Ask the Author: Shannon Boote
Answered Questions (9)
Shannon Boote
I loved the idea of connecting people through words, especially hand written letters. Words resonate, they stay with us, they contribute to who we are now and who we grow to be. I wanted Heart on Fire to convey that importance, creating a love that starts with words on paper.
I also grew up with a father like Silas and in a very "Christian" run school and church setting that made growing up anything other than cis-gendered and straight, not acceptable.
One of the most personal lines in the book comes from years of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community and the conversations I have heard and had, over the years, that have always stuck with me and contributed to why I chose to write this book as I did. Here is the excerpt: Constantine talking to Silas. “I’m telling you this because I know that being the son of Reverend Joshua Stone couldn’t have been easy. That none of the things you have had to endure in your life could have been easy knowing and fearing what your father might do. But we understand, Micah understands. Maybe not to the same degree as you, but being gay, being queer, no one would choose that hard road if it was actually a choice."
I also grew up with a father like Silas and in a very "Christian" run school and church setting that made growing up anything other than cis-gendered and straight, not acceptable.
One of the most personal lines in the book comes from years of being part of the LGBTQIA+ community and the conversations I have heard and had, over the years, that have always stuck with me and contributed to why I chose to write this book as I did. Here is the excerpt: Constantine talking to Silas. “I’m telling you this because I know that being the son of Reverend Joshua Stone couldn’t have been easy. That none of the things you have had to endure in your life could have been easy knowing and fearing what your father might do. But we understand, Micah understands. Maybe not to the same degree as you, but being gay, being queer, no one would choose that hard road if it was actually a choice."
Shannon Boote
My inspiration comes from reading. I am a character driver writer, and that is reflected in the books I read, as well as the other media I consume. I want to create stories that profoundly touch the people who consume them, highlighting the downfalls of ableism, bigotry, and hate.
Shannon Boote
I am currently working on edits for two books, Nemesis: An Unlikely Heroes Novel (Fantasy) and A Shifter's Destiny (Fantasy, Romance). I am also in the middle of writing the sequels for both. Of course my stories feature marginalized characters, as always.
Shannon Boote
Write stories you want to read. Create characters you want to meet. Build worlds you have dreamed of. The rest will come.
Shannon Boote
Creating characters that I hope will resonate with people. Especially characters that represent marginalized communities like the disabled and LGBTQIA+ communities.
Shannon Boote
I tend to read and listen to a lot of music when I hit a wall. I don't really consider it a block but an inconvenient detour. Sometimes I just need to step back to see the path better.
Shannon Boote
I think I would want to go to Nevermoor, from Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend. It is both whimsical and dangerous. And I would so love to ride the brolly trolley.
Shannon Boote
I would love to finish the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher I need books 12-17 to finish. Also would love to finish Robin Hobbs series, only read first three. And I hope to start Brandon Sanderson's everything. Plus a lot of queer romances, I can never forget those.
Shannon Boote
Well, it would probably have to be a medical drama. We don't know what caused my spinal cord injuries that are contributing to several degenerative spinal conditions. I have been told spinal cord conditions like this are usually a result of trauma, generally from falls or car accidents. I have had neither. Would love to know just to know, not that it matters or would change my prognosis. The Silas Stone character from Heart on Fire shares several of my spinal issues.
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