Author's Interview with Multi-book Author Stephen Paul Sayers

Before we start with the fascinating world of today’s prolific author, let’s take a moment to introduce the incredible storyteller behind the many captivating tales we’ve enjoyed 

1. Welcome, and thank you for joining us! Can you start by sharing a little about your journey to becoming an author and what sparked your passion for writing?

My journey as an author was a pretty non-traditional pathway. I never studied writing formally, but as an avid reader I learned the art of storytelling. It wasn't until ten years ago when my daughter challenged me to write a book that I started to explore the craft of writing. I went to writing conferences, submitted short stories to literary journals, and really discovered a passion for it. 

My first novel, A Taker of Morrows, was something I initially thought would be a birthday or Christmas present to my daughter, but she encouraged me to publish it. And that developed into a three-book series after I found a publisher who championed it. With four published novels and a fifth on the way, my daughter has really been the inspiration behind my passion for writing.

2. Your body of work spans across various genres and themes. How do you decide which story to tell next, and what inspires each of your unique books?

I'm always a bit hesitant to discuss my inspiration for my stories because I fear if I try to quantify that magical thing, I might not be able to find it again. I truly don't know where it comes from. I'm not the type of writer to stare at my computer and wait for a story to come. I get ideas as I go through my daily life experiencing the world, traveling and meeting people, reading books, and watching films. 

Most ideas are scrapped, but when that one idea or storyline keeps coming back, that's when you have to try and capture it. I guess I decide to tell the next story when pieces of it get stuck in my head.

3. Each book you write seems to explore different aspects of storytelling. Can you give us a peek into your creative process and how you approach crafting such diverse narratives?

The creative process that each writer goes through is as diverse as the stories they end up telling. I know writers who know the motivations of each character and outline chapters in advance, knowing exactly what will happen in the story and when. My process is much different. 

I start with a main character I don't know too well yet. I typically have a beginning to a story and a potential ending, but I have no idea how to get from one end of the book to the other. I've found that letting the characters develop organically and letting the story tell itself has worked for me. 

That approach often leads to rewriting earlier chapters or adding additional characters to flesh out a changing narrative, but I love the surprises and differing paths a story can go.

4. From thrillers to dramas, you’ve covered a wide range of genres. How do you manage to switch between different styles and maintain your distinctive voice throughout?

N/A: Hi Rakhi, I'm going to skip this question since I stick to the supernatural thriller/horror genre.

5. What’s the most challenging part of writing a standalone book as opposed to a series? How do you ensure each book stands out on its own?

I'm always torn between writing a standalone and developing a series, and I've done both. Publishers like a series because the sale of one book tends to lead to sales of the remaining series installments. But there's also a nice feeling about writing a standalone and completing the story arc in one book. The challenge in writing a standalone is to be comfortable with your story, and not try to drag it out and water down the product just to sell additional books. 

If a series is what a writer desires, I think each book actually has to function as a standalone. This might seem counterintuitive, but there must be a full and distinct story arc to each. 

6. Your books have resonated with a wide audience. What do you believe is the common thread that ties them together, despite their varied themes and genres?

I believe a common thread to all my books is the exploration of what comes next. How do the decisions we make in this life affect us in the possible afterlife. Is there an eternal price paid for what we carry in our souls? 

My books may have a haunting element to them, but the complex human emotions surrounding our relationships and what we are willing to sacrifice for the ones we love have really tied my books together. 

7. Can you share an anecdote or a particular moment from your writing journey that stands out as a significant learning experience or a breakthrough?

I have a vivid memory of a breakthrough moment in my writing. I was working on a chapter in my first book, A Taker of Morrows, where a young girl is reliving a flashback about how she learned about a special power she had. The process seemed like an out-of-body experience, the chapter just about writing itself and tying in a key point that left readers with an OMG moment at the end. 

I remember thinking to myself, 'you can do this!' I'll never forget that moment.

8. Balancing multiple book projects can be demanding. How do you stay motivated and organized when working on different stories and ideas simultaneously?

Working on multiple novels at the same time is difficult for me. I guess as a writer I don't multi-task very well. An example is my current work-in-progress novel. I started writing this novel two or three years ago but had this other idea for a novel that kept nagging at me. I didn't want to let that new idea go, so I put the work-in-progress novel in the proverbial bottom drawer and started on a new one. 

This other novel, The Carousel Man, just came out in 2024. Once I finished The Carousel Man, I was able to go back to the work-in-progress novel and finish that successfully. So, for me, I can only really concentrate on one novel at a time. And sometimes they don't come out in the order you think they will.

9. When you’re not writing, what are some of your hobbies or interests that help you unwind or inspire your creativity?

One of the things that I like to do when I get away from the writing is to do something physical, whether it's going to the gym, getting on my bike, or going for a hike through the woods. They say most novels are written away from the computer, and I believe this it true. Being active or out in nature gives my conscious mind a rest from trying to think up ideas and allows the subconscious to take over. 

Usually, when I get back to the computer, I've got ideas that I didn't expect, or even know where they came from. 

10. Finally, reflecting on your journey, how do you feel about the impact your books have had on readers? Is there a particular message or feeling you hope your readers take away from your work?

There is nothing better than hearing from a reader, either through email, a review, or at a conference, who says that they loved one of my books, or it made them think, cry, or laugh. I still can't get over the fact that words coming out of my head can make someone feel a certain way. There is a true magic to words and writing, and I'm so blessed to be able to create stories that impact others.

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