MJN: Your debut novel
features a nurse protagonist. You are in the profession yourself, so you know
the terminology and the mentality in and out. I am not in the medical
profession, because I frankly suck at biology and chemistry, but I remember that
my earliest romantic fantasies involved a wounded hero. I grew up in Russia,
watching World War II movies, and there was always a tomboyish nurse who would
pull men twice her size across the frozen field and patch up their wounds.
There's something endearing and empowering about patching up a lion, isn't
it?
SOC: Nursing is a highly respected job. In
polls most people trust what a nurse tells them compared to any other
profession, so in turn there's already expectations drawn up in reader's minds
about Audrey before they even read about her. She is a tomboy who patches up
people for a living, but there's so much more to being a nurse and hopefully
the inner thoughts of Audrey help people grasp some of that nursing mentality.
In many ways Chad helps to heal Audrey, but toward the end of the trilogy the
empathy from nurse Audrey empowers both of them. People are vulnerable when
they need help from doctors and nurses and Audrey doesn't take that for
granted.
MJN: Interestingly, some
people tend to idealize nurses, calling them angels and whatnot. And
others will tell you that nurses and doctors have to have a certain amount
of callousness and cynicism in order to not fall apart. Where do you find
that balance between compassion and impartiality? Is it something that
many professionals struggle to achieve even after decades of working in the
field?
SOC: Funny because Chad calls Audrey an angel.
I've been in healthcare since I was a teen. My very early memories in the
hospital some people were very callous and cold-hearted from what I observed.
From what I have witnessed it depends on where a person works and their
co-workers attitudes will shape their own profession. I happen to work for an
extremely great healthcare organization and team of co-workers that truly care
for the patient's well-being. I'm very good at not showing my feelings on my
face or actions. I can't show distress or it will make the patient freak out as
well. Staying calm is the most important thing I've learned throughout the
years. Patients are very observant and they know whether a nurse really cares
or not. I worked Oncology for a few years and knew when I couldn't emotionally
handle losing my patients whom I became very close with, so it's also knowing
what area of expertise will bring the best out of me while caring for others.
Years of working in the field will only enhance skills if a person has the
basic care and need to help others--kindness is the number one
requirement.
MJN: In your novel,
Audrey, the protagonist, has a psycho ex-husband who is seeking revenge for
her sending him to prison. I find it fascinating that so many
strong, level-headed, good-hearted women run into absolute nut jobs. Why
do you think that happens? I personally think that if a woman has strong
morals, she expects that others abide by the same moral code.
SOC: You've really described Audrey. She's
strong, level-headed, and good-hearted, which in many ways was how she
innocently trusted her life to turn out great when she met and married her
husband. Not everyone can be great at everything though, so I've seen women
like her become trapped by psycho men that are threatened by the women's strong
presence and try to tear them down. When I was growing up I trusted whatever
others would say and quickly learned to expand my examination skills to see
beyond. If a person can make a more informed decision about someone they can
choose more wisely their future spouse or people they want to associate with.
It comes down to self-respecting enough to not let someone else tear you apart.
Unfortunately, Audrey learned these lessons a little too late.
MJN: How do you come up
with your characters' names? Chad Slater feels like a slap on the
rump. Does the sound of the name reflect the essence of the character?
SOC: I always liked the name Chad, but the name
was never a fit when I was thinking of names for my four sons. When I thought
about my male character being a professional surfer it popped in my head. The
last name Slater goes with surfing because of the world famous surfer, Kelly
Slater. It's also a family name rooted in the city of Huntington Beach,
California where the novels are set in. Chad Slater just sounded sexy and he
does like slapping on Audrey's rump, so it works perfectly. Audrey was a
name my sister loved and wanted to use for one of her children, but never came
to be. It's very sexy, yet innocent.
MJN: Let's talk about the cover. It has a bit of Baywatch color
scheme. Is that the collective memory you were hoping to evoke?
SOC: I wasn't thinking Baywatch,
not sure if the cover artist had those thoughts when she designed it. I was
very detailed in what I wanted and didn't want on the cover. Many people judge
a book by its cover, so I wanted it to be great. Of course, the man's toned
body will let readers know what's inside. The red cross symbolizes nurse Audrey
and the other two books will have symbols to represent Audrey for each. I think
Dawne did an amazing job and I was so happy the way it turned out---even better
than what was in my mind. But if readers think of Baywatch when they see it,
that can only be good because that show is worldwide, even today. Hopefully,
the cover gives a full picture of what to expect inside the pages and readers
enjoy entering Chad and Audrey's story.
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