Today’s post is an interview with Carina Press author Shawna Thomas. Her new book, Journey of Awakening, was released this past Monday. It’s an epic fantasy, my kind of story.
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| Shawna Thomas – Website |
Winner of a 2011 RT Reader’s Choice award for
her debut book, Altered Destiny, Shawna Thomas has been making up stories ever
since finishing Gone With The Wind. Once she put her own ending in writing,
there was no looking back. A wife and a mother of seven, (yes seven!) Shawna lives in
California where she gardens, writes, and drinks lots of coffee.
Here is a short description of Shawna’s Journey to Awakening.
Trained
from birth for one purpose, Sara must reunite three ancient stones to restore
balance to the land but one of the stone keepers has other plans.
To get to know Shawna better, she has answered a few questions.
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| Available at Amazon and Carina Press |
1. How long did it take you to write Journey of Awakening? Well, it depends
which time. I started writing this story over ten years ago. It’s changed much
since then. The last version was done like a speed round. I had a newborn who
did not sleep and a two month deadline to rewrite the manuscript. It’s a blur.
which time. I started writing this story over ten years ago. It’s changed much
since then. The last version was done like a speed round. I had a newborn who
did not sleep and a two month deadline to rewrite the manuscript. It’s a blur.
2. How much research did you conduct for Journey of
Awakening and what was the most interesting thing you did while conducting your
research?
Unfortunately, a lot of researched material ended up on the cutting room floor.
But Sara is a healer, so I spent hours researching herbal cures for different
ailments. I found it fascinating and I tried several of them. They do work!
Awakening and what was the most interesting thing you did while conducting your
research?
Unfortunately, a lot of researched material ended up on the cutting room floor.
But Sara is a healer, so I spent hours researching herbal cures for different
ailments. I found it fascinating and I tried several of them. They do work!
3. Why did you decide to write fantasy? I’m not sure I ever
decided to write fantasy. Rather it’s the way my brain is wired. However, I did
publish erotic contemporary romance and gave it up for a chance to write and
publish fantasy.
decided to write fantasy. Rather it’s the way my brain is wired. However, I did
publish erotic contemporary romance and gave it up for a chance to write and
publish fantasy.
4. Do you write multiple drafts or barely need revisions
when typing, The End? Hah! I write fairly clean. (Looking over my shoulder to
see what my editor might say) but I love revision. The first draft is usually
bare bones. The next draft I’m adding flesh and bone, the next I’m dressing it
up. I guess I write in layers.
when typing, The End? Hah! I write fairly clean. (Looking over my shoulder to
see what my editor might say) but I love revision. The first draft is usually
bare bones. The next draft I’m adding flesh and bone, the next I’m dressing it
up. I guess I write in layers.
5. When you are writing, who is in control? You or your
characters? It depends. I give my characters a lot of say. I think it’s one of
the marks of a writer that they can argue with a character. These people have
personality and depth. We just bring it out. But ultimately, I’m in charge. LOL
I can almost hear my characters arguing with me.
characters? It depends. I give my characters a lot of say. I think it’s one of
the marks of a writer that they can argue with a character. These people have
personality and depth. We just bring it out. But ultimately, I’m in charge. LOL
I can almost hear my characters arguing with me.
6. Have you had any “ah ha” moments as a writer? Oh yes, some of them
embarrassing. Ah ha, this isn’t poetry, it’s narrative. Ah ha, no one will read
my book just to glance around my world, something has to happen…
embarrassing. Ah ha, this isn’t poetry, it’s narrative. Ah ha, no one will read
my book just to glance around my world, something has to happen…
7. What advice do you have for other writers? Don’t compare
yourself to others. I have to tell myself this often, especially in regards to
productivity. I don’t have much time to write so I’m not typically going to
publish a book every six months. (This year is an exception)
yourself to others. I have to tell myself this often, especially in regards to
productivity. I don’t have much time to write so I’m not typically going to
publish a book every six months. (This year is an exception)
8. What was the most exciting thing that happened to you
after you signed your contract – besides receiving your first check as a
published author? My
sister works for a hotel chain. She was across the country and mentioned to one
of the managers that her sister was a writer. The man had read my book! It was
amazing and humbling and wow!
after you signed your contract – besides receiving your first check as a
published author? My
sister works for a hotel chain. She was across the country and mentioned to one
of the managers that her sister was a writer. The man had read my book! It was
amazing and humbling and wow!
9. How does your family feel about your career as a romance
writer? Hmm…
My kids think I’m playing on the computer. From time to time one of my
daughters will ask me how much money I’m making. (As in can we get a pool yet)
My husband loves it. I don’t think most of them really understand what it
means.
writer? Hmm…
My kids think I’m playing on the computer. From time to time one of my
daughters will ask me how much money I’m making. (As in can we get a pool yet)
My husband loves it. I don’t think most of them really understand what it
means.
10. What do you want your readers to take away with them
after reading the story? I want them to fall in love with the characters. I want
it to plant a seed in their imagination. I want them to want more. I want them
to say, Ahhhh.
after reading the story? I want them to fall in love with the characters. I want
it to plant a seed in their imagination. I want them to want more. I want them
to say, Ahhhh.
11. What was the defining moment that you considered yourself
an author?
Defining moment… I’m not sure there has been one. I think it’s been a gradual
thing. I do consider myself an author, but it wasn’t the first or even second
book published that did it. Maybe when I won the RT reader award. That was
pretty epic!
an author?
