Shadows Gray… Inspirational!
Have you taken a look at Shadows Gray yet? If not, you need to!
Melyssa, the author, has already sweetened the pot with a book giveaway that we’ll draw on Sunday (you just need to comment on one of the Shadows Gray posts to enter!) and today we decided to do a little interview about the book and characters.
Hold on to your hats, tomorrow we’re going to talk about the writing process and self-publishing. So you’ll want to stick around, we have an expert in the room!
Just in case you haven’t checked the ebook out on Kindle or Nook yet, here’s a short description of Shadows Gray:
Sonnet Gray has problems, and not just those of a typical 18-year-old. Her family is one of the Lost; time travelers who have no power over their journeys. Hopelessly old-fashioned and yet more modern than most girls, Sonnet speaks several languages and takes care of her motley crew back home by working in a coffee shop and playing guitar. Over time, the Lost leave behind those they love and pick up new characters along the way. In twenty-first century America, Sonnet meets Emme, a Lost young woman with a questionable line of work, Luke, a mysterious photographer, and Israel, a young doctor . But no one can take the place of Sonnet’s sister, Rose, who was left behind as a baby in the fifteenth century. The ghost of her beckons from each time and place; but what’s real and what isn’t? Is Rose Gray trying to contact her before it’s too late?
Fun, huh?
Now, let’s hear what Melyssa has to say about this ghost story with a sci-fi, Gothic, romance twist.
StealingFaith: How long ago did you get the idea/start working on Shadow’s Gray?
MelyssaWilliams: I got the initial plot idea about three years ago. I used to lay awake at night and sift through ideas in my head when I couldn’t turn my brain off. The inspiration was a mix of things: I love all genres of well-written books and didn’t want to write just one; I wanted to combine things like suspense, romance, history, teenage angst, etc. I love Diana Gabaldon’s time traveling fantasies and I love Gothic type romances like Mary Stewart and Joan Aiken and Barbra Michaels. I had just read Twilight and, while I wasn’t a big fan or a big hater of it, it did make me wonder…could I write something that appealing?
SF: How did you bring a fresh perspective on the time traveling theme?
MW: There’s no magic time traveling machine or device. The Lost aren’t time traveling on purpose; it happens TO them when they’re sleeping. I loved the idea that no one can stay awake forever. I think that’s a little haunting — as is the fact that you can’t sleep forever either! It’s actually sad for the Lost to be happy – because they’ll be forced to leave – and happy for them to be sad – because they’ll get to move on.
SF: Are there any “hidden” references in the book?
MW: Probably…but they’re so hidden even I haven’t found them yet! My husband is a deeper thinker than I am and he thinks there are philosophical and theological references but mainly I just wanted to tell a good yarn!
SF: Is there more to the story? Will there be a sequel?
MW: Yes, and yes! It will be titled Shadows Black and it will be Rose’s story. I actually came up with Rose Gray before I ever began to shape Sonnet. All I have now though is the opening line…I need to get crackin’!
I’ve heard some of you have already downloaded the book – I’d love to hear your initial thoughts from reading in the comments! Since it’s only $2.99 it’s a pretty safe bet to try out — I expect you’ll find yourself hooked!
My recommendation is if you like authors like Diana Gabaldon, Robin Hobb, or Anne McCaffery, you’ll love Melyssa Williams and Shadows Gray. And, did I mention Melyssa is stinking funny in real life?
Riddle me this: do you have a question for Melyssa about the book or her writing process? Ask in the comments and enter to win a free copy. Melyssa hasn’t given me her phone number or anything (because that could be creeper-like) but we are Facebook friends. And since we’re both homeschooling moms of three, Facebook is like crack cocaine to us. She will totally respond to your questions by tomorrow!