Writing Tips

Sometimes Writing That Book Was A Waste Of Time

Before you freak at the title, please know that the point of blogging titles is to get you here, and now you’re here, so voilà.  That said, I really do believe writing a book can be a waste of time. Why is that such a controversial thing to say?  I know that the publishing industry… Continue reading Sometimes Writing That Book Was A Waste Of Time

Writing Tips

Every Detail in Science Fiction and Fantasy Doesn’t Need to Make Sense

This is probably an unpopular opinion–and perhaps a less-than-stellar writing tip–but every detail in science fiction and fantasy doesn’t need to make sense. I’m talking about characters, world building, traditions, landscapes, magic systems, etc. Granted, of course most of your story needs to. Like 95% of it and certainly the most essential parts. But every… Continue reading Every Detail in Science Fiction and Fantasy Doesn’t Need to Make Sense

Miscellaneous

Shaming the Ship

If you’ve ever attended a movie premiere or book signing, you’ve probably heard someone squeal, “I totally ship them!” I admit, the first time I heard this was at Cassandra Clare’s book signing in Kansas City over a year ago…and I was super confused. “Ship?” I thought. “Like a boat?” So here I am, picturing… Continue reading Shaming the Ship

Writing Tips

Character Motivations vs Morals

Not going to lie, I recently binge-watched The 100 through Netflix. For those of you who don’t know, The 100 is a TV show based off a young adult series with the same name. The first season follows a group of 100 kids dropped off on earth after a nuclear disaster destroyed the planet 97… Continue reading Character Motivations vs Morals

Miscellaneous

September’s Ketchup

September was too much fun! For those of you just now checking in this month, Ketchup actually means “catch up.” At the end of every month, I write these posts describing what goes on behind the scenes at ShannonAThompson.com. Some of the topics I cover include my big moments, top blog posts, my top referrer,… Continue reading September’s Ketchup

Miscellaneous

#MondayBlogs My Protagonist and Illiteracy

My protagonist is illiterate. She recognizes a few letters, she can identify her name, and she loves listening to stories more than anything. But she cannot read. Her name is Serena, and Serena is a bad blood. Bad Bloods in 35 words or less: 17-year-old Serena is the only bad blood to escape execution. Now… Continue reading #MondayBlogs My Protagonist and Illiteracy

Miscellaneous

August’s Ketchup

Wow! August, I’m looking at you. You are wonderful. For those of you just now checking in this month, Ketchup actually means “catch up.” At the end of every month, I write these posts describing what goes on behind the scenes at ShannonAThompson.com. Some of the topics I cover include my big moments, top blog… Continue reading August’s Ketchup

Writing Tips

#MondayBlogs Writing With Barbie

Authors use various methods to write novels. Some of these strategies are popular, while others are simply bizarre, and two years ago I confessed one of my strangest approaches. Barbies. You see, I began writing what would be my first published novel when I was 11, and because I was 11, I loved to daydream… Continue reading #MondayBlogs Writing With Barbie

Miscellaneous

#SATurdate: Peaky Blinders, Embassy Row 3, Dido, & Don’t You Cry

What I’m Writing: Right now, I have three manuscripts complete: Take Me Tomorrow, Take Me Yesterday (though I need to edit it), and the mysterious D. Now, I add the equally mysterious S. I’m still on a bit of a writing hiatus, but S is a manuscript I’d love to chase after the Tomo Trilogy… Continue reading #SATurdate: Peaky Blinders, Embassy Row 3, Dido, & Don’t You Cry

Miscellaneous

#SATurdate: The Jungle Book, Thunderclap, and Through the Looking Glass

What I’m Writing: This week I finished my initial edit of D, and now that I’ve cranked that entire manuscript out in a ridiculous amount of time, Shannon is taking a much-needed break. But hey! I have three novels complete and ready to pursue publication. I'm sure I'll recover from writers' burnout soon. What I’m… Continue reading #SATurdate: The Jungle Book, Thunderclap, and Through the Looking Glass