But while you are here, Shea and I were talking a short time ago about her past, present, and future. Please enjoy this short interview, and feel free to ask your own questions!
1. What brought you to Variance?
Variance has a reputation, that although they are a small publisher, they are a prestigious one, and they care deeply about their authors and the quality of their work. I’m all for people loving me and my work.
2. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I never expected to be a writer. I’m dyslexic and therefore, writing has never come easily to me, but I’m stubborn and when people say I shouldn’t X, Y or Z, I usually respond with the mature, “Oh yeah? Well, just watch me!” response. Somehow, I got the idea that being a college English major would be a great idea (obviously I’ve been living in my own fantasy world for longer than even I realized). Don’t tell anyone, but apparently, I have the magical ability to suck other people into my fantasies because my English professor encouraged me to pursue a writing career after I aced his class. (Either that or he mistook someone else’s paper for mine.)
It took me until I was in my mid-thirties to really think about writing, and then what I wrote was for my eyes only. When I finished my first novel I thought the process wasn’t too terrible, and actually entertained the concept of being a writer. I took years upon years to hone my craft and then started entering contests, which lead to an agent and then a publisher.
3. When did you know you wanted to write epic fantasy?
I am a geek. I want there to be dragons and faeries and wizards and sirens. The fantastical is fun. Hands down, if there was a class on how to sword fight ogres and win, I’d take it. If I lived in an area where they put on medieval fairs, I’d be there dressed as a kick-butt dragon slayer. I took archery in college because you never know when we’ll fall back into a world without electricity. There’s wild hare where I live. They will be mine to dine. Seriously, I love the whole sword and sandal and epic story telling that comes with the genre.
4. Tell us about Torrein… and people want to hear what his journey is and his powers, so spill it (without spoilers, mind you)!
Torrein is a boy who was born to magical parents, but by all appearances, has stayed mortal. Because of that, he is feared by his own people. The magic that was given him is unique and very special. He can feel the intent of others. He knows their hearts, whether they’re good or bad. It’s a gift that if he doesn’t learn to understand and control, can cause him to go insane.
His journey is one of self discovery, of learning to rely on his gifts and to choose whether he will seize the destiny everyone tells him he’s been born to do—to save his people from the cruel enslavement of Nodoul Lorak, the King’s sorcerer— or live his life in a way that will free him to be the man he wants to be.
5. In the fantasy world, have you been compared to any authors? Who would you consider yourself closest to in writing style?
I’ve never been especially comfortable being compared to other authors, mainly because someone (that anonymous someone who’s always out there) will pick up my books expecting one thing and may not agree with the comparison. I don’t wish to disappoint anyone, so I’m going to say I’m just me, and I hope my readers will trust me enough to take them on a fun adventure and enjoy the ride.
6. Do you write while listening to music? Do you have any favorite movie scores/soundtracks or artists?
I wish I listened to music while I write. I live in a human zoo, and my office is in a loft smack dab in the middle of the traffic zone. It’s where everyone hangs out and talks and yells and argues and sings and dances…there is never a quiet moment, so if I put mood music in the mix, it would be pointless. I’ve been blessed with the ability to ignore. A fire could break out and I wouldn’t notice until my keyboard started melting, and then I’m not even sure.
7. Are there any other titles out there you want people to know about, pre- or post-Torrein?
I have an Urban Fantasy series called the Keepers of Life with Entangled Publishing. The first book, THE MARKED SON, is another coming of age story about a boy named Dylan and his journey to find out why he’s always felt different. Not until he meets a girl who claims to be from another realm does he realize he’s more than an average teenage boy, and one who is now marked for death.
8. Are any of your characters modeled after anyone in your life?
My characters are purely a figment of my imagination. It’s one of the fun parts about writing fantasy. I get to let my imagination run amuck and create fun people to “hang” out with. I do have friends who keep bugging me to put them in my books. I’m very tempted to use their names and make them completely opposite of what they really are like, but that’s the wicked streak in me.
9. Where can people connect with you?
I can be found online at www.sheaberkley.com, on Facebook, or at www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com
10. If there is anything you would like people to know about you, what would that be?
I can be bribed with copious amounts of chocolate to do almost anything…almost. Seriously. I eat chocolate everyday and that’s an expensive habit. (grin)
11. What is the one question you never get asked but wish you did, and why? Answer?
How do you execute an AXE kick? Why do I wish people would ask me that? Because I can totally do it!
It’s hard to explain on paper, but you quickly swing your leg across your body and up, skimming your opponent’s shoulder and then snap your heel down on their clavicle, breaking it if you do it correctly, or at the least, causing a great deal of pain so you can swoop in and pound the snot out of the teary-eyed loser and win your kickboxing match.
(Remind me not to make her upset...) So, ah, that's Shea in a nutshell! She is a pretty cool little lady with a lot going on - and ready to meet her amassing fans. So do it up folks: ask questions, keep your eyes peeled to the ThrillerBlog for a finalized release date, and happy reading till the next time.
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