I won’t lie, 2020 has been the year of the Webtoon for my reading list. There are a couple reasons for this, the main one being access. When COVID first hit and Kansas City closed down, the library shut its doors completely, and that’s where I get 99% of my books. Granted, I managed to… Continue reading What Novelists Can Learn from Webtoons
Starting a Novel: Tips, Tricks, & A Little Chaos
I recently finished a major revision on a manuscript. Typically that calls for a well-deserved break, to which I shake my fists at, because I am a write-aholic, and I love nothing more than to immediately jump into my next, shiny, new project. That’s right. I already started another novel. Why did I already start… Continue reading Starting a Novel: Tips, Tricks, & A Little Chaos
One Writer’s Staycation & How You Can Recharge At Home
I recently took a week-long staycation, which consisted of me laying around my house doing absolutely nothing productive. I won’t lie, it was bliss. Usually, I like to talk about writing and publishing here on the blog, but I realized one vital truth while I was out: Breaks are a part of writing. If you don’t take breaks—if… Continue reading One Writer’s Staycation & How You Can Recharge At Home
Black Authors I Love + Resources
Today I wanted to share Black authors I love and some that I'm looking forward to reading this year! Why? It's important that we all take the time right now to read and listen to Black stories, reflect, and help in any way that we can. Sign petitions. Educate yourself. Spread the word. I also… Continue reading Black Authors I Love + Resources
How Virtual Write-Ins Help Me During COVID-19 Lockdown
It goes without saying that life is strange right now—and stressful. As someone who has moved every few years my entire life, I adapt to change pretty quickly, and yet these amount of sudden changes (and the constant drone of breaking news) has created an environment requiring constant reevaluation. I’m exhausted, y’all. And I’m sure… Continue reading How Virtual Write-Ins Help Me During COVID-19 Lockdown
Shannon’s Top 5 Scrivener Tips
It’s no secret that I love Scrivener and have since I first bought it back in 2016. In fact, here’s my first ever post about it: Writers, Should You Get Scrivener? Granted, I’ve learned a lot about Scrivener since 2016, and the software has upgraded, which is why I thought an updated post talking about… Continue reading Shannon’s Top 5 Scrivener Tips
YASH Spring 2020
Welcome to the YA Scavenger Hunt! Hello! I’m Shannon A. Thompson—YA SFF author, librarian, and neighborhood cat lady. About Me! During the day, I am the Program Manager of The Story Center for the Mid-Continent Public Library, the largest library system in Kansas City, but at night, I write stories about monsters and mayhem. I’m… Continue reading YASH Spring 2020
Writing Science Fiction with Science Resources
Science fiction, by definition, has science weaved within the story, but as a science fiction writer, I often get asked where my inspiration comes from. Where do I learn about science? Do I have a science background? How does one get started when pursuing science fiction? All great questions! There are many ways to find… Continue reading Writing Science Fiction with Science Resources
Tracking Character Motivations with a Free Spreadsheet
It’s no secret that I’m currently revising a manuscript. I’ve been talking about revising a lot lately and giving glimpses into what my revision process looks like. I’m currently on my third draft of a multi-POV sci-fi novel, and I am still smoothing out my character motivations. (What can I say? It can be tricky!… Continue reading Tracking Character Motivations with a Free Spreadsheet
2020 Author Goals
2019 is over, and honestly it feels like a blur. I know this post is going to seem like a hard brag. I promise that isn’t my intention. I accomplished a lot this year, but I can’t say that I allowed much happiness into my life, especially toward the end of 2019. The beginning felt… Continue reading 2020 Author Goals
