K.S. Hello and welcome to the blog. I am very excited to have you here. Why don’t we start off with a small introduction? Tell us a little about yourself.
S.W. Hi Katie, I am glad that you asked me to be on. Well, my name is Shawn Weaver. I am the author of Sense of Honor. I live and grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin, which sits on the border of Wisconsin and Illinois. I am married to Rebecca Weaver. We have two daughters Amanda and Rhe’Anna, and three beautiful grand babies Brooklyn, Nathaniel and Dominic.
K.S. Any interesting writing quirks or stories you would like to share with my readers?
S.W. Quirks? You mean like do I only write wearing blue socks when the moon is full? Lol. No I have no quirks like that. But I write everywhere. I have notebooks filled with scraps of paper, napkins, or anything that was handy at the moment. All set out in order. When you get an idea you got to put it down so you don’t lose anything.
K.S. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer? What sparked the desire to pen your first novel?
S.W. I started writing in sixth grade and haven’t stopped since. Before I graduated high school I had probably written three novels. But, I never actually pursued getting published until I was in my twenties. Like most authors I mailed out manuscripts and got turned down. The needs of taking care of a family over road the dreams of writing, so for the next twenty years I dabbled in writing, but never followed through on getting anything published. It wasn’t until I had a life changing event in my forties that I decided that I could not wait any longer and had to fulfill my dream. And so, here I am today. One novel published and the next on the way.
K.S. What genre do you write?
S.W. Fantasy, though I read everything. I wouldn’t be surprised if I pump out a horror novel sometime soon.
K.S. What would you say has inspired you most in your writing career? Or, who is your favorite author and why?
S.W. Inspiration, well I have to say my dad. He didn’t write. But he gave me the love for books. He gave me my first novel in third grade, Goldfinger by Ian Fleming. I always was an advanced reader for my age.
My favorite author? Well my library has over three hundred novels, and what I have actually read, ranges in the thousands. I don’t have a single author I like, I read everything. But if I have to pick a few, I would have to say John Norman. He has a strong voice and puts a hard image in your mind. L. Ron Hubbard for being brave enough to write every style imaginable and doing a good job at it, I may not agree with his religious voice. But his writing style is unique. And last, Steven King, he’s got the knack of grabbing you where you least expect it and not letting go.
K.S. What does your family think of your writing?
S.W. Excited and surprised that I actually followed through and got published.
K.S. What was one of the most surprising things you learned while creating your book?
S.W. Satisfaction, I created something that came from deep inside and brought it to life.
K.S. What inspired you to write your novel?
S.W. Well I love fantasy, and in high school I played Dungeons and Dragons with my friends on a regular weekly if not daily basis. And in that time, I created Zenna the world in which my novels are set in. And in that time, characters started to form. Little by little they came to life as I jotted down ideas and started to write.
I don’t know if any one factor inspired me. With my writing the characters themselves dictate what happens. I may have an idea that I want to head toward. But in the end the characters themselves do the talking. There are times that the story takes on a life of its own and I am just there for the ride.
K.S. Can you tell us a little about your novel?
S.W. Here is the back cover copy.
After the world that he had come to know and love, came crashing down around his feet. Lord Jason Tolbridge, former Commander of the Royal Legions of Ishtabar, strove to find himself, as he settled down into the life of a hermit on a lone island far from his homeland.
Though all too soon came a force that would change Jason’s life forever. On the back of a young red dragon arrived, Steel. A brazen young soldier determined to make a mark within Ishtabar’s Royal Legions.
By his father’s dying request, Steel sought out Jason for training to change from a basic soldier to an elite warrior. Only to find himself faced with a man that no longer wished for the ways of war. Finally, against his better judgment, Jason did his best to teach the hot tempered young man.
But, as the world would have it, war is on the cusp of raging into Ishtabar. With no uncertain terms, Jason and Steel are called back home. Where Jason is all too soon forced to come to terms with his past, and face the present danger that yet may lead to his very own death, and the downfall of Ishtabar.
K.S. Where can we find your novel?
S.W. Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Waldenbooks, basically everywhere books are sold. If you don’t see it on the shelf, ask for it. I am also available in e book format for every style of electronic reader.
K.S. Do you have a website, fan site, or Blog that we can visit?
S.W. My Web site is www.shawnweaverauthor.com I also do a blog, usually book reviews on www.goodreads.com and I also have an author page can be found on www.amazon.com
K.S. Do you have any closing advice to aspiring writers?
S.W. Do it! Point blank, if you have an idea, go for it. If people tell you your work is not good enough. Do it anyway. Listen to your heart that is what gives you the drive to fulfillment.