Author Interview: J.E. Cammon

Interview with 

J. E. Cammon, 

author of 

Where Shadows Lie

Welcome, J. E. Cammon, to The Happy Book Reviewer! I’m happy to talk to you today about your paranormal urban fantasy series,Where Shadows Lie. 

In Where Shadows Lie: Bay City, the first book in the series, regular people and supernatural creatures live side by side in the eastern US seaport of Bay City. Okay, I have to ask, is this book going to give me nightmares (i.e. is it scary paranormal), or is the paranormal aspect of book more "this is how life is"?

Cammon: Great question. I would say neither, but from feedback I’ve gathered from my readers, it’s closer to the former than the latter. However, I do want to stress, to your question, that the first book, and those that follow are closest to “this is how life is (for us monsters).” That was the original idea, to capture existence for those who are hunted rather than those that hunt (even though it branches out to address even the hunting types in latter books). I felt, approaching the genre, that unless perspective was captured from the perspective of some goodly, or at least guilt-ridden monstrous protagonist, that most stories clearly assigned hero and villain on the basis of human and non human.

Interesting! And your "monsters" (your main characters) are David, Jarvis, and Nick. I find it so interesting that Nick has a "gift" of bringing change wherever he goes. I've heard of characters who can fly, disappear, never die, etc... but this is an new power to me! How did you come up with this? 

Cammon: I came up with it in retrospect, or rather, I came up with that description for it in retrospect. I had a few of the stories drafted by the time it came around to trying to blurb the first one, and I took a long look at the characters and tried to tersely describe their most intrinsic qualities. For Nick, he is a person who questions, and in the world I’ve designed, those quandaries are even more dangerous than their answers. Unfortunately, Nick is the kind of person who, in the beginning, has to ask. It’s in his nature, to walk through that door. An important question he has to answer through his personal storyline is about walking through the door, even after knowing what was on the other side.

Can you give an example from the book of something that happens because of his gift/curse?

Cammon: Well, Jarvis and David are two characters who are, generally, going through the motions. They’re static, as well as older and more experienced than Nick in the beginning. In his shoes, both of them would have made different decisions. Actually, in the very first chapter, Nick’s ability to change, or unveil, affects David. It affects David such that it brings about the entire first book, maybe even series, more or less. By the time Jarvis and David get involved, things have already grown wheels and for awhile, all they can do is react.

The "main character" role cycles in each book, with David as the lead in Where Shadows Lie: Bay City, his friend Nick as the lead in Where Shadows Lie: Hunting Grounds, and the third friend, Jarvis, as the lead in Where Shadows Lie: Steeler's Mill. Word on the street is that the series will continue to Book 8... will this character cycle continue as well?

Cammon: Another great question. Yes and no. Honestly, when I got to the end of the first book, I realized I had a decision to make. I could either twist things, and force the characters to stay near to one another, or I could follow where things seemed to be going organically. The role shifting occurs because of physical distance, not narrative choice, you see. David and Jarvis are not in the second book at all; it’s just about Nick. He goes off and meets new friends and makes new enemies. Likewise with the third book, Steeler’s Mill. Jarvis goes off in a different direction and there is also no sighting of Nick or David. David’s first “main character” book came out just this fall, Campaign Trails. The stories occur in similar time in different space. Book 8, which I’m nearing completion, is when they all come back together, to finish the series off.

Do you find it difficult to change the point-of-view like that? I mean, to suddenly stop seeing the world through Nick's eyes and starting to see through vampire Jarvis' eyes? Or is it actually easier, since you don't have to invent someone from scratch each time?

Cammon: Hm, I wouldn’t describe it as easy or difficult. When I move the story forward, I try to figure out what the most interesting perspective to tell the next section from. Sometimes it’s important to see a character’s transformation through someone else’s eyes. Other times it’s helpful to be able to obscure a character’s motives from the reader by observing a situation through someone who doesn’t know what’s going on. And vice versa. At times, I will try to tell a bit of the story through the eyes of someone who doesn’t know what’s what, but the reader has been given the answers, so they’re in on it, and the third person limited character is confused and frightened. I guess I think about one story having many versions, depending who’s doing the telling, so since I can’t tell the story that many times, I try to tell the most interesting bits of the whole thing.

