Ask the Author: Shannon Symonds
Answered Questions (11)
Shannon Symonds
The in-laws are making a surprise visit! They are bringing your new husband's old girlfriend, you know, the one his mother likes better!
Shannon Symonds
Hogwarts! I would travel to Hogwarts to ride a broom, play with magic and bring back a house elf! Man do I need a house elf!! :)
Shannon Symonds
After listening to Tim Ballard of Operation Underground Railroad ourrescue.org speak at Time Out for Women about his work to end sex trafficking I purchased The Lincoln Hypothesis by Time Ballard. It is his look at Lincoln, his inspired leadership and work to end slavery. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
I just finished "The Girl Who Wrote in Silk," by Kelli Estes. I loved it! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
I also recently picked up a novel called "The Lilac Girls," by Martha Hall Kelly. It's a novel about 3 different women during WWII. I look forward to reading it like candy! A treat for stormy nights.
I just finished "The Girl Who Wrote in Silk," by Kelli Estes. I loved it! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
I also recently picked up a novel called "The Lilac Girls," by Martha Hall Kelly. It's a novel about 3 different women during WWII. I look forward to reading it like candy! A treat for stormy nights.
Shannon Symonds
Yes! I live in Seaside. Hammond is beautiful :).
Shannon Symonds
Great question! Why did I return to the Oregon Coast?
Shannon Symonds
Good writers write about what they know. I work as an advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse. But because the work I do is so sensitive and confidential, I can never write about individual stories or even what I do.
Safe House is a fiction. Because it is fiction, it allows me to share with the reader what an advocate is, how they work and some of the important issues facing survivors of domestic abuse.
As an advocate I have witness some consistent issues survivors face. Survivors often feel the abuse is their fault, or feel responsible in some way. Survivors will also stay in extremely dangerous situations because they fear losing their children to the abuser, or in the court system. Abusers often work very hard to make family, police and others believe their victim is mentally ill and not to be believed. Observing these patterns gave me my idea for the story, "Safe House."
Safe House is a fiction. Because it is fiction, it allows me to share with the reader what an advocate is, how they work and some of the important issues facing survivors of domestic abuse.
As an advocate I have witness some consistent issues survivors face. Survivors often feel the abuse is their fault, or feel responsible in some way. Survivors will also stay in extremely dangerous situations because they fear losing their children to the abuser, or in the court system. Abusers often work very hard to make family, police and others believe their victim is mentally ill and not to be believed. Observing these patterns gave me my idea for the story, "Safe House."
Shannon Symonds
Honestly-I am happiest and write best in complete chaos. My kids love giving me wonderful ideas for plot twist and advising me. They are the best editors I have ever worked with. It’s fun to sit in a room full of family and write or plot together.
When it rains and I can’t get to the beach at the end of my street, I write by the fire and eat too much! :) Sometimes I plot on the beach or take my laptop to a picnic table overlooking Indian Beach.
And when I am just lost or not in the mood, I call my mother who is losing her sight, and read what I gave so far to her. She is a brutal critique and I love it! I need it.
And when I need encouragement I come right here or to reviews and read your thoughts.
When it rains and I can’t get to the beach at the end of my street, I write by the fire and eat too much! :) Sometimes I plot on the beach or take my laptop to a picnic table overlooking Indian Beach.
And when I am just lost or not in the mood, I call my mother who is losing her sight, and read what I gave so far to her. She is a brutal critique and I love it! I need it.
And when I need encouragement I come right here or to reviews and read your thoughts.
Shannon Symonds
YA cozy mystery #6 in my series of By The Sea Cozy Mysteries! Murder by the Book. How would you get away with murder in a bookstore?
Shannon Symonds
Don't be afraid! Criticism is your friend. Risk. Write what you know. Learn from others. Seek out experienced writers and ask for feedback. Then take the leap and send in the book.
Shannon Symonds
The magical moment you fall into a story, poem or article and it feels like it is writing itself, and you are just a conduit who can't type fast enough. The days and times I spend with the characters in my story and the hours that just melt away on winter nights.
Shannon Symonds
I will let you know when it happens.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more