: about more than a ball.

For more about Stephanie Queen and her books, visit her website at www.StephanieQueen.com, follow her on Twitter @Stephanie Queen or catch up with her on her Stephanie Queen Facebook page.