Friday Spotlight--Stephanie Diaz

Today I have the honor of spotlighting Stephanie Diaz whom I met on QueryTracker a while back and asked her if she wanted to swap chapters. I was blown away by how solid her writing was and the thrill ride she created on planet Kiel. I loved it! And Extraction is getting published next spring--AWESOME! You can check out more about Stephanie and her projects here.

Tell us about yourself in 35 words or less—GO!

I'm 20. I write when I should be studying. I intend to visit the Shire someday and hope to intercept the Doctor on one of his adventures.

The shire would make for a great trip! Jade, one of our lovely FFF gals, lives near there J And I’ve got to start watching Doctor Who!

When did you start writing?

I believe it was sometime in first or second grade that I decided I wanted to be an author. In fourth grade I wrote a 78-page fantasy novel that I decided was going to be the next Lord of the Rings. Too bad I can't understand half of it when I re-read it these days. But you gotta start somewhere!

That’s amazing! I think writing 78 WORDS in fourth grade is a big accomplishment, let alone 78 PAGES! Wowsa! No wonder your writing is so incredible!

What are you working on now?

I'm hard at work on revisions with my editor for my YA sci-fi novel Extraction, which will be out next year from St. Martin's (an imprint of Macmillan). Soon I'll be working on the sequel (ack). I also have a completely different YA sci-fi in the works, when I'm not on deadline.

I am one of the lucky ones who got to read Extraction. It’s an incredibly story! One of my favorites J

What is one pearl of wisdom you’ve learned along your writing journey?

Listen to your gut. Especially when it comes to revising and determining whether a scene is as strong as you can make it. In my experience, we writers tend to know instinctively when something isn't working—the hard part is listening to that instinct. But it's easier if you do. Your manuscript will end up stronger because of it. Trust me. :)

Great advice!

What inspires you?

Life, mostly. The people I meet. The books I read. Sometimes simply the stars or the moon at night.

The moon . . . I’m getting snippets of Extraction running through my imagination right now!

If Hollywood turned your life into a movie, what would the title be?

The Girl With the Crazy Fandom Obsessions

I have a few of those ;)

Fast Five—

Last thing you did: Checked twitter. :P But outside the house? I drove to school to direct some actor's for a scene rehearsal.

Last thing you ate: Eggplant Parmesan—my mother's homemade specialty.

Last place you went: I drove to my college.

Last book you read: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. Chapter 62, anyone? *swoon*

Last movie you watched: Warm Bodies. Loved it.

Thanks for taking a moment under the spotlight, Stephanie :)  Now hop over to Stephanie’s blog and become a fan. She has a great giveaway going on for Unravel Me that ends today. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for Extraction (and all the other books Stephanie is bound to publish)!