Please welcome my friend and fellow author, Myron Stenzel

myronstenzel.tateauthor.com

Welcome, Myron!
“Thank you so much Lauren. I’m very excited for the release of my second book, Save the Next Dance. It is my first children’s book and it will be released nationwide on February 10th. Let’s not forget about my first book, Keep the Light is available nationwide also.”

You just completed a book signing for your new release, Save the Next Dance and Keep the Light. How was it? Did it leave you feeling good?
“Yes, the feeling is quite amazing. As you know, hundreds of publications are issued every day. My work is a mere ripple on the ocean of books out there. At least I’m part of a wave that washes along the shoreline of shelves in some households and libraries. Every little bit helps.”

I know you are off to a good start. Being a new author is tough.
“I’m hoping the more books I publish, the more they will help the others. Of course, I work full time and I’m a one man show, so my marketing is not all that great. So, I welcome any opportunity to get my name out. In a way, I’m still trying to find my niche. Keep the Light was an idea I had years ago. It became reality in 2014. Is it perfect? No, nothing ever is, it is my first, but she will always hold a special place in my heart. Save the Next Dance was written for my daughter, Emily. I wanted to do something special for her. She loves the art of dance and this idea came to me. My next book I’m writing is a mystery novel with a western theme. Yes, my goal is to cater to as many readers as possible. It is such an honor and a true pleasure to talk with you. Your family has to be and is truly blessed to have an amazing woman with them. Tell them congratulations for me :)”
Back at you, friend! Now, let’s get going with some fun trivia! What is your favorite place to eat? Why? “Seafood (Fresh fish, shrimp & crab legs) I love the ocean, even though I’ve been landlocked all my life in Kansas. Nothing beats good fish on the BBQ. I love BBQ meats; however, if I could have seafood every day, I’d be happy. Someday, I hope to call an ocean community home. Probably when I retire, years down the road of course.”

What is your favorite junk food vice?
“Chili Dogs: Hey, it’s an American classic. Load em up with chili, cheese, peppers, onions, and sauerkraut, the whole works.”

You shall hence forth be known as my author buddy with the cast iron stomach! What does a typical day look like for you? On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?
“I work a lot during the week at my job. Weekends, it depends. When I get the chance to light out of town, I do it. I love to go to my one time home in Kansas City. Yes, I miss it. There are the typical chores around the house when I’m home. I do my best to make it to church. God has blessed me with the gift of writing.”

Favorite book or film? Why?
“Book: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The sea has always fascinated me and I enjoy anything nautical. Movie: Major League. I’m a huge baseball fan. Love my KC Royals. 2014 American League Champions!! I was there for it.”

What’s on your reading list right now?
“Right now I’d like to read all of Lauren Lynne’s books. I read Visions, and it was an amazing read. It’s tough for me to work in a book due to working full time and writing when I can.”

*Blush* Thanks, friend! Glad you liked it. Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do? “I love to watch baseball in person and play it when I can. I live four hours from Kansas City, so I try and make as many games as I can in the summer on the weekends. I love to BBQ and create on the grill.”

Well of course you BBQ, you used to live in Kansas City for heaven’s sake. When I make it out your way, you do the cooking! I like to bake. What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?
“Comedy. I love to laugh and have fun.”

Good for you! Who is your favorite author?
“Jules Verne”

What 7 words would you use to describe yourself?
Passionate, determined, hardworking, fun loving, jokester, active, eager.

Nice! When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head to first? Why?
“History. I love learning about history on any topic, sports, engineering and design, American history, geography and especially nautical history. I love the sea and reading about ships and tales about ocean travel.”

I know what we’ll write together. A pirate novel! I’ve always wanted to do that. Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?
“I work 45-50 hours a week at my job as a transmission engineering tech for an electric utility company here in Kansas. I write when I can, most of the time when I should be sleeping.”

Let’s talk about your approach to the writing craft. What do you do when you are not writing? “I’m a home body at times, just like hanging around the house doing odds and ends. I like to watch sports, baseball especially. I like to take a bike ride when I can for exercise. I enjoy going to a casino once in a while in hopes of hitting the “big one” off of my $20. I like relaxing with a good glass of wine or microbrew beer.”

I wouldn’t know a good glass of either unless it jumped up and bit me. I just know what I like. Compared to when you first started writing, have you noticed any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now? “I’ve learned a lot through the editing process of my first book, Keep the Light. I’m applying what I’ve learned to build on my strengths and pick up on my weaknesses. Yes, I’m evolving, slowly but steady.”

Aren’t we all? For our writer friends: What advice do you have for authors looking to find and connect with a wider base of fans? “I’m still looking for that “fan base” myself. All I can say is to light up your social media and talk with people. The power of conversation is amazing.”

Indeed. Are you a plotter / planner or do you prefer to dive right in? “I am very organized. When I write, I go off an outline I made, but I do stray away from it. I write what comes from my heart and soul and what I am feeling.”

Do you have a strategy for finding reviewers? “I’m always up for suggestions. I ask anyone who reads my work to take a moment and give me an honest review. Good or bad, it always helps. All you can do is ask and hope people are inspired to write you one.”

How do you think you’ve evolved creatively? “I have a creative mind and a wild imagination. Things just come to me. I’ll never brag on myself; however, I feel I can write about any topic.”

Why do you write? “I write to dream. My imagination carries me through life’s challenges. I lean on my writing to relax me. It is my hope that others who read my work are relaxed and enjoy a nice easy read. I write for you, the readers to chase the horizon of imagination. Always believe, always dream. I’m no English major, far from it. I’m just a common man who loves to spin a story in a poem or short story. I love being published and reaching something I never thought I’d be able to do. I learn and build off of my endeavors every day.”

Now let’s look at your writing. Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason? “Keep the Light is dedicated to my 86 year old grandma. The strongest person I will ever meet. Save the Next Dance is dedicated to my 9 year old daughter, Emily. My current novel I’m working on will be dedicated to my parents and to those who embrace their imagination.”

What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why? “I can write while watching TV or in a quiet room. When my fingers are on the keyboard, nothing else exists to me. I am a part of that story. When you write a story, you live it. You are actually there, the feeling is amazing.”

Which is your favorite character in your book and why? “Jim Harris in Keep the Light. He takes a chance in life. He doesn’t let anything or anyone hold him back. He never gives up when others give up on him. He finds true love in life. Lauren, it has been a pleasure and a privilege speaking with you. Take care and may inspiration always shadow you in the sunlight.”