JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Shakara Cannon, author of This Can’t Be Life
(Infinite Source Publishing)
This Can’t Be Life is about Simone Johnson. Her repressed memories resurface through a year-long recurring dream unveiling secrets that turn her world upside down. When it seems that her life is in a downward spiral, she meets the man of her dreams and falls in love for the first time.
With her 2 best friends by her side – Talise, the romantic, who dreams of a marriage just like her parents, and Stacey, the brother, the shoulder, and the comic relief – and the love of her life in her corner, life is better than it has ever been.
Tragedy strikes, and she finds that man she’s given her heart to isn’t who she thought he was. Simone falls into an abyss of darkness that she has may not find her way out of.
It’s a very deep novel. It will make you laugh, cry and get angry, but I guarantee that you will keep turning the page.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write This Can’t Be Life?
Shakara Cannon: I was inspired to write This Can’t Be Life because, as an adult, I began having a recurring nightmare that lead to the realization that I had been molested as a child. That is how the story began, but it took a lot of twists and turns and grew from there.
JP: What sets This Can’t Be Life apart from other books in the same genre?
SC: This Can’t Be Life is different from other novels because of the twists and turns the story takes from page one. It’s a story of friendship, love, molestation, atheism, betrayal, mental illness, suicide…
I really could go on and on. I encourage readers to see for themselves. I guarantee that it stands apart from the rest.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to This Can’t Be Life getting out to the public?
SC: The keys to my success have been determination, staying positive and believing in myself. With those three things, I’ve been able to keep pushing forward even when it gets a little tough.
I have laser-like focus when it comes to writing and getting This Can’t Be Life in the hands of readers. Failure has never been an option or even thought about.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish This Can’t Be Life?
SC: My writing process is a bit crazy right now. I try to sit down and write every chance I get, but with the promoting and marketing of This Can’t Be Life, while selling real estate and raising a 13 year old, it is sometimes hard to find the time.
This Can’t Be Life took me many many years to write. I’m embarrassed to tell you how many! I had no discipline and would go months without writing one word. Once I got it in my head to finish it, it was done rather quickly.
JP: What’s next for Shakara Cannon?
SC: I’m working on 2 novels at the moment. I am also writing a non-fiction book geared toward teens. My aim is to teach teens the power of positive thinking.
http://www.facebook.com/shakaracannon
http://www.twitter.com/shakaracannon
Thank you for this opportunity!
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Great interview, Shakara. Very insightful and I look forward to reviewing your novel.
That was a great interview. I want to read your book Shakara!
This is def a must read!
I loved this interview and look forward to reading your book.
This book is on my to get list.