Interview & Giveaway with Shana Abe

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Interview & Giveaway with Shana Abe

 

 

The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome the wonderful Shana Abe as our guest today. Shana has her long awaited release of The Sweetest Dark upcoming in early 2013, and she is here today to answer our questions, as well as tell us about her books.

Let’s begin our interview with Shana.

 

 

 

TRC: Please tell us about yourself?

Shana:I’m a rowdy rebel girl trapped in a grown-up’s body, with constantly changing,
multi-colored hair (right now it’s brown, white, and blue) and a great, great appreciation
for how wonderful my life really is. Plus, I have a really cute boyfriend. 🙂

TRC: You are an animal lover…you have a dog and five rabbits. Interesting combination..how do they get along?

Shana: They get along very well, because the dog is sweet and smart and knows to stay away from the bunnies. The bunnies, however, are wildly ferocious and always plotting ways to overtake the world...or at least my house. 😉

Rabbits are insanely territorial. You can’t mix them, so they live in separate areas,every one of them a mini despot. That’s the way they like it.
(They’re all rescues, most with horrific and/or tragic back stories, so it’s
nice to let them rule their own realms now. I’ve been rescuing rabbits for
over twenty years. It’s always an adventure.)

TRC: When and how did you become interested in writing?  Have you always liked to write?

Shana: Like many authors, I’ve been writing since I was able to piece together
the alphabet, mostly short stories and poems and once—quite ambitiously for a seven-year-old!—a play. But it wasn’t until I was a teenager that I thought I might like to write novels. I wrote my first one at seventeen.

It was very, very bad. So I stopped for a while, did some other things for a few years, then realized that I really wanted to write.Because I hated my office job, LOL. I’ve been so lucky. If I’d known more about the industry before I submittedmy first book to my first agent, I might have been too intimidated to even try.

Thank God for ignorance!

TRC: Would you please tell us your process in writing your books?

Shana: I make it up as I go. I’m not trying to be flip: I really do. Some writers create these amazingly detailed outlines, but I can’t. I get bored with outlines,and I don’t like being confined by rules or even ideas. I typically have a vague notion of how I want the story to go, but that’s about it. I never know what’s going to happen next when I write. It’s one of the aspects I love most about the process. That, and falling in love with my characters, even the villains.

You gotta love them all.

TRC:  When you published Smoke Thief to start your Drákon series, did you know how far you wanted to go in this series?

Shana: I had no clue! (See my answer above about making things up as I go,LOL!)
THE SMOKE THIEF came to me as a stand-alone story.By the end of it, I had an inkling for the plot of its first sequel,THE DREAM THIEF—mostly because of Zane. Even as a child hewas just so compelling, I knew he needed his own story. And then it just kept going. I was as surprised as anyone else.

 

TRC: A number of our readers, who also follow the Drákon Series have some questions, if you can answer them.

·    Will we ever see again, or know where Christoff, and Rue have disappeared?

Shana: Yes! Rue and Christoff have what I would call an historical role in my new book, THE SWEETEST DARK. They’re not the main characters,but they are mentioned. I don’t mean to be coy about it; I just don’t want to give away too much because it’s part of the plot of this new story. (Also, I’m thinking they still might get an entirely new book of their own,  but I’m not sure about that yet. However, I want to assure everyone, that I do know what happened to them, where they went and why.) In fact, the back cover blurb for THE SWEETEST DARK is an excerpt from a letter in Rue’s voice.

·     In the last installment The Time Weaver, Amalia had visions of her own brother (Kimber) murdering members of a rival Drákon tribe. Are we to believe that Kimber is power hungry like the other council members, or will he be more like his peaceful father? 

Shana: Kimber’s not power hungry, per se. But he’s definitely ruthless whenhe needs to be. He perceives the rival tribe as a direct threat to his own,and most specifically one member of that tribe (who does end up beingpretty evil, as you’ll recall). So it’s more a matter of he’s going to do what he must to ensure the survival of his own family and his species. He doesn’t want to kill. But he will if he feels he must. It’s part of both the honor and the burden of being the Alpha: he must be strong enough to protect the tribe,  and he must make the unsavory choices no one else will make.

·  Will we ever see this family reunite, and live out their lives without fear of capture, imprisonment, possible death etc…by the council members whom rule the Drákon. Will Amalia be forced to continue living a life of exile, or will she someday be allowed to live in peace with her human husband Zane?

Shana: Wow. Um….

Anything is possible. I can absolutely envision a time and place where the entire family would reunite. The truth is, I sort of like Amalia and Zane in exile, because they get to live in such cool places, LOL. If and when Rue and Kit show back up, they’ll have a huge secret to reveal (again, I’m not trying to be coy; you get a big hint of it in THE SWEETEST DARK).

Those were all awesome questions!

