Welcome to Shannon Muir’s Infinite House of Books!
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Lady Knight
What initially got you interested in writing?
I first had an interest in writing when I read Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. The characters and world he created fascinated me, and ever since I’ve been writing and creating my own worlds and characters.
How did you decide to make the move into being a published author?
Moving into being published just kind-of happened one day. I had finished Lady Knight, realized it was done, then realized what that meant. Even my parents were surprised when I first announced that my book was available. It wasn’t so much a decision as realizing it was the next step that I needed to take.
What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
I write to entertain. Readers should have a good time reading my works, and they should come away feeling satisfied that the story they just read was uplifting and enjoyable. I believe strongly that every book should have someone to root for.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
The act of writing itself is rewarding. Being able to look back and say, “I did that. Wow. That was me.” Is an extremely satisfying feeling.
What do you find most challenging about writing?
I always struggle with the middle parts of every story. Bridging the gap between Act 1 and Act 3 in a story is extremely difficult, as Act 1 and Act 3 are where all the interesting things happen. Finding a way to bring those two together in Act 2 is a huge challenge for me.
What advice would you give to people want to enter the field?
Do your homework! I know a lot of people might say “don’t give up” or “just keep writing”, but that doesn’t always work. Understanding every step of the process from going to an outline to hitting the “publish” button is vital. I missed several of the steps when I first started, so it’s not all bad if you don’t understand everything 100%, but once you realize you’ve missed a step, it’s crucial that you complete it when you can.
Additionally, there are several things you can get started even if you haven’t finished writing your story. Find a cover artist, find potential publishing venues, have a compendium of literary agents you can contact, find an editor and beta readers, research book tours and promotional materials. Having a finished story ready for publishing isn’t the end of the tale. Once your story is finished, it becomes a living thing with tons of moving parts. Having them all work together is key to success.
What ways can readers connect with you?
Any way you can think of, I probably have it. Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, and I have a blog which I try my best to update weekly. I can also be reached directly via e-mail at contact@tnmosleybooks.com, if you like good old fashioned e-mail.
someone – a man. He’s… not quite right, and he’s got this weird costume on.
Said he knew about the explosion. Thought you’d want to try talking to
him.” The kid said. Cameron exchanged a look with Kim and pulled the
cigarette from her mouth, sighing. It would have to wait.
where is he?” Kim said.
talking to the paramedics, they’re saying it’s dementia, uh, maybe caused by
shock or something. I’m not a doctor.”
what we pay them the big bucks for. Good work, uh…” Cameron inspected
the officer’s name badge, “Officer Winsley. Off you go.” Cameron
nodded to him and patted him on the shoulder as she blew past him, heading for
the ambulance. The ‘costume’ Winsley had reported was actually a set of long,
flowing green and gold robes that draped off the man. A heavy cloak was set
about the man’s shoulders, and he spoke calmly to one of the paramedics as they
asked him questions.
eyesight is perfectly fine, madam. This is the third time you’ve put that
lightstick into my face – I kindly request that you cease immediately.”
The man said, and the paramedic looked to the detectives with a shrug.
out. No signs of drug use that I can see, physically healthy, just…” The
paramedic made a spinning motion with her hand, one finger pointing at her
head. “He’s all yours.” She said.
the detectives approached, his head bowing to them so deeply it bent his
shoulders and torso towards them. “I know not who you are, but please
allow me to thank you for getting that… vulture, away from me. Poking and
prodding with her…” he waved a hand, “instruments.” The man
was strikingly handsome, and Cameron couldn’t help but notice how focused and
intense his blue eyes were as he regarding them. His black hair was slicked
back with some sort of gel, and it was cut close to his head – just long enough
to be styled and flare out slightly behind his ears and along the back of his
neck.
job.” Kim said as Cameron took the time to light her cigarette, puffing on
it as Kim continued, “She’s a paramedic. She wanted to make sure you were
okay.”
healer! I beg pardon, I did not understand her ways, and this word…
‘paramedic’. It is foreign to me,” he said, a look of worry crossing his
face. “Please, assure her I am quite alright. Perfect in all of my
faculties,” he paused as Kim and Cameron shared another look, “Well,
except, I cannot seem to find my staff, but it will turn up sooner or later I
suppose.”
cut it out. Enough of the jokes,” Cameron said, and the man frowned at her
in confusion, “How about we start from the beginning. Who are you, what
are you doing here, and what do you know about the explosion?”
brightened some, and he swept into a low bow, leg forward and one hand on his
chest as the other swept out to one side. “I am Mathias, Lord of the House
of Relain, personal magician to His Majesty King Lerrad Olmsith of the Kingdom
of Draeca, and…” Mathias frowned, “Well, that is who I used to be.
I am now an outlaw by decree of King Lerrad, but I suppose that is not what you
are inquiring about. I brought myself here as I was fleeing from his soldiers –
you understand I am sure, it is difficult to corner a magician,” he
finished with a wink at Kim.
hand on Kim’s arm as she took a long drag from her cigarette, stopping Kim from
decking the wacko. “Alright, let me get this straight. You’re, what, some
sort of wizard? And you want us to believe that you brought yourself here,
using…”
yes, of course. The signs are evident,” Mathias said, nodding towards the
warehouse. “My apologies about the, ah, building there. An unintended side
effect of my hastily constructed spell. I believe in my haste I may have made a
mistake in the incantation. It would also explain the disappearance of my
staff…” He said, his tone turning thoughtful as he spoke.
give us a moment?” Cameron asked.
course,” Mathias said, bowing his head towards them again.
stepped away from the man and Cameron dropped her cigarette, smashing it into
the pavement with her shoe. “Okay. What the hell.” She said.
clearly lost his mind. The explosion knocked him into something and he
snapped,” Kim said.
have a mark on him, Kim. No dust, no ash, nothing,” Cameron pointed out.
okay, but – wait, you’re not saying you actually believe him?”
course not! Magic and spells and kings… Ridiculous, of course. Okay, how
about this: He sets a bomb, gets clear, and then the shock of what he’s done
makes him conjure some crazy fantasy.”
repression or something?” Kim said, glancing back at Mathias – if that was
even his name. He was standing patiently, watching them with his hyper-focused
eyes and his hands clasped behind his back.
Maybe it started before he even knew what he was doing. Got caught up in his
fantasy and doesn’t really know what’s going on.”
Works for me. How do we handle him?”
along, for now.” Cameron said, frowning towards Mathias. He returned her
frown with a wide, toothless grin. She looked back at Kim and sighed, pulling
another cigarette from her pocket. “It’s gonna be a long night.”
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