Monday, September 13, 2010

Alison Strobel's "The Weight of Shadows"


We're happy to have Alison Strobel with us today talking about her book, The Weight of Shadows. To learn more about Alison and her book, read on!

1) How did this story come to you?
A few years ago I heard about a high school senior who was involved in a wreck that killed an off-duty policeman who'd been out cycling. She was, as you can imagine, completely devastated by the experience, not to mention terrified that she would be found at fault even though she hadn't been. But before the findings of the investigation even came back, the officer's widow met her and told her their family harbored no ill-will toward her, and that they didn't blame her at all for what happened. The grace they gave her was just amazing. But it made me wonder what would have happened if she actually *had* been at fault--and no one had found out. Would she have come forward and admitted it? Would she have kept the secret? And if she did keep the secret, how would that secret affect her soul as the years went on? From there, the story evolved of a woman who allowed herself to be abused because she thinks she deserves it because of the guilty secret she harbors.

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
I already had a contract in place, so getting the book picked up by a publisher wasn't a problem, thankfully! However, the writing of the story was a very different experience from the experience of writing my first two books. It was the first time I'd used the Snowflake Method of plot and character development, and it made the process so much smoother. After using it on that book I vowed never to write another book without it!

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
1 - I was hopelessly addicted to online roleplaying games in college. For a writer, they're *so* much fun--you're basically writing a story on the fly, but you don't get to control all the characters.
2 - My other dream job (since writing is my #1 dream job) would be to be a Broadway musical singer. I can really belt Eponine's songs from Les Miserables
3 - My husband and I met on eHarmony. com. He was my 100th match, after being on the site almost a year. I was his first match, after being on the site for about ten minutes.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
My fourth book, Reinventing Rachel, just came out Sept. 1. I have two more books scheduled to release next year--The Heart of Memory comes out in April, and book #6, currently titled Trouble Child, comes out in September. My husband and I also have a second children's book coming out in the spring, and we're hoping to add two more books to that series.

5) Parting comments?
I host a number of contests and giveaways on my blog and through my newsletter. I currently have two contests going to celebrate the release of Reinventing Rachel--one for college students and one for everyone else. :)

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
Website: http://www.alisonstrobel.com/
Children's book website: http://www.danandalimorrow.com/ (we have contests there, too!)
Blog: www.AlisonStrobel.com/alison-blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alison.strobel.morrow#!/alison.strobel.morrow
Twitter: twitter.com/alisonstrobel (not that I'm on there much, but I'm making an effort to be more active)

21 comments:

  1. What a very intriguing plot!
    Sounds like a very interesting book to read...
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  2. I'd love to read one of Alison's books!
    Ann_Lee_Miller@msn.com

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  3. Thanks for "having me over"! Hope y'all like the book!

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  4. Sounds like an amazing book...martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  5. Very interesting. I'm going to have to add this one to my wish list. Sounds like it may be a good possibility for my book clubs. Thanks for doing the interview!

    Brandi
    vi2005@aol.com

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  6. What an interesting concept for a book. Makes me think of Laura Bush! Even if your not a fault it has to stay with you for the rest of your life.
    I love that the Lord kept you eHarmony until the right guy came along!!
    I am a follower! I also joined Alison's email!
    alekee02atyahoodotcom

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  7. Sounds intriguing. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  8. I have heard a lot about this book and am really interested in it.
    wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

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  9. What a great plot and I love the personal information on Alison that was shared in the interview. I would be honored to win the book.

    Blessings, Caroline
    thegrossmans(at)carolina(dot)rr.com

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  10. This book is on my wish list! Thanks for the chance! I do subscribe.

    freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca

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  11. Great Interview.
    I would love to win and read this book.
    Thank you for the chance.
    I joined through email and am a follower.
    Wendy
    wdesirees[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  12. love to win
    nakiassgeorge@yahoo.com

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  13. What a great idea to write about. maybe when young adults read this they can understand what could happen with one wrong decision can make..I know they don't realize at the time its the wrong chose but if one young adult takes the lesson from this story it would be worth it. Our community just went through something like this. A young man of 16 yrs old, decided to take his family car out with out licensed driver with him, he was texting not watching the road, lost control of the car hit a curb then hit a dump truck and was thrown from the car.(he was not wearing seatbelt) He passed. No there are a lot of parents saying to their loved ones if he would have only...
    I would love to read your book..thanks for the change
    Heidi
    heidijohnjeff@verizon.net

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  14. I enjoyed the interview and would enjoy reading the book. Please enter me.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  15. I'd love to be entered in this books giveaway. thanks

    i'm a subscriber
    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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  16. Both the book and the author sound very interesting. Please enter me in the draw.

    sbmarkle@eastlink.ca

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  17. Wow! Would love to win this one!

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  18. The story that inspired this novel, as well as the novel itself are fascinating. Most people wouldn't stop to think about "what if" in situations as you described. Not only does "The Weight of Shadows" sound like a fascinating story, but also "Reinventing Rachel" which I read about earlier. Thank you for the chance at winning "The Weight of Shadows."

    Blessings to you both -
    Beverly
    bgrider2@cox.net

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  19. Very nice interview. This is an ingenious story line and I'm eager to read this book and see how this experience is handled. Thank you for the giveaway and the chance to win this book. I hope I do!

    Blessings,
    Barb Shelton
    barbjan10 at tx dot rr dot com

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  20. Thank you all so much for your interest in the book! I wish I could send you all a copy! Thanks to my favorite random number generator site, the winner is commenter #9, Caroline! I'll send you an email shortly. :) Thanks again everyone!

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