Like most, my house survived the hurricane but was badly damaged by the flood caused by the failure of the federal levee; I didn’t lose any friends or family, but I knew people who did. And of course, the devastation of our precious, beautiful city and neighborhoods tore apart every New Orleanean, even those whose families and houses survived intact.

Shauna Roberts – 20 November 2014

The Back Flap

Crown Princess Nindalla knows the terrifying power of Sargon of Akkad’s army: Ten years ago, it destroyed her home city and killed her parents. Now the nightmare is happening again. The Akkadians conquer her new home, Susa; make her a widow; and strip her of her rank. Nindalla vows to protect her children from her enemies by any means necessary, including marrying whoever can shield them best. With plots swirling around her, can she trust her instincts to tell friends from foes?

Farm boy Ur-sag-enki was forced to become a soldier in the Akkadian army ten years ago after it destroyed his home and left him with nothing. When the Akkadians conquer Susa, he is awarded its governorship. He looks forward to settling down to the normal family life he craves. First, though, he must keep control of Susa despite enemies who exploit his inexperience, and he must gain legitimacy by persuading beautiful former princess Nindalla to marry him. But can he win her heart when it was his hand that struck down her husband?

About the book

What is the book about?

Two people, whose lives were shattered by losing their beloved city, finally come to terms with their loss and find their way to happiness. Claimed by the Enemy is historical fiction with strong romantic elements, and it is set in ancient Mesopotamia.

When did you start writing the book?

2011

How long did it take you to write it?

Three years, writing in spurts. I thought Claimed by the Enemy was going to be a short story, but each draft was significantly longer than the one before it. I wasn’t sure what the right length for it was and took long breaks from working on it. The novel ended up at 70,000 words.

Where did you get the idea from?

I was living in New Orleans in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck and the federal levees failed. Like most, my house survived the hurricane but was badly damaged by the flood caused by the failure of the federal levee; I didn’t lose any friends or family, but I knew people who did. And of course, the devastation of our precious, beautiful city and neighborhoods tore apart every New Orleanean, even those whose families and houses survived intact.

The variety of reactions people had to their losses fascinated me. Some people were frozen and unable to do anything. Some gave up, thinking New Orleans could never recover from such a blow. Some immediately began repairing their homes. Some abandoned their homes and moved away.  For many people, the flood was the worst thing that had ever happened to them.

In Claimed by the Enemy, all the characters have suffered the loss of a home city in some way. As in New Orleans, each reacts differently.

The novel focuses on hope, not despair. One theme is that humans are resilient and can rebuild their lives, no matter how horrible a loss they have endured.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Bizarrely, during the first two drafts I forgot that in the ancient Near East, women were sequestered after birth to give them time to rest and heal. So I had to completely redo the section after the heroine gives birth. The changes tore the plot apart, and I had a hard time fixing that section. In the end, I was really happy with the tension and events I was able to add because of the forced separation of the heroine and hero. Now I can’t imagine the story without those events.

What came easily?

Showing the various forms that grief can take, showing the love of the heroine for her children, and showing how important the love and support of other people are in recovering from grief.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Sargon of Akkad, who is mentioned in the story but never seen, was real. Otherwise, all the characters are made up (although all contain elements of me).

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

This question is so hard to answer! I learned from my aunt, Janet Louise Roberts, that to be a successful author, one must work hard and never give up. I learned technique, structure, and other aspects of writing from many, many writers in the Romance Writers of America, both at the national conferences and at local chapter meetings. Also, my teachers at the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop had a big influence on me in too many ways to name.

Do you have a target reader?

