Today, Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest Shamron Moore author of Hollywood Strip.

Good day Shamron and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm: 

Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.

Shamron:

I’ve been a writer in L.A. for a little over four years now. I originally came here for acting, and after dabbling in it for several years, I became bored. I felt unfulfilled--empty, emotionally--and set out to completely change my life’s direction. 

Norm:

Are you a plot or character writer and what helps you focus when you write? 

Shamron:

One doesn’t take precedence over the other. Without strong characters, what good is a plot, and without a solid plot, what good are characters? I focus on my characters’ idiosyncrasies and get inside their heads. If you understand what makes them tick and have an interesting plot, things kind of end up writing themselves. 

Norm:

How did you decide you were ready to write Hollywood Strip? 

Shamron:

I didn’t realize I wanted to write a book until the idea came to me during a session with my therapist, to be perfectly frank. It was a totally random realization, and it was spawned from a recent reading of Jacqueline Susann’s Valley of the Dolls. Susann definitely inspired me to write my own novel. She’s the godmother of chick lit, in my opinion.

Norm: 

Did you work from an outline?

Shamron:

I had a rough mental outline. I work best in a freestyle manner and rely on my instincts rather than a blueprint. There were specific plot twists I wanted to incorporate--bullet points, basically--and I just sort of filled in all the missing gaps. 

Norm:

What purpose do you believe your story serves and what matters to you about the story? As a follow up, what would you say is the best reason to recommend someone to read your book? 

Shamron:

Hollywood Strip is a perfect throw-in-your-beach-bag kind of read; it screams ‘summer.’ I hope people are entertained by it and enjoy Callie’s story, and hopefully they’ll want to read more about her adventures.

But I also hope readers take away the underlying message of the book, which is it’s not about how many designer labels are hanging in your closet or how many paparazzi want to take your picture. What matters most in life is love--the love of family, friends, and the love of oneself. It’s the things we can’t see or touch that are most important. 

Norm:

Is there much of you in your book particularly your protagonist Callie Lambert? As a follow up, are the other characters in your book based on people you know or have encountered or are they strictly fictional? 

Shamron:

Callie and I are more alike than not. Both of us are from Michigan, moved to L.A. as twenty-three year olds, and have difficult relationships with our mothers...there are other similarities, too, but I’ll leave it to the reader to connect the dots.

Many characters are complete figments of my imagination, but several of them--Tyler, especially, comes to mind--are spawned from real-life friends and acquaintances. It’s an eclectic mix. 

Norm:

Has your career as an actress influenced your writing and if so how? 

Shamron:

Yes, I drew on a lot of my past acting experiences while writing Hollywood Strip. I wanted to give readers a first-hand account of what goes on behind the scenes, when the camera isn’t rolling. There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors in the entertainment industry, and much of the goings-on are far from glamorous. 

Norm:

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it? 

Shamron:

I learned I can do anything I set my mind to. I knew nada about writing a novel--I had never taken a novel-writing course, and I’d never had a single piece published before, ever. But I’m really stubborn and determined, and I knew I could do it. Not only that, but I knew I had to get published to boot. Where there’s a will..... 

Norm:

Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say? 

Shamron:

I’ve enjoyed hearing feedback, and overall it’s been very positive. Many have said it’s what chick lit should be and they find it a wild, easy read. 

Norm:

What has been your overall experience as a published author and how would you compare it to being an actress? 

Shamron:

Being a writer is superior on almost every level. For one, I don’t have to rely on someone else deciding if I’m good enough--there’s no casting director to impress. For another, I get to focus on something that totally belongs to me; the book is my brainchild, my vision, and I call the shots. Sure, it’s not as flashy or outwardly exciting as being in front of the camera, but, long-term, it’s far more rewarding. 

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and Hollywood Strip? 

Shamron:

You can visit my WEBSITE  or on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. I have to confess, my Twitter account is not up to par, but I’m working on it! 

Norm:

What is next for Shamron Moore? 

Shamron:

A sequel is not far off. I’m also working on a novel unrelated to Hollywood Strip and have written a children’s fable. I’ve always been a big fan of variety. 

Norm:

As this interview draws to a close what one question would you have liked me to ask you? Please share your answer. 

Shamron:

What haven’t you accomplished yet that you would like to do?

I’d like to write a screenplay. Or write for a TV show, perhaps. I’m always on the hunt for something new...

Norm:

Thanks again and good luck with all of your future endeavors

Follow Here To Purchase Hollywood Strip  

Check Out Norm's Review of Hollywood Strip