Shawn Martin's Shadowflesh (Guest Post/Giveaway)

Today I would like to give a warm welcome to YA author, Shawn Martin!

That Burning Story
by
Shawn Martin

As a newly published writer, I haven't left my day job just quite yet.  In all likelihood I doubt I ever will.  My day (and night) job offers me a unique insight into all those hidden and often embarrassing emotions which make a romance novel moving.  In a lot of ways, doing my job is a lot like writing a novel itself.  I'm a firefighter.

Nope, I'm not drinking while writing this.  Fighting a fire so closely resembles writing a novel, it's scary.

Any time of the day or night, an idea can come to you.  It's like when the alarm sounds.  A burst of energy rushes through you as information and imagery fills your mind.  As quickly as possible, you gather the tools of your trade and rush to where you get work done, whether it be a desk or that big red truck.  Then you venture into another world.

Writing that opening chapter comes with the same overwhelming feeling as rolling up to a two story house engulfed in flames.  The plot is the fire.  The characters are the people running about, screaming at you to bring order back into their lives.  You know this thing will eventually come to an end, but you really aren't sure if it's going to be the way you planned.  Everyone is looking at you, expecting you to take their hand and deliver them to a desirable conclusion.  No pressure - yeah, right.

Jumping into the middle of the book is like kicking in the door and charging into the smoke.  At first everything is foreign.  The smoke is thick and the heat is intense.  It takes you a while to get your bearings, but eventually you do.  Then you maneuver your way through someone else's life, letting the heat draw you nearer and nearer to that climactic moment.  The heart of the fire.

It's a euphoric moment, dowsing the flames.  The same feeling you have when you are typing away and just can't stop, pouring every ounce of yourself into your work.  Progress and satisfaction come in equal bursts as the story and the fire draw to an end.

Exhausted and exhilarated, it's time to step away and take a look at what you've accomplished.  The plot has been resolved.  Some of your characters live happily ever after, while others perish.  You've got to make sure you didn't miss anything.  You don't want to have to come back later on to fix something that should have been done right the first time.

And when your satisfied that everything is done, it's time to say goodbye to your story and so long to the fire scene, and drift off into the sunset.

From start to finish, writing my first two novels and fighting fires have had so much in common.  Right now, I don't believe I could step away from the job even if I wanted to.  It keeps me on my game, and hopefully makes my stories a little better.

Death and darkness lurk in the shadows, awakening the flesh and forbidden love.Torn from her home and fighting bouts of suicidal depression, seventeen year old Aileen McCormick lands in the small coastal town of Redcliff, North Carolina. Her first day of school promises to be the worst day of her life when a menacing group of boys target the new girl. Shoved into the arms of arms of Addison Wake, she knows she'll never be the same. Addison's otherworldly charm and drop-dead gorgeous face leave her breathless, but only for a moment. Grim and painful secrets lurk in his dark soul.
Addison Wake isn't exactly like other boys. Far from it. He's dead and has been for 300 years, locked in an ethereal prison by a lethal enchantress named Donelle. When she hungers, she blesses Addison's tortured spirit with moments of freedom, allowing him to roam the mortal world as Shadowflesh. But that dark blessing comes at a price. He must deliver the souls of five unsuspecting humans to Donelle.

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Author bio:  

Shawn Martin lives with his unconventional wife in Springfield, Missouri.  His day (and night) job is being a firefighter.  Aside from rescuing cats in trees and removing burnt pot roasts from ovens, he spends his time finding the hardest way to do the simplest of things.  The rest of his time is spent working on the next book in the Shadowflesh Series.  Visit www.shadowflesh.com for a look into the author and his work.

Website / Twitter: @martiniaff152

~*GIVEAWAY*~
Shawn is giving away a print copy of Shadowflesh to one reader. To enter, just leave a question or comment for Shawn on this post and then fill out the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!

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