S. Dalambakis Interview Published on: 16, Nov 2019

I grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. My favorite place is Mill Creek Park Rose Garden. Let’s just say I didn’t have the best childhood growing up, but it did shape me into the person I am today. And she’s someone I’m really starting to like.

I love being a graduate of Youngstown State University. Go Guins! It might not be a well-known school, but I’m proud of it.

I was in high school when I decided to study criminal justice and biology. I watched all the crime shows I could. 9/11 happened my freshman year and it changed the nation. It changed me. I think that was when I truly decided I wanted to go into in field. Writing has always been a passion of mine, but I didn’t think I could make a living off it. I studied my other interest instead.

I first read Harry Potter around the age of 11 or 12. My grandmother bought me the first book for my birthday. I’ve been fan ever since. It’s funny, the Battle of Hogwarts happened exactly on my eleventh birthday (according to the timeline). It’s why I never got my letter. My favorite character is Professor Snape. I love how in-depth and thought out his character is. He’s this gray area, not necessarily good, yet not necessarily evil.

Way too much. Ha-ha. I think I need an intervention.

I’m not sure there isn’t something that hasn’t been done. I can only hope my readers will love my version of the tropes.

I love writing in the mornings, right after I’ve had a cup of coffee. My kids are at school and my husband is at work. It’s peaceful and quiet. I feel like I’m more productive. I have not pulled an all-nighter writing…yet, but I do keep a pen and a notebook on the side of my bed. I’ve woken up a quite a bit in the middle on the night to jot down and idea or scene.

Lindsey Stirling is a huge inspiration for the idea behind the Gypsy Notes Series. She’s an amazing violinist.

I was a little sad, yet happy, writing Reign. I was saying goodbye to the characters that got me started on my indie author journey. Yet, I happy to let my readers see a little glimpse into their lives years later. Those characters will always have a special place in my heart.

I don’t know if I have an odd place where I’ve thought of a plot or character. I’ve gotten ideas in dreams, while driving, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, in the shower, at the gym, while talk to my husband, even waiting for my kids to get out of school. I pull inspiration from everywhere around me. The cover for “Royals” book 1 in the Shifter Royalty Trilogy had a huge part to play. I feel in love with it. I was also struggling with the direction to take the novel. I felt like something was missing. I had half of it written and didn’t like it. It’s then that I found the cover and a new idea for the trilogy. But I didn’t know if I wanted to change what I had written because the novel was half finished. I talked with a good friend of mine and she encouraged me to write the rest of the story with my new vision and go back to the first half afterward and change it to match. I’m so glad I did.

The biggest mistake I made was not getting my first novel professional edited. I couldn’t afford it and thought if I self publish this, I could go back and edit it later, after I got out there. I lost readers before I ever had them because that, and I got some pretty bad reviews as well. That can make or break you, because word of mouth is what indie author live off of.

When I research for a book my first instinct is to search the internet. Then I generally bounce ideas off my husband and two closest friends. I do take what I’ve read in other novel and try to change it, so it better fits my writing style and what I need it for.

Callyn is a reflection of myself. They say write what you know. There are scenes in the novels, especially “Royals”, that I took from real life experiences. They didn’t happen exactly as I wrote because I toned it down. I know the feeling of helplessness, and the urge to escape but didn’t have a way to. I poured a lot of myself into her, from her feelings to her reactions, even her description.

Amazing. Hands down, one of the best things I’ve done in my life. It can be stressful, but my readers make it worth it.

I love AllAuthor. I’ve gained new readers and followers since becoming a member. The services are easy to use. Making teasers and ads are faster to produce since I do those myself. Everyone from the company that has messaged me has be kind and helpful. I definitely recommend AllAuthor.