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Shenda Paul

Goodreads Author

Website

http://www.shendapaul.com/

Genre

Romance, Contemporary, Ebooks

Member Since

September 2015

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The desire to write took root some time during the childhood stories my mother read me. By my teenage years, I’d become a voracious reader. Austen, Du Maurier, the Brontës, and Hardy fed my romantic soul, and books like To Kill a Mocking Bird and I Know Why The Caged Bird sings sharpened my sense of justice. Those incredible authors also stirred my interest in the complexity of human nature.

By then, I'd also been writing for a while. From my first childish tale about my cat, Timmy’s, secret powers and talking ability, to adolescent depictions of villains and heroes and happily-ever-afters, and later fictional stories about historical characters and imagined times and places, I continued to create stories. Relationships took precedence for a The desire to write took root some time during the childhood stories my mother read me. By my teenage years, I’d become a voracious reader. Austen, Du Maurier, the Brontës, and Hardy fed my romantic soul, and books like To Kill a Mocking Bird and I Know Why The Caged Bird sings sharpened my sense of justice. Those incredible authors also stirred my interest in the complexity of human nature.

By then, I'd also been writing for a while. From my first childish tale about my cat, Timmy’s, secret powers and talking ability, to adolescent depictions of villains and heroes and happily-ever-afters, and later fictional stories about historical characters and imagined times and places, I continued to create stories. Relationships took precedence for a time, and though a demanding career made it almost impossible for many years, the desire to write books remained.

My writing was a close-held secret. It took decades for me to overcome my insecurities and share my work with others. Enrolling in writing courses and reading my work to an entire class of fellow students helped to boost my confidence. Eventually, I took the plunge by penning and publishing weekly installments of my first novel, Counsel, for an online audience. In writing Counsel, I set out to create a story of substance and disprove the common held misconception that romance novels are ‘fluff.’ Primarily, though, I wanted to write an absorbing tale with characters readers care about—hopefully, long after finishing the last chapter.

Publishing The Counsel Series was a dream come true, and I’m incredibly thankful to that community of online readers. They eased my self-doubt and kept me going through that first novel. Their professed love for the characters inspired the other books in the series. Also, their championing made the leap into the precarious world of self-publishing far less scary than it would otherwise have been. To them, a profound 'thank you' from the bottom of my heart.

My other great passions are my family, friends, and caring for my home and garden. I care deeply, also, about human rights, the welfare of women, children, and animals. Links to some of the charities I support can be found on my website.

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Popular Answered Questions

Who is your favorite fictional couple, and why?

Shenda Paul For me, it’s a toss up between Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and Estelle and Pip in Great Expectations.

Somewhat ironic, really, given the…moreFor me, it’s a toss up between Cathy and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights and Estelle and Pip in Great Expectations.

Somewhat ironic, really, given the romantic that I am, that I’ve chosen two couples, neither of whose relationships end with a happily ever after. But the complexity of the characters’ natures, their motivations, driven by an intense passion, lust, envy, and the pursuit of social status fascinate me. These characters, for me, epitomize how relentlessly chasing love and passion can lead either to personal redemption or destruction.

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How do you deal with writer’s block?

Shenda Paul I take a break, go for a walk, garden, cook, or meet a friend for lunch or coffee or call to chat. And then I write—I don't try to push through with w…moreI take a break, go for a walk, garden, cook, or meet a friend for lunch or coffee or call to chat. And then I write—I don't try to push through with what I'm struggling with. I write about a memory, perhaps, or how I felt about a certain event, and, eventually, the words I'm looking for will come.(less)

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Combine Editions
Shenda Paul’s books

Average rating: 4.73 · 15 ratings · 5 reviews · 5 distinct works

	Counsel (Counsel, #1) 4.88 avg rating — 8 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Justice (Counsel, #2) 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lost (Counsel, #2.5) 4.50 avg rating — 2 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Destiny: Counsel Series it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 1 rating — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Angel (Counsel, #3) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Series by Shenda Paul

Counsel (4 books)
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Shenda Paul (Goodreads Author)

4.73 avg rating — 15 ratings

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Shenda Paul rated a book it was amazing Counsel by Shenda Paul (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Aug 12, 2021 09:15PM · like