Ask the Author: Shawn Callon
Answered Questions (6)
Shawn Callon
Hi Debbie, great question. I've always wanted to write spy thrillers (my favorite author is John Le Carre). Placing my main character Simon in an embassy seemed to be one of the most logical places for an agent to operate from. His career as a cultural attaché would give him good opportunities to meet people and to travel to other European countries. That's why his old friend Walter persuaded him to join the CIA as a covert operative. I chose Paris as I know the City of Lights very well.
Hope this helps. I look forward to hearing more about your novel about your experiences in Paris and the Middle East.
Regards Shawn
Hope this helps. I look forward to hearing more about your novel about your experiences in Paris and the Middle East.
Regards Shawn
Shawn Callon
Write what you know about, that is use your own personal experience or knowledge you've gained from extensive reading/research.
Have a friend read your novel and ask for their input on plot structure, character development and content.
Read and reread what you've written before you publish to catch all those errors.
Have a friend read your novel and ask for their input on plot structure, character development and content.
Read and reread what you've written before you publish to catch all those errors.
Shawn Callon
Exploring my heritage on Ancestry.com I came to a sudden halt when they couldn't identify any antecedents for my second great-grandfather. He died in London, UK in the early nineteenth century but there were no birth or baptismal details. So the mystery starts....
Shawn Callon
Stop writing the novel. Do something completely different - mow the lawn, go to the gym, skydive, etc. Then sleep on it. Next day start making random notes and links. It doesn't matter what you write. Just let your brain whirl. Then take a serious look at what you have scribbled. You should find a nugget!
Shawn Callon
Currently working on my second novel, well I'm doing some secondary research first of all. The book will feature the central character from The Diplomatic Spy- Simon Montfort. Don't have a title yet but it will have the Spy word in it! The story will be based in contemporary Europe but it will have less historical content. It will focus more on romance, relationships and repentance. I will again include some illusion and complexity to the plot to help readers keep guessing! It should be published towards the end of 2020.
Shawn Callon
There were many sources for ideas for my first book. My own experiences traveling the world played a great part. For instance when Simon Montfort decided to go and help bring down the Berlin wall, that event was based somewhat on my visit to the Wall with my hammer during its demolition in November 1989. Also some of the characters in the novel are loosely based on real people I met. During a visit from the Russian Central Bank to our HQ in the UK, one of the delegates asked me to help him get a drug for his chronic condition. The drug was not available in Russia. Alexei was based on this event. Other ideas I borrowed from my favorite author John Le Carre -for example the anti-hero( Simon) and the whole murky world of spying.
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