Meet Author Stacy-Deanne

I have a confession. Stacy-Deanne is one of those people I would love to meet in person. From our interactions online, she’s helpful to others and also very honest. I love that she will give you her opinion, even if you won’t like it. LOL. A woman after my own heart. Enjoy…

Please tell everyone a little about yourself?

My name is Stacy-Deanne (Dee-Anne). I was born, raised and reside in Houston, Texas. I am single and I have no kids. I have been writing professionally since 1997 at 19 years old and I am the author of five books with more on the way!

What genre(s) do you write?

My main genres are crime fiction, mystery and suspense.

Have you always been a fan of suspense and mystery novels?

Oh yes. It started with loving Hitchcock films then I fell in love with Edgar Allan Poe and from that point on I just loved the genre.

What drew you into writing suspense and mystery?

I love writing about bad people. Point blank. I’ve always been enthralled with villains, serial killers, psychos, criminals and the evil in people. I love digging into the mind of “evil”. So writing allows me to be evil, to cross that line. I just get a feeling I can’t explain. Something about being on that line between evil and deadly it’s…I don’t know. So with that natural interest in evil, of course I love writing mystery and suspense because of all the deliciously bad people I get to create.

Please describe the type of suspense and mysteries you write.

My work is 95% HARDCORE crime fiction and mystery. I don’t write cozy little cuddly soft mysteries. Yes there is some romance and passion in my books, but make no mistake, it’s completely backburner.

My books often contain violence (not gore), cursing, offensive criminal acts, and very nasty and shady characters doing awful things at times. I write what the story calls for and I don’t politically correct myself for anyone. If the story calls for something uncomfortable and unpleasant, it’s going in there no matter what. It’s more important for me to be true to my story than to worry about offending someone and to be honest I really don’t care if I do offend. You can’t please everyone and I wouldn’t want to.

The story is what matters to me above all else.

What is your favorite aspect of writing and why?

I’ve always had a psychotic-type mind. Writing helps me fulfill those tendencies without actually hurting people.

Where do you see your writing career five years from now?

In terms of writing I will still write what I write now. Along with mysteries I also write other genres like women’s fiction and dramas, stuff like that.  There are some genres I might touch in the future if it calls for it. I’m always open for new things but for me whatever story calls me is what I write.

Of your titles, which was the hardest for you to write and why?

Melody because it was the first book that took me out of my comfort zone and if I hadn’t done that book I would’ve stifled myself. It was the hardest and scariest but it was like losing my virginity. It was something that I was afraid to do but was glad I did and now I am a much better writer because I took that step. It unhinged me and I am no longer afraid to write about anything no matter the wrath I might receive because of it.

If a legitimate movie producer came to you and said he wanted to have one of your titles adapted to film, which would you tell him to choose and why?

I’ve had a few Indie producers approach me in the past for my novel Everlasting but nothing came of it. Can I be honest here? I don’t dream of movies. I would rather my recent series get a television deal. I could see Bree and Steven on the small screen in their own detective show.

So if a network or television producer ever wanted to speak to me I’d pitch Bree and Steven. I think it’s very modern with the interracial aspect and I think a lot of viewers would love to see a black female detective who is the main character and not just the side piece like on these other shows.

What is your experience with reaching a cross over audience?

There is a still a resistance from certain readers when minority authors try to cross over. It’s sad that some people feel they can’t relate to minorities or any character with a culture different from them yet they can relate to creatures created in paranormal romance books. I will never understand that and the notion of that is so offensive it makes my blood boil so I try not to think of it because it just pees me off.

But I really don’t care. Narrow-minded, racist and shallow folks can go jump in the lake. I’d rather someone like that NOT my books to be honest. Because anyone with that type of closed mind is too immature to read a book. If you judge people on their race or gender I have no use for you. Go read something that makes you feel like you “can relate” then.

If someone comes across my books and wants to give them a try that’s great but I am not running after anyone or begging anyone to read my work.

It’s their loss if they wanna miss out on good authors for whatever reason.

You have a crystal ball. What do you see in the future of suspense and mystery novels?

I hope to see way more color in the genre if you get my meaning. I am trying to do my part in opening the door to more minorities writing these types of books with characters of color. I think readers will appreciate that and it would definitely be refreshing.

Black writers especially need to start breaking out into other genres and not let the industry pigeonhole them into what folks think they should write.

Tell us about your latest novel:

My latest is The Season of Sin, book two in The Bree and Steven Interracial Suspense Series. It is available wherever books are sold from Peace in the Storm Publishing and it was nominated for a 2012 African-American Literary Award!

Season Of Sin

Detective Brianna “Bree” Morris and her partner and ex-lover Steven Kemp are back. This time they are thrown head first into a gruesome homicide that brings forth as many secrets as it does clues.

Brianna’s psychiatrist, Dr. Nadia Hollister is stabbed to death in her upstairs bathroom. Brianna, who is at Nadia’s while the murder happens, is the only witness. Unfortunately she was knocked unconscious by the killer and only has the memory of the killer’s scent to go on.

Brianna and Steven sign on to help Homicide Detective Jayce Matthews solve the case. With Nadia’s journals as her guide, Bree learns that Nadia was keeping a devastating secret that has something to do with her adopted daughter. The renowned doctor was not whom she seemed to be and her secret may not have only got her killed but could ruin the foundation of her entire family.

The police hunt for suspects but Nadia’s secret could wreck the lives of many, all who have motive to kill her.

The deeper Brianna and Steven dig into Nadia’s past; the more they question whether Nadia was the true victim after all.

The Season of Sin is available in print and ebook at Amazon: http://tiny.cc/i809bw

Barnes and Noble (print and Nook): http://tiny.cc/9qvgcw

Where can readers find you online?

Facebook: http://tiny.cc/aqx43

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stacydeanne

My Site: http://www.stacy-deanne.net

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Thanks for the opportunity! Enjoyed the interview!

Stacy-Deanne, thank you so much for hanging out with us. Be sure to come back with your future releases and tell us about them.