Tuesday, July 14, 2009

THROUGH THE FIRE - Shawn Grady - Free Book

I first met Shawn Grady on Shoutlife. Welcome, Shawn. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

Having written Through the Fire in first person, I’d say quite a bit with my protagonist Aidan O’Neill. I approach my writing similar to how a method actor would with a role.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?

That’s a hard one. Once, as part of a church scavenger hunt about twelve years ago, I did dress up as a homeless man and sit on a bench in the middle of downtown with a cardboard sign that said "Impeach Nixon" in black marker.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

I’ve been writing since I was very young, but did not feel I was ready to write a novel until after I read A Moveable Feast by Hemingway about 7 years ago. Reading that made me realize that I didn’t need a stack of detailed 3x5 cards and a completed story arc and timeline all mapped out to be a writer. I just needed to start writing. So one night, at a coffee house with a pen and a napkin, that’s exactly what I started doing.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.

It’s a broad range and I enjoy all sorts of books that are well written. I am often drawn to literary fiction. It is usually the voice that makes me buy a book. I don’t like to read back cover copy. To me, it gives away too much. I look at the first sentence on the first page, and if I like that I’ll read more. If I like the voice on the first page I’ll usually pick up the book.

What other books have you written, whether published or not?

Besides Through the Fire, I have one other completed novel based around a paramedic. I’m reworking it for release as my second book with Bethany House Publishers in 2010.

I'll want to feature you again on the blog when that releases. How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?

Funny you’d ask that. At the fire department when we respond to calls we call them runs. On my days off, my writing career seems to be increasingly demanding more time. My wife is an incredibly supportive partner in all this and we make it a point to not do writing on the weekends when I’m home and instead place extra focus on each other and our family.

Very wise. How do you choose your characters’ names?

Sometimes it is the actual meaning of the name. Like "Aidan" in Through the Fire means "fiery". Other times a name will just seem to me to fit a character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?

Knowing and walking with the Lord. Then marrying my wife. After that being a loving father to my three children.
 
If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?

I might want to be a Labrador because they get to go on hikes and swim and roll around on their backs and are pretty much happy and content with life and the world that God has made.

What is your favorite food?

Right now, I love vanilla yogurt with Grapenuts and blueberries.

Yum! What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?

Learning how to effectively structure a story is a big challenge that I have grown in with my craft. Attending writing conferences like Mount Hermon and ACFW and being shepherded by talented writers like James Scott Bell has strengthened me in that.

What advice would you give to an author just starting out?

Write what is on your heart. Write what you know. Attend writing conferences and learn the industry and hone your craft. Network with other authors whose writing you respect.

What would you like to tell us about the featured book?

Through the Fire is about Aidan O’Neill, an angst driven fireman with a gift- the fire speaks to him.

Already haunted by his father’s death in a warehouse fire five years prior, a near fatal experience leaves Aidan sensing flames that are out for him personally. When a serial arsonist surfaces in Reno, Aidan employs the help of young arson analyst Julianne Bordeaux. Together they’re thrust into an incendiary chase in which Aidan must come to terms with his mortality in order to find his father’s killer and attain a lasting peace.

Sounds really exciting. How can readers find you on the Internet?

http://www.shawngradybooks.com/
Or check out my pages on http://www.shoutlife.com/ and http://www.facebook.com/

Thank you, Shawn for spending this time with us.

Readers, here's a link where you can order Through the Fire:

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

17 comments:

host said...

Hi Shawn! I love the interview and Aidan's story sounds very interesting. I really like to read about firemen and fire, it's so interesting :)

Merry said...

Through the Fire sounds like an exciting, suspenseful read. Please include me, I'd love a chance to win it. Thanks!

Julie said...

Sounds like a great book. I love reading about people who give their lives to serve others.

Julianna
sweetpea.hull@gmail.com

Sherry Kuhn said...

Loved the interview. Through the Fire sounds very intriguing.

Please enter me in the drawing.

Thanks
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Debs Desk said...

I would love to be inlcuded in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Megan said...

Sounds like a good book, great interview Lena! Thanks for the chance to win!

Megan

Shawn Grady said...

Hi all! Thank you Lena for the opportunity to be featured on your blog today. Great site! Thanks to everyone for your comments.
Cheers,
Shawn

Wendy said...

I totally agree with Shawn. I don't read the back covers of books. One time I did and they talked about the death of a character. In the story, the death happened in the last 2 chapters. It ruined the story for me having that knowledge a head of time so I no longer read the backs of books either. Thanks for the chance to win his book.
Wendy

Kristen said...

Sounds like an awesome story! Please enter me into the drawing!
Kristen

Roanna said...

Would love to win this. Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!

Deborah M said...

Shawn,
I am already looking forward to reading this book. I love a good suspense story.
Debbie

Sheila Deeth said...

Sounds a good book. Thanks for the introduction.

Holly said...

This sounds like a very interesting book. I would love a chance to win a copy.
Blessings,
hollymag*gmail*com

sharon54220 said...

I would love to be entered for this book. My dad was a fireman and I was on the Ladies Auxilary. Another great interview.
Thanks for the chance.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Marla said...

Sounds like a good book with lots of suspense. Please include me in the drawing. Thanks!

koinonia572001@yahoo.com

Ausjenny said...

Good interview. Please dont enter me. I have read this book and really enjoyed it.

Renee (BlacknGoldGirlsBookSpot) said...

Through the Fire looks like a terrific book and I'm excited to read it. I don't have a book by a male author on my bookshelf at the moment, it's past time that i get one!

Thanks,
Renee