Todd Brown is the author of the new novel When Shadows Burn. Also a sociologist, he lives in Virginia.
Q: What inspired you to write When Shadows Burn, and how did you create your character Tim?
A: I tried to have Tim (and Bob White) carry pieces of me. Tim’s imperfect. He’s stubborn, a little banged up inside, but when it counts, he moves without flinching, no matter the cost. I built him to be humble and vulnerable, the kind of person who can’t stop himself from doing the right thing even when it hurts. He’s who I wish we had more of in the world, less performative activism, more quiet courage.
Q: The story is set in the fictional town of Raven’s Cross, Virginia. Was it based on a real town, and how important is setting to you in your writing?
A: Raven’s Cross isn’t on any map, but it borrows the smells, sounds, and sights of small towns we all are familiar with. I also tried to throw in a few names and landmarks from my hometown.
From the first glimpse, the awkward “Welcome to Raven’s Cross” sign and the Martian House looming like a judge, readers can feel the place pressing in. The town is a character. Setting, for me, isn’t backdrop…it’s pressure, mood, and meaning. Because of how the theme unfolds, rural America isn’t just a location, it’s the story’s bloodstream.
Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: Ha! Not even close. I slowly saw a finish beginning to develop, then shared it with my son. He blew it up, in the best possible way. He challenged me to be honest about how the world treats queer people like him. My conversation with him changed everything and steered the final act toward something truer.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the story?
A: That rumors and judgment can strip people of their humanity in a heartbeat, and that we can choose differently. I hope readers walk away looking past surfaces, questioning easy assumptions, and leaning toward compassion over fear. The book is a love letter to my son and to anyone living their truth in hostile spaces. We see you and you belong.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I just finished book two (the conclusion of this duology). It moves faster and hits harder. There’s more to When Shadows Burn than meets the eye, and a reckoning is coming. Dig deep enough, and even silence bleeds.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’ll be donating a portion of sales to Hope House, which provides housing for marginalized youth. I want to be more like Tim and help where I can.
Also, a quick content note: the novel confronts violence, abuse, and systemic discrimination. I wrote Shadows because I was angry, and because anger when transformed into passion aimed well, can spark hope and community. Thank you so much for giving When Shadows Burn a look.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
No comments:
Post a Comment