I’d like to start with Happy Veteran’s Day. I love this holiday,
I really do. I’m thrilled there is an entire day devoted to the brave military men
and women of this nation! The courage they possess amazes and inspires me daily.
I truly have my utmost respect for what they give (and give up), so that I may
live my life of luxury. The only flaw I find in Veteran’s Day is that there is
only one a year. I think there should be one every month, like the third Tuesday
of every month is Veteran’s Day!
However, while we only
have one, I want to extend my deepest gratitude of appreciation for the courage
and sacrifice of these men and women. With that being said, I thought a blog
that promoted the military both figuratively and literally would be a great way
to show my support today. Without further adieu, please welcome the amazing and
talented Becca Boucher with her
latest story, “The Shadow Soldier”!
SG: The
Shadow Soldier. I’m intrigued by the title alone. Where did you get the inspiration
for this story? Please tell us more about it.
BB: My
family has a long history of military service on both sides. My dad was a
Vietnam Veteran who suffered from PTSD, a lot of my inspiration comes from his
stories and struggles. The Shadow Soldier came to me around the time that young
Afghan girl was shot by the Taliban for her work with other girls and
education. And I was thinking, what if we had tried to get her out? What if we
knew about her? But then my mind was overtaken with the story of a young widow
close to my home town who had lost her husband in Afghanistan. I was like
thinking the grief must be unimaginable. I just kind of combined the two and
The Shadow Soldier was born.
SG: I
am a huge fan of projects that support our veterans. I thought I read this had
something to do with the Wounded Warrior Project?
BB: You
read right. My publisher, Visionary Press Collaborative, is led by a fantastic
veteran, Blaze McRob, who donates a lot of his proceeds to various charities.
One close to his heart, as well as mine, is the Wounded Warrior Project. I
decided whatever royalties I get from this story will be donated to them. We
are also hoping for a print version that Blaze will be handing out at VA
hospitals.
SG: Wow!
That’s an incredibly generous offer. Here’s to hoping for incredible sales for
both you and our veterans! So tell us, what are you currently working on? What
can we expect next?
BB: I
have a romance/erotica piece coming out in an anthology very soon. I am
finishing up Midnight Raven, the second book in my moon series, and I am
working on a post-apocalyptic novel dealing with domestic abuse. Very intrigue
mix of stuff I know. But just because
the world has ended as we might know it, doesn’t mean man gives up all his
other dark issues.
SG: What’s
your biggest challenge as a writer?
BB: Time!
Finding the time to write. Between my day job and two busy teen boys I never
get to write as much as I want.
SG: Me,
too! Time sure has a way with us all Suppose you have time…what’s your idea of
the perfect day?
BB: Coffee,
a secluded cabin, and my lap top. All alone to write lol…… Other than that
cuddled up with my kids watching movies is pretty darn nice. We don’t get much
time for that.
SG: That
sounds quite peaceful! One last one…who’s your favorite character?
BB: Wow.
My favorite character of all time would have to be Scarlett O’Hara from Gone
with the Wind. I think she was brilliantly written. For her time period to be a
strong woman, who goes after what she wants, and who she wants, very
intriguing. Both for the time period it was set in, and the period Margret
Mitchel lived in. She was a misunderstood character. A lot more depth than
people give her credit for.
Thank you so much for taking the time
to chat, Becca. Wishing you nothing but wonderful success with this and all your future endeavors!
OR find Becca online:
Facebook, Twitter, Amazon,
and her blog Life with Boys and Books
***Next
blog may be coming soon…there is a long overdue "Latest Reads" simmering! And I
finally finished “Life After Life”…a terrible ending, so tune back in before
the end of the month (I promise) to see my perspective on my “Latest Reads”!
