Featured Interview With Lindsey Stuffel
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was raised, and still reside, in Hagerstown, Indiana. I currently own the house in which I spent a great deal of my formative years babysitting my cousins, which was my summer job until I started working at the local grocery store my Senior year of high school.
I have a dog, she’s a basenji/shepherd mix I adopted from a local shelter last Christmas. I named her Ren (after one of my characters). When I adopted her, she was 3.5 years old and had never lived in a home. She had lived that long in shelters, and even the kill shelters could never bring themselves to euthanize her even though she was never adopted, so they would take her somewhere else. Meanwhile, I had lost my dog and cat (separately, of old age) the year before, and when I saw her, I fell in love with her instantly. We’re a good match. I think she was probably always meant to be mine.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I come from a long line of librarians, so my fascination with books likely started while I was still in the womb. I know I started writing around 10, but not on a serious level until I was a teenager. Still, it took me until I was in my thirties to finally write an entire book.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
At the moment, I’m kind of obsessed with anything and everything Chelsea Cain. I suppose I generally prefer the thriller genre to read, but I’ll read just about anything.
Aside from Cain, I adore Judy Blume and I feel that while I definitely have my own writing style, I’m most influenced by her as an artist.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
Cheers Beers is a cautionary tale. I’ve seen (or heard stories from) many people I love of varying ages who have escaped abusive men. I don’t think many people realize what a victim goes through, especially in cases of verbal and emotional abuse. They think if you can’t see the marks, it’s not that bad, but often it is much worse. They are so beaten-down and broken they feel literally trapped in their hopeless situation.
I wrote this book in the hopes that at least one person would pick it up and be inspired by Birdie Beers; and finally break the cycle of abuse. This story is fictional, but it’s inspired by the most amazing and heroic people I’ve ever met. You can get out, and you will be a better you as a result.
Plus, it has a hot guy and witty dialogue.
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