Earlier this morning, Tori reviewed Shannon Butcher’s latest book, Running Scared. Now, Tori and Shannon have a little chat about her book and writing, and some of her favorite things.
Hello Shannon, so good of you to be here with me today.
Hi! Thanks so much for having me here.
In reading your website, I see you started writing to actually help you husband, Jim Butcher, write his ever popular series-The Dresden Files. How did you bridge the gap from being an Industrial Engineer to becoming a full time writer?
I quit my engineering job back in 2003 and it took about six weeks before I was bored out of my mind. I’m not the kind of person who can sit around, so I decided I’d see if I could write a book, just for fun. I did. It was awful, but I did it, and that changed the course of my life. I’m so glad
I gave it a shot!
Is it hard having 2 best selling authors in the household?
There are times when it’s hard, sure. We both have deadlines and do a lot of travelling. There’s always something that needs to be done, and finding quiet time for the two of us is hard. But that’s true for most couples, regardless of their jobs. We’re blessed in that we have the freedom to stop working in the middle of the day and share a meal or something. We’re also able to travel together for business, which not everyone is able to do. But the coolest benefit is that we both get each other’s job. There are no issues of jealousy over time spent working. We’ve each walked a mile in the other’s shoes, so to speak. J
How far do you see The Sentinel Wars series going? Describe briefly what The Sentinel Wars are.
The Sentinel Wars series is based around a dark, gritty world where monsters and magic are real. The evil Synestryn are trying to take over Earth because some special humans have powerful blood running through their veins. The Synestryn feed on that blood, taking the power from it to fuel their magic. Earth is the only gateway to another world where magical power is plentiful. The Sentinels—three races of supernatural men—guard that gate and keep the Synestryn at bay. But years of being left on Earth alone with no support has weakened them. They’re losing the war, and if they fail in their mission, it will be the humans they’re sworn to protect that suffer.
I designed the overarching story for this series, giving it a definite beginning and end. I left the middle so that I can expand or contract it depending on how many books I want to write. So far, I feel like I’m just getting started exploring this world and I’m having a ton of fun doing it.
What is coming up next for you?
I have another book in the Sentinel series coming out in November. It’s called LIVING NIGHTMARE, and features Nika and Madoc—characters introduced in book 2 of the series. After that, I have the first book in a new romantic suspense series coming out next spring. The series is centered around a mercenary company in Texas that’s run by a woman. There’s a lot of mystery, action and intrigue in that series, which is always fun to write. J
What was your hardest book to write? What was your easiest?
My hardest book was LOVE YOU TO DEATH. That book was about a serial killer who abducted, tortured and killed women. I did a bunch of research for it and came to realize that the villain I was writing wasn’t some dark monster. He was based on real people and the things they’d done. At first I thought he was crazy for doing the things he did, but my research showed me that he wasn’t crazy, he simply enjoyed hurting people. Because of that book, I bought a gun and learned how to use it.
On the flip side, LIVING NIGHTMARE was probably the easiest book for me to write. I absolutely love the characters, so spending every day with them was a real treat. I just love Madoc and his foul mouth, who tries to look so cold, but is really a good man deep down, despite his fears to the contrary. The way he squirmed around crazy, fragile Nika, trying to resist the inevitable, was way too much fun to write.
What do you love about writing? What do you hate about writing?
I love the rough draft, when anything is possible. I’m not a fan of revision. As an engineer, it was really important that I got things right the first time or people could get hurt. Now, I have to cope with the fact that not only will I never get it right the first time, there’s always something I could have done that would have made the book better had I spent more time on it. Of course, if I gave into that urge for perfection, I’d never finish anything.
Do you fall in love with your characters? If so, who is your favorite?
I do fall in love with my characters. Madoc is my favorite so far. It’s going to take a heck of a man to replace him in my heart. J
What is your favorite movie(s)?
I don’t have a favorite movie because I love seeing them for the first time. I’m not much for re-watching stuff when there’s so much out there to see. I love action and sci-fi/fantasy movies. Even the bad ones. If I have to, I’ll provide my own dialogue to entertain myself. In fact, sometimes that’s even more fun, as long as I’m not in public. J
Who are your favorite authors(s)?
Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Lora Leigh, Suzanne Brockmann, Linda Howard, Lori Foster, Tara Janzen, and Shannon McKenna, just to name a few.
Any advice for those out there that are trying to break into the business?
Once you’ve gotten your work to a point where you think it’s publishable, you need to get out and meet people in the industry at conventions and workshops. I truly believe that if you become a real person, instead of a name on a query letter, it will improve your chances of getting industry professionals to look at your work.
Silly Stuff
-Poptarts or a full sit down breakfast? Full breakfast
-Mages or vamps? Vamps
-Do you agree that coffee is the necter of the Gods and Starbucks should be destroyed for defiling it? I do!
-Beef or pork? Beef
-Top or bottom? Yes
-Dean or Sam from Supernatural? This should not be an either/or question. I’ll happily be the meat in a Sam/Dean sandwich. Shh. Don’t tell Jim. J
Thank you so much for the interview!
You’re welcome! Thanks for having me!
We have a copy of Running Scared up for grabs. To enter, just leave a comment. Contest open only to US/Canada through Monday, May 10th. I will announce the winner on Tuesday.
