Author Interview with Shawna Moore

Can you tell our readers a little about yourself?

I'm a woman who loves life! Writing, traveling, the Beatles, shopping, rock music (only the classical rock from the 60s and 70s) and shoes are some of my greatest passions. Of course, my greatest passion is my real-life hero. I 'm an avid reader, though my reading time has waned since I've started writing full-time. My favorite authors are: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Harper Lee, D. H. Lawrence , Tennessee Williams, Homer, Thoreau, Rebecca Wells, LaVyrle Spencer..the list goes on. I'm very much a woman who loves parties and social events. At present, my writing focus is on women's fiction and single-title romances with an erotic, sassy edge. I'm fairly confident this is where my focus will remain for a long time. I'm still jazzed about the perfect surprise hubby planned for me. He took me to Atlantic City to see Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band! Talk about mega talent gathered on that arena stage! Ringo, Hamish Steurt, Billy Squier, Sheila E. Rod Argent, Richard Marx and Edgar Winter (who played every instrument on stage much as a maestro). We enjoyed a sumptuous seafood buffet luncheon, delicious cocktails, and a romantic stroll along the Boardwalk and Steel Pier. The casino didn't yield a financial windfall for us, but the bonus of being with my true love, and being surrounded by stellar musical talent, was what truly counted.

What made you decide to become a writer?

Since before starting Kindergarten, I've brought the stories in my mind to fictional life. As an only child, I often entertained friends, family and myself with stories and skits featuring bunnies, puppies, mystical worlds and fictional characters. For fifteen years, I worked in various clinical and clerical capacities in medical offices, but I was denying myself my dream. When my beloved mother was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, it was soul-searching time. Hubby and I had a discussion about my dreams and goals, and he gave me his blessing to embark on a full-time writing career. Since then, I haven't looked back, and I'll always treasure the extra time God granted me with my mom during her final days.

What does a typical writing day look like for you?

For 8-10 hours on at least five-and sometimes six-days a weeks, I'm at the writing computer, plotting, research or promoting. I allow nothing short of an emergency to interrupt. The ringer on the phone in my office is turned off, and I relegate incoming calls to a phone in another room where there is an answering machine. I remain off the internet for the most part during the writing period and then only use it for research or promotion. Otherwise, I lose valuable writing time, and that time is precious since writing is my career. I made a pact with myself and my husband when I left the outside-the-home working world behind--that I would dedicate at least 2000 hours a year to my writing, and I've surpassed that time goal each of the five-plus years I've been writing full-time.

Is there a character from one of your books that resonates deeply with you?

Jade Hunter from DEEP UNDERCOVER hits an emotional chord as does Sarah Bradford from FORBIDDEN HUNGER. Both women learn that it's not a crime to shun societal convention in the pursuit of ones job or sexual satisfaction. They dare to be different and flaunt that in the face of others, even if it means being under additional scrutiny or being less popular. They learn to pursue their passions and find love along the way-the same path to romance I followed and found a real-life hero who's everything of which I dreamed.

Can you tell our readers a little about what you're currently working on?

It's a women's fiction novel. A blend of drama, erotic energy, and sassy humor. The heroine is a woman who's led a less-than-perfect life who's on a quest for self-actualization. The hero is an alpha guy with a beta core (just like my real-life hero/husband). He has his work cut out for him steering her along the path to romance and renewal. I love small-town settings, especially those in the Deep South , and this novel chose the very same.

Is there something special you do to celebrate when one of your books is released?

Hubby and I usually go out to dinner sometime during the week of the book's release. We also take time to indulge our fantasies and always take things a bit higher emotionally and sexually. After all, the celebration is for the release. And I believe the fact I live a great romance is the reason I enjoy writing romances so much. Truly, nothing compares to actual experience when writing romance scenes, tender scenes, or sex scenes. Fantasy is fine, but I prefer having lived/experienced that about which I write when it comes to sex. Those characters go where I've gone sexually-and they spur me to go places I've never been and have loved exploring. Writing sex between characters is just as addictive as dark chocolate to me-if I see it or think about it, I gotta actually have it.

Here are some fun and a bit crazy getting-to-know-you questions.

Favorite food? Three-way tie - fried chicken, chocolate (there are so many uses for chocolate-fondue, cake, mousse, martini, body paint.), fillet mignon

Favorite color? Two-way tie - blue and pink

Favorite movie? Is also my favorite novel, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Close behind is THE GREAT GATSBY.

TV Show? Without a doubt, 24!

Favorite actor? Kiefer Sutherland

Favorite time of day? Late at night

Favorite place to visit? New Orleans or Savannah

Favorite childhood memory? Trips to the beach with mom and dad every summer

Do you have any strange habits or talents?

I used to be able to tie cherry stems with my tongue pretty fast ;) Haven't done that in a good many years, though. I can hold my breath for a really long time underwater. About fifteen years ago, I was second in the nation in one particular rock trivia game played at various restaurants and clubs. If only I wouldn't have paused so long on that Eric Clapton question. I only need hear and/or see a person one time, and learn their name, and I can identify them again no matter how many years have passed. I've privately and professionally tutored hundreds of students in various subjects including Anatomy ;)

Is there any anything else that you'd like to share with our readers or advice you'd like to give to aspiring authors?

Never surrender to the self-doubt demons. Make your dreams become reality. Turn off the internal editor and let your words and ideas explode on the cyber page. Realize that publishing is a subjective quest. Some will embrace your fictional visions, others won't. Write the best book you can and let your passion(s) show. Dare to be different and defy convention as my characters and I do. Put your own romance into your novels. By culling from my own experiences, emotionally and physically, I relive those blissful moments each writing day and yearn to make more of them. I've been blessed with a loving husband, awesome friends, terrific publishers, dedicated readers, and the ability to tap into the treasury of ideas swirling inside my brain to breathe life into my fiction.

For those interested in subscribing to my newsletter, send a blank e-mail to - grant-moore-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

My cyber home is - http://www.grant-moore.com

Thank you for this interview opportunity! It's been a pleasure chatting with you and sharing more about Shawna with this site's readers and visitors. May your wildest dreams become reality!

Shawna Moore