TRC:  Tell us a little about The Sweetest Dark.  Do you consider this a continuation of the Drákon series, or if this will be the start of a new series focusing on Lora?

Shana: It’s both, actually. I’d say it’s the beginning of a new stand-alone series,but also one that dovetails into the Drákon Series in a subtle sort of way.It’s not necessary to have read any of the previous books to understand  the new series. Everything’s fresh, including the characters and the setting.

It’s the story of Eleanore Jones, an impoverished orphan living in 1915 London. She’s always felt different from the rest of the people she’s known; she hears songs no one else hears, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with what can only be described as a dangerous voice inside of her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.

Lora has no idea she’s one of the last of the drákon. As World War I begins to take its toll and London’s children are evacuated from the city, she’s shocked to discover she’s been selected as the new charity student to the elite Iverson School for Girls on the southern coast.

Iverson was great to write about—an eerie, gothic castle with ghosts and secret tunnels and mean girls and not one but two extraordinary boys nearby who are suddenly, acutely interested in Lora.

Jesse’s the school groundskeeper: beautiful, mute, and aware at once of who and what Lora is. 

Armand is the elegant aristocrat who can’t figure out why he’s drawn to thisstrange new girl, but can’t deny that he is, deeply so.

But there’s still a war going on, and peril is never that far way. Lora’s going to discover she needs to embrace her powers at last, or risk losing everything (and everyone) she loves.

TRC:  Do you have any thoughts of a new series in a different genre?

Shana: I do! It’s bubbling at the back of my mind. I can’t indulge in it just yet, though. I’ve got to finish Eleanore’s series.

TRC:  Who is your favorite Female Character in your books?

Shana: Oh, lord. I have no idea. They’re all amazing to me. Rue for herdesperation and originality; Lia for her cleverness and kind heart. Avalon, from THE TRUELOVE BRIDE, who was my first brilliant, deeply magical heroine.  Eleanore too, because she’s pretty much me when I was sixteen, both awkward and confident, someone who is trying hard to figure out not only the hidden mysteries of herself but also the vagaries of the real world.

TRC:  We know you love to read...who are your favorite authors you enjoy reading?

Shana: I know it sounds geeky, but I’ve always loved Shakespeare. (I even majored in drama in collage, I love theatre so much.) Loved the Harry Potter series. Really liked The Hunger Games. But it seems I’m always on deadline; I haven’t read for pleasure in so long, it’s disgraceful. There are so many wonderful authors out there.

TRC:  Who is your muse?

Shana: I don’t know! It’s not a person or a thing. Maybe it’s more a state of being.  Of relaxing, letting go. Allowing the creativity to come without judgment.  That can be incredibly difficult.

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

Shana: Just that I’m so happy to be doing this interview, and I mean it. I’m so, so grateful that you all are reading this, and that you care about the stories. I love what I do and hope I get to keep doing it, and that certainly won’t happen without you all. So thank you!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: My mom’s spaghetti and meatballs. But I’m a vegetarian now, so that doesn’t happen much anymore.

Favorite Book (not your own): WATERSHIP DOWN. (Not because it’s about rabbits! Anyway, it’s not really about rabbits,  but rather the human condition.)

Favorite character (male & female) not written by you: I love pretty much all of Barbara O’Neal’s heroines, and all of Laura Kinsale’s heroes.

Favorite Movie: Serenity

Favorite TV Show: Hmm. I don’t really have just one: The Mentalist (Simon Baker!), Hawaii Five-0 (hot guys! great scenery! bad acting!), 30 Rock (Tina Fey!); not necessarily in that order.

Last Movie that you saw: Toy Story 3 on cable. I don’t get out much!

TRC: Thank you, Shana for answering our questions. We look forward to continuing to read your books, and for you to come back to visit us when the Sweetest Dark is released in early 2013.

Shana: Thank you so much! I had a wonderful time answering your questions! 🙂

If you want to learn more about Shana, you can visit her at the following links:

Website: http://shanaabe.com/index.shtml
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ShanaAbe?v=wall
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15987.Shana_Ab_

 

 

 

Shana has graciously offered to give three members of The Reading Café a chance to win a copy of one of her Backlist books.   

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment on the interview post and say hello to Shana.

4.  Giveaway open U.S. Only

5.  Contests runs from August 30th – September 3rd.

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46 thoughts on “Interview & Giveaway with Shana Abe”

  2. Great interview, loved the different questions and different answers… have already got The Sweetest Dark on order… looking forward to that… yes I know teetering TBR pile… but this is Shana Abe… I have all her books… have read all her books. Was beginning to wonder if she was going to release another.

  3. Great Interview Shana & Barb. I love this series, and wonderful questions. I really enjoyed reading the two reviews posted here.

    Shana can’t wait for The Sweetest Dark.

