One life… Trevor Palmer must sink or survive, quite literally. Choosing to manipulate the changing hands of his company for his own good, he relocates to the rough country of Idaho, in searching for his great great grandfather’s mine. Porsche has sworn off all men but meeting Trevor has changed her best laid plans, throwing her resolve to find the perfect man for her sister against her, stumbling head on into the ideal man for herself.
Today I’m talking with the author of ‘In Harm’s Way’, Shaunna Gonzales about her novel. Shaunna, I’d like to start off today’s interview by discussing how did you first come upon the idea for this novel?
I don’t remember, it’s been so long ago now. Trevor just spoke to me.
Out of the characters featured in this novel, did you have any characters that you wanted to stay with longer?
Oh yes, Trevor is one of my all time favorites. but I think it is because he is so real to me.
And, is there any character in your book that you would like to socalise with given the chance?
Yes, Trevor. I know him so well and would love to get to know him better.
Aside from the characters did you feel driven by other aspects when writing? For instance, did you try and weave themes into the storyline?
Yes, I write about Conversion Disorder in the sequel.
Did you need to undertake research to like finding out more about ‘Conversion Disorder’ while you were writing.
A little, as in what you may find in the tunnel of the vacant mine shaft.
Or did you try include your own life experiences as elements in the novel?
Yes I did. I draw on my experiences with horses quite a bit.
Since you were incorporating aspects of research and your own experiences did it take you long to write?
Do I dare say that I started this book way back in 2005? Yeah, and then I set it aside while i worked on other books and got one of them published.
I quite liked the cover that you used for this novel, who designed it?
I did it myself. I was flipping through some free photos and this one jumped out at me. I just had to have it. A young woman with a cave in the picture behind her? Oh yeah, I had to have it.
Overall, what did you find the most rewarding thing about writing this book?
Finally, and I mean finally giving Trevor a chance to tell his story.
Now that you have given Trevor the chance to tell his story, what are you working on next?
Right now I am writing a prequel to this book drawn heavily from my own experience. I will be available for free for those who want to be on my mailing list.
Are you a full-time author?
I am a full-time author. Actually, a writer is a pretty solitary life style so when I do get away for a conference, I really lap up the experience. I live in a condo with a big window to write by. I watch people come and go and will probably sneak a character or two into my books in the future.
As you are able to write for a living do you have any tips for writing? What are your personal techniques?
I try to write everyday except Sunday. That depends on being at home and the availability to write. And I try to write at least one hundred words a day.
When you got your first book review, how did you feel?
That first review was like getting a doll for Christmas when I was a kid. I took it out and read it multiple times. Now, not so much. but with this book I will be the same I’m sure.
And what are your thoughts on the future of publishing?
I am confident. I mean that now that I’ve self-published it is a piece of cake. Getting the photos I want is the hardest. I mean, if anyone has the photo I’m looking for for my time-travel I’d be happy to take it right now but I don’t think that will happen as it is a pre-calculated photo on my part.
On the other side of writing is reading, which I find most authors are heavily engaged with. What are you currently reading?
I am currently reading a non-fiction work by an author who I am hoping to meet later this year, Michelle Wilson’s Does this insecurity make me look fat?
And, as a child what was your favourite book ?
I think I loved Little Britches because my copy of it has long since worn out but really any of Walter Farley’s books You know The Black Stallion Series.
Is there a book that you wish that you would have written?
Yes, Pride and Prejudice. I love that book.
To round out today’s interview I’d like to ask you a few quick fire questions. If you could breed two animals together to defy the laws of nature what new animal would you create?
A Gafmadon. He is part huge dog and part flying dragon.
Can you curl your tongue?
Yes, I learned how to do that as a child but just now had to try it again. funny how you never forget that at least not yet anyway.
Which are cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
Dragons of course.
Shaunna, I’d like to thank you for being so generous with your time today and I wish you the best of luck with your promotion of ‘In Harm’s Way’ and your work on its sequel.
Want to find out more about Shaunna? Contact her at the following locations: