Margaret asked Shannon Messenger:

I'm a hopeful fantasy writer who loves your work. But my mind is always trying to change the plot and I can only settle on basics 'cause the plot keeps changing. Do you have any tips on how to stick with it?

Shannon Messenger Hm, that's a tricky one, because honestly, my plots change on me all the time and I always feel like the best moments that happen in the books are the ones I never planned.

But that being said, I do have to maintain control as a writer, and I do that by always asking myself: whose story is this, and what do they want?

So in the KEEPER books, it's Sophie's story, and she wants many different things. And as long as the scene I'm writing helps her work toward what she wants, I'll stick with whatever curveballs the story throws at me. But if I'm starting to focus too much on other characters, or it's starting to drag Sophie somewhere I know she doesn't want to go, then I'll stop, regroup, and go back until i get the story on track again.

Hope that helps! And happy writing!

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When you write the Keeper Series, from book 1 did you already know who would become a traitor and who's secret identity is who? Or did you just make that up in the 4th book, Neverseen?

Rania asked Shannon Messenger:

Do you read some of the Keeper of the Lost Cities fanfiction? Do you plan on using some of he characters full name because I think that would be cool but like once cause then I feel like it would be awkward? Oh and I sent you a email last year in May do you ever plan on replying to emails that old?

Lauren asked Shannon Messenger:

I know that this is kind of far out there, but do you have a photographic memory? I ask because you describe the memories of Sophie and Keefe just like I would expect for someone with a photographic memory and it's really interesting to me!

All answers from Shannon Messenger…

Shannon Messenger

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I'm a hopeful fantasy writer who loves your work. But my mind is always trying to change the plot and I can only settle on basics 'cause the plot keeps changing. Do you have any tips on how to stick with it?

More Answered Questions

When you write the Keeper Series, from book 1 did you already know who would become a traitor and who's secret identity is who? Or did you just make that up in the 4th book, Neverseen?

Do you read some of the Keeper of the Lost Cities fanfiction? Do you plan on using some of he characters full name because I think that would be cool but like once cause then I feel like it would be awkward? Oh and I sent you a email last year in May do you ever plan on replying to emails that old?

I know that this is kind of far out there, but do you have a photographic memory? I ask because you describe the memories of Sophie and Keefe just like I would expect for someone with a photographic memory and it's really interesting to me!

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