That's a great point. Our lives are just the same--we can be living and working side-by-side with someone, but the world and situations they're experiencing could be wildly different from our own. But back to the fictional world... what was the most fun part of writing the Where Shadows Lie series?

Cammon: Well, honestly, I put a lot of people I know in the stories. Most of the characters are loosely or tightly based on people in my life. It’s a lot of fun seeing the reactions of those people, or people who know them. When I can elicit a “that is totally him/her” I feel pretty good. It is also very satisfying when people tell me they liked a certain character, and wanted to know more, and I can affirm to them that exposition comes with later books. So, I guess a lot of the fun comes from being able to talk to people about the stories. Also, despite the darker mood, there are points of comedy, and I will hardly ever turn down a smile.

Watch out, Friends of J. E. Cammon! You could be the next monster he writes about!  

So, what have you learned as the series has continued (other than how to mine your social contacts for writing fodder)?

Cammon: I have learned never to assume that a character or a story cannot surprise. As I said, I’m 8 books in. Just the other day, though, I was writing along and came to a realization that wasn’t in my outline. I thought about it for days, the idea that something was going to happen, had to happen, because of all the different circumstances introduced before it. I try to outline very carefully, to have all my ducks in a row before I go to writing, because I have some very specific goals and fragile interactions at work. When something like that surprise happens, it can be somewhat overwhelming, but in my experience if I am having that kind of reaction, then the reader is definitely in for some thrills.

If a high school class were reading your book some day, what themes would the teacher be wanting them to pick up on in Bay City? 

Cammon: I think a teacher would certainly highlight criticism of the relationship between identity and action as they pertain to goodness or badness. Is a vampire worse than a human murderer? What does it mean to be a monster, and how damning of a state is it? 

Ooo, I like that. And do those themes carry through the series, or do they change book by book?

Cammon: I think yes, those themes carry forward throughout all the books. David, the shape shifter, deals with his nature a lot, because he believes what he is determines what he can be, to others in the world and to his own station. In his own storyline, he flip flops throughout the series before finally coming to a conclusion near the end. For Jarvis, he doesn’t get the same choice, as a vampire. He’s dead, and there’s no cure for that, so what is his existence worth, if not life? Nick undergoes some changes, too, but I don’t want to spoil everything…

Okay, I won't press you more. Don't want to give anything away! Let me switch over to another literary topic-- setting! You're from Atlanta, Georgia. Do you expect to set a book there someday (or in a fictional town similar to Atlanta)?

Cammon: I came to the realization recently, actually, that the South is very intrinsic to my sense of self, as an author. I might not put the classic Southern themes in my stories, but the things I write about, and how I write about them, are absolutely influenced by what I’ve seen and experienced. I’ve decided not to shy away from it, either. The name Terminus shows up a lot in other stories and ideas I’ve had, which is an old name for Atlanta, which used to be the “zero mile marker” for train lines connecting the port in Savannah and the west. The idea that this place is, in some regards, the end, or the beginning, is one I go back to again and again.

Pretty much all writers also love reading. Do you read genres similar to the one you write in, or do you read totally different genres?

Cammon: I read totally different genres, which I’m told is why my supernatural stories don’t sound like other stories of the genre. I think that’s a good thing, but I’m also not a millionaire, so maybe that’s worth looking into. I enjoy stories about people, and their circumstances, and their responses, character driven fiction. The Where Shadows Lie series came from a situation where people, rich, round people had supernatural circumstances, and what their responses might be. I didn’t focus a whole lot on the artifacts of magic and the trappings of dark Romanticism, but more the people using those artifacts and trapped within those dark themes.

What book have you read that that you wish you had written?

Cammon: The Dragon Can’t Dance by Earl Lovelace. It is, by far, the most terrifyingly rich volume of prose I have ever experienced. It’s the only book I’ve ever read that made me think about putting down my pen, because I thought that I would never write as well.

