I always begin each interview with the statement, “Tell me about yourself.” That statement provides a variety of answers. Some are long and some are short and to the point. But in all cases, the author will inevitably open the door to who she or he is.
This is absolutely the case when I opened the interview with Elaine Stock. As with my most recent interview with Susan Sage, I didn’t know much about Elaine. From posts on Facebook and BlueSky, I knew she and I shared a similar political and social outlook, but that was it. I also knew she was another Black Rose Writing author like I am and like many of my author friends who shared their life and writing with me, but that was all. What I found in Elaine was a wise, witty, and funny woman who brought more than one smile to me, and at other times, made me laugh out loud. I think she will do the same for you.
When Elaine Stock penned the novel, We Shall Not Shatter, Book 1 of the Amazon Bestseller Resilient Women of World War II Trilogy, inspired by her paternal heritage from Brzeziny, Poland, she discovered her passion for writing what she loved to read: historical fiction. What pleases her the most is that readers have reached out to say her books have encouraged them to face their tomorrows.
Elaine is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and The Historical Novel Society. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and enjoys long walks down country roads, visiting New England towns, and, of course, a good book.
Elaine said it has taken her far too long to arrive at this point in life, but she is grateful to say that she is uniquely herself, and that is way-okay! Like others, she has her quirks, her goods, and her uglies, but she excels in determination and focus to achieve what she wants to, knowing that with grace, she can. She is also realistic, fully aware that she may not accomplish world peace (drats!) or hit the NYTBS list on a weekly basis. However, on a humbler level, she wants a simple life of peace and health for her husband and herself, their furry companions, family, and friends … and hopefully, readers who will enjoy her novels and feel encouraged to face their tomorrows.
What was it that made you decide you had a story to tell and to become an author?
I’ve been writing stories as far back as I can recall, winning a writing contest in third grade. LOL—just don’t ask me what the subject was! While I don’t mean to play the sympathy fiddle, I was raised in a tension-filled home, and I found that writing was the ideal way to communicate what I was experiencing—both the good and the rough. Plus, it was an excellent venue for entertainment. At that time, I had no concerns about quality, the opinions of others, or even grammar. I just wrote, expressed, and created. I was liberated! Then, in my early 20s, I yearned to do more than encourage my muse for my own interests, figuring that if storytelling was a way to free my mind and soul, perhaps writing and publishing stories for others to feel encouraged was a worthwhile pursuit.
Sadly, my mother passed when I was 26. A troubled woman, she had dabbled in poetry and loved reading. She was the biggest influence on my passion for the written word, even if she never knew it. However, “Life 101” reared its challenging head, and though I fiddled with crafting different genres, it was only in 2016 that my first novel was published, something that truly brightened and changed my life.
As an author or writer, what sets you apart from others?
I confess I definitely have my own way of tackling a story. After learning the hard way, I have come to accept that I cannot outline a story to save my life. If I do, the story dies after a couple of chapters. I love the thrill of getting lost in another world, another lifetime, in another’s problems. Very strict about POV (point of view)—within one given chapter, you will not find the story told through the viewpoint of more than one character. I also try my best to immerse myself in the character and tell the story from the character’s visceral experiences.
How do ideas for your stories present themselves? How do you know what story lines to follow and which to ignore?
The kernel of a story finds me, especially when I’m not looking for it. Often, it’s when I’m in the middle of drafting one story that another calls out to me. Sometimes it is a character and his or her needs. Other times, it might be a situation. Currently, I’m working on writing my second series (the first one was the Resilient Women of WII trilogy, and the current one is When Hope Calls). In writing a series, it’s the connection of characters from one book to another and the continuity of the plot that works to tie the story together under one bright, attractive ribbon … at least, that is what I aim for.
What genre do you write, and why?
I actually tried my hand at writing romance and contemporary fiction but then tried Inspirational Fiction, which was the first genre in which I was published. Although my books won a few awards and received several nice reviews, I discovered this genre was not meant for me, so I pursued writing the category that I loved reading: historical fiction. The first novel, We Shall Not Shatter, was inspired by my paternal heritage in Brzeziny, Poland. After my publisher said she was interested in my manuscript, I pitched her the idea of making this into a trilogy, and happily, she said yes. Now, I’ve found another home with Black Rose Writing, and my fourth historical fiction book will be published on April 24, 2025.
Besides writing and telling a good story, do you have any other talents?
Talents vs. interests? Does staying sane count? I enjoy cooking, baking, taking long walks down country roads, and listening to classical music (I used to play the viola). I also love exploring New England towns. And, of course, reading. I’ve also been channeling my graphic designer wannabe for my creative fun by designing memes and other graphics for my writing.
If you were to name one or two books that you deem unforgettable and that had a major impact on you, what would they be, and why?
I am in awe of: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, and American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. All three books pulled me so intently into the story world of the characters and had me right beside them, experiencing the obstacles they encountered. Such strength of character! No surrender to evil, fear, or, seemingly, no way out of a situation!
What authors do you read regularly? Why?
I’ve always been a fan of historical fiction and definitely read it regularly, especially the WWII era because I’m fascinated and encouraged by the determination of people to not only survive but also to live life the best they can. I also listen to audiobooks when driving or at the gym. When I need an escape or a fun read, I gravitate toward Stephen King and Nora Roberts.
