Tena StetlerAuthor of Paranormal Romance/Suspense & Cozy Mysteries With Magic Spark!

Tell us something about yourself and allow us to get to know you.

We are a husband-and-wife writing team, which admittedly took a little time to learn how to accomplish. The key was to let go of our egos and learn to rely on each of our strengths. Now, we can edit each other’s work to the point where we no longer remember who wrote what. We used to work in corporate jobs in Denver and a few years ago finally decided to follow our dreams. We moved to a tiny town at the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park so we could live in the beauty of the Colorado Rockies and better focus on writing our novels. We have a rescue dog, Finn, who quickly learned to run away from moose. “Merged” is our first published novel, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with our journey so far.

Why do you write what you write?

Stephanie grew up in a small town outside of Buffalo and Jim grew up in an even smaller town in northern Wisconsin. The books that remain our favorites are the ones we read as teens. Stories were our window to travel the world, meet people who were vastly different from us, experience amazing adventures, and learn about who we are and who we want to become. Once we started reading YA and MG as adults, we fell in love with these genres all over again.

What is your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or follow your characters flow (Pantser)?

This is actually a topic we discuss when speaking. We began as Pantsers, which is probably how most aspiring authors start. We found that we ended up throwing away months of work because it didn’t add anything to our characters’ development or the story itself. This time wasn’t totally wasted because all those deleted pages contributed to honing our writing skills. We finally started to use a large cork board with index cards to plot our novels. One card for each chapter with just a few sentences written on it. This allows us to see where the story is heading, spot the weak areas, more easily move or cut scenes, and work on the pacing. It also provides a sense of accomplishment because each card is changed from white to a color when the first draft is completed. As an added bonus, we never get writers block because we each grab a card and know what we need to write that day.

Why should we read this book, and what sets you apart from the rest and makes your book unique?

There are two alternating points of view in “Merged.” Orfyn is a sensitive street artist who paints masterpieces on brick walls to beautify his world, but they never last. Lake is a chemistry prodigy who wants stability, but her well-planned future is shattered when her grandmother gets Alzheimer’s. Our story explores just how far someone will go to achieve their dream.

Within the story are many references to famous paintings and scientific concepts, and—in a fun way—it questions whether art is as an important contributor to mankind as other fields (the STEM vs. STEAM education debate). It’s fast paced, and there’s something for everyone: romance, humor, adventure, and a mystery.

Any tips to share with fellow authors/aspiring authors? What’s the best advice you’ve ever heard? Read Stephen King’s book, “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” It’s filled with practical lessons on writing, and at the same time, it inspires you to believe you can actually do it.

Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>

Favorite movie: “Big Lebowski”
Favorite book: “Huckleberry Finn”
Last book read: “Aurora Rising” by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Favorite color: Blue
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops (for Steph), although Jim has great calves
Coffee or tea: Coffee!
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback (you can smell it)
Pencil or pen: Pencil

Favorite song: “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles

Streak or not: Why not?

Favorite dessert: Pumpkin pie

Favorite junk food: Pretzels with Marie’s blue cheese dressing

Favorite thing to do to relax: Laughing at our adorably bad dog

Champagne or gin: Gin

Paranormal or Historical: Paranormal

Wonder Woman or Top Model: Wonder Woman, of course!

Favorite TV show: “Big Bang Theory”

Hot or cold: Cold

POV: First

I’d die if I don’t have: Coffee

Review or Not: Review

Sneak peek between the pages of Merged

Mr. Blue points to the document. “Sign this and change your life. Or don’t. It’s up to you.”

“What happens if I say no?”

“The Darwin Corporation will remain your legal guardian, but you’ll lose the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become one of humanity’s greatest hopes.”

So basically, he’s saying I’m stuck here either way. “Will I always be locked up?”

“That depends on your choices.”

I wait for him to crack a smile. He doesn’t.

I break eye contact and flip to the last page. There’s one short paragraph stating that I’ve read the forty-one-page document (which I haven’t), I understand the risks (which I don’t), and I buy into the idea that two minds are better than one (or something like that). At the bottom, there’s a line with my name printed below it.

“Is it dangerous?” I ask, really wishing my voice hadn’t cracked.

Mr. Blue hesitates, and for a moment he almost appears human. “Every medical procedure has its risks, but the end result could change the world. And you’ll be one of the few who have the ability to change it.”

What if I could become the next Michelangelo? I’ve been given the chance to create art that makes a difference. For now, and even hundreds of years to come. “What else can you tell me about Bat?”

“He’s very successful,” Mr. Blue says, taking a pen from his suit pocket. “And he’s dying.”

“Can you give me a little more than that?”

“He specifically chose you.”

Nobody has ever chosen me.

I grab Mr. Blue’s pen and sign the document using the name I’m adopting. If I’m going to share my brain with someone and become a ground-breaking artist, I’m doing it as Orfyn.