  4. Mary Ann, and Alexiis, The Sweetest Dark was scheduled for release in August, but Shana’s publishers decided to push it to 2013 for a big promotion on it. I can’t wait either.

  5. Wonderful Interview Shana and Barb.

    Shana, what did you do with the first book you wrote at 17. Did you ever go back and fix it, or you dropped it totally.
    I love that you fall in love with your characters, as I feel that usually shows up when the reader reads your story. I am going to check into buying the
    Smoke Thief, so I can begin your series.

    • Mercy, I believe that book is somewhere in a filing cabinet in my office. In the very back. Covered in dust. LOL. I never tried to do anything else with it. In retrospect, it was more a practice run than a real novel. (Although it was long enough to be a real novel, and I typed it out on a typewriter, which took forever.)

      If you do read any of my books, I truly hope you like them!

  6. Shana, it was a pleasure reading this interview! I enjoyed the spontaneity of your responses! I adore your Drakon series and loved reading about your rabiits! I love Firefly and Serenity, they are on the top of my fav list! I wish you continued success, I know that’s a given with your talent! The best part is that you seem to be enjoying the process! Thats the secret!

    • Jules, thank you for your lovely words and wishes! I agree with you, the best part of it all is that I get to do what I love. That IS the secret to all kinds of happiness, I believe.

      So glad you enjoyed the series and the interview!!

  7. An amazing interview, with an amazing author. Having been a long time fan, I loved every question and answer given. Good to know a few questions of mine, made it into the interview, and I cannot wait to share the answers with my Mother, who is also a long time fan. 🙂

    It is surreal to know that the heroine from The True Love Bride is one of your favorites Ms. Abe. I utterly adored Avalon, and could reread that novel over and again. I am typically more drawn to male leads in a book, or series. The magical character of Avalon is one of my first experiences reading a female lead that I found as finally crafted as any hero in literature.

    I have mixed feelings about the upcoming novel, The Sweetest Dark…but am anxious to take the journey. I could go on with this comment….but I am notorious for my long winded posts, and so I will stop there. *laughing* Thank you Shana for sharing your gift with the world, and thank you Ms. Barb for putting this interview together. Fantastically done.

    • Miranda, thanks for the questions!! I hope I answered them to your satisfaction. And thank you so much for the compliments!

      I was lucky enough to dream up Avalon when I was actually touring Scotland with my mom, years ago. She was so powerful and intriguing that I had to write about her, even though I was still finishing up THE PROMISE OF RAIN. Avalon was just very, very cool to me. I wanted to BE her. 🙂

      I hope that if you do read THE SWEETEST DARK, you enjoy it. I think you and I must be on some sort of psychic plane together: I actually dedicated the book to all my readers who take this journey with me!! It’s a Big Thing to switch genres, so if anyone comes along with me, I totally appreciate it!

      • You certainly answered them to my satisfaction Ms. Abe. Glad to make you think. heehee. Thank you for taking the time to respond to my comment!

        Actually, if I think the novel sounds utterly fascinating. If I am to be candid with you, my hesistation comes from not enjoying love triangles. It sounds as if Jesse and Armand represent my two favorite types of hero’s in literature. On one side you have the incorruptible soul who is filled with kindess, compassion, and light…..then you have the tortured, arrogant alpha.

        I am concerned I wouldnt know who to root for to win Elanore’s heart. *sigh* I still think I will read it though. Thank you for the reassurances, and kudos for writing the story which speaks to you, even if you must make a switch in writing style in order to do so.

  8. I’ve never read about dragons, but I’ve been trying for years. Your series sounds intriguing and your interview was so lovely, I’m certain your positive energy radiates throughout your books. Count me in!

    I’m a cat person myself, but that is one lovely dog you’re loving! 😉

  9. This was a wonderful interview, as Shana was a great person to work with. She is fun, and shows this in the interview.

    I love Firefly/Sernity…that is another reason Castle is one of my favorite shows, and I love Nathan Fillion.

    • The cover is wicked cool, I agree, Lavonda44! Originally it had a purple background which sorta clashed with the gold dragons. The green was a much better choice, I think.

      I love linguine too (but no shrimp for me!!!). Love pretty much all pastas. Yum.

  11. Hello Shana and welcome to TRC. Love the interview and am a big fan of dragons. They are just so powerful and magical, love to read stories with dragons in them and this one sounds like something I’d very much enjoy. I’ve added your name to my ever growing list of books to read.

    BTW, it’s nice to meet a fellow Shakespeare fan. I studied Shakespeare for a year in one of my Literature courses in university. Love his comedies, but his tragedies are so well written and so intense. I never miss a Shakespeare play when performed in my city, simply amazing literature. I’m also a Harry Potter fan. 😉

    • Hey, Marcie! Thanks for the welcome! I love dragons, too. I especially love that they can be whatever we wish. I made mine thin and gorgeous and dangerous, I guess more Eastern-style in terms of appearance than Western. Hope you like the series (if you get through your TBR pile! I’ve got stacks of those, too). 🙂

      Shakespeare is so good that you really wonder how one person could possibly have had all that talent. I’m not one of the doubters, just in awe of it. It’s lovely to have role models, I think.