These books sound awesome! Thanks for the interview. :)
Jase
vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com
great interview!
greendaygirl2009@gmail.com
Wow, what a hot cover. I'm a Sam girl but I wouldn't mind a Sam/Dean sandwich
Stephanie G
sgradel(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoyed the interview very much. I have not read any of your books yet, but I know I would enjoy them.
seriousreader at live dot com
Lol, love the sandwich comment! Btw, the covers are super nummy!
patronus89013 at yahoo dot com
Must be an experience to have a husband who understands what you're going through as a writer. What a team!
reenajacobs@reenajacobs.com
Great interview. Running Scared sounds good. I love the cover.
Crystal816[at}hotmail{dot}com
Awesome interview ladies! These books sound great! Oh and the covers rock!
Happy Friday!
Monroe.dawson09@gmail.com
I really enjoyed the interview as an author branching into romance… you gave it insight. You sound like a beautiful person.
I've had these books on my list for some time. Heard so many great things and what impresses me the most is the detailed world building. I can't imagine walking around with a whole world bouncing around in my head:) Not to mention the characters all trying to be heard.
Can't wait for the new romantic suspense series!! Love strong female characters and running a merc company would definitely take moxie.
Anna
vampchixreadbooks@gmail.com
Great interview and I really enjoy this series!
Congrats on the new release and I love the covers!
I'm definitely a Sam fan from Supernatural! Yum!
Thanks for the great interview and giveaway! I love the cover for this book.
Kelsey
krae991 at yahoo dot com
I have serious cover envy, lol
This series sounds great! Can't wait to check it out :)
Really great interview! Looking forward to reading this series.
Thanks for the interview. I loved the first two in this series and cant wait to read the next two.
Great interview, Shannon and Tori! Sounds like an interesting series and I'd love to win your book :-)
Sarah M.
Wow, that's a lot of talent in that home. Great interview. I now need to get a hold of those books for my tbr.
Enjoyed the interview. The book sounds great!
myra0502@yahoo.com
Please don't enter me.
I just wanted to say that I LOVE this series and CANNOT wait for Madoc's book!! I think it's going to be so good.
I loved that first peek of Lexi in Burning Alive, and I am so looking forward to reading about her and Zach.
Congrats on your new release Shannon.
caity_mack(at)yahoo(d0t)com
Great interview. I would think that it would be helpful to have a husband who knows what you're going through as a writer. I would love to be entered.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
Great interview! I'd love the copy of the book. :-)
Please count me in.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
Yea Shannon!!! Please don't enter me I already have Running Scared and wanted to say – this book and the whole series is fanfrickin' tastic and I can hardly wait for the next one – Living Nightmare! Congrats on the release…
Running Scared sounds like a great read! Am looking forward to reading it.
kissinoak at verizon dot net
I loved the interview and the chance to learn more about you and your books Shannon. I haven't had a chance to read any yet, but I'll be correcting that oversight very soon.
Hi Shannon! Absolutely love the series and can't wait to read the new release. Thanks for the great interview.
Really great interview! Looking forward to reading this series
Thank you for the chance to win a copy!!1
dsublady at aol dot com
i laugehd out loud at the sam and dean sandwich lol and i have to agree I love pop tarts but if im going to eat breakfast it has to be a full one pop tarts r just a snack food for me and im not much of a coffee drinker but i dun get the whole late added a million different things to something that smells soo soo good when brewing
great interview and i cant wait to read ur books please count me in
That was a great interview and I would love to win this book. I am always amazed at how people can write books. You are definately talented!
The review makes the book sound awesome. Silly me, I've never connected Shannon K Butcher to Jim Butcher, even though I've read some of the Dresden Files. I'd love to add to my Butcher Collection.
akbabcock at gmail dot com
You're a new author for me and I can't wait to read your books…your series looks like absorbing reads…I'm looking forward to the experience.
hugs,
Anna
s7anna@yahoo.ca
I've already read this one and loved it. Can't wait for Madoc's story. Thanks for writing such entertaining books. Don't enter me in the contest as I already have this one.
Sounds great. Please count me in too :)
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Can't wait to read!!!
I really enjoyed your interview. I think if I did a lot of research on killers it would be very hard for me to sleep. I watch a lot of true crime shows and sometimes it amazes me how cruel people are to others. During your research did you read or watch anything that gives you bad dreams and you think you will never get out of your mind? I know watching true crime shows I've seen people killed in the most gruesome ways and usually it was for a little money. Thanks for a great interview. I haven't read any of your books but I'm adding your books to my to buy list.
sstrode@scrtc.com
Great interview ladies! Sadly I have not yet read a Shannon Butcher novel, but I have one on the shelf waiting! (Top or bottom–yes LOL!)
Great interview! I now need to go read Shannon's books:)
Thanks for the giveaway!
email bangersis(at)msn(dot)com
Love all your books!! Please enter me to win..
I follow on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the interview! This is one I've been waiting for!
alternate email from blogger
magenta 2 red [at] gmail [dot] com
Thanks for the interview & introducing another new-to me author. Please accept my entry. Thanks!
gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com
Shannon, I'm new to your books but hopefully that is about to change.
salvagin@verizon.net
Sounds very good!
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
This one look really good! LOVE the cover!