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Author Interview – Haley Cavanagh

1. At what point did you decide to become an author, and what was your path to publication?

I’ve been writing since I was eight, but the idea to write a full book hit me when I was pregnant with my first child. As I neared completion, I figured—why not submit it for publication and see what happens? That first “let’s see what happens” turned into a journey I’ve never looked back on.

2. What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on another book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”), or stay focused?

I’m pretty routine. I have my books mapped out in the order I plan to write them. That said, if a scene or dialogue for a future book pops into my head, I’ll jot it down so it’s out of my system—then set it aside until its time comes.

3. Who is your favorite character to write, and why?

River. Hands down. There’s something deeply satisfying about writing a character who operates in gray areas but is still fundamentally loyal, capable, and emotionally intelligent. He’s layered in all the best ways.

4. Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot, or go organic?

I’m definitely an outliner. That said, Shadowed Skies was a happy detour—I didn’t plan it at all. I dictated the first draft on my phone during NaNoWriMo 2019 while waiting in the carpool lane. It was an experiment that became something real. Everything else I write is usually plotted to the chapter.

5. What are some books or authors you’d recommend to your readers?

If you enjoy Shadowed Skies, you’ll probably love The Hunger Games, Divergent, Legend by Marie Lu, Blood Red Road, Partials, The Maze Runner, and The Knife of Never Letting Go. I also always recommend Stephen King—he’s a master of character and tension.

6. What do you enjoy most about writing dystopian fiction?

I love exploring who we really are when everything else is stripped away—when survival demands truth. A dystopian world accelerates that journey and forces characters to evolve quickly and authentically. It’s raw, it’s gritty, and it reveals so much about the human condition.

7. Have you been able to incorporate your past work or educational experience into your writing?

Absolutely. My military training and experience heavily influenced Shadowed Skies. River’s survival skills and Delene’s snappy comebacks are both grounded in that background—discipline and grit mixed with dry humor.

8. Describe Shadowed Skies in ten words or less.

Rebellion, romance, resilience, and forbidden love in a fractured world.

9. What’s your favorite—or most difficult—chapter you’ve ever written?

My favorite is the moment River and Delene meet for the first time. There’s so much unsaid in that scene, but everything about their dynamic is hinted at. It was electric to write.

10. What’s your take on book boyfriends? Are they real or unrealistic?

Book boyfriends get a bad rap for being “too perfect,” but honestly? I think they’re essential. Not the overdone alpha-billionaire types with no growth arc—but the Peetas, the Sullys from Dr. Quinn, the flawed but steady guys who challenge and support the heroine in equal measure. They set a healthy bar.
Growing up, I was a scrappy apartment kid who was often told not to aim too high. But I read books with strong, good-hearted men who believed in their partners—and that stuck with me. At 23, while serving in the military, I met my book boyfriend in England. We’ve been married 23 years now. So yes, I fully believe book boyfriends can be real. And no woman should ever lower her bar—fiction or otherwise.

11. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?

Spending time with my family, going to the theater, attending sporting events, and trying new restaurants. I love anything that gives me a fresh experience or perspective.