Your Name
Shannon Shaw
Tell us about yourself.
I am a lifelong resident of Alabama. I currently live in the Rocket City which is better known as Huntsville. I have been a high school teacher and a coach for the past sixteen years. I just retired from being a high school head football coach to spend more time with my family and to invest more in my writing. I am married to a wonderful woman who has been the inspiration for several of my strong female characters. She has been my rock and has supported my writing through every step. She likes to say she is my biggest fan plus her technical writing expertise comes in handy in a pinch. We have one amazing daughter. She is 4 going on 21 at the moment, but she is fantastic. She asks me every night if she can help me write. Lately, she has been asking me to create her a children’s book. I have been secretly sketching out the details. It will be a private copy just for her.
Tell us about your book.
My current book is called Returns. It is a thriller set in the fictional town of Everett Valley, Georgia. The tale revolves around Samuel Carsten. He is a young part time journalist and professor. He is called to the reading of his estranged grandfather’s will to find things are not what they seem. Soon, he is burdened with the knowledge of the horrors of his family. Samuel can choose to bury the unspeakable acts and become extremely wealthy or have the secret exposed and destroy his life.
What motivated you to write this particular story?
I have always been fascinated by people that create chaos in the world through their unspeakable acts. I think often times we tend to forget the impact killers have on their own families and the lasting legacy. I was watching a documentary about serial killers when the idea popped into my head. I ran from the room to jot down some notes and the book was born.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I actually write across several genres. I allow the story to speak to me so if the story is horror, action, or romance it pours out. I try not to limit myself.
What makes your book(s) unique?
Characters with real emotions, real pain, but ultimately the works are fun and exciting. I also try to create worlds unlike the worlds readers have encountered before.
Do you ever experience writer’s block?
Honestly, I never have. If I appear to be getting stuck at a particular part in the story I think about other issues or scenes. Occasionally, I will write the parts out of order. I have found a great way to keep the story flowing is to outline the highlights. The story flows onto the screen much faster if you know where every piece joins together. I will free write if an idea pops into my head, but not often.
Where do you get your ideas?
I will see a topic and think that I can change it into something bent or twisted. Sometimes I will hear a song or hear a word that will trigger and emotional response then build the story outward.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
Jack London, Call of the Wild was my first book I ever read as a kid. I was enthralled. As an adult I am a huge Clive Cussler fan. I would love to be Dirk Pitt. I pick up his books and cannot put them down.
Who are your favorite authors?
Clive Cussler (Oh, I wish I was Dirk Pitt), Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Richard Matheson, Philip K. Dick, and Max Brooks.
Are you currently working on a project?
I am writing the first book in my Created series. The series follows the main character as he deals with a government cover up while struggling to learn how to become a vampire. As his past and future collide, he must make hard decisions about which world he wants to belong. The underlying story seems simple, but there are several twists that are very original including zombie nurses, nanotechnology and patchwork monsters to name a few. This first book has been a pleasure to write. I have so much fun when I get to write. The development of the characters and building the world has been an amazing experience. I have written parts of the first three books. I hope to have the first book available by the end of April 2012.
What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment as a writer?
I know many writers who never take the hardest step which is putting his or her work before the masses. I am very proud to say that I have published my first book.
What advice do you have for others who are trying to get published or going self published?
I want people to understand that writing should not be about the money. I know many aspiring authors read the great stories about people writing books becoming rich seemingly overnight, but for many of those writers it has been hard work and multiple works that have pushed out which have created the success. The easy way to explain what every writer should do is simple; work. Write a book you are proud of and want to share. Once the book is published, market and write then write and write some more.
Can you explain your writing process?
I started writing without notes or outlines because I knew where my story was going, but the process seemed slow. Eventually, I started writing rough outlines. The outlines generally do not include dialogue unless I have a line that works out during the process. I have found that the outline format I use is much faster and it keeps me focused with the direction of my works.
Any fun facts you are willing to share?
I tend to write thrillers, but I have a passion for horror and paranormal. I love my characters from Returns, which is a thriller, so I decided before publication to expand the book into a series of which I have parts of the next three written. The series is entitled All The Dead Bodies. Created is planned out for a five book series. I am alternating between the Dead Bodies and Created series as a way to minimize the time between novels.
Where can readers learn more about you and your work (social media)?
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/ShannonShaw
Blog/Website: http://www.shannonshawbooks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shannonfshaw
Twitter: ShannonFShaw
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/shannonfshaw
Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/shannonfshaw
What format does your book(s) come in?
Currently, my book is enrolled in the Kindle Select Program. I am exclusively through Amazon until April. The addition of new titles to my catalogue is making me strongly consider branching out, but so far the Amazon experience has been amazing for me.
Links to your books?
Amazon: http://amzn.to/AwiA4U
