Q&A Thursday with Shannon Eckrich!

Today's Interview is with Author Shannon Eckrich! 

Enjoy & Comment!

Hi Jenn! Thanks for having me on your blog today. It’s super awesome to be here.

What is the worst thing you’ve written, how did you learn or know it was bad, and what did you learn from it?

The worst thing I’ve written had to be the rough draft to Other Side of Forever, which actually had a totally different title when I first started out. I knew absolutely nothing about writing a novel, character development, or story structure. It was a complete disaster. No wonder my query letters kept getting rejected. J

It wasn’t until I joined a few writing websites, and hooked up with some really great writers, that I realized just how much the original manuscript sucked. After that, I researched everything I could about writing a novel, read other peoples work, and just kept chugging along until my novel was the best it could be.

I think the biggest lesson I learned from my experience is to never give up. Keep writing, keep smiling and, eventually, everything will work out.   

Why did you start writing and when did you decide to go professional?

I actually started writing to escape the reality of everyday life. Let’s face it, stuff happens, and writing became my outlet. Writing took all the negativity spinning around in my head and turned it into something positive—amazing characters and a world I could control. I couldn’t imagine not writing now. It’s a part of who I am.

It wasn’t until I had finished the third draft of Other Side of Forever that I decided to take it a step further. Of course, I had no idea how difficult it was to break into the publishing world at the time. But if I had to, I would definitely do it all over again. It’s been quite an experience.   

  

Do you write in more than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?

Yes. While I was waiting to hear back from my editor at Crescent Moon Press, I wrote a short story called After the Rain, which I consider more spiritual than paranormal, and targets a more mature audience due to the subject matter.

I’ve always been a paranormal freak, so I would have to say I enjoy writing that genre the most.

Do you read other author’s books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or something different?

Yes, I constantly read. I basically read anything that pulls me in at the beginning. The book doesn’t have to necessarily be paranormal, but it has to have a great hook with characters I can relate to, and a wonderful voice.

What is the most difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.

Queries are my nemesis. I absolutely hate trying to sum up an entire novel in a paragraph or two. But it is definitely something a serious writer has to learn to do if they want to break into the publishing world.

If you could have the same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?

Wow, that’s a hard question. There’s so many wonderfully talented authors out there. But, I guess I would have to say Stephen King, because I grew up reading his books and watching his movies. He truly scared the crap out of me, which is why I consider him my idol. J It’s so hard to believe that he struggled in the beginning, especially with where he is today.

 ~Other Side of Forever~

Coming soon from Crescent Moon Press

  

 What if your life finally seemed to make sense? But, what if—in an instant—everything is taken away? How far would you go to get your life back?

Seventeen-year-old Allie Anderson's telekinetic powers are anything but useful—she can't bring her father back, can't stop her mother's downward spiral into alcohol, and can't keep her from falling in love with Ethan Bradley. Loving Ethan is easy, but it comes with a hefty price: Ethan is
prohibited by his people from interacting with mortals—because he isn't mortal himself.

When Allie and Ethan's love is discovered, there's someone who will do anything to keep them apart. If Allie can't learn to control her powers and fight to save Ethan, this dark entity will make every attempt to stop her beating heart. And if that happens, not even the energy of an immortal
can bring her back.

 

~After the Rain~

Available now at amazon.com and other ebook retailers

Janie Chanson leaves, Adam—her seven-year-old son—with her sister while she runs to the store. When she returns, her house is fully engulfed in flames, and her son is trapped inside. Powerless to save him, Janie can only watch as firefighters attempt to rescue him.

Author Bio: Born and raised in Delaware, Shannon lives with her husband, two children, and chocolate lab, Chewy. She has always had an interest in the paranormal, so residing just outside of a historic town, an old Civil War prison, and one of the top Halloween attractions in America, she can’t think of any other place she would rather be. 


Along with reading and writing, Shannon enjoys communicating with spirits through dowsing rods and EVPs, exploring creepy, abandoned dwellings, and telling and listening to stories of real ghostly encounters.
She also likes spending time at the beach, volunteering at the Odessa Fire Company, and just hanging out with her family.


You can visit Shannon online at www.shannoneckrich.weebly.com, or you can contact her directly at shannoneckrich@gmail.com.