Love, Art, and Other Obstacles

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back Wild Rose Press author Sadira Stone as she celebrates the release of Love, Art and Other Obstacles. With Sadira is potter and part-time teacher Elmer Byrne who will go first.

Good morning, Elmer, tell us a bit about yourself, beginning with where you are from. I was born in a tiny rural town in Oregon and grew up in various foster homes in Eugene.

Tell us a bit about Love, Art, and Other Obstacles. Margot DuPont and I started out as competitors for an art grant we both desperately needed, since we’re both—well, not starving artists, but barely getting by, you know? It’s hard to break into the art world without a patron. Our mutual friend and surrogate grandmother Maxie encouraged us to sign up for this competition for emerging artists.

     When we met in Book Nirvana, where Margot works, I thought she was cute—but she disliked me on the spot. Not fair, right? She’d seen me flirting with one of her co-workers a while ago and decided I was the trifling, playboy type. Totally not true. I’m a one-woman man. I was just between women at the moment.

     Anyway, our love for Maxie brought us together, then the competition pitted us against each other. When Margot showed up at the youth arts center where I teach ceramics classes, I got to know her a little better. She let her guard down, we went on a few dates, and—wowsa! I’ve never experienced such hot chemistry.

     The trouble is, she had this on-again, off-again relationship with another woman who, by the way, was just using her. Margot didn’t see it that way and thought I was trying to clip her wings. Convincing her otherwise was not easy.

What did you think the first time you saw Margot? I shook her hand and—this is gonna sound cliché, but I felt a spark running right up my arm and dancing in my gut like fireflies. That spiky, pink-tipped hair, those huge indigo eyes, that snarky grin—she slayed me.

Works for us. And your second thought? Then she opened her mouth, and a bolt of snark shot out. I believe my exact words were, “Prickly little shrew.”

Hah! Good one. So it wasn't love at first sight? Nah, because to really love someone, you have to know them. But it was definitely strong attraction at first sight. I was intrigued as hell.

What is it about her that you like the most? Margot’s so bright—in every possible way, you know? Her personality, her spirit, her punk-fairy style, her sharp eyes and sharp, spiked hair and snarky armor. But inside, she’s so soft—generous and sweet and scared to be vulnerable. And she’s—well, a gentleman doesn’t talk about that. Let’s just say she’s an amazing kisser.

How would you describe her? Like I said, she’s a spiky little sprite. She thinks fast, moves fast, talks fast. It takes a lot of patience to get her to drop her armor.

How would she describe you? She calls me Redbeard, like the pirate. She’d say I’m too flirty, and a softie inside. And persistent.

What made you choose ceramics as a career? I love how my art lets me combine form and function. The pieces I make—beer mugs, dishes, even water fountains—let me add artistic surprises to something that feels good in your hand and is useful in your daily life—not just something you hang on a wall and forget about.

What is your biggest fear? We’re not related by blood, but my chosen family is my lifeblood all the same. We hold each other up. Losing them would destroy me.

How do you relax? Besides pummeling clay? I like hanging out with the six artists I share a house with. We play video games, listen to music, cook, laugh—or sometimes I just find a quiet corner and read my sci-fi collection.

Who is your favorite fictional character? It’s corny, but I’d have to say Captain Kirk.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Let people be who they are.

And you showed that very well in the book. Thanks for spending time with us, Elmer. We'd like to chat with Sadira now.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I love slow-burn, steamy romances with either friend-to-lovers or enemies/rivals-to-lovers, whether contemporary or historical. Some favorite authors: Tessa Dare, Courtney Milan, Sarah MacLean, Sonali Dev, Beverly Jenkins, Alicia Rai, Alyssa Cole, Olivia Waite… I strive to make my stories as polished and moving as theirs.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? I love the art world. If time and money were no object, I’d take ALL the art classes—so it was fun to explore two new-to-me art forms in this book: graphic design and ceramics. I interviewed two young graphic designers and took ceramics classes to add authentic details to LAOO.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? Author Marie Tuhart, a friend from my local RWA chapter (Olympia, Washington) recommended The Wild Rose Press as a solid, professional small press. I’ve found them very supportive.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? So many! Up next: Jasmine Guillory’s Royal Holiday, Robin Lovett’s Toxic Desire, and Adrianna Herrera’s American Sweethearts.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’m working on a steamy (of course) contemporary Christmas romance set in a neighborhood tavern in my hometown of Tacoma, Washington. This will be my first indie-published book and first in a series of at least four.

To purchase Love, Art, and Other Obstacles, go to:

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