I have a very talented lady here today to tell us all about her new women's fiction, Floating Underwater. Her name is Tracy Shawn. Enjoy the interview but first, let's find out more about Tracy and her hot new book...
Award-Winning Author Tracy Shawn lives and writes on the Central Coast of California. Her debut novel, The Grace of Crows, won several indie book awards. Floating Underwater is her second novel. Tracy Shawn’s short stories have appeared in Literary Brushstrokes, Psychology Tomorrow Magazine, and Steel House Review Literary Journal. She’s written numerous articles for print and online publications and is currently working on her third novel.
You can visit her website at https://www.tracyshawn.com/ or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
As a book bloggin’ and book luvin’ Princess, I’m always curious to find out how authors got the ideas for their books. Can you tell us how you got the idea to write your book?
I wrote Floating Underwater because I wanted to show how a protagonist deals with the gift of premonition (as I love a little magic) while she navigates the grief of miscarriage (I’ve endured two myself). Ultimately, I also had the idea that I wanted
to create a happy ending, as I believe we can all use more hope.
Can you tell us a little about the main characters of your book?
The protagonist, Paloma Leary, has just endured her third miscarriage and wants to adopt a child, while her husband, Reed Leary, wants Paloma to try and get pregnant again. Paloma is highly intuitive, artistic, and empathetic. Reed, who is her exact opposite, is very analytical, practical, and restrained. Other main characters include Paloma’s best friend, Justine, who can be bossy and brash (but still cares), and an unstable neighbor named Serena, whom Paloma shares a deep connection with.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?
To be prepared for a lot of rejection!
What would you say is one of your interesting writing quirks?
When I’m writing dialogue, I sometimes get up and say each character’s lines out loud to make sure it sounds natural.
Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?
Oftentimes readers tell me how they loved the imagery, can relate to the emotions my characters have gone through, and how they cried at the end (good tears, of course!).
What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author?
That the book is a bit too slow for some readers.
What has been your best accomplishment?
Besides having had two novels published, that I have dealt with severe anxiety and strive to help others with this debilitating condition.
Do you Google yourself?
Of course! Is there any author that doesn’t?
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I’ve been working on my third novel and am having a tough time trying to decide which of the two stories to focus on that I’ve already started. Wish me luck J
Fun question – if you were princess or prince, what’s one thing you would do to make your kingdom a better place?
If I were a princess, I would love to wave a magic wand to get rid of all hate, war, and pollution forevermore. (I know it’s three things—but maybe that wand is super powerful!).
Do you have anything specific that you would like to say to your readers?
Yes! Hello Dear Readers, I hope that you will not only enjoy reading Floating Underwater, but that it also helps you feel more hopeful, as we can all experience joy even when we’ve had to endure loss.
Fearful that her lifelong premonitions not only predict the future but can also change its very course, Paloma Leary is devastated when her latest vision foretelling a third miscarriage comes true.
Falling into a mystifying world of increasingly bizarre phenomena, including a psychic connection with her mysterious neighbor, out-of-body experiences, and visits from her long-dead mother, Paloma grows desperate for answers. She is also desperate to start a family. But when a life-changing vision reveals a tragic secret from the past, Paloma learns to accept her gifts and embraces a far different future than she ever could have imagined.
“One woman’s mystical journey to move forward while confronting a troubled, mysterious past. Beautifully written; an ethereal, eloquent pleasure.” ~~Marlene Adelstein, author of USA Today bestseller Sophie Last Seen
“Mystical and magical realism permeates this women’s novel, and Amy Harmon fans would embrace Shawn’s adept storytelling. The author delivers spot-on dialogue, believable and enchanting characters, and surprising twists. It’s easy to imagine the novel as a talked-about book club selection (in fact, there’s a list of questions at the book’s conclusion). Poignant and beautiful, Floating Underwater leaves readers yearning for a sequel and another look at these captivating characters.” ~~Starred Review by Patricia Moosbrugger for BlueInk Review
“The writing is stunning…Paloma’s journey toward friendship, love in her marriage, and the realization that her fears have kept her eyes closed to everything happening around her is a journey worth following. This book will remind you to listen to the wind when it speaks and to look for what’s floating beneath the surface of the water.”~~Reviewed by Jenna Swartz for San Francisco Book Review
“A mystical journey that will take its readers on a whirlwind tour of beautiful imagery and meaningful life adventures, Floating Underwater is the story about a woman named Paloma Leary who learns that she has some very special gifts to share with the world…This book is wonderfully written in a lovely beach setting…Floating Underwater is the perfect book for someone looking for a bit of fantasy thrown into a realistic setting with realistic characters. Written with special attention to little details, this book is relatable, yet very special and is a one-of-a-kind read.” ~~Reviewed by Kristi Elizabeth for Manhattan Book Review
Book Information
Release Date: September 8, 2021
Publisher: Turbulent Muse Publishing
Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1736664902; 312 pages; $10.99; E-Book, $3.99
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GrO5TV
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3qA2EA3
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