Shannon A. Thompson's Blog, page 3

My Favorite Books of 2024

As per tradition, I am sharing my favorite reads of 2024. 

Before I jump into it, though, I wanted to clarify that these are books that I read in 2024, not necessarily books that released in 2024. I hope you find something to read. Feel free to share your favorites in the comments below! I always love suggestions. If you want to see a full list of everything I read this year, visit my Goodreads. My only other caveat? I am a Penguin Random House employee. I put asterisks * around any PRH title that I received for free. (It’s still my honest review!) 

Nonfiction 

Toward the end of this year, I had a realization that I was struggling to connect with fiction. Maybe it was creative burnout. No matter what, I started picking up nonfiction again, and these two titles really stuck out to me. *The Attention Fix* will help you break up with your phone (and understand why it’s so addictive). *Vanishing Treasures* is a fabulous, short collection on animals on the brink of extinction, but it’s also stories about humanity. I was so amazed by these animals and the footprint they have on our history. 

Romance 

I found myself reaching for contemporary romance more than I usually do, and these two really stuck out for me. *Same Time Next Summer* is a cute second chance romance set on a beach, and it was exactly what I needed to read when I found it. I really loved all the characters. Not Another Love Song is my second Julie Soto novel, and I am such a diehard fan. I actually went to her launch party here in Kansas City, and it was one of the highlights of my year. She is hilarious, and I can’t wait to read her romantasy next year. 

Graphic Novels 

All three of these were so delightful. The Kiss Bet is a cute webtoon about the awkward hilarity of first kisses and crushes. It’s coming out in print, and I actually received an ARC from NetGalley. The artwork is so pretty, and I laughed out loud so many times. I look forward to reading more. *A Field Guide to Mermaids* is such an imaginative, fun take on mermaids throughout the world. It subtly introduces kids to different types of environments and animal/plant life through colorful illustrations of potential mermaids. I can’t wait to give this to my kid when she’s older. *Viewfinder* is the first wordless graphic novel I’ve ever read, and I loved it. The artwork is gorgeous. You can stare at the pages for hours. And there’s still an amazing story. Such a neat experience. 

Picture Books Because I’m a Mom

These are the picture books that my daughter loves a lot (and I don’t mind reading a million times with her). If this was her list, there’d probably be a few that I don’t like to read that much. (I’m looking at you, Fox in Sox.) Anyway, I love *Buffalo Fluffalo*. It’s a great story with beautiful art and a lovely message. Mermaid Day has got to be my daughter’s favorite. It’s so fun to read, too. The rhyme really bounces, too. There’s An Alien in my Book (and this whole series) gets my kid interacting with books like nothing else does. It’s magic. 

Most Surprising Favorite

*Here One Moment* is not a book I would take on a plane. (But I saw a lot of people reading it on a plane, ironically lol). Anyway, it’s about a group of passengers who get on a plane, where a woman walks down the aisle telling everyone how and at what age they will die. Once the passengers depart, the predictions start coming true, and everyone has to grapple with what that means. It’s a deeply touching look at fate and life. I got attached to so many of the characters so fast, it was an emotional ride. 

My Ultimate Favorite! 

I really couldn’t choose between these two books, and quite frankly, they go together so well that I kept them together. Leave: A Postpartum Account is nonfiction. It’s the book I wish I had when I was postpartum. It’s focused on the fourth trimester, particularly dealing with an unexpected, traumatic birth. Even though the author deals with a four-degree tear (while I dealt with an emergency C-section), it’s still incredibly relatable and validating. Every topic is written in short accessible essays about various topics dealing with birth trauma and motherhood in general, including generational trauma, pain management/medical neglect, and more. Honestly, anyone who had a traumatic birth should pick this up (and their partners)! 

*Nightbitch* is a fictional story about a mom rage. It starts off two years into motherhood, showing a mom who is grappling with the reality of how much society sets moms up to fail, both in their careers and motherhood in general. I felt so seen while reading this book. I absolutely loved it. Did I mention the movie (starring Amy Adams) comes out this Friday? I can’t wait. 

These were my favorite reads of 2024. 

What were your favorites?

