Samantha Conley is an amazingly talented author. I have had the privilege of meeting her and spending time with her over the last couple years. Funny thing is when I met Samantha I had no clue she was an indie author! I actually met her at a Bookworm Box 5 Author signing in Sulphur Springs, TX. This was my very signing. I just happened to be in line between Author Vera Quinn, Donna, and Samantha. They were all gabbing and I was eavesdropping (hey I was in between them lol) and I spoke up. These women took me (and Joe) under their wing. I had such an amazing time hanging out with them. Now I can’t wait for ya’ll to meet her too.
MBB: Which of your characters if the most like you and why? Which of your characters is your polar opposite and why?
SC: My female characters have a little me in each of them. I don’t want to write weak females. Mallory from Down on My Knees I resonant with the most as I have a lot of the same insecurities that she has. Body image is a huge thing for women whether they’re curvy or skinny.
Dani from Pieces of a Broken Heart is the least like me. I’m not sure I’d have the fortitude to carry on after what she goes through, losing the two loves of her life. She has a real strength to her to be a single mom and continue to pursue her dream.
MBB: What is the hardest thing for you about being an author?
SC: Coming up with characters and storylines that are unique. There are only so many ways that you can tell a love story. I want to keep the reader turning the page wondering what’s going to happen next.
MBB: What is your main goal for your writing in 2021?
SC: To write! Since I’m a nurse, COVID has put a damper on my writing schedule. There are days I’m mentally and physically drained which makes it hard to sit down and get my creative juices flowing. I have storylines running through my head and I need time to get them on paper.
MBB: How do you define success in your writing career?
SC: People reading my books. I didn’t start writing to get rich (it would a bonus though lol) but to entertain. Reading for me has always been a escape and I want the reader to be able to feel that way when they open my books.
MBB: How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?
SC: My first series didn’t take a lot. I was flying by the seat of my pants. I spent more time with the Whiskey Bend series since I created a fictional town. The series I’m working on now it taking quite a bit of time as I want the books to flow seamlessly into each other.
MBB: Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?
SC: Each one presents a challenge. There’s a lot of pressure with the first book. If it doesn’t capture the readers attention they’re not going to worry about reading the rest of the series. It has to leave them clamoring for more. If readers love the first book, it increases the pressure that the following book is as good or better than the first.
MBB: What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
SC: I’m not sure there’s one specific book that has influenced me. The authors I gravitate to the most are Marie James, Winter Travers, and Lani Lynn Vale. I love their writing style. They keep me turning the pages until it’s 3 in the morning before I realize it. Their world building, pace of the books, the way the characters interact is something I want to achieve. I’ve been taking classes and workshops to help improve my craft.
MBB: If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
SC: Friendly, imaginative and quirky. It’s hard to name just three. My husband would say lovable, hard headed and bitchy when I’m hangry.
MBB: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
SC: Reading of course. For a while I was making personalized t-shirts for family and friends. I tried my hand at making tumblers but I don’t have the extra time for either anymore. All my crafting stuff is sitting in totes in the corner of the room collecting dust.
MBB: Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about?
SC: I’ve gotten to work with a amazing group of authors (Lynne Burke, Dawn Sullivan and Screaming Mimi) in the Dark Leopards MC East Texas Chapter. We’ve released 8 novellas and we’re all working on our third in the series. Mine should be out in late Spring. I’m also planning to release the first of my Blacktop Brethren MC series later this year. Then there are a couple of standalone stories that I’ve started. We’ll see where they fall.
Samantha Conley is a wife and mother born and raised in Texas. Her days are spent working in the medical field and her nights are filled with her family. In between, she is writing her next book boyfriend. Just don’t tell her husband. She has an addiction to watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives; Mexican food; chocolate Tootsie Roll Pops and Diet Dr. Pepper.
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