Defining moment… I’m not sure there has been one. I think it’s been a gradual
thing. I do consider myself an author, but it wasn’t the first or even second
book published that did it. Maybe when I won the RT reader award. That was
pretty epic!
12. With so many changes in publishing over the past year,
where do you see the future of publishing going? I think we’re
heading more toward electronic books. Two years ago it shocked me that my
family didn’t know what an e-reader was. Now most of them have one or at least
know what it is.
where do you see the future of publishing going? I think we’re
heading more toward electronic books. Two years ago it shocked me that my
family didn’t know what an e-reader was. Now most of them have one or at least
know what it is.
13. What makes a man attractive to you? A good sense of humor.
Oh, and he must have nice eyes and a good voice.
Oh, and he must have nice eyes and a good voice.
14. What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever done? LOL.
Do you really want to know that? I’m not sure it’s the most interesting but I’ve
trapped and skinned a beaver. I used to live in Washington State and there was
Indian trapper that wanted to teach me how to live like my ancestors. He took
me trapping, taught me to make moccasins. FYI: You only eat the tail. The rest
of it is inedible.
Do you really want to know that? I’m not sure it’s the most interesting but I’ve
trapped and skinned a beaver. I used to live in Washington State and there was
Indian trapper that wanted to teach me how to live like my ancestors. He took
me trapping, taught me to make moccasins. FYI: You only eat the tail. The rest
of it is inedible.
15. What’s your biggest dream? Ten or twenty things
came to mind, but you know, I am living my biggest dream. I would like my books
to be successful. So I guess my biggest dream is to captivate people with my
words.
came to mind, but you know, I am living my biggest dream. I would like my books
to be successful. So I guess my biggest dream is to captivate people with my
words.
16. If you were a millionaire would you still write? Oh yes. I write
because I love it. Because it’s part of who I am. But I’d have a maid come in
once a week to take care of the house. Okay maybe twice. And someone to come in
a few hours a day to watch the kiddos.
because I love it. Because it’s part of who I am. But I’d have a maid come in
once a week to take care of the house. Okay maybe twice. And someone to come in
a few hours a day to watch the kiddos.
17. Seven children! How
do you find the time? Coffee! Their ages range from 24 to 8 months. The
older ones help out with the younger ones. With a new baby I plot and plan
during diaper changes and laundry and write during nap time. But definitely
coffee keeps me going.
do you find the time? Coffee! Their ages range from 24 to 8 months. The
older ones help out with the younger ones. With a new baby I plot and plan
during diaper changes and laundry and write during nap time. But definitely
coffee keeps me going.
To tempt you even more, here is the back cover copy of Journey of Awakening.
After her grandfather’s death, Sara inherits
an ancient pendant and a near-impossible quest—master the mysterious pendant’s
source of magic. Driven to do so, she must find the other two stones of power,
long considered lost, while preventing an unknown enemy from finding her first.
an ancient pendant and a near-impossible quest—master the mysterious pendant’s
source of magic. Driven to do so, she must find the other two stones of power,
long considered lost, while preventing an unknown enemy from finding her first.
Unprepared and alone, she travels to where
the keepers of the stones, the Siobani, were last seen. Along the way she meets
Tobar, leader of the nomadic Heleini tribe. As Sara wrestles with feelings for
this intriguing man, she is also invigorated with her grandfather’s passion to
find the ancient Siobani race.
the keepers of the stones, the Siobani, were last seen. Along the way she meets
Tobar, leader of the nomadic Heleini tribe. As Sara wrestles with feelings for
this intriguing man, she is also invigorated with her grandfather’s passion to
find the ancient Siobani race.
After a rival tribe kidnaps Tobar’s son and
heir, Sara must harness the stone’s healing magic to unite the tribes and save
the boy. But as the dark power stalking her gains ground, will she continue on
her quest to reach the Siobani or risk everything to save the warring tribes
from eliminating each other?
heir, Sara must harness the stone’s healing magic to unite the tribes and save
the boy. But as the dark power stalking her gains ground, will she continue on
her quest to reach the Siobani or risk everything to save the warring tribes
from eliminating each other?
She also loves to hear
from readers so drop her a line at Shawna@shawnathomas.com
from readers so drop her a line at Shawna@shawnathomas.com
Thank you Shawna!
Hi Shawna! I just finished reading Altered Destiny & I really liked it. I loved Selia & Jaden. I definitely went Ahhhh! at the end of the book & now I can't wait to get Journey of Awakening. Hope your next book is in the works too cos I'd definitely put it in my wishlist.
Wow, interesting interview. (I'm still contemplating eating a beaver, well the tail…)Glad the books are doing so well!
Hi Linda!
I'm so glad to hear you loved Selia and Jaden! Yup, the next book is in production and I'm editing book three. I hope you enjoy them as much as you did Altered Destiny!
Shawna
Hi Veronica! Thank you for stopping by. Honestly, I only remember that beaver tastes a bit like ox tail… and to me that tastes like really rich beef. ; )
Yeah, it's kinda weird to remember, but it was interesting.
This is a REALLY good interview!
Fun interview! How exciting that the hotel manager so far away had read your book. That's so neat! Congratulations again. 🙂
LOL It is Crystal! An interview is only as good as the questions and Ruth's are awesome! : )
Hi Akatriel!
It was pretty cool. : )
What a great interview. I really enjoyed it. Tweeted.
Thank you for stopping by, Ella, and for the tweet!
Great interview, Ruth! Shawna, thanks for giving us so much insight into your writing life. I loved reading it!
Hi Natalie! It was a fun interview! I'm glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by!
Shawna