I know what you mean exactly. I felt just so sad when I first read Knut Hamsun's novella Hunger knowing that I could never write something so beautiful. Still, I can't resist beautiful, rich fiction. I'm going to have to look up Earl Lovelace's book now. 

Once the Where Shadows Lie series ends, will that end David, Nick, and Jarvis' stories, or might they make a cameo in other books? 

Or are you ready to be rid of them?

Cammon: Actually, I’m leaving the doors open, on purpose. And I say doors because the stories that could come about, because of how the series ends, are very divergent. One is sort of a high urban fantasy, very metaphysical and otherworldly, and the other is very grounded, in a much more recognizable world, and the two stories won’t speak to each other the way the Where Shadows Lie books do (I mentioned the stories occur in similar time; each book actually makes reference to things that happen in other books). Regardless, I think it will depend a lot on reader interest.

I think I am definitely ready to be rid of the pressure of having a story unfinished. To be out, trying to enjoy myself, feeling like there is work I could be doing. Until I finish it, it will be something hanging over my head. Thankfully, it’s something I enjoy, that I’m invested in. But until I get to that point, it will be incomplete, like a half-built bridge. It starts, and then just doesn’t finish.

You must be working on a next book though. Can't just finish a bridge and never start work on another! Can you give us a hint of what it is about?

Cammon: The next book I’m working on is the second of a Science Fiction series about humans living on a new interstellar frontier after escaping bondage on an Earth generations ago. Because of their enslavement, however, some humans are occasionally born with strange and amazing psychic powers, which is believed to be a devilish taint, a cursed mark. That same power, though, is one of the key reasons humanity was able to escape in the first place, so it makes for a complicated situation. The series is about a young member of this sub race, growing to manhood on the new frontier, searching for his place.

Well, until that bridge is ready to unveil to the world, folks can find Where Shadows Lie: Bay City in e-book or print at:

• Eternal Press
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon 
• ...or order through your local indie bookseller!

Author Interview: Stephanie O'Hanlon

Interview with 

Stephanie O'Hanlon, 

author of 

Affaire de Coeur

&

Out of My Grave

Today we're welcoming author Stephanie O'Hanlon to The Happy Book Reviewer.

Thanks for joining us all the way from Ontario, Canada, to talk to us about your books! You've had two novels published just this past year: Affaire de Coeur in February and Out of My Grave in August. What a busy 2013!

O'Hanlon: It definitely has been! I was so happy when Eternal Press chose to publish Affaire de Coeur, so it was even more exciting when they snatched up Out of My Grave. Lots of excitement and work involved! Busy, busy year, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Sounds like the good kind of busy! InD'tale Magazine called Affaire de Coeur a "flirtatious story with debauchery and ribaldry that is as alluring as it is captivating!" This is a historical romance set in 1770 Paris, where country girl Madeleine Dumont takes a fancy to an established bachelor and favorite of King Louis XV. Have you had an interest in and knowledge of this time period, or did it take a lot of research to get the setting and customs accurate?

O'Hanlon: Both, actually! When I started to write Affaire de Coeur I was just getting into both the century and my now-extreme love for everything Marie-Antoinette. I then took it to the next level and started to research like crazy. I have books on architecture, interior design, art, historical figures, and of course, fashion, which is my favourite part. I fell in love with it all very easily.

Ah, I sure appreciate a well-researched historical novel! So what inspired Madeleine and Lucien's story?

O'Hanlon: It started with just wanting to write something based on myself and my friend, being the basis for Madeleine (myself) and Colette (my friend). I knew I wanted it to be a romance, which meant I needed a leading man, so I created Lucien. I had just been through a really bad breakup, so I wanted to create a man that would treat me right, treat Madeleine right. Then through all my research into aristocracy, I realized that a lot of good conflict would come from two people from different classes falling in love.

I love the cover; the laciness, the woman's sultry gaze out the window, the general sensuality of it. I know sometimes I dream about what a cover might look like while I'm writing a manuscript. Was this cover your idea that you pitched to the cover artist (Dawné Dominique), or did you give her some hints about the book and she ran with it?

