You can read more about Shatterproof here.
Please check out the interview and find out what inspired Rianne to write such a moving story!!
When did you first realize that you
wanted to be a writer?
I’ve
always had a itch to write for as long as I could remember. It wasn’t until I
reached my teens where I started to really have a strong interest in writing.
In 2014 is when I discovered self-publishing and then that is where my writing
went from a hobby to a career in the making.
How many books have you written?
I
have written many novels through the years but one that I finished to
completion: edited and published.
What are you currently working on?
I’m
currently working on a sequel to my first novel “Shatterproof.” It takes place 6 years after the events of
the first novel. In addition I’m also working on a mystery/thriller which is
about a teenage girl who discovers her father isn’t her biological father. She
starts searching for answers and what she finds out puts her and her family
life in danger.
What inspired you to write Shatterproof?
I
watch a lot of reality tv shows, talk shows and documentaries. One night I was
watching reruns of the show “Intervention” where I got the idea I wanted to
write a novel about addiction. I pondered the idea for a while but felt like
something was missing. I was watching an episode of Dr. Phil sexual abuse came
up. I debated back and forth on whether to make it an element of the
novel. It such a touchy subject which
could offend some people. In the same thought it was one of those issues no one
talks about. I felt like it would be a good opportunity to show the issue
firsthand, but at the same time tells a story about a real life issue.
Who is your favorite character from
Shatterproof?
The main character Natalie is my favorite. She had been a character I had set aside for
many years without a story to go along with her. This character is complex and if she were an
actual person she would be someone I’d admire.
Her struggle throughout the novel and even into the sequel shows someone
who has been through a lot, has a lot of courage, strength and vulnerability. I
built the rest of my characters around her and what I imagined her life path to
go.
Your book touches on some dark
themes such as addiction and abuse. What research did you do to prepare yourself
for writing this book?
I did some extensive research on addiction and abuse. It was difficult because I never had
firsthand experience with either or known anyone close who had dealt with this
first hand. I started off my research
with watching every episode of “Intervention” which dealt with opiate addiction
and intravenous users. I wanted to get a general idea of how these people
lived, and learn about their struggles.
Next I went to the internet to search addiction in greater detail:
symptoms both physical and psychological looked up other persons struggle with
addiction. The topic of the abuse was a
little more difficult to research. Some of the information I gathered was hard
to read. A few times I considered changing the topic from sexual abuse to
physical abuse but stuck it through. I
did extensive research in PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, high risk
activity as these also played a huge part in the creation of this book.
Why did you choose the grandfather
as the abuser?
During
the brainstorming stages, I wrote up character profiles for all the major
character’s and I just imagined the grandfather to being an asshole. He was
always the bad guy so it fit to let him fill the role as the abuser. It wasn’t
any special reason except it just fit in with the plot.
What do you do when you’re not
writing?
I
spend time with my spouse and our two children. I’m an avid reader, like to
cook, bake and play video games.
What is the strangest writing habit
that you have?
I
don’t know if it is strange but I haven’t met anyone who I know writes like
this. I always start a novel from the middle of the plot. The beginning is
usually the last thing I’ll write.
What advice would you give aspiring
writers?
I
found one of the most difficult things I’ve encountered with writing is the
dreaded “writer’s block.” My advice is to not fight it, and not to give up.
Work on something else; come back to it in a week time and re read what you
have written. Nine times out of ten the
juices started to flow again.
What book could you read over and
over again?
Room
by Emma Donoghue: I’ve read it at least
a dozen times and the plot never gets old.
Who would you say has influenced
your writing the most?
My
family. Writing is an important part of my life. It had been my dream for a
long time to be a published writer. After having my children, I made it my goal
to fulfill that very dream. I want to teach my children to follow their
dreams.
If you were stranded on a deserted
island and you could have ONE character from a book on the island with you, who
would it be and why?
I’m
a bit bias but I’d choose Natalie because I feel like she is someone I could be
friends with. Someone’s life story I would want to know and someone I could
learn from.
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