IndieView with Shauna Allen, Author of Wounded Wings

 

 I originally had planned a trilogy and this story was nowhere on the radar.  But, one day I met some fellow writers at a conference my writing chapter gave and as we got to talking about the first books in the series and my angels and discussed world-building, they started asking me some interesting questions like “What is the worst thing an angel can do?” and “What would happen?”  That got me really thinking about the world I’d created.  

Shauna Allen – 26 December 2013

The Back Flap

Wounded.
Judged harshest by his own heart after the greatest of sins, Elijah Smith imposes the most brutal of punishments upon himself. He is now a fallen angel, cast down by his own hand—lost, suffering, caught between two worlds, and searching for redemption.

Scars.
Scarred emotionally and physically, Naomi Evans has always put her happiness aside to repay her debt to the one who saved her. Never quite fitting into her friendly little town after being abandoned as a child, she’s not sure love will ever find her aching heart.

Redemption.
New Destiny, Arizona will never be the same. Two strangers have rolled into town, shaking Heaven and Earth. One, a handsome loner is temporarily stranded and biding his time, quietly bestowing random acts of kindness on total strangers until he can be on his way. The second, an undercover Cupid named Michael, is determined to bring healing and true love.

His assignment? A fallen brother and his equally wounded soulmate.

Will Naomi be able to see past both their scars? Can Elijah ever forgive himself?

Is such redemption possible?

About the book

What is the book about?

Wounded Wings is the story of Elijah, a fallen angel, who fell by his own hand, and his search for redemption.  Along the way, he must learn to forgive himself, and he gets a little nudge with the help of a Cupid named Michael whose job it is to pair him up with his soul mate, Naomi, who is dealing with her own emotional and physical scars.

When did you start writing the book?

I started the book in the Spring of 2012.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took me almost exactly one year to write.

Where did you get the idea from?

Well, Wounded Wings was actually not intended to be part of this series.  I originally had planned a trilogy and this story was nowhere on the radar.  But, one day I met some fellow writers at a conference my writing chapter gave and as we got to talking about the first books in the series and my angels and discussed world-building, they started asking me some interesting questions like “What is the worst thing an angel can do?” and “What would happen?”  That got me really thinking about the world I’d created.  Eventually, Elijah was born as an angel who had, in fact, done one of the “worst” things an angel could do and I had to know what happened next.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Bits and pieces of the middle as my motivation wavered and life got in the way.  I have my critique partners and friends to thank for helping me out of those ruts and brainstorm ideas to get the juices flowing again.  For example, I introduced an entirely new angel, Jophiel, in one of those moments.

What came easily?

The opening scene that sets the book into motion and the pivotal love scene.  My two favorite scenes and the two most emotional.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

My characters are entirely made up.  That is the fun in them, letting them be whatever you want them to be without the risk of hurting any feelings.  But, it’s probably hard to keep out your real world experiences 100%.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Oh, this is a hard one!  I have so many authors I love for so many reasons.  But, I’d have to say Jude Deveraux first because her book A Knight in Shining Armor was the first book that made me feel something emotionally and that really triggered something in me that books can do that.  And, more recently, for the very same reason, I absolutely ADORE Kristan Higgins and Jill Shalvis for the fun factor, and Katy Evans for writing with a sexy edge that I wish I could.  If I could ball up all those people and make one big perfect author, it would be a dream.

Do you have a target reader?

No.  I wouldn’t exclude anyone from enjoying my books, and my fans seem to run the gamut.  But, anyone who enjoys Contemporary romance with a touch of Paranormal in the form of angels with a dash of sexy and sassy is more than welcome to come on over!  🙂

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I wish I could say yes.  But, other than ‘Butt in chair, fingers on keyboard,’ not really.  I have to keep myself as focused and on task as I can between all the other jobs I hold as wife, mother, editor, and assistant.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Yes!  I am a plotter big time.  I used to have everything outlined to the nth degree, but as I’ve grown as a writer, I’ve been able to relax a little.  Now, I use Blake Snyder’s Save The Cat outline primarily, with several sentences outlining what I plan to happen under each beat of the outline, and it seems to be working out pretty well.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I try to wait until I’m finished unless it’s a major fix that cannot hold off.  Right brain/left brain don’t play well together, LOL!

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Absolutely, yes!  I have a writing mix on my iPod with everything from praise and worship songs to Adam Lambert.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes.  Multiple.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I did the “Query go-round” for a long time, entered and finaled in multiple contests, got lots of nibbles from agents and editors on my first book, Inked by an Angel.  I finally ended up with it being considered by three major houses and two contract offers from small presses.  It was a dream, but also a stressful quandary.  In the end, after much debate and weighing the pros and cons, I signed with Soul Mate Publishing, ultimately because I decided it offered me the best options at that time for me and my book.  Wounded Wings will be my fourth book with Soul Mate, and I’m releasing my first self-published novella in February.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Soul Mate contracts out the covers by an artist.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I do have a marketing plan, including this blog tour.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

I don’t know that I can speak specifically to Indie authors as I’m with a publisher, but I will say to any author to continue to work hard, hone your craft, be professional, seek like-minded people to network with and to never give up on your dream.

About You

Where did you grow up?

A little bit of everywhere, but primarily Austin, TX

Where do you live now?

Just north of Houston, TX

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’m just a simple gal with a penchant for romance novels, chocolate cupcakes, Sons of Anarchy, and Gerard Butler…in no particular order, and I love my family to death!

What are you working on now?

I’ve got a Cupid Chronicles novella called Charlie’s Angel releasing on Valentine’s Day.  I’m also working on the fourth and final Cupid Chronicles novel, Cupid’s Last Stand.  And, I’m contributing a sweet short story about love’s redemption to an anthology, to be released close to Easter.

Thank you so much for the interview!

End of Interview:

For more, visit Shauna’s website, friend her on facebook, or follow her on twitter.

Buy your copy or Wounded Wings from Amazon US or Amazon UK.