Exclusive Interview with
Shannon Simpson
When did you start writing?
I started writing as a teenager. I wrote short stories about my friends and our celebrity crush.
What makes writing your passion?
I have so many ideas constantly running through my mind, I have to get them on paper. I have notebooks full of ideas and more come to me every day. If I don’t write I feel like I’m wasting time. I write even while watching TV. Writing is second nature to me.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, over half my life.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
It was surreal holding my published book for the first time. Knowing that I wrote something that others believed in enough to publish was exciting.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
In Spellbound, my characters are based on two of my favorite fantasy characters: witches and vampires. I set out to write about witches mostly, intending to make my witches unlike any written about before.
In Always, my characters are loosely based on people I know. The story is dear to my heart.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
I love writing. I don’t love promoting. That’s the part I could do without, but it is a part of being an author.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Writer’s block hasn’t been an issue for me, thankfully. I write and then when I’m reading back over it, I can tell when it’s forced and the words don’t flow. Could this be my form of writer’s block? Maybe.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
When I write I do so in the hopes my book will touch readers lives. I keep writing in the hopes somewhere out there I will be to someone what others have been to me.
My advice would be to promote your book before publishing. Mainly I’d say never give up. I had rejection after rejection but I never gave up. I entered Spellbound in a writing contest and won a publishing contract. Never give up. Those are words to live by.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I’d tell my younger self to believe in my dreams and fight to see them come true. I’d tell myself to stop procrastinating and finish Spellbound instead of bouncing from story to story. Finish one before going to another.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I do read them. I feel that if readers take the time to buy my book and leave a review I should take the time to read them. I haven’t had any bad ones but if I do I would take what they said and try to learn from it.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
A good review is like a pat on the back or being told “good job!” It makes me smile and want to write more.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
I have written many things that I have experienced into my novels. As a writer I try to write what I would want to read.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
There is a little of me in Ashlie, the main character in Spellbound. Mainly I am in Shanna, the main character in Always. She is based on someone I know.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
The book cover isn’t as important as the story but it is the first thing a prospective reader will see. If the cover doesn’t catch their eye, they won’t pick up the book to see what the story is about.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love to connect with my readers! Book signings are an incredible way to meet new readers. I would spend hours talking with them if I could. I’m better at writing my thoughts though.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
I love knowing my writing has touched the life of a reader. As for being recognized in public this has unfortunately not happened. I look forward to it happening though.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
My favorite author is Stephenie Meyer. I love vampire novels and had I not read Twilight I would never have written Spellbound. I even named a character after her.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I would love to be as popular as Stephenie Meyer, but my dream is just to be comfortable. To be able to devote all my time to writing in the hopes my stories brighten others lives.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
If I read over my books I can always find something to rewrite. Would I? No. I might shorten Always, but I wouldn’t change the overall story.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
This is a double edged sword in a way. I would welcome a chance to live Stephenie Meyer’s life for a day, but in the end I am happy with my life.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
Life is too short to waste time hurting others. Find a better way to spend your time.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for taking a chance on me. Please tell your friends about the book and leave a review on Amazon.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in a small town in South Carolina named Townville. I am single. I have no kids of my own but am godmother to 23.
What is your day job if you have one?
I do t have a day job at the moment.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love to write, obviously. Reading is another passion of mine. I make things out of clay and love to scrapbook. Time is an issue though as I prefer to spend my free time writing.
Did you have a happy childhood?
I did. I grew up in the country surrounded by family.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I began writing after I read my first Harlequin Presents book. I feel in love with the idea of telling a story.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have many but hope to one day have them all published. They are fantasy and romance and maybe a mystery or two.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
I could never make a wish for myself when so many others need things. If I had three wishes I’d wish for happiness and health for my family and friends.
What is your favorite music?
I love all genres of music. I love to mix it up on my playlists. One minute I may be listening to New Kids on the Block. The next song may be Bully Ray Cyrus followed by a little Chingy.
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