The Shadow Duet
Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Jennifer Owenby's The Shadow series!
***Synopsis***
This is a duet, and you must read In the Shadows before Back in the Shadows.
This is a dark romance with a complex storyline and multiple POV’s.
The MMC is a pitch-black character, and the duet has a full menu of TW/CW’s on my website.
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or
was that decided before the story began?
I had the idea in my head, but I was already writing dark romance.
Are you more character or plot driven?
I like a balance of spice, character development, and plot.
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
I don’t have a story board it’s just all in my head. Sometimes it gets a little crowded. LOL.
I do have details about characters and books in a word doc so as I write more books in the series I have a reference point of eye color, car, kitchen details, etc.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
I would have to say Sebastian took a different route than I had planned for him, but it turned out well. His character is strong, deep, and he’s so good to Ella.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you know?
I have to say that the way Sebastian treats Ella is based on how my husband treats me … like I have a crown on my head. At the same time there’s a side of bad boy, and I love it. He does laundry and dishes without me having to ask, but he has no problem defending what belongs to him. 😊
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone you know?
Not in this series, but definitely in some of my other books.
Was there any one character/scene that was harder to write about than the other?
I won’t lie … I got a few tears in my eyes when Ella learned a life changing secret (In the Shadows). I can’t say what it is, or it will ruin the book.
As much as I enjoyed writing that scene it was also difficult to imagine what she was feeling as it all unraveled.
What is your favorite book in the series?
I love these characters so much that I can’t choose. I did have a lot of fun diving into Back in the Shadows to develop the effed-up story line of Sebastian’s past and how more of it came together.
There is a big piece that’s still unanswered, but I promise that as each book is written readers will see how these character’s lives are more entangled than imagined.
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite character and why?
Daddy Death for the win! He’s so complex and dark. I loved getting into his head … see, I’m talking about him as if he’s real. I mean, he is, isn’t he? LOL
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
Since it’ a duet I can’t really answer that. 😊
How do you get inside these characters’ heads to find their perfect HEA?
This was very tricky with the dynamics of the duet. They did get a happily for now in In the Shadows.
When I wrote it, I wasn’t planning a second book, but I couldn’t seem to write another one. Then, I finally realized it’s because I wasn’t done with these characters.
That’s how Back in the Shadows happened. Once I wrote it, I realized I had critical pieces for the other characters as well.
What scene in this book/series sticks out the most for you? Why?
The damned spiders in Back in the Shadows. Lol I’m terrified of them. I mean terrified! I was like well, face your fears in a book, Jennifer. Once I sucked it up and dove into the story, I began to play with the psychological manipulation and torture those little b@stards could inflict.
And Xavier … gah! I loved writing his character.
Series - Were any of the books harder to write than others?
In the Shadows was more of a challenge as I tackled the plot and three POVs.
The multiple, complex storylines weren’t easy, and it took multiple edits to dial it in. It was worth all my tears though.
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
In the Shadows was about 10 weeks, but the edits took a longgg time. I won’t lie … the book took a lot out of me. It mentally and emotionally drained me. I had to take some time off to recharge.
It was almost a year later when I wrote Back in the Shadows, and I was ready to write more of these characters. It took me 6 weeks and edits were much easier.
I think it was because I knew the characters and my new editor was the f*cking bomb. She doesn’t know it yet, but she’s never getting rid of me. (evil laugh).
How did you come up with the title for your book and series?
My first editor helped me. She brought some amazing things to the table, and I’ll always be grateful to her.
If you met these characters in real life, would you get along?
Haha as long as Death chased me and claimed me as his I’m all good.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
It was meant to be a standalone, but Daddy Death held me hostage, tied me down and …. made me promise another book.
If your book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
I really should have an answer to this, but I don’t. For the MMC he has to nail the Australian accent.
I would also prefer a television series to a movie. Movies cut so much out of a book due to production time.
Example: one screenplay page = one on screen minute and most movies run 90 minutes. Cutting a 300-page book to 90 pages is hard! I worked with a producer on a screenplay for one of my other books, and I learned so much.
I personally feel the big screen doesn’t do a book justice and with a TV series it has more room to bring the book or book series to life.
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
I try so hard to plan books, but my muse has bitch slapped me several times. I have to follow the creative process and allow it to happen.
With that said, I would love to continue The Shadows series. After writing Back in the Shadows I realized how all of these amazing characters tie together in a dark and twisted way … It made me giddy, and I’m excited to dive in. 😊
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