Welcome to The Wormhole!
It is my pleasure to interview Shanna Gekko!
She is a Bandit Creek Author - - you can check her and other great authors out HERE. ? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve been writing stories since Grade 7, but I never truly said, “I am a writer” until after I joined my local RWA chapter about 3 years ago.
? How many jobs did you have before you became a writer?
6 jobs, and I’m currently still working at #6. Need a day job to support the writing for now.
? How long does it take you to write a book?
It took me about a month to write my novella Skin Deep. Now just to finish a full sized novel!
? What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
I end up singing or mouthing the words to my music while I’m writing sometimes. I have to stop myself or my fingers want to type out the lyrics instead of the story.
? Do you have a routine that you use to get into the right frame of mind to write?
Hmm, seems like I always end up on Facebook first, play a couple of face-games for a short time, try to rein in my ADOS (attention deficit ooo shiny!), turn on my music and finally turn off the internet before I finally start writing. Man I should really cut out the darn Facebook step.
? Where do you get your ideas or inspiration for your characters?
A lot of inspiration comes from my dreams, but it can also come from conversations, or even writing prompts. Most of my ideas are paranormal or fantasy based; in fact I don’t think I’ve ever written a “human” main character!
? How do you decide what you want to write about?
A lot of time my subconscious decides for me through my dreams of bursts of ideas while I’m staring blankly off into space. I also try to do plot points for whatever I’m writing on the bus ride to and from work so that I can just sit down and write instead of staring dumbly at a blank screen for an hour.
? What books have most influenced your life?
Piers Anthony - Xanth series, because I read all 13 that were out in the summer when I was about 14. They started my trip down fantasy reading. Then Nora Roberts introduced me to romance writing. Then Sherrilyn Kenyon introduced me fully to paranormal romance, a very nice blending of the fantasy and romance that I hadn’t realized I’d been looking for.
? What is the first book you remember reading by yourself?
I remember some short kids’ books like “Otto” or “The Silly Tails Book.” My family has always frequented the library though and they had summer reading challenges that I participated in almost every year. I’ve been reading by myself, including early chapter books, for a long time.
? What are you reading right now?
Shannon K Butcher – Love You to Death
? What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Gaming (facegames, big fish hidden object games, RPGs, MMORPGs), playing with my kids and dog, baking. Did I mention I’m a gamer?
? What is your favorite comfort food?
This can change for me. Most of the time it’s some good dark chocolate with almonds, but right now I’ve been unwinding most nights with a spicy herbal tea and a couple of small cookies for dunking.
? What do you think makes a good story?
Geeze. You know it when you read it, but to answer this? Here goes: Believable characters with some sort of redeeming quality. The constant inner and outer conflict has to be believable, too. Also, pacing, pacing, pacing and having those constant hooks to keep the reader going. If I can actually end a chapter without saying, “I want to know what happens next right now!” then the author hasn’t done a good job hooking me in.
? Who would you consider your favorite author and why?
Probably Nalini Singh right now. I love her world building and all the tension she writes between her characters. And those changeling males from the Psy series? Yum!
? What book, if any, do you read over and over again?
There are a few, but recently I’ve read the Twilight series over and over in the past few years. They may not be the best books, and I can make fun of the whole thing as well, but I like the story and even the box office B movies. They’re a comfort to go back to.
Fun random questions:
· Dogs or cats? Both!
· Coffee or tea? Lattes and Spicy herbal teas J
· Dark or milk chocolate? Dark… I’m allergic to milk
· Rocks or flowers? Rocks
· Night or day? Night
· Favorite color? Purple
· Crayons or markers? Crayons
· Pens or pencils? Pens, but make them blue please!
...more about Shanna Gekko...
Shanna Gekko currently juggles writing with herding kids and pets, and a full-time job, among other commitments, and she truly doesn’t know how she does it. While she will read practically anything, her writing has strayed to the fantastic since she was in Grade 7. You can read some of her musings at www.talesfromtheashes.blogspot.com.
Skin Deep (A Bandit Creek Paranomal) – January 1, 2012
Shanna Gekko
Kai knows trouble has found him when a fiery pint-sized female shows up at his door, bringing news of gruesome animal sacrifices in the woods around Bandit Creek. She also brings a teasing scent that draws his attention and sends every protective instinct screaming for him to protect his mate.
Hazel is determined to stop the monster she’s been following for miles and she won’t let anything distract her from her mission. She teams up with Kai, but vows to keep a firm “no-touch” policy where the handsome Native is concerned. Her resolve doesn’t last long as the two are drawn together like lodestones, their every touch igniting a passion neither has faced before.
Only, the trail of ritual sacrifices points to a greater threat than either first realized. They are about to face Kai’s enemy ancestor, a yee naaldlooshii—skinwalker—who will stop at nothing to destroy everything around him.
Read an excerpt.
To buy a copy of this book - click
HERE.
Thanks for stopping by The Wormhole.
Happy Reading.
