1-Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
I have always loved books that swept me away. First, there were the children’s books that drew me in—Black Beauty, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web. Then, later, I loved so many different books: To Kill a Mockingbird, the Ursula LeGuin books, Marian Zimmer Bradley’s Mists of Avalon, Margaret Atwood’s Handmaid’s Tale, as well as her short stories. Those books and stories created whole worlds for me and somewhere along the way I wanted to be able to do that.
2-Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer?
If so, what are they? Read every good book you can get your hands on. If you write in a genre, read and reread your favorites, as well as new titles.
3-What is it that drew you to writing in the fantasy genre?
I have fallen in love with so many books in this genre—books that made me think, like The Handmaid’s Tale, books that swept me into a land of fable, like Juliette Marillier’s Sevenwater Series, anything by Patricia McKillip. Fantasy offers a way to look at our world, but through different lenses. New perspectives and possibilities open up if we think of fantasy or speculative fiction as a pathway into exploration of our own world and culture. Tolkien was quoted as saying: “Fantasy is not a flight from reality, but a journey to rediscover it.”
4-How did you come up with the title for your book?
I tried to find a way to sum up the story, particularly Jemma’s story. It is her journey.
5-How long did it take you to write this book?
I wrote the first draft ten years ago, then put it away. I picked it up again in 2020 and worked on it seriously from 2020 to 2023, when I finished it.
6-How long have you been writing or when did you start?
I’ve been writing since childhood. I have one story that features an exuberant crayon cover scrawled on construction paper. Then hand-cranked newspapers from a summer vacation. At college, my undergraduate degree was in writing and English, and my master’s was in creative writing/fiction.
7-What do you think is the best way to improve writing skills?
Read everything. Study—take courses in creative writing. There are so many out there now. Then—write as often and as much as possible.
8-If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
I am writing the next in the series now—Jemma is continuing her live and adventures in Everland Bay and there will be even more of Everland Bay available for readers to explore. Another character has joined the team, too.
9-What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Write the whole first draft without looking back and revising. Get to “The End” and then go back and revise it multiple times. Have a group of dedicated writers and readers reading your work, and don’t put off writing. Find a schedule that works—I write first thing in the morning (well, first thing after I make a cup of coffee). Keep giving yourself permission to write.
10- What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
Never stop reading, never stop writing.
Social Media:
Twitter @LShaner_Author
Facebook: Lynne Shaner; (also) Author Lynne Shaner
Threads @lynne.shaner
My website: lynneshaner.com