Today I have the pleasure of speaking with authors Shawn M. Casey and Evan Trevane who make up the writing team of T. C. Archer. Thanks for being here today and welcome to FAR!

Thanks so much for having us, Tammy. We're thrilled to be interviewed by Fallen Angel Reviews.

To start, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, we met seven years ago at an online writers workshop. Our partnership began on a lark with the short story The Pickle My Little Friend, a post WWII romantic film noir piece, which was published by The Wild Rose Press. We liked the results so well that we started another 'short story,' which turned into four completed novels, several novellas, and other wip's. You just never know where a spark will lead!

We write science fiction and paranormal romance. Currently, Sasha's Calling is our first, and only, release, but more works are in the process.

We live in the Northeast: Evan in the Boston area, and Shawn in New York.

Please tell readers a little bit about your current release Sasha's Calling.

Sasha's Calling is an erotic space opera with a planet is at risk of extinction, a chase across the galaxy, and a hero who is too smart for the heroine's own good.

Nothing can stop freelance thief Sasha Smirnov from saving her planet -- except, Dirk, the gorgeous ambassador with polychrome eyes. Is it lust or designer pheromones? He is hot, too hot to resist -- or forget. A single, sizzling kiss burns him into her memory, and her body, but she can't afford to stop for passion, let alone love.

Sasha needs to get as far away from Dirk as possible and take the classified data she stole with her. So she stows away on a ship outward bound, only to discover Dirk's the pilot. Now she can't get away from him, or the system, but he will let her into his bed...

What inspired you to write Sasha's Calling?

Sasha's Calling is our debut into erotic sci-fi. Since Evan writes hard science fiction and, together, we write suspense, the fast paced, high adventure science fiction world of space operas was a natural move for us. We really love the tone and elements of this subgenre. Usually, the risks are high--Sasha's planet's sun is about to go nova. The venue is away from earth, often in space--Dirk and Sasha are on two different planets far outside our solar system, and he chases her through the galaxy. And the action moves fast--Sasha is chased by a futuristic version of the Old West's Pinkertons, as well as being chased by Dirk, and a nasty villain, who is a pumped up bionic man. All this takes place in a future where technology is limited only by our imagination. It's impossible not to be inspired.

Is there a message in your story that you want readers to grasp?

In Sasha's Calling, two age old themes come through: the good guys really always win, and love conquers all. It's corny, but just doesn't get any better than that.

What would you like to accomplish with your writing career?

Our love of the creative processes is why we write. But that process doesn't end with the words The End on the final pages of a manuscript--it if did, life would be so much easier! Something in the writer's psyche demands to know that they have accomplished what they set out to do: elicit emotion. This need drives us toward publication. So, our goal is to be full time writers, because we're nuts enough to need to write every day--then seek publication again to be certain we've done it right. It's a strange circle, isn't it? (Ever see a dog chase his tail?)

Can you tell us a little about your other upcoming works?

We are currently working on another space opera where our heroine's boss sends her a fantasy roll-playing vacation. The rub is, she thinks she's on vacation to rest. A third romantic sci-fi we're working on dabbles in the paranormal where a galactic war separates factions that threaten our hero and heroine's love. He must decide whether or not to trust her with the knowledge of what he is, and she must decide if she can trust a man who has lied to her.

What is the best advice that anyone ever gave you?

As cliché as it sounds, the bottom line is, don't give up. Along the way, though, you must keep an open mind, be able to take constructive criticism, but consider the source of that criticism. These things aren't easily accomplished, but are necessary to succeed.

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

This depends on the length of the book. Longer books are more complicated, so we write a few chapters to get a handle on the story, then plot them out. We can, and do, diverge from outlines, but the outlines are kept up to date as changes are made. Shorter works we tend to panster our way through, passing the book back and forth between us, writing and rewriting the scenes until we've got a strong draft.

What is the hardest part of writing with a partner? The best part?

The best and hardest parts are the two sides of the same coin: not having to do all the work/remembering that the book isn't yours alone. It's not a matter of trust or control, but simply the fact that muse kicks in and you're off and running. When collaborating, you must always be mindful that there is another person who must like the book's direction. You have to recognize genius when you see it, and trust it, whether it's yours or theirs. Pretty easy. Right?

Where do you hope to take your writing in the future?

We're very focused on romantic sci-fi/paranormal. Speculative fiction is a broad spectrum, which has a lot of room for growth. We're looking forward to developing a strong following in these romantic subgenres, at varying heat levels.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

Shawn--I read a lot, and love to bake.

Evan-I build things: furniture, computers, ship models, cars.

We all have one, so tell us yours. What is your favorite comfort food?

Shawn--I'm way too simple. Chicken soup.

Evan-It would have to be ice cream

Describe yourself in 5 words.

Shawn--ROFL. You don't ask for much! Outgoing, creative, driven, analytical, and methodical.

Evan-I don't suffer fools well.

Do you have a website or blog where readers can learn more about you and your works?

Yes! www.tcarcher.com

Is there anything else you would like to add today?

We want to thank you again for having us, and invite readers to check up on our website. We plan several titles for 2011, and would love to hear what our readers think.

Thank you for taking time to speak with me today Shawn and Evan.


Interviewed by: Tammy