DAILY DOSE | Interview with Shannon K. Butcher - LOVE YOU TO DEATH
October 3, 2009
Please join me in welcoming author Shannon K. Butcher to the
Daily Dose to celebrate her newest release: Love You to Death. The
novel takes Butcher fans to a new place as she explores romantic suspense. So
kick back, grab your coffee and enjoy our little question and answer
session.
Tell us a little about Love You To Death? Is this a
paranormal romance or a nitty, gritty crime drama/romance?
LYTD
is a romantic suspense, and possibly the creepiest stuff I’ve ever written. It’s
about a woman whose sister has gone missing. No one believes Ashley’s
disappearance is anything sinister, but Elise knows differently. With the help
of hunky, ex-cop neighbor Trent, Elise will stop at nothing to discover what
happened to her sister, despite the number of mutilated bodies that are piling
up.
What is about the romance genre that appeals to
you?
It’s the relationships between people that intrigues me
most. There’s nothing more exciting to me than watching two people fall in
love—whether they dive in head first or fight it every step of the way, it’s
always fun to witness. Throwing in the complications of monsters, terrorists or
serial killers just makes it that much more interesting.
Can
you describe your writing process? Do you have a writing schedule that you
maintain?
I have two modes: rough draft mode and everything
else. When I’m in rough draft mode, I spend several hours a day writing—usually
2500-5000 words per day. The house gets messy, the laundry piles up and my guys
are on their own for meals (which I think they secretly like). I do that for 4-6
weeks, then the book is done. After that comes everything else: revision, edits,
interviews, conventions, promo, etc. When I’m doing those things, I tend to work
shorter hours and catch up on all the things that went awry during rough draft
mode. As my career goes forward, it seems like the line between those two modes
is becoming blurry, as things like copy edits and page proofs are due and can’t
wait until I’m done with a rough draft. I’m adjusting as I go
along.
What was the toughest part of the publishing routine?
Submitting? Editing?
Revision is the worst. As an engineer
it was important that I did things right the first time, as mistakes could
potentially end up hurting someone. So, the fact that the rough draft isn’t
perfect feels like a failure to me every time. I KNOW that’s not the way the
writing process works, but it’s still hard for me to make that mental
adjustment. Plus, I just don’t like revision. I’d rather be moving on to the
next story.
Each book is a learning experience, what will you
take from this book forward?
This book really changed the way I
see the world. I did quite a bit of research into the criminal mind and what hit
me the hardest was that people who do the kinds of horrible things my villain
did in this book aren’t necessarily crazy. They simply like hurting people. And
they appear completely normal to people around them. So now I look at people
with a lot more suspicion and mistrust. In fact, it was this book that compelled
me to buy a gun and learn how to use it.
What type of books do
you yourself like to read?
I mostly read paranormal romance and
romantic suspense, though I do branch out to other flavors of romance and an
occasional non-romance book.
You're married to Jim Butcher who is
wildly popular via his Harry Dresden and Codex Alera books as well as other
projects. Do you ever feel like you are competing with him?
Not
at all. We’ve been married longer than we were single, so at this point we share
everything. His victories are mine and vice-versa. We share ideas, help each
other and try to make things as easy on the other as possible. And I’m not a
competitive person at all—I’m far too stubborn for that. I’m going to do what
I’m going to do, and what other people do isn’t likely to influence my decisions
or actions.
Now, that being said, it’s clear that other people pit us
against each other. I’ve had plenty of reviews that compared my work to Jim’s,
which never fails to make me giggle. We write such different things in such
different ways, I think it’s funny that people try to compare us simply because
we’re married.
Writing can be such a complex and intensely
personal pursuit, is it a struggle to balance family and married life against
competing deadlines in a two novelist family?
I don’t think it’s
any harder to do what Jim and I do than it is for any other working couple to
balance their lives. In fact, because we set our own schedules, it’s easier to
work in school stuff and other family obligations now than it was when I was
doing the day job. Sure, things get a bit tense from time to time, but for the
most part, it’s not a problem to get everything done. Of course, our son is
nearly grown now, so it helps a lot that he’s
self-sufficient.
What is the next big goal you have set for
yourself?
I just got two more 3-book deals in June, so I set a
goal to finish all 6 books and a novella I need to write in about 16 months. So
far I’ve finished one book and am on schedule.
Want to know more about
Shannon? Head over to her website where she hosts some great contests and keeps you in
the loop. I for one am looking forward to reading Love You to Death and her
future book deals. For Sentinals fans, next novel, the Finding the Lost, in that
trilogy will be released in November.
Shannon, I just picked up your book this morning to read. (Judy Anderson 2:01pm October 3, 2009)
My sister gave me a copy of your book-she loved it and wanted to share it. Can't wait to read it. (Patsy Hagen 2:24pm October 3, 2009)
I've been thinking of buying your book and I certainly enjoyed your chat today (Diane Sadler 2:46pm October 3, 2009)
I am looking forward to reading your book. (Robin McKay 3:00pm October 3, 2009)
Hi Shannon, I loved "No Escape" and look forward to reading "Love You To Death." (Jane Cheung 3:47pm October 3, 2009)
Gotta have this book!! I'm a HUGE fan of yours and this one looks fabulous!!! (Martha Lawson 5:34pm October 3, 2009)
Shannon this new books sounds fantastic! I just Love suspense romances. (Susan Lathen 7:45pm October 3, 2009)
I've read all your books, including this new one. Loved it, loved it, loved it! I'm so excited you have so many future books to look forward to as well! (Kara Conrad 10:39pm October 3, 2009)
Great Chat! Love suspense romances. (JoAnn White 1:03am October 4, 2009)
I am a huge fan of your books and am looking forward to reading your new book because all of your books are awesome! :) (Anna McKenrick 2:01am October 4, 2009)
It's good to see you're so passionate about your work. It must be hard coming down to earth when you're done. Nice chat. (Theresa Buckholtz 11:05am October 4, 2009)
lookin forward to love you to deat (Tami Bates 4:18pm October 4, 2009)
LOVE YOU TO DEATH certainly sounds interesting. I'll try to find it to read. We don't always get all of them. Nice of you to chat about your writing. (Sigrun Schulz 4:35pm October 4, 2009)
I really enjoy your writing, so I will be certain to get LOVE YOU TO DEATH. (Patsy Hagen 12:32pm October 5, 2009)
Can't wait to read Love You To Death! Sounds exciting! (Kelli Jo Calvert 12:52pm October 5, 2009)
Wow, you are one busy lady. This book sounds very good. Love a good suspense and yiu nprovide it. (Patricia Barraclough 10:59pm October 5, 2009)