Interview with romance author Evelyn Shepherd

Romance author Evelyn Shepherd is our guest today. She's touring the second book in her Theo Bourne series, Event Horizon, with Goddess Fish Promotions and is here to chat a bit about writing and other things.

Evelyn is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card at the end of the tour. So, add a comment below (and leave your e-mail) if you'd like to be entered to win. And you can increase your chances of winning by following the tour and commenting at other stops.

Bio:

Evelyn Shepherd lives in Columbus with a fox terrier named Sunny and a ferocious appetite for sexy urban fantasies and horrors. She spends her time writing, but when she isn't working on her next novel she's either reading or spoiling her nieces and nephew. She is currently working hard at her next novel.

Welcome, Evelyn. Please tell us about your current release.

Event Horizon is the second book in the Theo Bourne Series. In this book it really solidifies Theo and Carlos’s relationship. When I set out to write it I wanted to write an epic adventure, something that exploded with action, but also showed the struggle that Theo was going through grappling with his newfound feelings. I originally had planned an entirely different ending for it, but somehow the story had shaped itself into something else. Theo is a complex character, one constantly divided by his need to save the world but always feeling like the demon. He’s an anti-hero to the end.

Eztli is my antagonist and when I designed her I wanted to bring vampires back to their heritage. I wanted them to be something out of a nightmare. So when I brought them into Theo’s world, I wasn’t going to settle for docile sparkly looking emos. Eztli is the epitome of bat-shit-crazy. If I met her in real life I’d run away screaming.

What inspired you to write this book?

This one was inspired by a mix of a few things. Music was a heavy influence. But I was also inspired by Aztec mythology, Hideaki Sena, and Christianity. One big thing I like to input in my novels is a belief in God. So Theo has a strong faith (even if he doesn’t always seem like it) and it’s that faith that always comes in to play.

What exciting story are you working on next?

A few things. My next story to come out (due out in December) is a LGBT contemporary called Stay With Me. It’s about an alcoholic artist haunted by his past and a bartender that just can’t walk away. That story was an emotional rollercoaster and I’m so excited for it.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always been a writer. It’s just who I am. I’ve always created stories, even when I was a child. The difference between then and now is that I’m a PUBLISHED writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

Right now I’m not writing full-time like I’d like to so I write in the evenings. Like any author would tell you, It isn’t about finding time but making time. There isn’t a point in the day that I’m not in some way thinking about my stories or working on it. But at night I make sure I sit down and stay in front of the computer for a few hours to get writing done. That might mean I have late nights, but it’s the sacrifice I’m willing to make.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m so anal about plotting. I’m always outlining and re-outlining. It’s the only way I can keep my stories straight. Otherwise I’d never be able to keep my thoughts organized. I also don’t read anything I write until I finish it. That way I can get everything out and then go back and edit it.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An art teacher. Yeah I thought about writing but at the time I wanted to be an art teacher. But then I decided that I did not want to deal with screaming kids. It wasn’t until after a failed college attempt that I realized writing was my career path. Who knew I could turn my obsession into profit?

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

It’s always possible, whether it’s dreaming, living or a zombie apocalypse.

Great to meet you, Evelyn. Happy writing!

Readers, don't forget about the Amazon gift card that is up for grabs. Leave your e-mail with a comment if you want to be entered to win!