BooksAndAuthor.com: Why do you write?
Robert Deason: For years I wanted to write a book, but it took getting laid off in 2009 to give me the time and motivation to get serious about it. I write because it’s a creative expression for me, and it offers enjoyment and encouragement to my readers. Of course, I wouldn’t mind if my books brought in enough income for me to make it a full-time occupation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Who are my literary influences?
Robert Deason: I read a lot and find inspiration from many authors. I’m encouraged by Katherine Stockett’s journey to print. Her first novel was rejected over 60 times before a publisher took a chance on her. You’ve probably heard of it….The Help. My biggest literary influence, if you can call it literary, is comic books. As a kid, I collected and read every one I could get my hands on. I think they have influence my style, because I picture the scenes as I write, almost as though they appeared in panels. My stories are fast-paced, visual and full of action.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What inspired your Super Shy series?
Robert Deason: In determining what I wanted to write about, I settled on the theme of belonging, because fitting in is a universal longing with which most people can identify, and frankly, never outgrow to some degree. It’s something I deal with even though I grew up in a loving family and a close, supportive community. I was “bullied” only a little growing up. It was my own shyness and poor self-confidence which I used to tell myself I didn’t fit in. Looking back, it was probably typical teenage angst; I figured that if it’s typical then there must be others who feel the same way. I put those attributes into the main characters – Tom, Dewanna and Edelweiss . An incident which happens to one of them in the school gym is based on something which actually happened to me.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Who is Edelweiss and why is she “different”? Discuss the plot and message of bullying in the book.
Robert Deason: The thing is: Edelweiss is an exceptionally bright, but perfectly normal middle-schooler. Her hair is wild, her skin breaks out, and she carries a few too many pounds…you know, like the rest of us. But, there’s that funny name her parents saddled her with…Edelweiss. It’s the kind of name kids laugh at or make you repeat until you’re sick of it. Kids that age can be cruel. They use any perceived differences from the crowd as an invitation to hurt the individual. Edelweiss disappears into a shell of shyness to protect herself from the taunting , teasing and bullying. She hates being a wallflower, but trying to escape notice is her only defense. Then, an accident turns her own worst trait into an unlikely special power. The same accident transforms two other social outcasts, and together they use their powers to get even with the bullies and to climb up the middle-school food chain. Just when Edelweiss’s dream of having friends and winning popularity is coming true, a crisis arises which threatens the very future of her classmates. They, and she, will perish unless the heroes rely less on their powers and more on who God made them to be. Through Edelweiss and her friends, a reader can gain insight as to why kids bully, and how to overcome it through adopting a healthy self-image, kindness, and standing up for yourself. Super Shy isn’t preachy or obvious on the topic. Ultimately, it’s an exciting, action-packed coming-of-age adventure.
BooksAndAuthor.com: In book 2 explain how you continue to develop Edelweiss’s character for the reader. How did book 2 advance the series? Also explain the title as it relates to the plot.
The title of the second book in the series, What the Fire Wanted, refers to revenge. In it, the past comes back to haunt Edelweiss. Because of the events in Super Shy, Edelweiss enjoys a measure of fame and popularity. At first, she’s grateful to experience the flip side of life, but she soon learns there is a downside to being a golden girl. She gets caught in web of deceit, jealousy, and vengefulness spun by friends and enemies, alike, including a fiery villain known as the Dragon.
BooksAndAuthor.com: The covers are remarkable. How much input did you have on the collaboration? What do the covers say about the books & the story?
Robert Deason: I’m glad you like them. I agree they turned out great. I pitched several ideas to the designer for What the Fire Wanted, and the only one which proved viable is the one you see. It depicts an extreme close up of Edelweiss’s eye with approaching flames reflected in it. It captures the sense of danger and suspense of the story. I used a different cover for Super Shy originally, but after seeing what the designer of What the Fire Wanted came up with, I asked him to redo Super Shy to achieve a consistent look between the two books. I wanted an image of Edelweiss using her power, but, oddly, there are no stock images of super human feats. The designer came up with this cover on his own and I immediately approved. I love how it captures Edelweiss’s sense of aloneness while also portraying her as rising above the situation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about Super Shy & What the Fire Wanted?
