Exploring Inspiration, Writing Processes, And Upcoming Projects With The Bestselling Author
Stacey Wallace discusses her transition from YA to steamy romance, her creative process, and her new Manzanita Beach series, blending humour, heart, and relatable settings.
Stacey Wallace, the USA Today Bestselling Author, has carved a unique niche in the literary world with her steamy contemporary romance and enchanting magical realism. Known for her ability to craft stories that evoke snort-laughs, ugly cries, and an unwavering love for her characters, Wallace has become a beloved voice in modern fiction. Residing in Beaverton, Oregon, she balances her writing life with family, a rescue pittie named Tokyo, and the joys of her “glorious disaster garden.”
In this exclusive interview for Reader’s House Magazine, Wallace opens up about her journey from YA and NA fiction to the sizzling romances and magical tales that define her work today. She shares insights into her creative process, from developing characters and storylines to choosing settings that resonate with her personal experiences. Readers will also get a sneak peek into her upcoming Manzanita Beach series, launching in May with Battles We Fought, marking her return to the steamy romance genre after a focus on her sweet and clean pen name, Roxie Clarke.
Wallace’s passion for storytelling shines through as she discusses her hopes for readers: to be thoroughly entertained, emotionally moved, and eager to share her stories with others. Dive into this engaging conversation to discover the inspiration, humour, and heart behind Stacey Wallace’s captivating novels.
What inspired you to start writing steamy contemporary romance and magical realism?
I began my career in 2010 as a YA author and by 2013 knew I wanted to age my characters up a bit. Luckily, NA was becoming popular (I wish it had stayed that way!) so I moved on to that. The Magical Realism is what I write when I get tired of happily ever after.
Can you share insights into your writing process and how you develop your characters and storylines?
I have too many ideas! I keep a running list on my phone. Then I choose 3 or 4 that work together to make a series and come up with titles and character names. For plotting, I use Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes and plug in a paragraph for each beat. Lately, I have been skipping the Dark Night of the Soul. Misunderstandings annoy me.
Are there any upcoming books or projects that your readers can look forward to?
I’m launching a new series, Manzanita Beach, in May. The first title is Battles We Fought. It has been several years since a new Stacey Wallace book as I’ve been writing sweet romance as Roxie Clarke.
How do you decide on the settings for your stories, and do they hold any personal significance?
I set my stories in places I’ve lived or can easily visit. I grew up in Missouri, but have spent most of my adult life in the Portland, OR area. I recently took a trip to Manzanita on the Oregon coast to walk around town and take photos of the types of businesses I want to include in my new series.
What do you hope readers take away from your stories after finishing them?
My hope is that they laughed and cried and were entertained enough to tell their friends.