O'Hanlon: I had an idea of what I wanted, but at the same time I was open to something better, which Dawné totally provided! I explained wanting a woman with that forlorn look, holding a letter. What I got was ten times better, and definitely more intriguing. I also love the use of purple and the swirly filigree!

Speaking of covers, I also love what Dawné did with your second book from Eternal Press, Out of My Grave. This is a paranormal romance, and the other-worldliness of the cover is just gorgeous.

Out of My Grave is also set in the late 1700s, this time in London (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, after all!). Annalee Harding daydreams the days away in her large home, wishing a dark stranger would whisk her away. Then Vincent Moor comes to town and catches her eyes, but his secrets are dark and dangerous.

If you could live in any point in history, would it be Affaire de Coeur's 1770s Paris, Out of My Grave's 1790s London, or a different one entirely?

O'Hanlon: I would be in the same century, but preferably in 1750, mainly because of the fashion. Even though I absolutely adore Marie-Antoinette, I find her whole journey heartbreaking, so I would have wanted to steer clear of the 1770’s as best I could, as well as the Revolution. I would have been a royalist for sure, so I would have been by her side until the end, when I probably would have met with Madame Guillotine. It doesn’t sound very pleasant!

Right! Some of the most creative times in history are also the most violent, especially if you're on the wrong side! Fiction allows us to play in history while keeping a safe distance.  Is there a time period and place you'd love to research and set a novel someday?

O'Hanlon: I already have ideas set in Victorian & Tudor era, so it’s just a matter of getting around to them. Most authors don’t like doing research, but I absolutely love it! I like making things as accurate as I can, like a historical drama film. Most miss the beauty of describing something that was actually real. I love history in general, so writing in every century would be interesting!

After writing paranormal romance or historical romance, did one (sub-)genre come more natural to you? Or was one more fun to write?

O'Hanlon: For some reason I enjoy writing the historical portion, but I keep going back to paranormal as well. They both came to me very easily. My first three manuscripts I wrote were paranormal vampire romance, but set in different time periods. Then I did straight historical romance with Affaire de Coeur, and that’s what I keep coming back to. I just love to write in general, so as long as I like the story idea, I run with it, no matter the time period or content.

  

Usually, I like to learn about the deeper sides of books, so I ask about a high school class reading the books. I'm thinking these might be a little too sexy for a teacher to assign!

O'Hanlon: Oh yeah, way too sexy! My books are definitely more for the 18+ crowd.

Okay, so let me ask it this way instead... If my book club were reading your books, what themes would you hope we'd be discussing?

O'Hanlon: In regards to Affaire de Coeur, I think the whole subject of aristocracy in that era is an interesting theme. So much went into being on top of the social ladder, so finding love was usually disregarded in exchange for titles, money and power. Also, fashion as currency. Men’s fashion was slow to develop throughout the century, but women’s fashion was different month-to-month, especially when you reached the 1770’s with Marie-Antoinette as the figure head of fashion.

In regards to Out of My Grave, I think the main theme in it is appreciating what you have and looking before you leap. I don’t know if that’s interesting to talk about, unless you put yourself in Annalee’s shoes.

I understand you are now a full-time writer. What is the most fun thing about a writing career?

O'Hanlon: The most fun is being able to write! Just sitting down and writing and being able to say, “I’m working right now.” I also enjoy answering the question “What’s your job?” and replying with that I’m a writer/author. Being able to produce my work for people to enjoy.

But I'll bet it is not all fun and games! What's the most difficult part?

O'Hanlon: The most difficult is promoting your work. I wish I had a publicist! But, we all have to start at the bottom and work our way up. I am very blessed with having Eternal Press & Damnation Books as my publisher; they try to help as best they can to help you reach success. The other authors at EP/DB are also so supportive and love to help out. So it’s bittersweet.

So many people have kernels of ideas for books, but never take the first step and begin to write their book. They might think about it for years, or their entire lives, and never let it go beyond being a dream. What advice would you give to someone just starting out as a writer?

O'Hanlon: Just keep writing. The first manuscript may not be the best, but the more you write, the more you learn how to tell a story, and that’s the important part of being a writer. You have to be able to tell the story. So, writing, reading, and even indulging and watching TV shows and movies is where it’s at, how you learn to tell a story.

