1. What inspired you to become an author?
Although I was discouraged as a child to pursue
writing, I have always loved to tell stories. When I was young and would write
plays at home and bring them to my fifth grade teacher, she told me I could
never succeed at writing. The same was true in high school. It wasn’t until I
was in college that I found out I had dyslexia. With this diagnosis, I was able
to begin learning to write in “out-of-the-box” ways. I became a master at
diagramming sentences. I looked at language as most people would look at
solving math problems. I write because I love to write. It has taken me more
than twenty years to learn to write on a professional level. My inspiration has
not come from authors, but motivational speakers whose messages have told me to
never give up on my dreams.
I was interviewed on Live On Purpose Radio about my experience. If you are interested in
hearing it, you can go to http://www.liveonpurposeradio.com/2012/11/30/can-the-cant/ The episode is called, Can the Can’t.
2. Do you have a specific writing style?
I am a screenplay writer. I use storytelling
techniques from screenplay books to plot out my novels. That is probably why
many of my readers have told me that reading DiSemblance felt more like
watching a movie than reading a book.
3. Do you write in different genres?
The first novel I ever wrote was a “genre” mess. The
agent who was looking at selling it told me that he liked my writing, but I had
inappropriately blended together three different genres and he did not know how
to fix it. I was so frustrated that I went home and literally burned the
manuscript in a burn barrel. Next, I chose to write two fantasy novels, but was
too chicken to try and sell them. Then, I wrote DiSemblance, my first young
adult techno-thriller novel.
By now, I understand how to cross genres
effectively. Officially, DiSemblance could be classified as science
fiction, but it’s not really Sci-Fi because I did not create a new, futuristic
world. Instead, my main character’s father invented a hologram machine. I like
playing with the “what if” part of sci-fi. Add in a mystery, plus a deadly plot
twist and now you have a fast-paced, suspenseful novel. Some book reviewers
have even classified DiSemblance as paranormal, because there are times in the
book when you don’t know what is real or not.
3. How did you come up with the title for your
latest book?
As I was writing DiSemblance, I called the book Abductions. When I found out a movie was
being released by that same title, I went searching for a new title that would
add a deeper meaning to the theme of my book. I chose DiSemblance because the dictionary term, dissemblance, means the
state of being disguised or concealed behind a false appearance.
4. Do you title the book first or wait until after
it’s complete?
I always title the book first because it gives me a
general sketch of the tone of the book. Many times, the title changes before it
is finished.
5. What is your current “work in progress” or
upcoming projects?
DiSemblance sets the stage for three more books. I
am currently working on the second book, Boston’s
Quest. …Someone has hooked the
hologram machine up to the internet and is forcing kidnapped victims to fight
for their lives inside an online computer game.
I love to blog about the current book I am writing.
You can check it out at http://disemblance.com/
6. Can you share a little of your current work with
us?
DiSemblance is written in third person with two main
perspectives: Jason and Bruce. With Boston’s
Quest, I decided to cater to my female readers. I am writing first person
through Boston’s perspective. Although, I may add one or two more character’s
perspectives. It is too soon to tell for sure. I have included a short scene at
the beginning of the new book as seen through Boston’s perspective.
I sit in the back seat as Bruce climbs into the
driver’s seat and Jason slides into the passenger’s side. The garage door
opens. The police vehicle backs out and then rolls down the street. The tension
inside the car is so thick I feel like I might suffocate. We move through
the neighborhood in complete silence, stopping only once to let Jason out to
ride my motorcycle home.
“Thanks,” I say, twenty minutes later when
Bruce stops in front of my house. Jason is already there. He has parked my
Nighthawk and is climbing into the front of the car as I climb out the back.
“Wait,” he says, rolling down his window so he can
hand me my motorcycle key.
Our hands touch. “Good luck,” I say.
“Have a good life,” he says.
I nod and the car takes off down the street. As I
walk towards my doorway, I feel lonelier than I have ever felt before.
7. Is there anything you find particularly
challenging in your writing?
Right now, I have been challenged with getting
permission to use an online game like World of Warcraft in my story. After
speaking to the legal head at blizzard entertainment, I decided to use the
characters I created in a fantasy novel I wrote to design my own online
computer game to use in Boston’s Quest.
I contracted with a computer programmer to help me.
8. Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a
true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?
No. If any of my characters resemble people that I
know, it is only by coincidence. Many people have asked me to write about the
year and a half I lived in Russia just after the Coup of 1991. I have chosen
not to do so because it was one of the hardest experiences in my life.
Cheers,
Shanae Branham
March 4 Guest blog
Fang-tastic Books
March 5 Spotlight
Mila Ramos
March 6 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm
March 7 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.
