I’m so excited to interview Stephanie Daniels today. I was blessed to see the early pages of her debut “The Uncertainty of Fire” and cheering for it’s release last year. A story for young adults and the young at heart, these characters roped me in from the first page. If you haven’t read this gem of a story yet, you’ve got to check it out! And now, let’s meet Stephanie!
Stephanie Daniels is a Christian wife and mother who lives in the present but dreams in the past. Her debut novel, The Uncertainty of Fire, first appeared as an episodic story on Amazon’s Kindle Vella.
In between chauffeuring her homeschooled sons to extracurricular activities, supporting her very understanding lives-with-a-writer husband, teaching Sunday school, singing in the church choir, and attending events of her large extended family, she slips away and attempts to bring past worlds to life.
She writes historical fiction with strong faith themes and often romance, targeted for teens/young adults.
She loves clean period dramas, touring historical sites, drinking a large cup of coffee in the morning, and delving into research. And she is always up for a conversation about books and writing.
First let’s learn a little bit about you. Can you share a few things about yourself that have nothing to do with writing?
Thanks for letting me share a little about myself and my writing journey. My father
was a 30 year career Navy man and retired just before my junior year of high school, so we moved
every few years to wherever Dad was stationed next. Making friends was already a challenge since I
was shy, so I think books became my best friends in a lot of ways. Though my mom took me to
church occasionally when I was growing up, it wasn’t until I was in junior high that we started
attending regularly and it was then that I heard God’s salvation plan for the first time, recognized
my need for a Savior, and asked Him into my heart and life. I’ve strived to make Him first in my
life ever since that day. I’m a homeschool mom right now, but I was a Christian school educator
before my three sons were born.
That's amazing! What drew you to write?
Stephanie: I’ve been telling stories since I was a young girl, before I could even read or write. My mom used to watch a lot of daytime talk shows, and when I was preschool-aged, I’d pretend to be the host and interview whichever celebrity was famous at the time. I always had an active imagination.
.I love that story! I’m so glad you ran with that imagination, it’s certainly led to amazing writing. How do you come up with your story ideas?
Stephanie: Sometimes my research for a story I’m currently working on inspires them, often trips to historical settings (a trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas last fall set my imagination wheels turning and I’ll be working on a story about that), and reading and every day life often bring different ideas about.
The idea part is usually easy. However, that does not mean the execution is!
Truer words
were never spoken! Are there certain themes explored in your stories?
Stephanie: A place to call home is a theme I seem to explore a lot. As a military kid, I’m always stumped by the question…where are you from? I lived all over and not for very long in most cases. Home has always been where my family is, so I think that probably finds its way into my stories. I’ve also noticed forgiveness being a main theme. I don’t feel like it’s something I personally struggle with, but I think many people do and we need to often be reminded that God forgave us of so much, so how can we withhold that same forgiveness to those who may have wronged us? Sometimes it’s just that we need to learn to forgive ourselves.
I think that’s what makes your stories and characters so relatable! Do you have any favorite characters in your books (I know I do :) )
Oh boy. Well, my main character in my first book, Whimsy Greathart, will probably always hold a special place since she was the first character’s story I was able to finish. But I love my heroes for both stories too. They’re very different but represent two sides to my favorite kinds of heroes.
Whimsy was an awesome character, and I’m partial to one of your heroes in particular :) The readers will have to read and see if they agree (I won’t sway their opinion yet). What are you working on now?
I’m undecided right now. I have a few stories fighting for my attention and I’m praying and asking God which one He’d have me pursue. I have a prequel novella to my Uncertain Riches series, that might end up being a Christmas story, the third book in my Uncertain Riches series that I’ve roughly plotted and features a new character we only see a flash of in my first book, but a few side characters readers will know, and then a completely unrelated book in a new series which as I mentioned above, is set in 1883 Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
I can’t wait to see
which way you feel pulled and the beautiful story that comes from it.
When you’re not writing, what do you enjoy?
Catching up on reading. Sometimes I just ache to sit and read, but often when stories are in my head, and characters are yelling for me to write something down, focus and concentration go out the window. It didn’t used to be that way, and I’m hoping that a little break will help me tune out the voices and just enjoy the other wonderful Christian fiction books available.
Thank you Stephanie!
Check out her debut novel, The Uncertainty of Fire, here: https://a.co/d/6J50PMX
What price will she pay for following her heart?
Chicago, 1871. Sixteen-year-old Whimsy Greathart would rather fight against Chicago’s child labor practices than attend her privileged family’s high society events. And a very public social blunder only strengthens her resolve to use her influence for good.
On the night of the Great Chicago Fire, her tenderhearted choice leads her into danger and results in life-changing consequences.
With her world turned to ash, she must rely on the mercy of poor relations to rebuild her future and is forced into the very labor system she wished to fight against. As Whimsy staggers under the weight of street gang violence and hazardous working conditions, a chance at deliverance persuades her to make a promise. One she intends to keep. But now she must determine whether it’s God’s heart she’s following or her own.
You can connect with Stephanie Daniels:
Author Website (where you can sign up for my monthly Pastports newsletter): https://
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