Interview with Shannon Donnelly

by Cybil Solyn

April 2002

Shannon Donnelly is one of the hottest new voices in the Regency genre. Her eloquent writing, rich story telling, and life-like characters are garnering her a set of loyal fans and a bevy of awards. She graciously agreed to chat with Rakehell about what she has been up to since last we spoke.

Q: A lot has happened since I interviewed you in DC when your first book A COMPROMISING SITUATION came out. What's been going on?
A: Mostly, a whole lot of writing.

Q: That's pretty obvious with the number of books you have out already! What are we on now? Book four with two anthology stories?
A: {laughing} Yes, I really like staying busy.

Q: Congrats on the best Regency RITA nomination for UNDER THE KISSING BOUGH. It's quite an accomplishment for such a new author. How do you feel?
A: It's a delight, and honor. I'm very happy, too, that this book made the finals. I kept worrying the book would come out too dark. But I think what this shows is that it really is the emotion in the book that makes it resonate. And I hope this is the first of many more nominations!

Q: With so many successful authors moving away from Regencies and into the more profitable realm of Regency Historicals, have you thought about doing this yourself? Any stories you have that would suit the Historical market better?
A: I've actually already written longer books already, which I may get around to rewriting when I have a bit more time. And I also have some ideas that I'm going to develop into proposals. However, I do want to keep writing Regencies, too. I love the format and the genre. And a shorter book really makes you write very tight.

Q: Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years? This doesn't have to be a strictly career question either!
A: I have trouble seeing where I'll be in five months! About all I'm planning is to be happy, healthy and productive. That would suit me fine.

Q: Not many people realize what you did before you were a romance writer, but you worked in game design correct?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you ever think about going back to it, or are you satisfied with where romance is leading you?
A: Games used to have more story, and be more about the puzzles and design. These days they're mostly about the 3D art, and they've gotten way too violent for me. I don't even go see violent movies anymore--they've just lost my interest. So unless that changes, I doubt I'd go back to that area.

Q:Any changes you wish were being made with not only the Regency genre, but the romance genre?
A: There's not much I'd really say needs changing. I do like it that Regencies are moving away from those stiff, sappy covers of a few years ago. I've been very lucky to have some just beautiful covers.

Q: What kind of research do you do before you write?
A: I've read so much in the Regency era that I have most of my basics down, so I usually don't do too much ahead of time. But every book seems to have its odd surprise. I did quite a bit on Gypsies for A MUCH COMPROMISED LADY, and then for the book I'm working on now, PROPER CONDUCT, I didn't think I'd need to do any. However, I'd put this library into the story, and so I ended up having to reasearch what sort of books would be in that library. Those are the sorts of details that usually mean a bit of digging. I love finding just the right detail to make a scene real.

Q: Any really juicy tidbits you are waiting to use?
A: The lovely thing about the Regency is there is a lot of great gossip. But I'm not going to share my juicy bits – they are being saved for the stories.

Q: I love this question – and hate it! *grin* If you were stuck on a desert island what 5 books would you bring?
A: Only five! Well, first one is easy – Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers. I do think it is the best romance ever, even though it's a mystery. As to the other four, I'd take a copy of the complete works of Shakeshpeare--I'm assuming a long time being stuck. Lost Horizon by James Hilton. I recently read There's A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Wayne Dyer and I just loved it, so I'd take that along. There's so much good stuff in there. And just to spice things up, Delta of Venus by Anais Nin--now she knew how to write beautifully, as well as hot and sexy.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
A: Learn viewpoint control – Jo Beverley, bless her, judged my work in the Beau Monde's Royal Ascot contest and gave me that advice. I think that's the foundation for everything to do with story and story telling. If you can master deep viewpoint, it makes the writing so much stronger.

Q: Anything else you'd like to say?
A: Just thanks for the interview--I really enjoy getting a chance to talk about the work (and myself). It's almost more fun than writing!

Thanks Shannon! I know that I'm not the only one rooting for you to win this years RITA.