My primary target reader is someone who enjoys historically accurate historical fiction with action and romance. A secondary target reader is someone who has endured a great loss and needs hope.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

My writing process is in flux at the moment. I hope to go back in 2015 to a regular schedule of writing from 9 to 3 on weekdays and doing research and marketing outside those hours.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I’ve tried various methods, and I’ve found that what works for me is first to take a lot of notes about the setting, the characters, and possible plot threads and then to write a several-page synopsis to work from in writing the book. A synopsis allows me to have a general overview of the book while giving me the freedom to add cool details, change bits of the plot to be more exciting, develop the characters in a different way than expected, and otherwise improve the story.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Usually, I start a writing day by reading and editing what I wrote the day before. Doing so leads naturally into writing new material. After I finish the first draft, I do at least two heavy revisions and several light revisions.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I used to be a professional editor, and I had several good beta readers. So I did not use as many outside editor as some writers do. For Claimed by the Enemy, I hired an editor to give overall comments on plot, characters, continuity, etc., on a near-final draft. After taking care of the problems she found, I sent the novel to a professional copyeditor. I feel strongly no one can copyedit one’s own work well.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Sometimes. It depends on my mood. The kind of music varies, too—cello music, Kundalini and other yoga music, J.S. Bach, Asian music on original instruments, Sephardic music, Gregorian chants, and music by Hildegard von Bingen are my current favorites to listen to while writing.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I didn’t submit Claimed by the Enemy to any agents because I knew I wanted to self-publish it. I have submitted books to agents in the past.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I both self-publish and publish with Hadley Rille Books (a small press specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and accurate historical fiction). My first novel set in ancient Mesopotamia was published by HRB; I may offer my next one to them as well. I didn’t offer HRB Claimed by the Enemy, however, because it was not a good fit for several reasons including length and amount of romance.

Also, I wanted to try self-publishing because some of my friends have made large amounts of money self-publishing.

Because I’m interested in writing accurate historical fiction set in ancient times, I have a niche audience. My historical fiction will not be of interest to a New York house until my books make a name—and lots of money—for me. However, I have been happy with HRB, and I doubt I would leave them for a NY publisher.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

I had the cover for Claimed by the Enemy professionally designed. Generally, I have designed my own covers and plan to do so for most future books.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I’ve been ill the past year, so I haven’t yet created a marketing plan. Claimed by the Enemy came out in early July, and since then I’ve made some bookmarks, sent a few copies out for review, and run a Goodreads giveaway. I’ve also done three book signings and plan to do more.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Read blogs about self-publishing, talk to your successful self-publishing friends, and otherwise learn as much about the process as possible. If you do not have a publishing background or have limited computer skills, consider hiring other people to create your cover, do content editing, code the book, copyedit, proofread, and market, at least for your first book or two.

Also, consider making a trade paperback as well. Through CreateSpace, you pay nothing unless you purchase author copies (at a large discount). With trade paperbacks, you can take part in book signings. Even if most online purchasers choose the ebook, some will buy the paperback, and those sales will net you more money than ebook sales (if you’ve priced your editions correctly).

About You

Where did you grow up?

Beavercreek, Ohio

Where do you live now?

Riverside, California, home of the navel orange tree that is mother to almost every navel orange in the United States

What would you like readers to know about you?

My favorite thing to do is to read. My favorite genres are fantasy, historical fiction, and historical mystery. I also like to eat chocolate and grow herbs, vegetables, and (soon) native California plants. I became fascinated with ancient Mesopotamia more than 40 years ago and love doing the research for my books.

What are you working on now?

I have four projects that I am working on simultaneously, depending on what I feel up to doing.

First, I am planning two related romance novellas set in France. The first will take place in Bordeaux and the surrounding wine country, and the second will feature that heroine’s sister and take place in the lavender-growing regions of Provence. I will probably start writing the Bordeaux novella in October.

Second, in the recent HRB Indiegogo, someone won a short story from me. I am researching ancient Nubia because I plan to set the story there. It will be historic fiction about two sisters, one a queen.

Third, I am working on a synopsis for a third historical novel set in ancient Mesopotamia, this one about one of the most notable women of the ancient world, a princess who is the first known author in the world. She also achieved great political power despite the strict sexual division of labor in Mesopotamia. I can’t wait to start it! My eagerness provides lots of motivation to work on my Bordeaux romance novella.

End of Interview:

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Get your copy of Claimed by the Enemy from Amazon US (paper or ebook), Amazon UK (paper or ebook), or Barnes & Noble.