Rhys Shaw Interview Published on: 23, Nov 2022

I grew up in a small town, with one four way stop sign intersection. I knew the world was larger and I wanted to explore.

I enjoyed school during the early years. I loved writing stories. As I got older, I noticed bullying and was on the receiving end a few times. Guess that’s why my heroines are strong and capable. Survivors, not victims. I liked science but did not like dissecting animals for biology.

My mother was a librarian and our home was filled with books. Family history and the stories of those who came before me has always been of interest. History is awesome! I love traveling to other countries and absorbing the history they have too. Before I traveled, books were my first way to visit other places and may have been my first attempts at expanding my small hometown boundaries.

Some of my friends and family members have read my books. I don’t pester them into it, I want them to do it because it’s their desire. There have been many reactions. Surprise that I’ve written and published a book. Shock at some of the grittier content of the story. Pleasure and enjoyment and begging me for the next in the series.

I awoke from a dream with a chunk of the story clawing at my mind. I hurried to write it down and that was that - a short story. After some time had passed, it called to me to write out the full story and I did. I had no idea it would be a series. Even now, just finishing the third book in the series and preparing to publish books two and three, I thought it would be finished. The characters have more to reveal and I need to write book four now. Haha!

I want more strong female characters. People who don’t need saving by a male character, although that can happen too. I want characters who are survivors, especially when they could so easily have been victims because of what life has thrown them into. They think, they plan, they do whatever they need to do to survive. I had one character who really summed this up and then others arrived alongside her.

With writing a book becomes great responsibility. One must research, not only historical accuracies but also be aware of social and cultural situations or characters. Be sensitive to how someone may perceive what you are writing.

Reading opens up vast worlds to us. We learn about other cultures and are able to witness sacred ceremonies and intimate inside secrets we may not be able to be a part of in real life.

Publishing a book is terrifying! Releasing your words to the world comes with vulnerability and fear. It’s a very personal thing, writing a book to then share with strangers. It’s scary... and cool.

My characters have grown as I have grown. They are finding their confidence more, meaning they are bolder at telling me what it is I need them to do and say. They can be quite bossy, at times. When they tell me I need to write their death for instance, I am heartbroken, but know they are right. As I’m writing a series, when I write, I grow with them. I hope my readers will grow with them as well.

I scrawl down ideas everywhere. I try to get them onto my laptop or computer but there are times when a scrap of paper has to do. When a new idea pops into my head whilst I’m in the middle of writing a book, I quickly open a new document and put down all I was just hit with. Those glimmers pushing their way through almost always end up in the current book or the next one.

Let me tell you how wonderful it feels to complete a book and publish it. Along with the vulnerability I mentioned earlier, I felt like I was walking on clouds. I am proud of achieving something. It makes me believe I can do other things I set my mind to.

Apart from the horrid situation Alaria finds herself in, I’d like to think my younger self wanted to be her. This young lady is so brave. She will not go down without a fight and she cares about protecting her family. She is a thinker and finds solutions before doing. I have always tended to be a bit more head down, charge in first. I could have used some of her rational thinking when I was younger.

I need to be in a comfortable space. The fewer distractions, the better (looking at you cats). A glass of water nearby always, and perhaps tea or coffee. If others are home, I will go into my office and close the door. They know this means not to disturb me. Having said all of this, I was able to write a fair bit of book two in a busy airport whilst waiting for a delayed flight. I just plugged into a work desk and tuned the world out.

Read the review. Can I learn from it? Sometimes readers pick up on things that may help in the future. Of course, sometimes the bad review offers nothing constructive. I think others reading those ‘empty’ reviews will see through them as well so those don’t bother me.

There is so much to do before hitting publishing! The writing is the easy part. The obvious ones are editing, book cover design, finding keywords for your genre and book, and (my least favorite) marketing. I am always trying to be better at this.

This very day, I finished book three in The Welexia Series. It still needs a few more self edits and to be read aloud by me. But after that it will go to my professional editor and I shall begin writing book four.

Once this series has finished, I have several other ideas in my many pages of notes. Some of them are more developed than others. I am always paying attention to whatever pulls my focus as it may just be the subject/location/time period for the next book.

Some other indie authors spoke highly of AllAuthor so I visited the website and made an account. It was easy. When you offered a few more services, at great value, I thought it was a wonderful idea. I love the book mock ups you send me.

Thank you for tweeting about my book as well. As an author, I’ve learned that many promise they will do something for you, but AllAuthor actually comes through. I’m glad you were recommended to me.