Young and fearless, author, Shannon Thomspon

I would like to welcome back Shannon Thompson, who was on Author Interview Friday when I first started my blog about a year ago. This young lady is an inspiration to everyone, and especially to the young people that are contemplating starting into a career as a writer.

Shannon, complete this sentence….. My first ever published piece of writing was November Snow. It was a dystopian science-fiction novel for teens. It was published in 2007, but I hope to re-publish it one day. (It’s still available as a paperback, but I was 16 when it was published. I would love to send it out in the world again.)

How long did it take you to publish your fist manuscript? November Snow was completed in 2005, but it wasn’t published until 2007, so two years. I didn’t get published again until 2012, but since then, I’ve had a steady stream, so never give up – it might take a few years, but it’s worth it.

What advise would you give to new writers just getting started with their first manuscript? During your first manuscript attempt, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just enjoy the writing, feel the story, and if it works out – great! – if it doesn’t , that’s okay, too. I believe I wrote two novels almost to the end before I finished November Snow. Sometimes, artists have to create a lot before they finish what they want to share with the world.

Do you have a background in writing or take any special writing courses that helped you along the way? Sure! My mother was a writer, so she taught me a lot. After that, I was taken under the wing of T.L. McCown, and then I went to the University of Kansas where I studied poetry, fiction, screen writing, and many kinds of literature.

Do you follow a structure pattern such as staying in chronological order, or alternating points in time or different POV’s: My published novels alternate between a boy and a girl telling the story. My upcoming novel that releases March 27 also alternates, but my NEXT novel is only told from one perspective, so I’m excited to share it with everyone.

Many of us cross over genres and it is difficult to pinpoint one to fit our books. For the book we are promoting today, what shelf would we find it on if it were in a bricks and mortar bookstore? Minutes Before Sunset and Seconds Before Sunrise in The Timely Death Trilogy would be in the Young-Adult section for sure, probably in paranormal romance.

Do you always write in the same genre? Actually, I’m a firm believer in writers exploring other genres, even if they don’t plan on publishing it, because we learn by pushing through our boundaries.  I’ve written in many genres, and I was amazed that I ended up getting some of my “outside” genres published, such as military fiction and poetry.

Here is her synopsis for her 2nd book, Seconds Before Sunrise

Two nightmares. One memory.

“Chaos within destiny. It was the definition of our love.”

Eric has weeks before his final battle when he’s in an accident. Forced to face his human side, he knows he can’t survive if he fights alone. But he doesn’t want to surrender, even if he becomes the sacrifice for war.

Jessica’s memory isn’t the only thing she’s lost. Her desire to find her parents is gone and so is her confidence. But when fate leaves nightmares behind, she decides to find the boy she sees in them, even if it risks her sanity.

Thank you Shannon. I can’t even imagine having enough of my head together to write a novel at sixteen. Good luck in your career. I know you will go far. I expect to see your books to be equal to the Harry Potters and Hungers Games of the world  very soon. Readers, go to her website below to get more information and to buy her books. 

Website:   http://shannonathompson.com/novels/