Interview With Author Gwen McDowell
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Gwen McDowell, an indie author from Texas who writes gritty, redemptive stories about survival, resilience, and the quiet moments that make life worth fighting for. My debut novel, Operation: Blackout // Status: Redacted, is a YA dystopian thriller that blends high-stakes action with emotional depth. I’m currently working on my second book, When the Voice Spoke, a darker dystopian survival story with psychological horror elements, which is set to release next month on Amazon.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Operation: Blackout // Status: Redacted. It was inspired by my fascination with the balance between trust and betrayal, and how loyalty can be both a weapon and a lifeline in dangerous situations. I wanted to create a world that felt raw and unpredictable, with a protagonist whose strength came from her ability to survive — even when the odds were stacked against her.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I tend to write late at night, often with instrumental or cinematic music playing in the background. I’ll sometimes act out dialogue or gestures to make sure they feel natural on the page. And I keep a notebook nearby for random lines or scenes that hit me in the middle of the night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always admired Charles Dickens for his ability to create vivid, emotionally resonant characters who stay with you long after the story ends. Arthur Conan Doyle influenced the way I approach mystery and suspense — the layering of clues and the subtle building of tension. Stephen King has inspired me with his knack for blending the ordinary and the unsettling, making even familiar settings feel dangerous and unpredictable. Each of them, in their own way, has shaped how I weave atmosphere, character depth, and suspense into my stories.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on When the Voice Spoke, a darker dystopian survival novel. It takes place in a world collapsing under a mutated fungal infection that warps time and memory. The protagonist, Rhazyn, has to navigate both physical dangers and the psychological unraveling of those around her.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve found that connecting with readers directly through social media, especially Instagram and Facebook, has been the most rewarding. Sharing behind-the-scenes content, excerpts, and personal reflections helps readers connect with the person behind the book. I’m also building relationships with book bloggers and podcasts for free, authentic exposure.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book you’d want to read, not the one you think will “sell.” Readers connect with authenticity. And don’t let perfectionism stop you from finishing — you can’t edit a blank page. If you want, use experiences from your life or feelings you’ve experienced as background for your characters and stories.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard doesn’t pertain to writing, but I’ve found it very helpful pushing through difficult days. “You’ve survived all of your hardest days so far, what makes you think you can’t get through the next one?”
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reworking my way through Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes series, I love the mystery and suspense.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After When the Voice Spoke, I plan to keep publishing every other month, alternating between dystopian thrillers and survival-driven stories. My goal is to build a library of work that feels interconnected through themes of resilience, trust, and redemption.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins (yes, I’m counting that as one choice!)
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
Sherlock Holmes Collection by Arthur Conan Doyle
A massive blank journal so I could write my own stories while I’m there
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