Since you mentioned reading, a favorite subject of mine (obviously!), let me ask: Do you generally read romance too? 

O'Hanlon: I sometimes read romance novels, but I enjoy and get inspired by historical dramas in film. I mainly read research materials…which sounds kinda boring, but I love it.

What book have you read (romance or otherwise) that that you wish you had written?

O'Hanlon: I think I wish I wrote Anne Rice’s The Vampire Lestat. I’m crazy about her work and it’s just so amazing what she does with her characters, especially Lestat. There is no character like him and you just have to love him.

I hope you're working on a next book! 

O'Hanlon: I actually just finished my next manuscript just a few days before Christmas! 

Congrats! Can you give us a hint of what it is about?

O'Hanlon: It’s another 18^th century romance, set in 1750, following a young woman named Mignonette and her drama-filled life and quest to win a man of importance. It’s a lot of fun, I found myself laughing a lot while writing it because of Mignonette’s character. But, as with any great romance there are tears. I’m very proud of it and hope to share it with everyone soon!

Ooo... I'll keep an eye out for that one! And while we wait for your next book, everyone can check out Affaire de Coeur and Out of My Grave at:

• Eternal Press
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• ... or order through your local bookseller!

Author Interview: Katie McKnight

Interview with Katie McKnight, 

author of 

Secrets Revealed

Welcome, Katie McKnight, to The Happy Book Reviewer! I’m happy to talk to you today about your romantic suspense novel, Secrets Revealed. Even the title is mysterious!

Your main characters are right in the public eye: Melanie's on Broadway and Ryan's a Hollywood heartthrob. Their latest projects have wrapped and they're ready to enjoy an overdue holiday vacation. That is, until a secret from Melanie’s past brings the celebration to a horrifying halt, and they face a public scandal. As if that's not enough, someone is masterminding a plan for murder!

I love that this is a romance featuring a married couple! So many romances are about getting to the point of marriage, but the majority of our love lives are spent IN love and marriage. What made you decide to have them at this point in their relationship at the start of the book?

McKnight: I hoped to explore a different romantic angle in this book. The couple beat the odds of a long-distance relationship and are now married (the reader learns about the long-distance relationship in the back story). I wanted to move forward and explore the mindset of newlyweds placed in a desperate situation to see if their love would survive secrets, scandal, blackmail and the scariest problem of all -- dealing with their in-laws.

Their careers obviously have them right in the spotlight. Do you consider yourself an outgoing person who likes to imagine being in the spotlight? Or are you more shy, and the idea of paparazzi is terrifying to you?

McKnight: I am an outgoing person. When I graduated high school, I planned to become an actress. My parents had other ideas. They required education before acting. By the time I finished school, I met my husband and lost the desire. Writing replaced my passion to perform on stage. Since I often forget my camera, I would welcome the paparazzi. This way all family memories are captured on film.

Your background in acting must have come in handy when writing about Melanie. But then how did you research what life is like for a big-name Broadway actress?

McKnight: I live on Long Island and attend Broadway show once a year. When I get the opportunity, I question staff members about the life of a Broadway actor. I also read books written by Broadway performers describing the difficulties they face. While the sets are magnificent, backstage is often deplorable. According to research, asbestos in the historic buildings and germs are a huge concern to performers.

Okay, so you've been an actress, and you've also done your research on Broadway! Since it sounds like you enjoy the research, what then would you say was the most difficult thing about writing Secrets Revealed? 

McKnight: A month after I completed the manuscript, my computer crashed and all files were destroyed. Lucky for me, I printed every page. I retyped the entire thing. Realized the suspenseful-romance novel lacked suspense, so I re-wrote a good part of the beginning. Then I spent a year editing. I have three sons, worked full-time and volunteered at my kids’ school. It took five years to complete this project. That is a long time (not fun).

What was the most fun part?

