Shannon Lawrence

I'm late! But's still the 4th. So it's still time for the Insecure Writer's Support Group. Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG is an opportunity for writers to get together and talk about their insecurities, as well as support each other. Anyone can join, just click on Alex's name to sign up, then post on the first Wednesday of each month. The co-hosts are: Kalpana , Kim Lajevardi , Rebecca Douglass , Jennifer Lane , and Cathrina Constantine . Be sure to stop by as a thank you for their time this month! The optional question is: As a writer, do you have favorite themes that you like to explore in your stories? If so, what are they? I don't think so. The beauty of short stories is I can explore everything I'd like. But I also don't typically set out with a specific theme. Now, do certain themes come out in my stories? Probably? But I haven't analyzed my own stories to be able to tell you that. I just want to write. I've started a post series o...

I'm going to go ahead and do a series on Kickstarter, as much for me as for anyone who's interested. At the time of this post, my campaign (what your project is called) has finished, but I haven't fulfilled the orders yet. Starting the series now will hopefully keep details fresh. First, some common terms and definitions: Kickstarter - A website that allows you to crowdfund a creative project in return for product related to the project. Campaign - The project you're funding on Kickstarter. Pledge - The "bid" made by someone interested in your campaign. (Note that a pledge is not a contract to buy. It can be cancelled. Bear that in mind when figuring out your goals.) Follower - Someone who clicks to follow your campaign and get notified when it launches or when notifications are sent out.  Backer - The people pledging on your campaign. Your supporters. Rewards - The items people are pledging on. (Example: A paperback book is a reward.) Reward Tiers - Pa...

It's time for the October Insecure Writer's Support Group! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG provides a place for writers to come together and share their insecurities. All are welcome. Simply click on Alex's name and add your blog to the list. Our co-hosts this month are: Ronel Janse van Vuuren , Liza at Middle Passages , J.H. Moncrieff , and Jemima Pett . Be sure to pay them a visit as a thank you for co-hosting! The optional question this month is: Many people are calling for writers who use AI to disclose it. Most who employ ghostwriters do not admit it - do you think authors who use ghostwriters should have to disclose that, too? I'm skipping this question. I feel like it could lead to arguments or hurt feelings, and that's not why I take part in the IWSG. You may remember last month I was afraid no one would bid on my Kickstarter and I wouldn't fund. That it would be a giant humiliation. I'm happy to say that didn't happen. As of the time I...

My Kickstarter for Nuts! Squirrelpocalypse is live and 383% funded! It's got 13 days more, ending on October 13th (it seemed a good date to end a horror Kickstarter). There are all sorts of goodies, and we've hit several stretch rewards already, with more to come. I'm stopping by some blogs over the course of the Kickstarter. You can find the following guest posts: September 28 - Jennifer Lane generating Nut Buzz September 30 - Ronel the Mythmaker , who asked about the horror angle of the book October 12 - Jean Davis If we hit the next stretch reward, I'll be having an online launch party with Q&A and critter trivia. We're 77% of the way to that reward! One of my friends is also doing a Kickstarter. DeAnna Knippling's runs October 1 through 31, and is a Middle Grade-Plus Dark Fantasy for two hardcovers. But here's the crazy part: she's live-writing the third book as part of the Kickstarter! Check out The Waking of Witches ! Have you ever run or bac...

It's time for the September Insecure Writer's Support Group! Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh , the IWSG is a monthly gathering where writers share their insecurities and support each other through them. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and put your blog on the linky list. First of all, Happy 15th Anniversary, IWSG! The co-hosts this month are: Kate Larkindale , SE White , JS Pailly , Olga Godim , and Natalie Aguirre . Be sure to drop by and say hi. The optional question this month is: Do you have a favorite character archetype you tend to gravitate toward in your writing? I don't think so, so I'm skipping the question this month. I guess I'll just pop right into this month's insecurity: funding on Kickstarter . I had an opportunity to jump in with a great group of people called Learnable Peers , all of whom are doing a fall Kickstarter in darker genres, which meant giving myself a crash course on everything Kickstarter. It also meant my husband, who...

Hi! It's time for the August Insecure Writer's Support Group! The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh for writers to address their insecurities and lend support to their fellow writers. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and add your blog link to the list, then post the first Wednesday of every month. I'm co-hosting this month with deidre Knight , Liza , and Pat Garcia ! The optional question this month is: As a writer/author what is something you regret? Or something that you wish you'd done differently in your writing process? The only things I regret are the missed opportunities. I make it a rule to take on things that scare me and to learn and try new things, and I don't regret any of those things I've done. But I regret the times where I've been out of the writing world after various real world things, such as how long it took me to get back into the writing world when my dad died, or how I completely stepped out of it during my previou...