Imagine if your neighbor, your co-worker or the clerk behind the counter at your local Starbucks was sent to kill you, but you had no way of knowing. This is the landscape debut author Trevor Shane has created in his breakout novel, Children of Paranoia (Dutton; Sept. 8, 2011).
The fast-paced, espionage-laced story depicts an ancient, underground war raging in the shadows of a world much like our own. The conflict is governed by rigid rules:
rule #1: no killing innocent bystanders.
rule #2: no killing anyone under 18.
We're giving away two autographed copies of Trevor Shane's breakout novel, Children of Paranoia.
Set in a dystopian landscape reminiscent of I am Number Four and The Hunger Games, this edge-of-your-seat thriller has surprising heart that will entice fans of Showtime's Dexter.
Click "Read More" for details on how to enter*. Contest ends Sept. 22!
What prompts a 35-year-old, attorney like Trevor to focus his first novel on a calculating hit man who at first-glance seems an unlikely hero? We asked the talented author to give us the scoop.
What inspired you to write Children of Paranoia?
I wanted to write a book where the main character was a killer but was not a bad guy, where the line between good and bad is somewhat ambiguous. Children of Paranoia is a story about Joseph, a soldier in a secret, underground war whose been taught to hate and to kill at a very early age, and about his struggle to figure out who he is and what he believes in. As the story progresses, Joseph meets a woman and starts doing some things that go against everything he's been taught and he is forced to face the consequences of his actions.
I also wanted to write a really entertaining, action-packed novel. I've always thought of Children of Paranoia as a book for people who like movies. I tried to create a cinematic feel to the narrative and, specifically, to the action sequences.
What kind of research did you do to get into the mindset of a killer like Joseph?
I'll be honest; I didn't do any specific type of psychological research to get into Joseph's mindset. That's not because I already think I know what it's like to think like a killer, but because being a killer is not what I believe defines Joseph. He's not a psychopath. He doesn't kill because he enjoys it. He's a regular person born into this very extreme situation. So to get into Joseph's mindset, I tried to think about what I would be thinking and feeling, or what any other normal person would be thinking and feeling, as a soldier in this crazy, underground war.
The whole time I was writing, I tried to put myself in Joseph's shoes. A big part of that is knowing Joseph's history, knowing what he's seen and been taught and knowing how most of his family had been killed by the other side in the war. I don't want readers to hate Joseph. I want them to be able to relate to him. Part of the point of the book is that, in a different situation, any one of us could be Joseph.
Why is paranoia such a valuable asset to Joseph?
When you live in the world that Joseph lives in, a world where you really can't trust anyone and letting your guard down for even a second can get you killed, paranoia really is the only thing that's going to keep you alive.
What author(s) have most influenced your writing style and why?
I don't know if any particular author has influenced my style. I think that style is largely an unconscious thing. I do, however, try my best to abide by Hemingway's top four tips for writing, the most important of those being "use vigorous English." I've always believed that, while your story can be ambiguous, you're writing never should be.
Which character(s) will Baby Boomers identify most with and why?
I'm going to start answering this question by saying that I could not have written Children of Paranoia when I was 20 or 25 or even 30. Even the youngest of the characters in Children of Paranoia are aged by their circumstances. They are forced to deal early on with questions that didn't start to worry me until I was into my 30s, questions about mortality, purpose and legacy. I think Baby Boomers will probably identify most with Joseph if only because he's the one most clearly asking himself these grand questions but I hope that Boomers see something to relate to in every character.
What kind of Boomers will most enjoy your book and why?
Children of Paranoia is a little bit of a throw back. In its own way, it's kind of a perverse mix of Catch 22 and a Robert Ludlum novel. I think a lot of what's being written now is pure escapism, which is fine. But Children of Paranoia, while hopefully hugely entertaining, is grounded in reality in a way that the escapist books about wizards and vampires are not. The characters are just like people we might meet in our own lives. They have real problems, only those problems have been amplified. I guess I'm totally copping out of answering your question. I just happen to think that there's something in Children of Paranoia for everyone, Boomer or otherwise.
I understand Children of Paranoia is the first in series. What are your plans for the other books?
Children of Paranoia is the first book in a trilogy. Fortunately, Dutton has signed on to publish all three books. The second book should come out next fall and the third book during the fall of 2013. My hope is that, while the trilogy will have an overarching story, each book will also stand on its own as a complete story. Also, each book will focus primarily on a different character. For those who have read Children of Paranoia, the second book really belongs to Maria.
What else would you like our readers to know about you and your work?
One of the main themes in Children of Paranoia that hasn't come out in a lot of the interviews that I've been doing is the impact and importance of family on the decisions that we make in life. The entire story, as full as it is of action, violence and suspense, hinges on the sacrifices that Joseph is willing to make for his family. This theme will run through all three of the books. As a father, this was always the trump card for me. Once you pull the idea of family into the story, every sacrifice and every risk takes on an elevated importance. I think that people with children will really connect with this aspect of the story.
Children of Paranoia
Publisher: Dutton
Author: Trevor Shane
Other Works: Shane's debut novel is the first in a series of three taut thrillers set in a world where paranoia is the most valuable asset.
Penned: Sept. 8, 2011.
Time Out: 371 action-packed pages that will have you racing to the finish line.
Beach Worthy: A great read for a bright, sunny day at the beach where you'll immediately spot anyone who tries to sneak up on you (I can always count on Bob). This one's so believable it's easy to get caught up in the suspense-filled story.
Available: $25.95 Hardcover from Amazon.com
You could win an autographed copy of Trevor Shane's fascinating new thrill-ride, Children of Paranoia.
In his breakout novel, Shane depicts an ancient underground war raging in the shadows of a world much like our own, but not even those who are fighting are certain who is good and who is bad.
To enter the contest*, email your name, mailing address (no PO Boxes please) and phone number to Enter@BoomerBrief.com by Sept. 22 and put "Children of Paranoia" in the subject line.
* This contest is only open to entrants in the 50 United States and Canada.
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Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
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