Inspiration Behind Beautiful and Terrible Things
Stevens aims to inspire empathy and activism through her storytelling
S.M. Stevens’ novels explore societal issues with empathy, inspired by her corporate background and personal experiences. Her works balance entertainment with depth, encouraging readers to engage with real-world challenges.
Acclaimed author S.M. Stevens‘ path to becoming a fiction writer is as captivating as the narratives she creates. Originally a seasoned business writer, Stevens transitioned into fiction following a series of personal health challenges. After a severe horseback riding accident left her unable to move, she began writing “Shannon’s Odyssey,” a middle-grade novel for her daughter. Nearly a year later, during her battle with ovarian cancer, she wrote “Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers,” inspired by her older daughter’s passion for musical theatre.
Her debut adult novel, “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades,” emerged from the #metoo movement, examining the parallels between workplace sexual harassment and childhood incest. Her forthcoming novel, “Beautiful and Terrible Things,” scheduled for release in summer 2024, explores themes of friendship, mental illness, and social justice, highlighting her dedication to addressing complex societal issues through her writing.
With a strong background in corporate communications, Stevens has honed the ability to write amidst interruptions, a skill that has undoubtedly contributed to her prolific output. Her novels frequently feature strong female protagonists navigating challenging circumstances, emphasizing the importance of representation and authenticity in literature.
In an interview with Reader’s House magazine, S.M. Stevens shared insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her stories, and the delicate balance of infusing entertainment with thought-provoking themes. Her work not only entertains but also encourages readers to empathize with real-life issues and consider their own roles in societal change.
Stevens explained that she is driven to explore complex societal issues such as workplace harassment and mental health struggles because she is drawn to fiction that challenges her. She believes that portraying life as it is, with humor, light, love, challenges, and tragedy, naturally balances entertainment with serious subjects.
Discussing her novel, “Beautiful and Terrible Things,” Stevens expressed her desire to depict contemporary society realistically by including multiple social issues. She hopes readers will gain greater empathy for the real people behind the statistics and feel inspired to become more involved in causes important to them.
Stevens’ extensive career in business, including executive roles at Fortune 500 companies and non-profit organizations, has informed her approach to writing fiction. She credits her communications career with teaching her how to write with constant interruptions, a skill that has carried over to her fiction writing.
Her novel “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades” merges the topics of childhood sexual abuse and workplace sexual harassment. Stevens was motivated by the #metoo movement and the similar questions society poses to victims of both harassment and incest, which her novel attempts to address.
Representation in literature is crucial to Stevens, who ensures authenticity and depth in her characters by conducting thorough research and consulting sensitivity readers. She drew on the experiences and insights of others in areas such as mental health, race, gender, sexuality, and immigration to inform “Beautiful and Terrible Things.”
The “Bit Players” series was inspired by her daughter’s love for musical theatre and Stevens’ own experiences in drama. Writing for a younger audience presented the challenge of not embarrassing her teenage daughter, which led to the creation of her pen name. Her daughter, now a mature writer herself, is no longer embarrassed by their connection.
