Spotlighting my fellow writers at SHU and their works in progress.
Please Welcome Tonya Burrows!
Tonya Burrows
I write dark and gritty romantic suspense with a dash of humor. My debut, Seal of Honor, will be published by Entangled in Spring 2013.
Did you always know you wanted to be a professional writer?
First of all, thanks for having me, Amy! ^___^
Yes, I’ve always wanted to write. It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember. In first grade, I penned tales about lost unicorns and fluffy bunnies— masterpieces, I assure you. In 8th grade, I finished my first novel-length story and I haven’t stop writing since.
Who or what has influenced your writing?
One of the biggest real life influences on my writing was my 8th grade literature teacher. She saw something in me—talent, passion, who knows?—and nurtured it, encouraged it. She made me realize I might actually have knack for this whole writing thing.
As for fictional influences, that award goes to the Sherlock Holmes mysteries by Arthur Conan Doyle. I used to fancy myself a mystery writer and my detective, Lucas Taylor, started out very Holmesian (but he’s developed into his own character over the years). I still plan to write mysteries, so don’t be surprised if you see Lucas out there on the shelves someday.
Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the old Harlequin novels I used to sneak down to the basement to read without my mom’s knowledge. They sparked my love of romance at an age when I probably shouldn’t have known about the birds and the bees.
What is your favorite part about writing?
Oh, where to start? I love creating characters. That’s probably my favorite part, but I also love when those characters come to life and take over the story, driving it in a completely different direction that I had intended. In a way, I go on the adventure with them because even though I always know where they’re going to end up, I rarely know the route they’ll take to get there.
Character creation is my favorite part of the process too. I just love getting to know these amazing new people! Even if they're fictional lol
Is there anything you must have when you sit down and write? Coffee, Music, Cookies?
No, not really. I like it to be quiet or to have white noise in the background (like coffee house chatter). I tried the whole music thing and even the instrumental stuff became too much of a distraction. When I write, I disappear into the world I’m creating, so anything that anchors me here in the real world ends up hurting the story.
But I do need to have at least one cup of coffee before I start writing for the day. I think that says more about my caffeine dependency than my writing process, though.
I use music as background noise...it just cant be a catchy song or I'll drift off singing ;)
Tell us a bit about your Thesis Novel?
My thesis novel, SEAL OF HONOR, is the first book of a currently untitled romantic suspense series. It follows Gabe Bristow, a Navy SEAL forced to leave the teams due to car accident that hobbles him. He struggles with his medical retirement until he’s offered the chance to command a private hostage rescue team (HORNET) and free an American businessman from Colombian paramilitary rebels. While in Colombia, he meets the hostage’s sister, Audrey, and romance ensues. Sparks fly, guns blaze.
LOL I hope you're using that as the catch phrase. Sparks fly, guns blaze. Love it.
Describe Seal of Honor in five words or less.
Action. Humor. Romance. Alpha heroes.
What sparked the idea for Seal of Honor?
Last summer, I commuted two hours a day, four days a week through Austin rush hour traffic, and listened to Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters series on audio book. I loved the series so much that I decided I wanted to write about my own SEAL team. Except nobody does SEALs better than Ms. Brockmann and I wanted a little more leeway for my guys, no strict chain of command or rules to follow. Ah ha, why not make them mercenaries? But then what kind of work would they specialize in? I puzzled over that until my boyfriend at the time made me watch the movie Man on Fire. The idea of kidnap and ransom insurance intrigued me so much that I started researching it and ta-da! SEAL OF HONOR was conceived.
It's amazing where inspiration and ideas come from sometimes. In your case a very badass Denzel Washington movie.
Treat us to a snippet of a favorite scene you've written so far.
I can’t share too much because the book hasn’t seen my editor’s red pen of doom yet, but here’s one of my favorite exchanges between Gabe and Audrey. In this scene, they are stuck together in a car, stopped on a Colombian highway in a suspicious traffic jam. While Gabe tries to assess the situation out on the road, Audrey tries to figure him out.
She turned her head to one side, golden honey-brown hair cascading over one slim shoulder. Sunlight glinted off her ear. He hadn’t noticed she was wearing earrings before, little turquoise gems shaped like Pegasus. They suited her to a T.
“You’re really not my type, Gabe.”
“Ditto, sweetheart,” he said, keeping one eye on the stopped traffic. Why were those stupid turquoise earrings so freaking sexy anyway?
“I can’t figure out why I’m so attracted.” Fine lines etched into her brow as she narrowed her eyes at him. “Okay, you’re hot stuff, but you’re also impolite, domineering, abrupt, sarcastic—”
“Stop. My ego can’t take much more flattery.”
She grinned at his deadpan tone. “See? And still, I like you.”
And now for the shameless plug. (Haha! plug away!) If you’re interested in reading more, look for SEAL OF HONOR out in spring 2013.
Share with us one tip or advice about writing that has helped you a lot.
Set a goal for yourself and meet that goal every day. Think about writing more like a business— a job— rather than a hobby or a pipe dream.
This is something I've learned the hard way. Goals really lower those procrastination levels.
Thank you for stopping by!
Remember my lovely readers, Seal of Honor comes out Spring 2013!
