Carol Stephenson: It was like a kaleidoscope. The pieces were all there but only had to form the final pattern. I wrote as a youngster, but when my mother handed me at age eleven a Mary Stewart, I was hooked on the gothic romances. Then when I saw the movie 'Star Wars,' I knew I wanted to be a storyteller. The final fragment was when my mother fell ill from diabetes, I wrote her a romantic suspense novella for her Christmas present.

Writerspace: How long did it take you to become published?

Carol Stephenson: Although I took my first step toward the serious pursuit of romance writing in 1992 when I joined RWA, my winning the Maggie in 1996 for another story made me realize that others liked my writing. I began to BIC-HOK (butt in chair, hands on keyboard) in earnest and completed my third book NORA'S PRIDE by 1999 and entered it in contests. With the Emily came Silhouette's request for the full manuscript. I went through two 'rejection but invitation to resubmit with revisions' letters before the sale in 2001.

Writerspace: Why did you choose to write for Silhouette Special Edition?

Carol Stephenson: I love the big emotional stories of love, family and romance that Special Editions bring every month to readers. I wanted to be a part of that stellar group of authors.

Writerspace: Please tell us about NORA'S PRIDE.

Carol Stephenson: NORA'S PRIDE is a second chance at love story. For twelve years Nora McCall has kept a secret. Now she must risk all in order to reclaim her heart. Connor Devlin once sacrificed his love to save Nora's family. Now he must fight to win back Nora and the daughter he never knew. Sometimes there's a second chance at love, if you're willing to risk everything, including your heart.

Writerspace: Connor's line of work and interest in cultivating roses was one I found very fascinating. Why did you choose this profession for your hero?

Carol Stephenson: Working with the earth is very elemental while cultivating roses is in and of itself an art form. It takes immense patience, control, resolve and vision. To me the profession epitomized the man Connor had become.

Writerspace: What sort of research did you have to do for this story? How long did it take you?

Carol Stephenson: Although all I have to do is look at a plant for it to die, my father has always been interested in gardening. I collected all his books and rose catalogs plus picked up a few books on my own. Of course, there was the Internet with all sorts of great sites.

Writerspace: How did it feel to make your first sale? Do you remember what you were doing when you got "The Call"?

Carol Stephenson: Joyful as it was a dream come true. On May 22, 2001 I was at my law office, working on a file, when my agent called at 3 p.m. to tell me the good news. As the purchasing editor was going out on maternity leave, I had to remain coherent enough to call her and discuss a few revisions. Then I could finally cry. On my way home I made two stops: first was to pick up a bottle of champagne and the second was my mother's grave to tell her I had finally done it. Afterwards I went home to celebrate with my father.

Writerspace: Do you write full time or do you follow another profession also? Could you tell us what a typical day in your life is like?

Carol Stephenson: I'm a workers' compensation insurance defense attorney by day. I cover several counties so generally I'm on the road early, traveling to the office or court. I have a voice-activated recorder into which I dictate ideas about a scene as I drive. Litigation is not a 9-to-5 job so my schedule is erratic. My father is elderly so when I get home, we have dinner and then take a walk together. Later on those week nights I can, I write 2-3 pages before bedtime. Of course, I cyber visit and chat with friends on several listserves. However, weekends remain my major chunks of writing time.

Writerspace: Is NORA'S PRIDE the original title of your story or was it changed by the editor?

Carol Stephenson: It was the original title. At one point, I had changed it, but the editor loved the original so we switched it back.

Writerspace: Nora's childhood was a very traumatic one. Did you create this background for her from the realms of your imagination or were you inspired by a person or situation?

Carol Stephenson:One of my attorney friends is a child advocate with the local Legal Aid, and for years I've been moved by her accounts of child abuse. I was fortunate to have two loving parents who furnished me with a solid foundation; consequently, supportive relationships, such as siblings or friends, resonate with me. I also admire strong, independent women so Nora McCall and her sisters were born.

Writerspace: I was intrigued by Nora's sisters, Christina and Eve. Do you plan to write their individual stories too?

Carol Stephenson: Absolutely! I'm currently writing Eve's story. What happens when two long time casual friends see each other in a whole new light? When it comes to Eve McCall and Nate Roberts, adverse events lead to their working together under close conditions. The resulting friction leads to explosive passion. They discover that love enriched with friendship is the greatest treasure of them all.

Christina must face her greatest fear in order to help the traumatized daughter of a widowed family friend. To heal herself and the girl, Christina must find and confront. What she hasn't counted on is falling in love with the girl's father. '

Writerspace: While you were mastering the Craft of Writing, did you belong to any critique or support group(s)?

Carol Stephenson: The first thing I did when I realized I wanted to seriously pursue writing was to join Florida Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. The level of information RWA and its chapters offers is phenomenal. Also the friends and support I found on the cata-romance listserve was instrumental in my development.

Writerspace: What advice would you like to give aspiring writers?

Carol Stephenson: Commitment. A story is written one word at a time. There is never a perfect time to write so wrap your fingers around a pen or place them on a keyboard and just write.

Writerspace: How may fans reach you?

Carol Stephenson: carol@carolstephenson.com or PO Box 1176, Boynton Beach, FL 33425-1176.