McKnight: I enjoyed sharing the story with my sister and mother and brainstorming with them. The book became a family project. My sister came up with the title, my brother-in-law and a friend suggested the tag lines. My youngest son took the picture used on my author bio page and my oldest son created a cover (which was not used). We bonded over this book (tons of fun).

It sounds like you have a wonderful community of supporters around you. My grandmother, also a writer, called these "the True Believers and Gentle Persuaders." It also sounds like Secrets Revealed is deeper than some of the superficial romance novels you find in the grocery store! Because I appreciate books that manage to be entertaining and deep, I love to ask this question: If a high school class were reading your book some day, what themes would the teacher be wanting them to pick up on in your book?

McKnight: Parents allowed their teenage daughters to read Secrets Revealed. They discussed the importance of respecting yourself and considering the consequences of your actions. I would add the importance of open communication with family. Our mistakes sometimes magnify in our own head. There are solutions to problems. We just need to trust our family and friends to help.

Wonderful! So, I know you've done some advanced courses in writing (though I'm not sure where you find the time to attend those, and write a novel, and raise three boys!). What was one of the most valuable lessons from those courses?

McKnight: Online classes are awesome. They allow you to take classes during the night and on weekends. The most valuable lesson I learned is the Paradigm of Story Structure (impressive, right?) Every story has three acts. Each act has milestones that authors must meet in order to complete a successful novel. Before taking this class my manuscripts would reach a certain point and hit a brick wall. This plot design forces me to put my thoughts on paper before I begin writing. While characters guide their own journey, the design forces them to remain on track and reach their happy ending. Sounds boring -- but in reality is fascinating. Once you learn the system (for lack of a better word) you notice that television shows and movies use the same design.

And was there something you could only learn "in the trenches" (writing, publishing, and marketing your book)?

McKnight: Writing active sentences vs. passive sentences. It is something you learn while writing. Professors drilled the idea of active vs. passive in my head. Writing on a regular basis finally taught me to spot and correct passive sentences.

I also learned to delete unnecessary words/phrases by participating in Drabble nights. Drabble is a written piece consisting of 100 words (not a word more or less). If you want a complete story in 100 words, you delete unnecessary words. It is a fantastic exercise. I reduced the number of words in Secrets Revealed by 25,000 after learning this exercise.

I've never heard about Drabble before! In case anyone else wants further info, here you go: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drabble

Pretty much all writers are wild about reading. What book have you read that that you wish you had written?

McKnight: I wish I could have come up with the idea of Twilight. Some people love the books and others hate them. I would have enjoyed the characters camping out in my head for years. Stephanie Meyer had a way of pulling me into her story. I teased that she laced the pages with some sort of compelling drug -- probably given to her by the vampires.

Haha! Who knows? Maybe there was some vampire with the special ability to make people addicted to certain books. If so, may that vampire also cast a spell on Secrets Revealed!  Do you think you'll revisit Melanie and Ryan in future books, or will answering that give away how this book ends?

McKnight: I wish I could continue Ryan and Melanie’s story. They’re my fictional family members. Melanie lived in Manhattan and frequented the same places as me. When I visit the “big” toy store in Times Square, my favorite Italian restaurant in the theatre district or a Broadway show, I can’t help but think, Melanie was here. Unfortunately, for me, I tied up their story on the last page of Secrets Revealed.

Even if you had to say goodbye to Ryan and Melanie, you must be working on something new! Can you give us a hint on what it is about?

McKnight: I just completed the first draft of my second novel. This story falls under the genre of women’s fiction. I saved the manuscript on my desktop computer, my laptop and a memory stick!

The story follows Tara Steffen and her husband, who is injured in an accident. While she sits vigil at his bedside, she meets people who paint a picture of a man very different from the one she married. She struggles to break free of her husband and his web of lies, but is dragged back into his life. Will she walk away from her current situation and build a better life for their daughter or honor her vows by caring for her severely injured husband?

I'll look forward to seeing that one in print! For now, thank you for popping over to The Happy Book Reviewer for this fun interview, and best of luck with Secrets Revealed!

Secrets Revealed is available in e-book and print from:

• Eternal Press
• Barnes & Noble
• Amazon
• or, better yet, order from your local independent bookstore!