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Greece native and successful author Stephanie Dray operates under two pen names, straddling the lines of both historical fiction and paranormal romance as both Stephanie Draven and Stephanie Dray.
The local author recently landed a six-book deal with major New York publishing houses (Berkley & Harlequin) within one year. After graduating from law school at Midwestern University, she quickly reverted back to her roots and passion for writing.
On top of an amibitious and successful writing career, Dray also recently founded the Cleopatra Literary Contest, an international writing contest for women ages 13 through 22.
Q&A with Stephanie Dray:
When was it during law school that you decided to revert back to writing?
I always was a writer and I just figured that if I was going to lie for a living I might as well call it fiction. I really enjoy telling stories and making people happy instead of fighting all day, which is what lawyers do.
What genres of writing do you tap into, and where do you draw inspiration?
I primarily write historical fiction, which I feel very passionate about. I think history is a fantasy world. It’s a place that is real enough to imagine but it doesn’t have the modern political baggage. You can really explore controversial topics in historical fiction and your reader can have a more open mind. One of the things that people ask me a lot about paranormal romance is why do I choose greek myths. I was born and raised in Greece and im from Greece Athena. Everything was the spartans and trojans. I think somehow it really inspired me.
What kind of controversial issues can you explore this way?
One of the things I like to talk about is the fact that Cleopatra was the most powerful woman in the hostory of the world. There has been no woman that has been this powerful, no one else had complete power. She came very close to ruling the entire known world and the fact that we don’t have anyone to compare to her really shows me that the progress of women’s emancipation isn’t a straight line. I like to talk about the future of women and I address genfer politics. I like to contrast the advancement of the anicent world with what were still struggling with today.
What made you decide to write under two different pen names?
I decided to write under two names because romance has a very different audience. You want your audience to know what they’re getting. My historical fiction tends to be scholarly and serious and my paranormal romance, even though im proud of it, it’s steamy. I wanted to keep those two sides of my personas separate which is kind of unnatural, you cant’ be both but it is was it was and it’s hard to balance them. I have to have 2 Facebook’s and two Twitters. It’s a little chaotic.
Greece native and successful author Stephanie Dray operates under two pen names, straddling the lines of both historical fiction and paranormal romance as both Stephanie Draven and Stephanie Dray.
The local author recently landed a six-book deal with major New York publishing houses (Berkley & Harlequin) within one year. After graduating from law school at Midwestern University, she quickly reverted back to her roots and passion for writing.
On top of an amibitious and successful writing career, Dray also recently founded the Cleopatra Literary Contest, an international writing contest for women ages 13 through 22.
Q&A with Stephanie Dray:
When was it during law school that you decided to revert back to writing?
I always was a writer and I just figured that if I was going to lie for a living I might as well call it fiction. I really enjoy telling stories and making people happy instead of fighting all day, which is what lawyers do.
What genres of writing do you tap into, and where do you draw inspiration?
I primarily write historical fiction, which I feel very passionate about. I think history is a fantasy world. It’s a place that is real enough to imagine but it doesn’t have the modern political baggage. You can really explore controversial topics in historical fiction and your reader can have a more open mind. One of the things that people ask me a lot about paranormal romance is why do I choose greek myths. I was born and raised in Greece and im from Greece Athena. Everything was the spartans and trojans. I think somehow it really inspired me.
What kind of controversial issues can you explore this way?
One of the things I like to talk about is the fact that Cleopatra was the most powerful woman in the hostory of the world. There has been no woman that has been this powerful, no one else had complete power. She came very close to ruling the entire known world and the fact that we don’t have anyone to compare to her really shows me that the progress of women’s emancipation isn’t a straight line. I like to talk about the future of women and I address genfer politics. I like to contrast the advancement of the anicent world with what were still struggling with today.
What made you decide to write under two different pen names?
I decided to write under two names because romance has a very different audience. You want your audience to know what they’re getting. My historical fiction tends to be scholarly and serious and my paranormal romance, even though im proud of it, it’s steamy. I wanted to keep those two sides of my personas separate which is kind of unnatural, you cant’ be both but it is was it was and it’s hard to balance them. I have to have 2 Facebook’s and two Twitters. It’s a little chaotic.
Your debut novel, Lily of the Nile, is set to come out in January. Tell me a bit about the novel and what preparation went in to making it?
It’s the book of my heart. It is the story of Cleopatra’s daughter. She managed to overcome tragedy in her life and became the most powerful queen. This story of triumph over tragedy really spoke to me, I started writng it seven years ago and it took a long time to do the research. It was a hard sell because it’s not just historical fiction. I’m so excited about it coming out.
What prompted you to jumpstart the Cleopatra literary contest?
I’m super proud of this. I’ve always really valued women, I went to a women’s college and getting to have an opportunity to foster women’s voices is something i’m really exited aboit. I’m able to offer some really awesome prizes, too—critiques, mentorships, prizrs etc. Once I started this other writers contacted me and started donating. Im so thrilled to be able to help out other young women.
What advice would you give to other aspiring writers?
Start young. Don’t let anyone tell you to put it on hold because the more practice you get the better you’ll be. The publshing world is changing so quickly. I think the secret to success is to just produce. When I was a young writer I would agonize over every word but the truth is you evolve as a writer. You can only write today what your capable of today. You have to be willing to write a lot.
Is this something you plan to do always?
If I could do this for always I would be the luckiest person. I do really like to teach, too. if I could be an author forever and be successful that’s what I want to do.
More about Stephanie: www.stephaniedray.com
More about the contest: www.cleopatracontest.com
