What inspired you to write Shattered Souls?

I knew I wanted to write a ghost story. I also knew I wanted it to include an historical disaster that would produce a lot of unresolved dead guys. I toyed with the San Francisco Fire, the Civil War, World War II, but then, a high school student of mine told me she was reading a book for English that she hated. Trying to help her out, I offered to read it with her, like a buddy. She agreed, and I read Isaac’s Storm. It was amazing. I’d learned about the Great Storm of 1900 in high school, but the book made it real for me. I had my disaster. My enthusiasm for the Isaac’s Storm made it more tolerable for my student, but I’m still not sure she ever fell in love with it.

Why Galveston Island?

I set Shattered Souls on the Texas Gulf Coast because it’s my home and I think it's a unique place with fascinating history. I needed ghosts for my story, and part of the plot centers around The Great Storm of 1900. Somewhere between eight and ten thousand people died in that storm. Plenty of ghosts!

Have you ever seen a real ghost?

No, but I'd sure like to see one! I've even booked rooms in some of the most haunted hotels to no avail. Evidently, ghosts hide from me. I'd be a terrible Speaker.

How long did it take you to write Shattered Souls?

It took very little time to knock out the first draft--only three weeks. It took years to get it right through revisions and rewrites.

Fun Fact:  Shattered Souls was originally written in third person, with half of the book told from Alden's point of view.