Join us as we embark on a heartfelt conversation with Shannon O’Connor, a self-published author who has carved her niche in FF romance and contemporary romance. Shannon’s writing journey has evolved from personal experiences to crafting fictional tales, with her dedication to the craft shining through her bestsellers. In this exclusive interview, Shannon shares her writing rituals, genre influences, and future projects, offering a glimpse into the world of an indie romance author.
What was the first story you ever wrote about and how has your writing evolved since then?
My first book was slightly based on a real life experience and since then I’ve resorted to only writing about fiction. Plus I have read a lot more books on writing craft since writing my first book.
What strategies do you use to maintain productivity and stay motivated when writing?
Give myself and remind myself to take breaks. I try not to push myself when I feel like I need to take a step back from my writing.
Do you have a particular writing ritual or routine? If so, can you share it with us?
Iced coffee is a must, I answer all emails first and then turn off notifications so I won’t be distracted, then I set a timer usually for 20-30 minutes and sprint for that time and break for 10-15 minutes after that. Repeating the process until I’ve hit my word count for the day.
What are your favorite genres to read or watch, and how do they influence your writing?
I love reading romance novels and they influence my writing by keeping me up to date with what is popular with the masses.
What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken in your writing and how did it pay off?
Writing my first book and it paid off by loving the process so much that I wanted to do it again and again.
What of your book(s) are you the most proudest of, and why?
Only for the Summer, it’s something I worked really hard on and it’s my bestseller so I think that paid off for me.
What is your most recent book and/or what are you working on currently?
My most recent book is the Accidental Puck, a MF college hockey romance. I’m currently working on a holiday FF romance.
Is there a book project you have in mind that you plan to write one day? If so, can you tell us a little bit about it?
I plan to write a NYC based FF series with billionaires but that’s all I can say.
You can find Shannon O’Connor on her web site, on Facebook, or on Instagram.
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