Ask the Author: Tracy Shawn
Answered Questions (7)
Tracy Shawn
Hi Christian, I'm not the best person to ask about this, as I'm somewhat technologically challenged. But I'm guessing that if you want to promote your book through your websites, it's a good idea to have an author page on Facebook and Amazon, a handle on Twitter, and, of course, to create an author dashboard here on Goodreads! That way, whatever you post on your websites, you can link/and or post on these social media sites as well. I wish you the best of luck!
Tracy Shawn
"The Grace of Crows" came to me because I wanted to write a fictionalized account of what it's like to suffer from anxiety since I struggle with it myself. I also had a dear childhood friend who became homeless as an adult, and I felt it was important to write about an insightful homeless character who changes the protagonist's life.
For the novel I'm currently working on, the idea came to me because I experienced two miscarriages myself and though they were both early in the pregnancies, I still feel the ghost-like loss and know many other women who do.
For the novel I'm currently working on, the idea came to me because I experienced two miscarriages myself and though they were both early in the pregnancies, I still feel the ghost-like loss and know many other women who do.
Tracy Shawn
Again, my biggest inspiration comes from the simple act of sitting down and writing. I also enjoy people watching, and will often concoct a whole story in my head about a person without ever talking to him or her. Even while driving down the street, I'll catch an interesting person with an unusual expression and that'll give me a great idea.
I have to share that my other daily inspirations come from lots of green tea, popcorn, and chocolate :)
I have to share that my other daily inspirations come from lots of green tea, popcorn, and chocolate :)
Tracy Shawn
I'm working on my second novel about the conflict between a husband and wife after she's experienced her third miscarriage.
I also continue to write self-help articles for a number of online publications, and a short story here and there!
I also continue to write self-help articles for a number of online publications, and a short story here and there!
Tracy Shawn
My advice is to realize that you won't make much money in this game--and in order to produce a good piece of work, you must be willing to have the patience to rewrite and revise. It took me over eight years of writing, rewriting, and revising before "The Grace of Crows" was picked up by a small press. In that time, I even paid two professional editors to help me make it more marketable, as well as taking many classes, workshops, and attending writer's conferences. To be a writer takes much sacrifice.
Tracy Shawn
The best thing about the act of writing is being able to take all these stories in my head and share them with other people. For me, it's like dreaming while awake.
The other fabulous thing is when readers share in their reviews about how they could relate to my protagonist and her struggles. Besides providing what I hope to be an engaging read, I also hope to help others feel less alone.
The other fabulous thing is when readers share in their reviews about how they could relate to my protagonist and her struggles. Besides providing what I hope to be an engaging read, I also hope to help others feel less alone.
Tracy Shawn
I've learned that I must write almost every day because the muse doesn't just show up; you have to start writing in order for her to appear!
I also will get up and do the dishes, laundry, etc. when I'm stuck on something. Inevitably, an answer will come when I've stopped trying to figure out what to write next. If I'm focusing on something mundane like folding the socks, then the lightbulb will go off and I'll hurry back to my laptop.
I also will get up and do the dishes, laundry, etc. when I'm stuck on something. Inevitably, an answer will come when I've stopped trying to figure out what to write next. If I'm focusing on something mundane like folding the socks, then the lightbulb will go off and I'll hurry back to my laptop.
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