Meet Shirley Spain, a late-blooming self-published author whose life experiences and unique career have influenced her gripping thriller novels. From her early days in grassroots journalism to her fascination with true crime, Shirley shares her journey, inspiration, and evolution as a writer. Discover the secrets behind her dark and chilling tales and how she’s defied the odds to pursue her passion for storytelling.
Can you tell us about your personal journey to becoming a self-published author?
I’m a late-bloomer. I published my first novel at the age of 53. However, the timing was perfect, because my life experiences prior to that shaped my story-telling style and defined the content of what I write now.
In the mid-1990s, (long before digital media) I started a grassroots political newspaper related to firearms ownership. That newspaper opened doors for me to meet and interview self-defense experts, members of law enforcement, and even the leaders secretive militia groups. I was invited to the Soldier of Fortune conference as a member of the press, been credited by the local TV media as the “foremost authority” of militias in the state, and asked by the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms) to “broker” meetings with the militia leaders. And I started what became the largest firearms training company in Utah to certify citizens for concealed carry permits. (The newspaper has been out of circulation for nearly three decades and I retired my firearms training business several years ago.)
In my debut novel, Mistaken Trust, a covert militia is center stage. The protagonist is a strong-willed woman who knows how to handle a gun and won’t hesitate to use it. She draws on her knowledge of self-defense tactics to survive when she’s kidnapped by the militia.
Scenes involving firearms and a variety of self-defense tactics—sometimes unconventional, and sometimes involving improvised weapons—are mainstays in all of my books. As are strong-willed female protagonists.
How do you find inspiration for your stories and characters?
To quote R.L Stine, “From the idea store.” Joking aside, life’s happenings feed my creativity. I’m a people watcher, always looking for mannerisms and quirks I can weave into my characters. I also watch a lot of true crime TV shows and read true crime books about serial killers, their black-hearted deeds, and how they’re apprehended. Sometimes, I simply “channel” ideas from the Universe for plots and scenes which often come to me when I’m taking a shower. Other times, in the middle of the night I’m awaken from a dead sleep with an idea. I keep a notebook and pen by my bed to jot down those inspirations.
But most of my ideas, especially for plot twists, come about when I’m actually in the act of writing. I “become” the character whose point of view is dominate in the scene. It’s common for me to comment, “I didn’t see that coming,” about a scene I just finished writing. When I sit down to write, oftentimes I don’t know what will happen next! I guess that’s because I’m a pantser. I write “by the seat of my pants” as they say, rather than plot a scene in detail before I start.
Do you have a particular writing ritual or routine? If so, can you share it with us?
Yes! ! I light 3 candles, chant for several minutes to summon the creative gods, then slam down a bloody Mary.
Ha-ha. Joking aside, I admit my ritual is simply “butt on chair, fingers on keyboard,” to quote one of my dear UK friends. That’s as close to a routine as I have. I write when the opportunity arises in between managing a water aerobics program at a large fitness center, providing hospice care for Big Ben (my 100-pound coonhound, Labrador retriever mix with laryngeal paralysis), and living a splendid life with my husband of 43 years who is now retired. Whenever can I get my “butt on chair, fingers on keyboard,” I write.
What has been the most memorable feedback from a reader and how did it impact you?
I send my Readers’ Club members birthday wishes and a free novella (Single Shot Murder) when it’s their birthday. I send a follow up birthday email the next day in case they missed the one I sent on their birthday. I often receive words of gratitude and thanks for the surprise emails and novella gift.
Tears flowed the day I read an email from a reader who said those two birthday emails and that book were the nicest things anyone had done for her birthday in years. Her email touched me soul deep. It reminded of the anonymous quote, “You never know what someone is going through. A few nice words can help a person a lot more than you think.” I never forgot her comment and I strive to remember the importance of connecting with others, even if it’s via an email to a someone I never met.
Is there an overarching theme or message that you aim to express across all your work?
Absolutely! I write “dark and chilling” books that often depict gruesome, violent scenes of horrific crimes. Yet, the underlying message carried by all of my main characters is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of humans to fight, triumph, and overcome the dastardly deeds perpetrated by others. To survive. To choose not to embrace victimhood. And to somehow learn from it.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your writing and how did it pay off?
Publishing my first novel was a huge risk, at least in my eyes. I was excited and petrified at the same time.
What if people didn’t like it? (Indeed, there will be/were/still are plenty who say they hate what I write.)
What if I’m not good enough? (Good enough for what and according to whose standards?)
What will people think of me when they read my book and discover it contains swearing and violence and sex? Oh my! (Judgments will happen. Did happen. Still happen. And my father disowned me.)
The pay off…? Joy. Heartache. Love. Tears. Happiness. Making friends around the world. Meeting fellow authors. Making more new friends. Learning. Teaching. Mentoring. Sharing. And opportunities like an interview with BookSounder! Ahhh. No regrets. My author cup overfloweth with gratitude.
Which of your books are you the most proud of, and why?
I am proud of all of my books, and I’m not saying that to boast. I’m proud of them because each presented me with a new challenge. Finishing the first draft of a book, then taking it through multiple edits, beta readers, and more edits before for publishing it, leaves me feeling proud of myself for completing the task which can be gruelling at times. Writing is hard. It’s challenging. It takes discipline. And a lot of faith in yourself. Plus a lot of ongoing support and encouragement from others. My husband is my champion. Without his love and undying support, I couldn’t do what I love to do, and that’s write “dark and chilling” thrillers!
If I had to choose a favorite (or one I’m most proud of), it would be the one I’m working on because it’s taking place in the “now” and moving me into the future. The books I’ve already published have each had their turn as being “the one” I’m most proud of, and am still very much proud of because writing is hard. Yet, because I endured the hard times, I’m entertaining readers and making friends all over the world; amazing people I would have never met had I not written a book… or nearly 30 to date and counting.
What is your most recent book and/or what are you working on currently?
I released Deceived at Tumble Lake, book 4 in the Tumble Lake thrillers series, in September. Murder Retreat, book 4 in the Pepper Jackson thrillers series, is my work in progress. My first draft completion target date is December 31st, with a release date of March 1st.
Is there a book project you have in mind that you plan to write one day? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
I’d like to write a non-fiction book I already have a title for called The Someday Solution — How to turn a “someday” dream into a “now” reality. I’ve talk to so many people who say, “someday I’m going to write a novel” or “someday I’m going to finish that book I started writing during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, celebrated in November in the US). The lists goes on and of the “someday” I’ll do this or that. In this book, I intend to call the “someday” bluff and ask readers to commit to DO something (take action) toward that “someday” thing they want to do or step aside and move on to something else.
Ironically, this book has been on my own “someday” list for about five years! It’s the perfect example to add to my The Someday Solution as proof of making the choice to take action or move on to something else. So thank you, BookSounder, for asking me this question! This project has just jumped to the “next book” to write as soon as I finish Murder Retreat.
You can find Shirley Spain on her web site, on Facebook, in the BookSounder app, or on her BookSounder profile page
Stay tuned for our next indie author interview next week.
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