Interview with Shannon Stults

 

Today, lets read about author Shannon Stults! I am happy to have this talented writer featured here today. Shannon is a small-town Georgia girl who currently has five published books! 

Thank you for joining us. Please tell me a little about yourself.

Thanks for having me! I’m a (somewhat) socially awkward author of adult and young-adult contemporary romance. I love to travel with my sister and have been to about half of the fifty states, but when I’m home in small-town Georgia, I’m usually either reading, snugging with my dog and cats, or catching up on my Netflix shows. And maybe a little writing when the mood strikes.

Could you let us in on what you’re working on now?

I’ve got my hand in a couple WIPs, the first of which is a YA series centered around four high school boys and childhood blood brothers as they each try to balance friendship and young love. I’m also knee deep in an adult series about three siblings whose parents left them at a young age.

Which of your stories is your favorite?

That’s like asking me to pick a favorite child. I will say that my first published book, Keeping Score from the Willow Creek series, holds an incredibly special place in my heart. It’s where my journey as an author started, and that story, those characters, will always be extra special to me. Not to mention it’s also just a super fun read full of adult pranks, an enemies-to-lovers rivalry, and a seriously swoon-worthy firefighter hero.

What’s your inspiration?

I’d say my inspiration mostly comes from books I read and shows I watch. I’ll see a certain trope or character dynamic and think, This is how I would do it. I’ve had a few ideas start from dreams I’ve had, and several have been extensions of random daydreams while I’m driving or working. My brain’s almost always cooking up something.

How and when did you begin writing?

I wrote my first book (absolute garbage, if I’m being honest) my freshman year of college while playing The Sims. This particular Sim I was playing at the time was a writer, and as she cranked out the pages on the game, the idea for the story she wrote came to me. It became so detailed and specific that at one point I just had to put down the game and pick up the pen and paper. A few months later I had my first completed manuscript and at least a dozen new ideas I couldn’t wait to get started on. Like I said, that first book was complete trash, but it was the first time I thought of myself as a writer.

What is one of your favorite books by another author?

Oh, there are so many routes I could take with this one. One of my favorite books of all time, or maybe I should say one of the most impactful, is A Tale of Two Cities. I love getting into the classics, and that Sydney Carton seriously tore me apart. More recent books? Anything by Cassandra Clare, Kasie West, Tessa Dare (I have eclectic tastes). But you only asked for one book so I think I’ll stop now before this whole thing runs off the rails.

Have you considered writing in other genres?

So far I’ve published adult and young-adult contemporary. I’ve written a few YA paranormal romances that, much like my first manuscript, sucked. At this moment, if I could write in any other genre, it’d have to be regency romance. I could read it all day, every day, but there’s so much historical research that has to go into it. I have so much respect for those authors. I just don’t know if I could do it myself.

What is your writing process? Do you need silence or music?

I’m the plotting type. Always have an outline, for the book and for each chapter in it, and I do it all handwritten in a spiral notebook. I write out each scene and chapter by hand before typing everything I’ve got up at the end of the week. When I’m writing by hand, there can be no sounds and no distractions. Same with when I’m editing. Otherwise, I just can’t get the flow right. But I’m not against having music or some show on in the background while I’m typing it all up. 

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

The longest it’s taken me is about three years, though in my defense there was a pretty big hiatus in the middle there after writing the first half in only two weeks. The quickest I’ve written a draft, first page to last, was two months. The biggest factor for me there is whether or not there’s a deadline looming over my head.

Have you ever had the dreaded Writer’s Block?

It’s hard to say if what I get is the same Writer’s Block everyone is always talking about, but I do get stumped from time to time. In my experience, it always comes when I’m in the middle of a book and the scene I’m trying to write just doesn’t feel right. When that happens, it means there’s something that’s not working in the story up to that point and I just need to backtrack a little bit and fix it. Once I do, things usually start flowing pretty quickly again.

Do you have pets?

My sister and I have three cats—ironic since neither of us are really cat people—and I’m proud to say only one of them is evil. Turns out naming your black kitten Anakin Skywalker is a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy. He also happens to be my favorite when he’s not being a total jerk. There’s also my dog Dexter who is technically my mom’s (but everyone knows I’m favorite, teehee). My Instagram is absolutely riddled with his sweet face.

What is your favorite part of writing? Do you have favorite plots?

The outlining and planning is always the best part for me. Those initial moments when the ideas come to me for the first time and then I write it all down, more and more details that make it real and funny and sweet. Then there’s that Aha! moment as it all comes together. So much better than having to type it all up and get the wording just right. And a million times more fun than that dumb editing phase. Ugh.

Is anything new on the horizon?

I can’t share a lot of details, but one of my books has been optioned for film. There’s no guarantee the movie will happen since about a hundred tiny details would have to line up perfectly. But just knowing the possibility is there is easily one of the highlights of my career so far.

Do you have anything that you absolutely need to have in order to write?

Aside from total silence? Not really. I’m all for a comfy pair of pj's and a cushy spot on the sofa, but I wouldn’t say they’re required. If I’m in the right mindset and have a pen, I could write just about anywhere.

Could you tell me the heat rating of your books out of 5 flames?

I’d give most of my writing a 3 out of 5 flames. Not clean, but definitely not too spicy either. I do have one book, The Wedding Planner Playbook, that is a Hallmark-type read. Only 1 flame for those clean romance readers.

Who is your main source of support for your writing? Mine is my husband and children.

My parents are pretty supportive, though I’ve had the occasional “real job” conversation with them. But my biggest supporter would easily be my sister. She’s my best friend, my roommate, and my biggest fan. She reads every book, listens to every idea, and is always willing to help me work out a plot issue…which usually consists of her nodding while I talk my way through to a solution. I couldn’t have gotten where I am today without her.

    

Is there anything you’d like to add?

I’m always looking to add to my contacts in the writing and reading community. To see what I’ve been up to and stay updated on new books, find me on Instagram or Facebook (@shannonstultsauthor) or contact me on my website, www.ShannonStults.com, to get in touch.

Thank you for taking part in my Author Spotlight on my blog.