Ask the Author: Shannon A. Thompson
Answered Questions (12)
Shannon A. Thompson
I LOVED Claudia Gray's Firebird series, which was about a girl being able to travel between alternate universes by taking over her alternate selves in said universes. Basically, I'm not so much excited about traveling to one specific world but rather experiencing numerous versions of "my" reality. I think that would be fascinating!
Shannon A. Thompson
So many! I'm most excited about Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare. I'm literally counting down the days. Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh just came out today. (Yay!) And other ones I've kept my eye on are Royal Bastards by Andrew Shvarts, Submerge by Tobie Easton, Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab, and The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee.
~SAT
~SAT
Shannon A. Thompson
"Where are Shannon's car keys?...and WHY do they end up in the fridge half of the time?" (No. Seriously. I have a weird habit of putting everything in the fridge, including electronics.) I also leave water glasses everywhere like the little girl from Signs. But if I had to be reallllllly honest, I swear I used to live in a haunted house. It even had a RIP stone in the backyard. The story behind it also included missing money, so........
Shannon A. Thompson
My favorite fictional couple is (and will probably always be) Usagi and Mamoru from Sailor Moon. Why? Because every trope was flipped on its head in the manga. (The guy is kidnapped. The guy is brainwashed. The guy needs to be saved.) And I loved their individual struggles just as much as how they always came together in the end. But if I were only counting YA books, I’d have to say the Jem, Tessa, Will trio in The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare or Paul and Marguerite in the Firebird trilogy by Claudia Gray. Oh! Or Kestrel and Arin in Marie Rutkoski’s the Winner’s trilogy. Or Thorne and Cress from the Lunar Chronicles. Or or or…(Really, I could go on forever. Why make me choose?)
Shannon A. Thompson
Great question! In all honesty, I think this is something writers have to figure out for themselves, because it has a lot to do with their writing process. As an example, I tend to start my novel with a particular scene/feeling rather than a character. (Probably because many of my novels are based off of dreams.) From there, I build the world, and once my world building starts to affect my characters, I begin to get to know them. When I start writing page one, I know little to nothing about my characters, but I listen to them. I let them grow into themselves, and sometimes, when they finally expose a secret about themselves on the last page, I know I will have to rewrite the entire manuscript to fit who they are. And that’s okay! Getting to know a character is a lot like getting to know a person. They open up slowly and on their own terms. Listening is important, researching to fully understand is important, and continuing to write is important. If you’re struggling to get to know your characters, try a character questionnaire. (There are a bunch of free ones online to try out.) These questionnaires cover backgrounds, secrets, situations, etc., so that you can essentially get to know your character outside of the book before you start. I have an app on my phone called “Character Planner” that includes one. It helps me take notes if something comes to me when I’m away from my computer. Good luck!
Shannon A. Thompson
The short answer is yes. Take Me Tomorrow is the first book in The Tomo Trilogy, with the second one being Take Me Yesterday and the third one being Take Me Never. That being said, the long answer is a bit complicated. Since the trilogy isn't signed with anyone right now, I'm not sure when it'll be available again, but I promise I'm working on it! Keep on eye out on www.ShannonAThompson.com or even through my newsletter for future information.
~SAT
~SAT
Shannon A. Thompson
Death Before Daylight – aside from being the third book in The Timely Death Trilogy – does have a unique creation behind it. As many of you know, The Timely Death Trilogy was born from a series of dreams I had as a teenager (which some of the dream sequences are seen in the second book), and this caused me to write the second book first. Then, I realized Seconds Before Sunrise didn't make sense without an opening novel, so Minutes Before Sunset was born. That being said, the first two books didn't feel complete, so I went to coffee with a close friend, and we spoke about the novels in detail. The next day, she called me with a dream she had on her own, and it struck a cord. Death Before Daylight was then born. The last book was inspired by my friend's dream, and the last book is also dedicated to her. The dedication reads: Dedicated to Alex – for dreaming up daylight in a dark place.
Shannon A. Thompson
Every writer has their nuances, and talking about my current work-in-progress is one of mine—meaning, I’ve very superstitious about it. I’m convinced talking about my work before it’s publish-ready will jinx the entire project. That being said, I try to fight through this irrational side of me, so I have already mentioned on my YouTube channel, Coffee & Cats, that I’m currently working on the rewrite of November Snow, but I have no set plans for publishing any more novels outside The Timely Death Trilogy yet. I also have a couple of brand-new novels I’ve never released in the queue, but those are for another day – when I haven’t already jinxed myself enough.
Shannon A. Thompson
First, I must clarify that I am not a big believer in writer's block (for me, personally), but I have seen many others deal with it before so I will not discount the existence of writer's block. That being said, I can only speak from my perspective on the matter, and the closest I get to writer's block is more along the lines of writer's depression. By that, I mean a rare low-phase where writing seems more like an impossible chore and less like my ultimate passion. During these moments, I immediately step back from whatever I am working on to concentrate on whatever I WANT to explore the most, even if that means I'm journaling jibber-jabber no one will ever see. This action reminds me why I write (because I love it), and I find that love again, and I spend time revamping my love for it. In this metaphor of life, writing is the love of my life and writer's block is an emotionally draining fight. Now, we have to talk. We have to forgive all the negative moments, and we have to move forward with love in our hearts. You can never forget to "date", so to speak. You always have to have time for writing without judgment or pressure. It can remind you of your love for writing when you feel like writing doesn't love you back. Taking the time to do this allows me to fall in love again as well as return to my current projects with a clear and focused mind. It always helps my writer's block. Who knew jibber-jabber could be so helpful?
Shannon A. Thompson
Well, seeing as I am a writer, it's rather obvious to state that my favorite part is writing, but aside from the cliche answer, I love meeting readers and discussing stories with them. Focusing on the writing aspect, however, I would say the best part is when I am researching. I strive to use new legends and new creatures in my novels, but in reality, I'm using old - very old - tales and myths and legends that don't get the spotlight as often. The more legends I read, the more inspired I get to incorporate unusual and rarely seen legends into my work. I wish we had more variety in paranormal literature, so I'm attempting to add to that selection - both for readers and for myths that I do not want to see forgotten.
Shannon A. Thompson
Create your own mantra. Mine has always been "write with passion; succeed with self-discipline". It reminds me of why I write but also what I need do to in order to achieve my goals. Creating your own mantra will allow you to energize the positive days and boost your support during the rough ones. Plus, what better way to concentrate your passion than by pairing it with a meditating motto to live by and focus with?
Shannon A. Thompson
The world inspires me, but I'm especially inspired by meeting new people and hearing stories about their lives. A big cup of coffee also helps.
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