Detective O’Brien puts his attraction to a beautiful genius on hold in order to find the terrorist who has breached NYC’s firewalls. Is it someone from her past as she claims, or is her? Or maybe her artificial intelligence program is completely out of control.
What threatens the safety of New York? Is it terrorists or artificial intelligence? Stella Marie Alden has joined me today so that we can ponder the logic of the challenge that Detective O’Brien will face in ‘Dangerous Code’. Stella, thanks for spending a little time with me today. Let’s get straight down to business, where did the idea for ‘Dangerous Code originate’?
I code software for a day job. It’s fun to imagine being a genius.
*Laughs* As a fellow coder, I can completely see that leap in logic. How did you approach writing being a genius? Was much research involved?
Yes. I had to research police protocol.
Did you also pepper in aspects of your own life with your research to give the book a little more flavor?
Yes. I have a tendency to mix up metaphors!
Those silly metaphors! Making life harder than it needs to be! Other than conquering the challenge of metaphors, what was the most satisfying aspect of writing this novel?
This was a rewrite of my very first attempt at writing. It was wonderful to have it come to life with the skills I now have.
It’s fantastic that you can see the progression in your own skills. That must be immensely rewarding. How did you improve your writing skill over time? Did you employ any particular techniques?
I write every day 5-8AM.
Putting in a solid three hours each day will immensely improve your skills. Do you find that editing your own work also helps? Do you edit your own work?
Yes.
Before you progress to the mountain of work that is editing, do you ever find yourself stuck? How do you move past writer’s block?
I’ve never had it.
Wow, you’re very lucky to be able to sustain that motivation to write. As you haven’t run into writer’s block I’m thinking that you must feel quite motivated to write. What keeps you coming back to the pen?
I write because I want to give back. I want woman to have a choice of strong and savvy heroines instead of wimpy virgins. Strong is sexy. Strong attracts healthy alpha males.
And which strong message do you want readers to take away from this book?
Our heroine had to learn that it wasn’t her looks that captured the hero; it was her strength and the person inside.
And now if you’re amenable, I’d like to take a little look at the person inside out underneath the husk of authorship through our quick fire round. Let’s start the festivities with a nice easy one: Are you a valuable asset on a quiz team?
Absolutely not
*Laughs* There’s a great strength in knowing acknowledging those weaknesses. Okay, instead, of playing on a quiz team let’s throw a party instead. Would you have a cast party with the characters in your book if they could come to life?
OMG! YES.
Awesome. With your strong females and alpha males it sounds like it will be fun! What is your zodiac sign?
Gemini
Do you have a ‘do not use’ or ‘most hated words’ list when you are writing?
Nope. All words are good.
All words are good. What is your favourite ocean?
Atlantic… Jersey Shore
*Laughs* Solid selection technique there. If you invented a monster what would it look like and what would you call it?
Dusty. The monster under the bed.
*Laughs* I love it! Is his arch-nemesis the vacuum cleaner? Are you introvert or extrovert?
Introvert.
Have you ever danced in the rain?
Yes. I love Zumba
I should put on a bit of a Zumba twist next time that I dance in the rain? Are you left or right handed?
Right handed
How are the colours in rainbows made?
Skittles?
So very true. What is your favourite flavor of ice-cream?
Mint chocolate chip. Wait. Maple Walnut. No. Chunky Monkey. This is too hard.
*Laughs* There’s nothing wrong with mixing them all up in the one bowl and making a super single flavor! What is your favourite line, quote or statement from your book?
“Oh my God. I’m on a bus with a friggin’ terrorist.”
What is your best tip for authors?
Writers write.
And finally to finish on a note of strength, what is your favourite word?
Love
Stella, thank you for showing us strengths of both yourself and your characters in today’s interview. I wish you the best of luck with the promotion, and hope the readers take this opportunity to pick up ‘Dangerous Code’.
Want to find out more about Stella Marie Alden? Connect here!