March 8 Guest blog
From the Muses
March 9 Interview
The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
March 11 Guest blog
Butterfly-o-Meter Books
March 15 Interview and review
My Home Away From Home –
March 18 Spotlight
Inkk Reviews
March 19 Interview
Cabin Goddess
March 20 review
Unraveling Words
March 24 Spotlight
March 26 Spotlight
A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books
March 27 Spotlight
Paranornal Book Club
March 28 Guest blog
March 29 Interview
Books & Tales
March 30 Guest blog and review
Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books
April 1 Spotlight
Lisa’s World of Books
DiSemblance
Shanae Branham
Shanae Branham
Genre: Techno-thriller
Subgenres: Sci-fi, suspense, mystery, paranormal
ISBN: ISBN-10: 1477527761
ISBN-13: 978-1477527764
Number of pages: 272 pages
Word Count: 55, 894
Book Description:
Jason Tanner lives between two worlds. Problem is, only one is real.
As a computer prodigy, Jason has spent his life with limited social contact due to his father’s secretive work on a hologram machine that can create digital immortality. When his father is murdered and framed as the Comfort Killer, Jason is targeted as the killer’s new fall guy. Having spent much of his youth living in the virtual world his father created, he must now go on the run if he is going to save himself, his brother, and the beautiful girl next door.
An exciting, action-packed ride to a future happening today, Shanae Branham's modern techno thriller is the perfect exhilarating adrenaline rush for a technosavvy generation. Expertly weaving cutting-edge technology with almost unbearable suspense, she crafts a wild, white-knuckled thriller that pushes the boundaries of science. Full of intensity and extraordinary vision, DiSemblance attacks the senses as it challenges the mind and imagination.
“Branham does a brilliant job creating suspense….She ramps up the tension by keeping readers guessing over the identities of Jason’s foes and about how Jason’s situation ties in with the hunt for the killer.”
“Jason’s love for his father and his motivation to find out what happened to him are particularly refreshing.”
“The characters of Jason and Isaac are … cool enough to rise to the occasion … making readers feel like they are rooting for real young men.”~ Jill Allen, Clarion Review (4 Stars)
About the Author:
I am a professional writer with a bachelor's degree in creative writing and a minor in grammar. I have also attended several years of classes and workshops in screenplay writing at the Los Angeles Screenplay writer's Expo.
I love suspense thrillers and am a master at plot and character development. I enjoy stories with happy endings. I promise all my readers that when they put one of my books down or walk away from one of my movies, they will be enthused with excitement and joy. This does not mean there will not be some sad parts, because you have to feel the bitter in order to understand the sweet.
I was born and raised in a small town in Idaho. I am the second out of six children. When I was in my early 20's my mother was killed by a drunk driver. This one incident drastically changed my life. I have always had a passion for reading and writing fiction. Owing to a life long struggle with Dyslexia, early teachers discouraged me from pursuing a career in writing.
As I have spent over twenty years wrestling with my language disabilities-turning them into professional writing skills, God has honed my insatiable passion into an incredible vision.
My Christian upbringing has instilled within me the belief that "...with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). This has sustained me through the hard times. Because of my language disability, I have had to learn the structure of the English language like other people learn math - building block upon building block.
I am grateful for this experience because it developed in me a skill and love for diagramming sentences, which unfortunately is becoming a lost art.
I want my life to be a living testament that with God's help anyone can achieve their worthwhile dreams. What God requires is the humility to change, a childlike teach-ability to learn, and the patience and persistence to practice and work until their weaknesses are transformed into strengths.
I love suspense thrillers and am a master at plot and character development. I enjoy stories with happy endings. I promise all my readers that when they put one of my books down or walk away from one of my movies, they will be enthused with excitement and joy. This does not mean there will not be some sad parts, because you have to feel the bitter in order to understand the sweet.
I was born and raised in a small town in Idaho. I am the second out of six children. When I was in my early 20's my mother was killed by a drunk driver. This one incident drastically changed my life. I have always had a passion for reading and writing fiction. Owing to a life long struggle with Dyslexia, early teachers discouraged me from pursuing a career in writing.
As I have spent over twenty years wrestling with my language disabilities-turning them into professional writing skills, God has honed my insatiable passion into an incredible vision.
My Christian upbringing has instilled within me the belief that "...with God nothing shall be impossible" (Luke 1:37). This has sustained me through the hard times. Because of my language disability, I have had to learn the structure of the English language like other people learn math - building block upon building block.
I am grateful for this experience because it developed in me a skill and love for diagramming sentences, which unfortunately is becoming a lost art.
I want my life to be a living testament that with God's help anyone can achieve their worthwhile dreams. What God requires is the humility to change, a childlike teach-ability to learn, and the patience and persistence to practice and work until their weaknesses are transformed into strengths.
1 comments:
Hey there!
I am a member of the S.L. Jennings Street Team and I would like to suggest a read for you to try and review!
The Dark Light"
Dark Light is .99 until 3/18
It's not your typical PNR!! But completely delicious!
We want to change people's perception of PNR. Let them know it's hot, sexy & fun!
Thank you for your time! I sincerely hope you'll check out this awesome book. The second book in the series comes out March 15! :)
Haley
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