Ask the Author: Shawn Keller Cooper
Answered Questions (7)
Shawn Keller Cooper
I write scenes from a snippet of dialogue or an idea and hope it expands into something good. If I’m unable to write and need to let my brain “percolate,” I like to color very intricate pages from coloring books using many gel pens.
Shawn Keller Cooper
Several books by Shelley Noble. You and Me and Us by Alison Hammer, The Invisibles by Rachel Dacus, The Carousel by Orly Konig
Shawn Keller Cooper
My advice for aspiring writers is to educate yourself about all the facets of the industry from your genre to publishing and marketing. I encourage you to read and study, elements of scenes, character development, and settings. Ask yourself what if... often. Write what you are passionate about and just keep pushing. Success is attainable with discipline and drive.
Shawn Keller Cooper
Writer’s block is a sneaky little fiend. I mostly write my books the way the story unfolds in my imagination but when I am stuck, I write excerpts or vignettes of scenes I know will be included somewhere in the story. I may change them when I actually get to that section but at least I keep going with my writing. Putting pen to paper generates ideas which generate more ideas.
Shawn Keller Cooper
The best thing about being a writer is getting to do what I love. I’ve waited for two decades, as I reared my children, to start my career. Additionally, I can finally allow all the characters in my mind to tell their stories. It’s very liberating.
Shawn Keller Cooper
I am currently writing book two in the James Island Trilogy, Turn of the Silver Wheel. It takes up the story where Drawing Down the Moon ends, continuing the story of Agnes and highlighting Penelope.
Shawn Keller Cooper
I got the idea for the James Island Trilogy over a decade ago while vacationing with my family at Topsail Island, NC. My kids, much younger, played on the sand while I made notes in my notebook. I just kept asking myself what if...?
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