As an avid reader I find myself drawn to a lot of different books. Sometimes I like deep ones with powerful messages entwined in the story, and others I enjoy a light, simple read that is entertaining in whatever right. Stacey R. Campbell is definitely on my must read list now.
I first read her book “Hush” and fell in love. It’s not a hard read… it’s just good! There is no simpler word for it. Campbell has a way of bringing her characters to life and making you salivate for more. I recently did a review of her first book in her Lakeview Series titled “Hush”. I am making my way through her second book “Whisper” and will soon be reviewing her upcoming book “Scream”, the third in the series.
I got the opportunity to sit down (virutually, of course) and talk with Campbell about her writing, upcoming release of “Scream”, and possible movie…(yeah you heard me!). Here it is!
KRISTIN: Can you start out by telling us what made you want to be a writer?
SC: I was born with stories in my head and a desire to tell them all, but no way to do so. As a young girl couldn’t spell and struggled to read, then in third grade I was told I would never be the author I dreamed about being, because I am dyslexic.
Fast forward 35 years…I was having lunch outside with our three young daughters when a street reporter asked the girls a question for the weekly local newspaper. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” He asked. Our eldest daughter Blakely said, “A princess.” Our middle daughter Leigh said, “A teacher.”
Then our youngest daughter Halle answered, “A monster.” At that moment I realized I couldn’t tell my girls they could be whatever they wanted to be unless I did the same. When we got home that afternoon I sat down at my computer and started to write what is now my third published book, ARRGH. So, to answer your question, I always wanted to write, but my children where the ones who finally gave me the strength to sit down and do it.
KRISTIN: You have a different set of writing styles. You have more animated books that lean towards younger children and then you have your Lakeview novels. Why the two different areas?
SC: Actually I am going for the children’s publishing trifecta. This summer my first picture book, Sock Monster will be hitting the shelves. I love new challenges. I have outlined an adult fiction novel as well, so you never know what you might see next.
KRISTIN: Your first Lakeview Novel is called “Hush” and follows the life of Blakely Henry. How did the readers react to this first book in the series?
SC: People either love it or hate it. I personally love it, but then again I am fairly biased. I didn’t write Hush to be a serious book I just wanted to entertain people and give readers something easy and fun to read. Recently I’ve been working on the screenplay for Hush with an amazing screen writer by the name of Crystal Garret. We made a couple of changes, which I really like, while still keeping with the original story line. We have a producer who’s interested in it too, so keep your fingers crossed and maybe we will see Hush the movie someday.
KRISTIN: You also have “Whisper” which is the second book in the Lakeview Series. Can you tell us a bit about this book?
SC: Our three daughters go to a boarding school very similar to Lakeview Academy. One day I was on the campus and I heard a couple of kids talking about the school “Ghosts.” After doing a little research I found that I couldn’t ignore the stories I heard. Whisper is a completely different story from Hush, taking place on the same campus with some Character overlap. One critic called Whisper “Scooby Doo meets Gossip girl.” I love that; I think it sums up Whisper perfectly.
KRISTIN: In Whisper you changed the focal point. Why do that instead of following Blakely into her journey?
SC: Don’t worry, Blakely will be back, but the ghost stories that exist on the real Lakeview campus where too good to ignore. I just had to write them into a story first. Blakely, Max and North all come back in the third book Scream.
KRISTIN: What comes next in the Lakeview Series? More Blakely?
SC: Scream Book 3 in the Lakeview Series comes out June 5th. I am really excited about this book. Scream is completely different from what I have written before and we go back to a lot of the characters that were in Hush. Yes Blakely, Max and North are all back! Scream brings everything together and sets the stage for the two novelettes Silence and Bliss that will conclude the series in September.
KRISTIN: Aside from writing, what are your other passions?
SC: I love to experience life full tilt. I am a bit of an adrenalin junky and am up for just about anything. That being said I am crazy about down hill skiing. I hike, play tennis, sail, try to surf and generally love to be outside. I messed up my hip running a marathon so I can’t do as much as I like, but I certainly give everything a go before I turn to the Advil bottle at the end of the day.
Now that I found the genres and formats that work with my dyslexic brain I love to read, polishing off 118 books last year. The thing I love most however is doing the things I love with the people I love, my husband and our three daughters.
KRISTIN: Where can we keep up with your work and what is coming next from you? Facebook/Twitter/Website?
SC: You can find me just about everywhere. For my most current information, please visit the following:
Author Website
www.staceyrcampbell.com
Twitter
@staceyrcampbell
Youtube
Stacey R. Campbell
Facebook
Authorstaceyrcampbell
Thank you Kristin. This was a fun interview. All the best. Happy reading!
A possible movie in the works!? I could not be more excited. I’m casting the roles in my head. Please Campbell, let me help! Make sure to swing over to her website, which links all her social media, and check out upcoming books, bios, and more. Her bio can also be found below! Pick up Hush and Whisper on Amazon and mark them on your TO READ list on Goodreads. And as you heard, soon to be released Scream, a few novelas, and a picture book! Does she sleep?
AUTHOR BIO:
Stacey R. Campbell lives in the San Juan Islands with her husband and three daughters. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and a dyslexic writer that believes there is no such thing as a bad reader. She is the author of the young adult novels Hush and Whisper and the highly acclaimed middle grade swashbuckling pirate book ARRGH!
When not at her desk writing she can be found hiking, sailing, or skiing. She enjoys chocolate in any shape or size, too many cups of coffee and laughing (often too loudly as her daughters say) with her friends and family.
Stacey is available for classroom visits and loves working with writers and readers of any age; especially those with learning disabilities like her own.
Learn more about Stacey R. Campbell and her up coming releases by visiting her website at www.staceyrcampbell.com.
