Around The Globe With Rose Shababy

My second author this wants to go to one of my favorite cities - New . So we're sitting with a view of the Mississippi at Cafe Maspero. Mint tea, daiquiris, a bit of voodoo around the next corner. Seafood! Give me more. Forget the interview. I want to stroll the Riverwalk, eat oyster po'boys, buy some hot sauce, take a swamp tour, do some fishing...what? Stop tapping my shoulder. Let me walk Bourbon Street, get my palm read...what? No, no interview this week. I want to see the sites.

Oh, you'll do all that with me afterward. Well, all right then. Let's get to it.

Then I find that the author only adds that needed element to truly enjoy New Orleans and I'm glad I didn't forego the interview.

1. Who are you and what makes you the most fascinating person in your city?

I don’t know if I would call myself the most fascinating person in my city. I don’t think anyone else would either! Who I am is a woman with big dreams. I live with one foot in reality and one foot in my fantasies. It’s a tough fence to straddle. Kind of chafes sometimes.

The thing I have going for me, however, is the ability to laugh at myself. I laugh every day, as much as possible. I don’t ever want to lose my sense of humor. After all, if we didn’t laugh, we’d cry, right?

2. Without revealing a deep dark secret (unless you want to), what one thing would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a bit of a Trekkie. That’s not my secret, though; lots of folks know that about me. Growing up, I watched the original series, but as I hit adolescence, The Next Generation came on and brought me Captain Jean Luc Picard. I absolutely adored him. Still do. I turn a little bit fangirl over Sir Patrick Stewart, who played him. My secret is that I’m pretty sure I measure every man against him… and he’s a fictional character! The worst part is that most men come up short!

3. What interested you to become a writer rather than something else such as world traveler?

Who says I’m not interested in being a world traveler? Why can’t I do both? Seriously, I’ve always wanted to travel, and I’ve reached a point in my life where I’m starting to do more of it, bit by bit. I’m fascinated with the world, and all the amazing, unique places and experiences it has to offer. I think that plays a significant role in being a writer. To have the vision beyond the here and now, what you know, and see that there are infinite possibilities in the world; all these things feed the imagination.

4. Writers are readers. With which author(s) would you enjoy sharing dinner? Why?

I’d love to sit down with Stephen King. The Stand is probably my all-time #1 favorite book, and it’s the scope and breadth of it that is part of what makes it so good. His ability to create a real life horror, interspersed with paranormal elements, and dozens of fully realized characters, all with a graphic novel sensibility, impresses the hell out of me.

I’d love to have the opportunity to sit down and pick his brain, find out how he comes up with his ideas and organizes his thoughts, or to just share a couple pitchers of beer. He strikes me as that kind of guy, one who wouldn’t mind hanging out in a dive bar and drinking a little with some buddies.

5. If I were stranded on a deserted island or suffering from a four hour layover at the airport, why would your book(s) be great company?

I think it would be really sad if you were stranded on a deserted island with only my book to read. Any book would get boring after a while if that’s all you had! But as far as a layover? The Blue Effect would be an awesome read! It has action, mystery, romance, humor, superpowers, heroes and villains. I’ve been told it makes you laugh out loud, and “ugly cry like a Kardashian,” as one reviewer put it!

6. Share your process of writing in regards to: plot and character development, story outline, research (do you Google or visit places/people, or make it up on the spot), writing schedule, editing and number of rewrites.

Are you asking if I’m a plotter or a pantser? The answer is, a little of both.

Plot and character development begins with an idea, and that idea germinates in my mind and in my notes. I can’t say that I have a specific process. There are so many ideas floating around in my head, and only a fraction of them make it onto paper.

I definitely sit down and write a synopsis, plan out certain aspects of my stories. Sometimes I have to work at getting from point A to point B. I’ve gone on a couple trips to survey the actual location of the story. I do a lot of online research as well. It’s funny how much research you do, how many hours you spend reading about things, and how much of it never makes it into a story.

I can’t tell you how many edits and rewrites I do. A lot.

As far as a specific writing schedule, I don’t have one. I do have a day job and a life to live (one that I want to enjoy, I might add), so I write when I can. Sometimes I’m working on “book stuff” but not actually putting words on paper because there are so many other aspects to being an Indie than just writing books. And they’re all time suckers. Marketing, blogging, interviews. I make graphics, work on my social media presence, participate in online book parties. All of these things are part of the work, even if it’s not words on paper.

7. “I think I have a good idea for a story, but I don't know where or how to begin. Your process may not work for me. Any advice?”

The best advice I can give is, just sit down and write. Write anything. Start with the idea, even if it’s just notes about your idea. As you write, new ideas will pop up. Write those down too. If you have a specific scene or action, or whatever in your head, write it down. It will grow and expand. After a while, it will start to flesh out.

8. I saw an amusing T-shirt the other day which read, “Every great idea I have gets me in trouble.” What is your philosophy of life?

Tina Fey once said, “Bitches get stuff done.” I like that. I’m all about girl power.

9. Please tell me you're not going to stop writing? What's next for you?

Of course not! I’m currently working on the second book in my Renegade Heroes series, the follow up to The Blue Effect. This is a three book story arc, and I’m very excited about it. The second book is called The After Effect, and I’m hoping it will be available by the end of the year. I’ve also been prepping for the third book in the series, as well as a new storyline within the Renegade Heroes world.

10. Where can people find more information on you and your projects?

You can check me out on my website, as well as on social media:

www.roseshababy.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rose.shababy?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoseShababy

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/roseshababy/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/117739979016602699589/posts/p/pub