How I Write: Shannon Lawrence

Today, Shannon Lawrence is stopping by for a “How I Write” Q&A feature! Unfortunately I couldn’t keep up with these posts during #COBookMonth… but I’ll be slowly catching up over the next couple of months.

Are you a planner (outline, etc.) or do you “pants” it?

I’m a combination of the two, but do consider myself a pantser.  I love to sit down and just write whatever comes to mind to see where it takes me. My short stories are always pantsed, but there is an element of plotting to my novels. I tend to have ideas further along in the novel, and I know at least some of the ending, but the rest is whatever comes up while I’m typing.

Do you write daily or sporadically when you’re inspired?

I’m a bit of a sprint writer. I can write for days in a row, get a couple thousand words down each day, and then not write for weeks. I’d love to write daily, and that’s what I’m aiming for, but there are just days where that can’t happen.

What time of day do you find you write best? Or you enjoy more?

I used to write mostly at night, and that is still when I get a lot of ideas and breakthroughs, but I’m so tired in the evenings and find I just want to shut my brain off, so these days I write best during the day, usually in the afternoon.

Where is your favorite place to write?

In my office, door closed, curtains pulled (I have French doors), music playing, window open.

What tool(s) do you use to write?

I use Scrivener for novel writing, then Microsoft Word or pen and paper (or napkins, toilet paper, scraps of paper, you name it) for short stories, flash and poetry.

What resources do you recommend for new writers?

The writing community. There are great books on writing, but the writing community is the best. You can find inspiration, a sounding board, comradery, a cure to writer’s block, and plenty of other resources, just by finding your writing community. Whether it’s online or in-person (and I do recommend having at least the occasional in-person get together with other writers. Attend workshops and conferences. Do it all, see what works best for you, and stick with that.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received about writing?

Just write. Write for yourself, not for others. Stop making excuses. Those are the three best.

What types of writing events have you participated in? Which was your favorite?

I attend the Pikes Peak Writers Conference each year, as well as Mountain of Authors (sponsored by the Pikes Peak Library District). I tried Mile Hi Con for the first time this year. Also, I’ve done NaNoWriMo twice. I try to go to at least one writing workshop per month, and I meet up with a group of writers each Tuesday at a coffee house to either write or hang out and chat, plus a group of writers one Monday per month to talk. I can’t really choose a favorite. Every one of these things has its benefits. They’re fun and educational, and it’s all part of being in the writing community. Like I said, try different things out and see what you like best, but find a way to get to know the writing community

More “How I Write” Q&As!