An interview with Andrea Randall and Charles Sheehan-Miles

  I had the honor of "sitting down" with Andrea Randall and Charles Sheehan-Miles and chatted with them about their success, their novels, and their new book, Nocturne. Here's what we're looking forward to... 

  From the bestselling authors of In The Stillness and The Last Hour, a new story of forbidden love and second chances.

  Savannah Marshall is a gifted flutist and daughter of musical royalty when she enrolls in the elite New England Conservatory of Music. Brilliant, eclectic and passionate, she lives music, but struggles with her plans for the future.

  Gregory Fitzgerald is one of the most renowned cellists of his generation. A member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and professor at the Conservatory, he is laser focused on his career to the exclusion of friends, family and especially romance.

  When Gregory and Savannah's paths cross in the classroom, it threatens to challenge more than their wildly differing beliefs on music. Friendships, ethics, and careers are put on the line as Gregory and Savannah play a symphony of passion and heartbreak.

  In the final movement, Gregory and Savannah are handed their greatest challenge, as the loss of absolutely everything they've held as truths hangs in the balance.

An interview with Andrea Randall and Charles Sheehan-Miles: 

The Literary Connoisseur: How do you like co-authoring a project/book? Do you prefer to write with someone, or do you prefer writing on your own?

CSM: Until a few months ago, I didn’t think I’d ever collaborate with another author.  We started to approach the idea when both of us were working on projects early in 2013 and we realized our writing process was so compatible. I’m going to say it’s such a different experience that I can’t state a preference. I loved working with Andrea, it was a fantastic experience and I hope to do it again.

AR: I’d discussed the idea of collaborating on shorter projects, like a novella, with an author friend of mine. We’re still working on it. I hadn’t ever considered a full-length novel with someone. Then, Charles and I were in a critique group together and I read an interview he’d done on a blog while we were in that group and he said that the only author he’d consider collaborating with was me. I was flabbergasted and was sure he was drunk. He wasn’t. At least I don’t think he was :)  I don’t have a preference either. While I’m looking forward to resuming my solo project, I’m also looking forward to a collaboration again.

CSM: I was not drunk.

TLC: What would you say are the highs and lows of writing/being an author? 

CSM: For me, the high is when someone contacts me and tells me that something I’ve written has, in some way, had a profound impact on someone’s life or thoughts. I tend to write about things I’m very passionate about, so it means a lot to me when that reaches people.

AR: My highs come from people talking about my book, especially people I don’t know. While I have been very moved by some of the touching emails I receive regarding In the Stillness, just as gratifying are the messages about the November Blue series, where people most often thank me for the fanciful escape. The lows … hm … it’s a finicky industry and it can be frustrating to figure out what readers want. It’s hard to sometimes remind myself to write what I want to write because that’s what I’ve always done and that’s what’s produced, for me, the best work. 

TLC: This is somewhat related to the previous question. Charles, have you gotten any political backlash from your fans because of your books and their subject matter? 

CSM: Occasionally I do get negative responses due to the heavy political content in my books. But what’s interesting is that while my more political stories like Republic are steeped in American political issues, people tend to read their own opinions into mine. I have reviews, both positive and negative, praising or attacking me for being a Republican, and others that praise or attack me for being the opposite. Go figure. I write about things that are important. 

TLC: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

CSM: Right here. Writing. In love. I’m already living out my life long dreams.

AR: Right here, in love, writing, with several series and stand alone books under my belt. I’m planning a non-fiction release for next year, I think (eep) and I’d love to play with other genres. 

TLC: And lastly, when did it finally hit you that, "Oh my gosh, I'm an author!" 

CSM: I’m going to answer that this happened the first time I paid all of my monthly bills solely from writing income. I’m doing this full time now and it’s amazing. 

AR: While this is the only thing I do … I don’t know if I’m actually *there* in my thought process yet. It’s still surreal, considering I published my first book 11 months ago. 

  Meet Andrea and Charles: 

Andrea Randall:

I started writing poetry long before writing fiction. I firmly believe Poetry is a solid foundation for all other forms of writing. It taught me that a single word can make or break the world.

I write fiction because my characters have a story and they want me to tell it.

I hope you enjoy the pieces of my soul that I share with you.

Charles Sheehan-Miles:

Charles Sheehan-Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive, and is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America's Future.

To find out more about Andrea and Charles:

Click here for Andrea:

http://andrearandall.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAndreaRandall

Click here for Charles: 

http://www.sheehanmiles.com

https://www.facebook.com/CharlesSheehanMiles

If you'd like a chance to win an ebook copy of Andrea Randall's Ten Days of Perfect, an ebook copy of Charles Sheehan-Miles' The Last Hour, or a $100 Amazon gift card, 
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