  12. I’m so glad I came by today. Shana Abe is one of my favorite authors. I love this series. Rue is one of my favorite female heroines. I had thought The Sweetest Dark was coming out in August, but I think Barb said it was delayed til 2013. I so want to read this. Thanks for this great interview, Shana. Love you.

    • Thanks, Amy! Love you too! And I’m so glad you connected with Rue. She’s definitely one of my all-time fav characters.

      Yes, THE SWEETEST DARK got pushed back until next spring to better promote it. I’m a little sad for the delay, but hopefully it will be worth it. Also, that means less of a wait time for its sequel, which I’m finishing up right now. 🙂

  13. Great interview ladies!! Thanks for letting us get to know a little about you Shana. I loooove the premise of your books and will definitely be checking them out!! I love me some dragons!! 😉 Thanks for stopping by The Reading Cafe!!

    • Thank you so much, Vickie!! I’m so happy to be here! Barb has been incredibly kind and I love connecting with everyone. I usually spend all day alone just writing, so it’s great to meet others, even if it’s virtual.

      I loves me some dragons, too, LOL! 🙂 Hope you like the books!

  14. Hey a scoop scoop, Shana is working on finishing the next book after The Sweetest Dark.

    Hey Shana, you are welcome here, whenever you feel the need to talk. We have some cool people, some nice, some cool, some always swooning, some crazy. lol

    • I love that you all are so sweet!! Thank you!! This is such a great site.

      Well, I guess I did give you a scoop, lol! I think THIS book is due to come out in the autumn of 2013, so not a long wait there. 🙂

      Now I just gotta finish it…

  16. Ok Shana. Carmen, who responded above to your post, asked some questions on the Bio/book listing. Why …who knows lol she is the one who is always swooning. *grins* So I’ll be nice.. here is what she posted

    Carmen on August 30, 2012 at 11:06 am said: Edit

    If Ms. Abe stops by….WHERE did you attend college in Los Angeles? As a native Angeleno, I’m dying to know! And, with my Mexican culture, which part of Mexico did you stay in as a foreign exchange student? Did you retain the Spanish language??

    Thank you very much. I’ve yet to read a dragon series, but your characters sound so wonderful…that will change very soon! 😉

    • Thanks for letting me know, Barb! I have to admit, I haven’t been to the Bio/Book listing yet. I’m not very tech savvy!! But I’m pleased to answer Carmen’s questions here:

      I went to USC. It was quite an experience.

      And I lived in Colima, Colima as an exchange student. It was one of the most beautiful places I’d ever seen, and the people were so lovely and welcoming. Also, as I’m sure you know, there are limes with every meal. I love limes! It really worked out!

      I wish my Spanish was better than it is. I’d say it peaked when I lived in Mexico; there’s nothing like being in a native environment when it comes to learning a language. I have some rudimentary Spanish still, but school was a loooong time ago!

  17. Loved this interview and enjoyed knowing more about you Shana. You really are quite talented and I love reading all your books. In fact I get so wrapped up in your stories and characters that I have to physically stop myself from reading to savor the moment. Otherwise I zip through them so quickly and then I’m left wanting more but oh well such is life… 🙂 Good to know that you have more in the works as I truly, truly can’t wait. Thanks and best wishes to you and yours!!

  18. I just love reading these interviews during my homework and wedding planning breaks. Awesome interview!! It was great meeting you Shana. I love that you are animal as am I. What are the names of your bunnies and dog?

    • May I just say first: congrats on your upcoming wedding, and sympathies for the planning stage! I know what a trial that can be. But the rewards are worth it!

      The dog is Nikita. I inherited her from my parents. The buns are: Louis, Emma, Diego, Abigail, and Hip Hop. Every bun but Hip Hop has a mention in my books. (Anyone paying REALLY close attention will remember that I named the steamship at the end of THE TIME WEAVER

  19. Great Interview! I just recently seen The Smoke Thief at B&N and after reading this interview and learning a little about The Sweetest Dark, I think I will have to go and pick up a copy! Your books sounds great and you sound like an amazing person! So wonderful that you were able to rescue the bunnies you have now. Your dog is beautiful too! What kind of dog is she?

    • Thank you, Dawn! I have to say, I’m pretty stoked to hear that you saw a copy of THE SMOKE THIEF on the shelf at B&N! It’s heartening that it’s still being stocked like that. I hope you like it if you read it!

      Also thanks about the pets. I admit, I love having them. My dog is a Slovakian Tchouvatch. She’s a handful! But I adore her. 🙂

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