Gena Showalter - Giveaway and Author Interview

First off congratulations on your release of The Darkest Secret!


Can you tell us a little about yourself?


I’m terribly shy, a bit reclusive, and I suffer from OCD – when I start writing a story, it’s basically all I can think about. I maybe kinda sorta have a warped sense of humor. (Why aren’t I hearing gasps of shock?) I absolutely love what I do, and I know, beyond any doubt, that I’m blessed because my publishers and readers allow me to do it.


Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?

In Jr. High, after I read Silver Angel by Johanna Lindsey. I loved the characters so much I wondered how the rest of their lives would play out. In my mind, I wove one story after another about them, came up with characters of my own, and had them interact. After that, new story ideas came. New characters popped up, and I decided to start writing everything down.

I have a nice time following you on Twitter. In 140 characters or less, sum The Darkest Secret for us. Demon warrior. Enemy female. Hot make up sex. Battles with evil. Love.


What surprised you the most about the writing/publishing process?


Probably . . . everything LOL! I thought writing a book would be easy, but oh, baby, was I wrong. I really struggled with that first book. If I thought something was funny, I added it to a scene, even if it didn’t fit with the situation or the characters. I had to learn to let the characters take me wherever they wanted to go.


What were your inspirations for creating this story?


Inspiration is everywhere. Something I see or hear will prompt a “what if” moment. With the Lords of the Underworld: what if men opened Pandora’s box? With Alien Huntress: what if predatory otherworlders walked among us? With Intertwined: what if a teenage boy had four human souls living inside his head?


Most people will/have probably found this book to leave them aching for the next book, how long did it take you to write it, and did you have any writer’s block along the way?


Took me three months to write Amun’s story, and I’m happy to say my muse stayed with me through most of it. Now, Paris’s story on the other hand, was like pulling teeth. I had to rewrite the first 100 pages four times.


How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?


I’ll start with the seed of an idea. Usually it’s a scene that has played through my head numerous times. With The Darkest Secret, I saw Amun chained to his bed, his eyes swollen shut and his butterfly tattoo actually moving all over his body. Everything grew from that.


I just love the men in books. How did you come up with the character Amun?


(First, thank you so much!) For most of the series, Amun had remained a mystery even to me. Which makes sense, I guess, since he’s the keeper of the demon of Secrets. He had to tell me about himself as I wrote his book, and I learned right along with the readers. He is strong, stoic, and passionate, and he loves his friends more than he loves himself.


If you could pick one actor to portray Amun on the big screen who would it be and why?


I would probably pick Boris Kodjoe because he is beyond gorgeous with a body to die for!

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?


Characters. Everything comes down to characters. A multitude of sins can be forgiven if the reader loves the characters.


This was a great story set with different worlds. Was there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?


Sometimes the action scenes can be a bit tough. I can write page after page of character thoughts and dialogue, no problems. In fact, when I was writing Twice As Hot, I emailed my lovely friends Kresley Cole and Jill Monroe and told them how the book should be renamed Conversations With Superheroes. Sometimes I have to add the action in at stage two, after I’ve finished the rough draft (which is sometimes nothing more than thoughts and bantering).


What were your feelings when you first saw the cover of your finished book?


For the most part, I’ve been very blessed in the cover department. My publishers found a look that worked for me and my readers. Plus, the publishers are always looking for ways to evolve the covers. I think they’re doing an amazing job!


Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?


Love is powerful. Love is important. Love is . . . everything.


Thank you so much for letting me interview you!


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Darkest Secret (print) 
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Pretty simple.