Robert Deason: Several adult readers have told me that they were just like Edelweiss – except for the special power – when they were in school or that their school experience was similar. One review on Amazon reads, “This is a wonderful book! Endearing characters, fun premise, fast plotting. The readers may not have super powers, but they are sure to identify with the characters. I heartily recommend it.”
BooksAndAuthor.com: Hollywood calls and asks you to cast the Super Shy series. Who do you cast and why?
Robert Deason: A production company is pitching the book series to a major studio, so I have had to think about casting as part of the process. Because of the age of the characters, young and unknown actors would likely need to be cast. However, I can describe the types. Edelweiss would be played by someone like Abigail Breslin aged somewhere between how she appeared in Little Miss Sunshine and now. Her friend, Dewanna, is very tall. This is the toughest casting choice. I picture a teenaged-version of Grace Jones for the height combined with the sass of someone like Aisha Tyler. Their nemeses, the leaders of the Pops, Mac & Mindy Lee, would be adolescent versions of Brad Pitt (dimples to die for) and Rachel McAdams as she appeared in Mean Girls.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What’s the last book you read?
Robert Deason: I just completed The Kitchen Boy, an historical novel about the last days of Czar Nicholas of Russia and his family as seen through the eyes of a young kitchen helper. You think you know the ending of their tragic story – Bolsheviks execute the family and their associates – but the twists in the final chapter left me questioning the veracity of history and wishing The Kitchen Boy had been biography instead of fiction.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What’s next?
Robert Deason: I am working on the second draft of the third and final book in the Super Shy trilogy. Edelweiss and the gang are back in a twisty mystery-adventure which ties up the theme of Book 1 in an unpredictable way. The working title is “Super Secret”. I’ll be conducting a poll on Facebook closer to its release in early 2016 to help select the actual title. Fans can follow its progress and participate in the title selection at https://www.facebook.com/supershy?ref=aymt_homepage_panel.
I am also available for speaking engagements to talk about my books, writing in general, or bullying and self-image issues.
Robert Deason: For years I wanted to write a book, but it took getting laid off in 2009 to give me the time and motivation to get serious about it. I write because it’s a creative expression for me, and it offers enjoyment and encouragement to my readers. Of course, I wouldn’t mind if my books brought in enough income for me to make it a full-time occupation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Who are my literary influences?
Robert Deason: I read a lot and find inspiration from many authors. I’m encouraged by Katherine Stockett’s journey to print. Her first novel was rejected over 60 times before a publisher took a chance on her. You’ve probably heard of it….The Help. My biggest literary influence, if you can call it literary, is comic books. As a kid, I collected and read every one I could get my hands on. I think they have influence my style, because I picture the scenes as I write, almost as though they appeared in panels. My stories are fast-paced, visual and full of action.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What inspired your Super Shy series?
Robert Deason: In determining what I wanted to write about, I settled on the theme of belonging, because fitting in is a universal longing with which most people can identify, and frankly, never outgrow to some degree. It’s something I deal with even though I grew up in a loving family and a close, supportive community. I was “bullied” only a little growing up. It was my own shyness and poor self-confidence which I used to tell myself I didn’t fit in. Looking back, it was probably typical teenage angst; I figured that if it’s typical then there must be others who feel the same way. I put those attributes into the main characters – Tom, Dewanna and Edelweiss . An incident which happens to one of them in the school gym is based on something which actually happened to me.
BooksAndAuthor.com: Who is Edelweiss and why is she “different”? Discuss the plot and message of bullying in the book.
