If it’s an action packed thriller you’re looking to read to help pass these chilly winter nights, then you’ll want to meet Robin Lyons, author of Unknown Threat, book 1 of the School Marshall series!

I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Robin. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?

RL: Hello, Lorna. Thank you for choosing to showcase my novel. I’m obsessed. If not physically writing, then I’m thinking about how this chapter will go, or what that character will do. I spend a lot of time learning how to be a better writer and authorpreneur; you could call it homework since my books are about schools. When I do step away from books and my computer, I enjoy spending time with my family, yoga, movies, reading for pleasure, and my husband and I like to travel as well.

You’ve retired from the educational institution not too long ago. Did this magically coincide with time to finally write this novel, or has writing stories always been a part of your life?

RL: I wasn’t a teacher. I began as a school bus driver and worked my way to better-paying positions. Toward the end of my career, I ran for and was elected to the office of school board member for my local school district. I’m no longer a board member, although it was a great experience, six years was enough politics for me.

To answer your question, I knew I would write books in my ‘golden years.’ Retiring gave me the time to get serious about writing. The desire to write in some fashion has been in my life for many years. I wrote my first article in 1984. And I naively sent it off to a family magazine. It was rejected. As a union leader, I wrote the monthly newsletter. I’ve written poems and have a full unpublished manuscript in a drawer which is where it may remain forever.

Your debut novel, Unknown Threat has been receiving wonderful reviews! What was the inspiration behind this story and can you tell us a little bit about your protagonist, Cole MacKenna?

RL: For my entire career in public education, I always felt bus drivers needed a monitor on the bus to deal with between 1-97 students so the bus driver could focus on driving. A few school districts do provide bus monitors. Many high schools have campus monitors,  resource officers or school marshals. But, middle schools and elementary schools typically have no security. And as we’ve all seen on the news, school tragedies happen at all grade levels.

I was stunned and overwhelmed with sadness, when a friend, a principal at an elementary school, was gunned down on campus by a coworker. In a perfect world, all schools would have someone in charge of security and safety.

It comforts me to write school stories with an imperfect ‘superman’ keeping everyone safe. Because of his military background, Cole MacKenna has the skills to protect the school. However, since he’s a single man with no children who spent his entire adult life in the air force, his interpersonal skills are a work in progress. Mac doesn’t always prevail because there is no such thing as a perfect world, but he sure gives it his all.

Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open Unknown Threat?

RL: Much like real schools, at Blackstone Academy some parents are high-maintenance, some students are disrespectful, and some staff members behave inappropriately. And at any time, any of the people at the school, adult or child, can be involved in illegal activities. Those behaviors are on steroids because it’s mystery/thriller fiction.

What made you decide to take the indie route and self-publish your novel?

RL: Luckily, it took me a few years to have my manuscript publish ready. When I started writing, I planned to submit for traditional publishing. As I continued to write and polish my story, I was interested in vanity press publishing. Then as Kindle devices became more popular and e-Books readily available, the freedom to control the publishing process became more attractive to me.

What is the best and worst part about being an indie author?

RL: There are many good parts. Control of everything and a supportive network are the first two that come to mind. Marketing is my least favorite part. I’d much rather write fiction than market fiction. Such is the life of an indie author; we wear many hats.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?

RL: I’d like to share two lessons I feel are super important. 1) Trust the advice from successful authors. They’re successful for a reason. 2) Plan for a long-distance ride. Becoming a successful author is a marathon, not a sprint.

On the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser?

RL: I’m 99% plotter. Shawn Coyne’s Story Grid method of plotting works for me. Once I have the entire story plotted, I begin writing. Along the way, I may deviate slightly from the original outline, and there’s the 1% pantser.

Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?

RL: I like to have a fragrant candle burning. It has to be completely quiet. And I turn off the internet. Delicious coffee does pair nicely with writing. ツ

If you’re one of those writers to experience the dreaded writer’s block, what do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?

RL: I don’t experience writer’s block, or I don’t acknowledge a slump as writer’s block. Life provides many places to find inspiration. If I’m not feeling the story, I switch to research and/or homework. There’s so much to learn about writing, publishing, and marketing. Everything is in constant flux. Writers have to keep up.

If you have a favourite author, how did he/she inspire you to write or influence your writing style or choice of genre?

RL: I admire Sandra Brown. Her stories are always a great read and strongly influenced me to write in the genre I like to read. Writing fiction in a series has been popular for several years, yet she always writes standalone stories which I think is more difficult. She also seems genuine.

I’m quite fond of Lee Child too. His Jack Reacher character partly influenced my desire to include a retired military man as the protagonist.

I’d also like to add, your experience in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu prompted me to read A Warrior’s Tale to better understanding how to write fight scenes. That was the first fantasy book I’d ever read. I loved it! I haven’t forgotten Nayla Treeborn’s journey, and I plan to read the rest in the series.

Thank you so much for including Warrior’s Tale into this impressive fold, Robin! In the future, do you hope to branch out from mystery/thrillers into other genres?

RL: I have a story on the back burner about my mother’s life. I’ve done extensive research. I’m not sure if it will end up as general fiction or romantic suspense, it won’t be a memoir. Other than her story, I plan to stick with mystery/thriller.

Can your fans expect a sequel to Unknown Threat in the near future?

RL: Absolutely! I‘m currently working on the prequel to Unknown Threat titled MAC, and book 2 titled Unknown Alliance. I plan to have them both out in spring.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share in your writing life, Robin! I’ll catch you on Twitter. For more information about Robin and her debut novel, check out:

Website: www.robinlyons.com

Follow Robin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/2RobinLyons

Where to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N0TF2JR