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I am delighted to welcome Stephanie Daniels to my blog! Stephanie is one of my local writing friends and she is a kindred spirit in every way. Fun fact: She and I joined American Christian Fiction Writers only one day apart from each other! We knew that was taking a step in our writing journeys, but we didn't know it was the first step toward what has turned into a treasured friendship. 🙂

More about her: Stephanie Daniels is a Christian wife and homeschool mom who lives in the present but dreams in the past. She writes historical fiction with strong faith themes and often romance for young adults and the young at heart. She loves deep Bible studies, clean period dramas, touring historical sites, getting lost in research, and a large cup of coffee each morning. Though often quiet and reserved, she’ll happily chat for hours about books and writing.

Stephanie's book The Uncertainty of Fire is available on Kindle Vella. Here's the scoop:

Chicago, 1871. Sixteen-year-old Whimsy Greathart will agree to anything to expose Chicago’s child labor practices--even her Papa’s matchmaking plan. But when his plan falls through, and tragedy strikes on the night of the Great Chicago Fire, she is forced into the very system she wishes to fight against.

As she forms friendships with a big-dreaming, streetwise newsboy and a shy preacher’s son who hides a secret, Whimsy’s heart is divided, and she’s confused about God’s will. Should she keep her impulsive promise to start a new life out West with one, or choose security with the family of the other?

I had the honor of beta reading The Uncertainty of Fire and found it to be rich in historical details and lovable characters. Though it's geared toward young adults, I believe readers of all ages will enjoy it. I certainly did!

Now let's get into our interview. 🙂

Q: Welcome, Stephanie! Can you tell us a little about Kindle Vella and how it works?

A: First, let me say thank you for inviting me to be a guest on your blog. I’m so happy to talk about my writing journey. Kindle Vella is Amazon’s new serial reading platform. Readers can follow stories they enjoy. Stories are read in episodes, and release frequency varies by author. The Uncertainty of Fire started as twice weekly releases but now is available on the platform as a completed story, which means readers can binge all the episodes. The first three episodes of every story on Vella are free. After that, readers buy tokens to unlock available episodes. At the time of this interview, Amazon is still giving away 200 free tokens for anyone new reading on the platform. Anyone reading my story can use those to read the first thirteen episodes for free. Following stories that are still releasing will send a notification to your device. It also increases visibility for a story. Another way to help a story’s visibility is to like each episode you enjoy, vote for a favorite story each week (you can only do this after paying for tokens) and posting reviews. Amazon rewards popular stories by ranking the 250 top stories on the platform, displaying trending and featured stories, and posting story images on the most searched tags on the site.

Q: Yay for free episodes! That allows readers to check out all kinds of new stories to see what they enjoy. What drew your heart to writing fiction for young adults?

A: The teen years and maturing into young adulthood are such crucial times in a person’s life. It’s a time of expressing individualism, pondering the future, and figuring out who you are. It’s also a time of questioning faith and what you truly believe. Those questions are normal. But through the confusing times in life, we need to be tethered to the truth of God’s Word. In our greatest times of uncertainty, we need to find what is certain, what is absolute. My desire to write for young adults is just a resolve to remind them, really all of us, that clinging to His Word is never a mistake. You may flounder for a bit, but hold on and trust, He’ll give you the answers you’re seeking.

Q: Why is the setting of the Great Chicago Fire personal to you?

A: I lived in Chicago for 18 years. It was my first time away from home and my family (I lived at home when I went to college). I met my husband there and became a mother there. The city has such a rich architectural history. I fell in love with the skyscrapers and Lake Michigan on my very first visit. And when you think about how that city had such a pioneering spirit after the devastation of a city-wide fire, it’s inspiring. And I loved research trips while living there that connected me to the very event of this story.

Q: What is your favorite thing about writing? (i.e. the research, the process, feedback from readers, etc.)

A: I love research. I have to make myself stop. With Uncertainty I spent much longer on research than I probably needed. And hearing from readers is always a joy. Every single time. I don’t think there is an author that would say differently. Writing is such a different art form than say, painting. Someone looks at a painting and has an immediate response. The artist gets immediate feedback. But with a book, it’s different. Dozens of people may download it or buy it in the bookstore but might wait years to read it. (Don’t get me wrong, we value readers buying our stories at any time!) Sometimes we don’t learn the effect of the words God has given us until years later. So please never be afraid to encourage an author if you enjoyed what they wrote. That helps us to keep going and to keep writing.

Q: What are some of your other hobbies and pursuits aside from writing?

A: Of course, I love to read. Historical fiction is my favorite, but I enjoy many different genres. Music has always been a big part of my life. I love singing in my church choir and special music when asked. I’m privileged to substitute teach for my church’s Sunday School classes. Teaching has always brought me great joy and is one of my spiritual gifts. I hope one day to pursue watercolor art. I think that’s a medium that I would really enjoy.

Q: Can you share with us a favorite Scripture verse or one that has been meaningful to you recently?

A: My life verse is Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” But another verse that God really impressed on me over the past few years is I Peter 1:7: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

Q: Where can readers find you online?

Readers can find me on:

Wordpress: https://stephanieadaniels.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorStephanieDaniels
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephanieadaniels/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21666055.Stephanie_Daniels

Thank you, Stephanie! Readers, please click here to read the first three chapters of The Uncertainty of Fire (or the first thirteen chapters if you use all your free tokens!), and be sure to follow Stephanie to learn about upcoming projects she's working on.