Robert Deason: The thing is: Edelweiss is an exceptionally bright, but perfectly normal middle-schooler. Her hair is wild, her skin breaks out, and she carries a few too many pounds…you know, like the rest of us. But, there’s that funny name her parents saddled her with…Edelweiss. It’s the kind of name kids laugh at or make you repeat until you’re sick of it. Kids that age can be cruel. They use any perceived differences from the crowd as an invitation to hurt the individual. Edelweiss disappears into a shell of shyness to protect herself from the taunting , teasing and bullying. She hates being a wallflower, but trying to escape notice is her only defense. Then, an accident turns her own worst trait into an unlikely special power. The same accident transforms two other social outcasts, and together they use their powers to get even with the bullies and to climb up the middle-school food chain. Just when Edelweiss’s dream of having friends and winning popularity is coming true, a crisis arises which threatens the very future of her classmates. They, and she, will perish unless the heroes rely less on their powers and more on who God made them to be. Through Edelweiss and her friends, a reader can gain insight as to why kids bully, and how to overcome it through adopting a healthy self-image, kindness, and standing up for yourself. Super Shy isn’t preachy or obvious on the topic. Ultimately, it’s an exciting, action-packed coming-of-age adventure.
BooksAndAuthor.com: In book 2 explain how you continue to develop Edelweiss’s character for the reader. How did book 2 advance the series? Also explain the title as it relates to the plot.
The title of the second book in the series, What the Fire Wanted, refers to revenge. In it, the past comes back to haunt Edelweiss. Because of the events in Super Shy, Edelweiss enjoys a measure of fame and popularity. At first, she’s grateful to experience the flip side of life, but she soon learns there is a downside to being a golden girl. She gets caught in web of deceit, jealousy, and vengefulness spun by friends and enemies, alike, including a fiery villain known as the Dragon.
BooksAndAuthor.com: The covers are remarkable. How much input did you have on the collaboration? What do the covers say about the books & the story?
Robert Deason: I’m glad you like them. I agree they turned out great. I pitched several ideas to the designer for What the Fire Wanted, and the only one which proved viable is the one you see. It depicts an extreme close up of Edelweiss’s eye with approaching flames reflected in it. It captures the sense of danger and suspense of the story. I used a different cover for Super Shy originally, but after seeing what the designer of What the Fire Wanted came up with, I asked him to redo Super Shy to achieve a consistent look between the two books. I wanted an image of Edelweiss using her power, but, oddly, there are no stock images of super human feats. The designer came up with this cover on his own and I immediately approved. I love how it captures Edelweiss’s sense of aloneness while also portraying her as rising above the situation.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What have readers been saying about Super Shy & What the Fire Wanted?
Robert Deason: Several adult readers have told me that they were just like Edelweiss – except for the special power – when they were in school or that their school experience was similar. One review on Amazon reads, “This is a wonderful book! Endearing characters, fun premise, fast plotting. The readers may not have super powers, but they are sure to identify with the characters. I heartily recommend it.”
BooksAndAuthor.com: Hollywood calls and asks you to cast the Super Shy series. Who do you cast and why?
Robert Deason: A production company is pitching the book series to a major studio, so I have had to think about casting as part of the process. Because of the age of the characters, young and unknown actors would likely need to be cast. However, I can describe the types. Edelweiss would be played by someone like Abigail Breslin aged somewhere between how she appeared in Little Miss Sunshine and now. Her friend, Dewanna, is very tall. This is the toughest casting choice. I picture a teenaged-version of Grace Jones for the height combined with the sass of someone like Aisha Tyler. Their nemeses, the leaders of the Pops, Mac & Mindy Lee, would be adolescent versions of Brad Pitt (dimples to die for) and Rachel McAdams as she appeared in Mean Girls.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What’s the last book you read?
Robert Deason: I just completed The Kitchen Boy, an historical novel about the last days of Czar Nicholas of Russia and his family as seen through the eyes of a young kitchen helper. You think you know the ending of their tragic story – Bolsheviks execute the family and their associates – but the twists in the final chapter left me questioning the veracity of history and wishing The Kitchen Boy had been biography instead of fiction.
BooksAndAuthor.com: What’s next?
Robert Deason: I am working on the second draft of the third and final book in the Super Shy trilogy. Edelweiss and the gang are back in a twisty mystery-adventure which ties up the theme of Book 1 in an unpredictable way. The working title is “Super Secret”. I’ll be conducting a poll on Facebook closer to its release in early 2016 to help select the actual title. Fans can follow its progress and participate in the title selection at https://www.facebook.com/supershy?ref=aymt_homepage_panel.
I am also available for speaking engagements to talk about my books, writing in general, or bullying and self-image issues.