If you were to have dinner with 5 individuals living or dead, who would they be and why?
I can’t quite narrow it down to five, but here’s my list: my paternal grandfather, who passed two months before my father was born. Many loved ones who passed years ago. Schubert, Bach, Beethoven, Bob Fosse, and Gwen Verdon for many hours of pure, blissful entertainment, and Helen Keller for braving the darkness in life. And I most definitely want to have eternal dinners with God.
Is there something you set out to do, but somehow, it didn’t work out for you? (In writing, or something else you felt was important to you at the time?)
In my late 20s, I thought about going into the cheesecake-making business but never put the time and planning into making it happen. I am relieved this did not happen! Understatement!
What tips would you give to new or even experienced writers?
Do not let anyone discourage you. If you are passionate about writing on a professional basis and accept that it is hard, time-consuming work and likely not a stable means of making a living, then be prepared to roll up your proverbial sleeves and write because 1) you know you need to write as much as you need to breathe, and 2) some reader out there needs to read and be encouraged by what you have written.
How did you “teach” yourself to write or did it just come naturally? What lessons would you pass on to others?
Before I took myself and my desire to write seriously, I was a huge reader of many genres. I also tinkered with writing on a playful, hobby level, which, in hindsight, was a good thing because I wasn’t discouraged by strict perfectionism. In other words, I let creativity shape me. I have always been a big audiobook listener, which I believe is an excellent teacher of dialogue, character nuances, and plot. I admit there were many years of rejection, and I had to pick myself up off the floor of angst and learn how to improve my writing, which for me was through trial and error.
Is there a type of writing/genre that you find difficult to write? Why?
Science Fiction. I’ve always had difficulty reading sci-fi, along with mythology. Perhaps it’s all the technology sci-fi characters get involved with? However, I’ve come to enjoy watching some sci-fi movies/series, a contradiction, I’m sure.
How important are the elements of character, setting, and atmosphere to a story, and why?
The short answer: very. These are vital parameters that define what a particular story is and must be in place at the very beginning of a story, but in such a way that it entices the reader to continue flipping page after page.
How do you handle a negative critique?
I sigh, grumble, and move on. Sometimes, I get to smile and thank God! I’ve received wonderful reviews; then, other times, I see that one reviewer will “dock” me for XYZ while another reviewer praises my writing for the very XYZ that I was just criticized for. The biggest thing for me was learning that, 1) this is a story and not me the reviewer is talking about, and 2) one is certainly entitled to their thoughts. Hey—considering that a person chose to pick up one of my books rather than sit in front of a TV or play a video game, that’s wonderful. As for me, I’ve read many great books, and many awful books. It’s all subjective.
Tell us about your most recent book. How did you come up with the concept? How did you come up with the title?
My next release is The Last Secret Kept, published by Black Rose Writing and out on April 24, 2025. Set in a small New York town in 1961 while the Berlin Wall is being constructed, and in Berlin, Germany, during the 1940s, three women explore how to demolish the walls built between family and friends before they lose a loved one for a crime he is blamed for.
The story found me when I searched for an idea of what to write next. I randomly picked the year 1961 and researched what happened that year. The building of the Berlin Wall had begun! Women’s roles in the US were just beginning to change! Disability rights were not really a thing … NY still had a death penalty for murder! Then, three women characters swirled through my mind: Fanny, a single woman and a very independent small-town attorney, meets Gina, who is newly married to Kenny, an intellectually challenged man. When Kenny is accused of murder, Fanny and Gina meet, and Fanny takes on the case. But then there is Helene, Gina’s grandmother, who raised Gina as a mother. She has kept silent about the truth of their Berlin past, and when it surfaces, it may just derail the stability of Kenny’s case.
For the title, I experimented with it—a lot! One title was When We Said Hello, but I thought it sounded too “romancy” for this particular story. I have nothing against the romance genre, but I wasn’t aiming for that genre. Instead, I wanted historical fiction. I eventually came up with the present title, and since my publisher didn’t object, it is now The Last Secret Kept.
From your book, who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? Why?
I love all of my characters! Okay. Wait a second. There are a few villains, so I guess I can say that I would not want to invite them over for dinner.
I hope you enjoyed “meeting” Elaine Stock as much as I did. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to comment in the section below. As always, thank you for following along on my writing journey. Until next time …
You can find Elaine at:
Website: https://elainestock.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorElaineStock
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elainestocklovestowrite/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/elainestock.bsky.social
Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/ElaineStock
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elaine-stock
Amazon: amazon.com/author/elainestock
Links to The Last Secret Kept:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/40924v1
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3ZKxJkW
I also want to share some personal news.
The first is that my new book, Black Yéʼii is available for FREE on NetGalley. You can find it here: https://www.netgalley.com/widget/773155/redeem/7484ee474a41fced08eb3199c7c6ca4c5c714477a0e421b73ffdd87ee6b0a05d
The second is that I had the pleasure of being interviewed on a podcast sponsored by International Writers Inspiring Change. We discussed writing and my newest book, Black Yéʼii (The Evil One). You can find the interview here: https://www.writersinspiringchange.com/author-shout-out-podcast
You can also find it on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@writers-inspiring-change/videos
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