~SAT

How I’d Rewrite My Already Published Book

How would I rewrite my already published book if given the chance?

I think lots of authors think about this now and again, especially as we grow. I’ve been a novelist for over a decade now. What I write today is much different than my novels currently on the shelf. 

When I look at my novels on a shelf, though, I still feel proud. They represent a time in my life where I dared to dream despite the odds–and I made it. 

The market has since changed, and so has my writing style, but I’m still here, churning out words. Every now and again, though, I take a peek at my old novels. Maybe I’m looking for a confidence boost. Maybe I just miss my characters. Either way, I see aspects I would change, if given the chance. 

So let’s talk about it. 

First, what are the chances you’ll get a second chance at an already published novel? It’s not very high. Most publishers won’t consider already published books, and those odds decrease the larger the publisher is. Granted, we’ve seen a shift in trad publishing lately. They’ve offered book deals/print-runs to indie writers and self-published authors who’ve grown large followings. 

But, again, it’s exceedingly rare.

That said, I was lucky enough to get picked up by another publisher when my first one shut down. While working with CTP Publishing, I got to relaunch the Timely Death trilogy. It was a dream. When it was all said and done, I asked them if they would be interested in republishing my very first novel, November Snow. 

You see, my first novel was published in 2007. I was 16, and it came out before eBooks were even on the market. (Wild times.) It’s a small print run at a local press, more akin to self-publishing than modern indie publishing. As a high school student in the middle of Kansas, I had no time, money, or resources to help me market, so I hand-sold it a few places, and that was that. 

Fast-forward a decade, and CTP said YES after I rewrote it from its original format. It’s now a four-book series, available everywhere. 

It was very healing getting to redo both of my series. 

So many authors launch into publishing too early, and it feels cruel that you’re told you don’t get second chances. My second chances were creative life-savers. I am forever grateful to CTP.  

That said, the last book released in 2017, so I’ve grown a lot as a writer. 

What would I do differently now if I had the chance? 

Realistically, I know I’ll never get a third chance. This is more like a fun exercise I like to do to see how my writing has changed. 

First thing I’d change? I probably would’ve used a gentler hand. 

Bad Bloods is a very dark fantasy series. I always tell people 75% of the cast dies (and most of my cast is young children), so go in prepared. Folks who have read it have told me they’re surprised when they find out I first wrote it when I was 12. (And it was actually darker.) In fact, my stepmom at the time told my father I should stop writing because it was too dark. Admittedly, I can understand her concerns now, but I’m proud my dad encouraged me to write whatever I wanted and needed to, especially in the aftermath of my mom’s death. 

When I consider what a gentle hand would look like with the heavy subject matter, I immediately feel that little 12-year-old writer inside of me surge up at the computer.

Too dark? she grumbles. I’ll show you dark. 

Sometimes, my instincts still want to go darker. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like most of the teens I knew as a teen didn’t like being coddled. They could handle the darkness of these stories without blinking an eye because they live in the same world we ALL live in. 

The truth is, the world is a dark place. It’s also a beautiful place. But children pick up on violence, politics, and the fragility of life at a very young age–especially today. 

Still, if I had to rewrite it, I would use a gentler hand so that it was more accessible. The first step I would take in doing that is cutting back on the amount of characters highlighted.

In Bad Bloods, there are two major flocks of kids, each flock has 12 bad bloods. I never intended for readers to feel like they needed to track 24 characters. (And there are even more side characters.) I only wanted readers to see large groups of teens who had distinct personalities–mostly (to be completely honest) so their deaths were emotional. I feared if I didn’t show each teen a little bit that their deaths would come across as empty filler. 

Granted, I succeeded–I still get emails asking about the most obscure characters I never thought anyone would latch onto that strongly–but I definitely think the large cast could be culled, and the book would be stronger for it.

Lastly, if I did it all over again, I would stand by that it’s one book–not two. 

Bad Bloods originally was one book. When I rewrote it for CTP, it was too long (and too costly) to print as one book, so we decided to split Bad Bloods into November Rain (Part One) and November Snow (Part Two). Even though we called them “parts” and marketed it clearly, too many readers complained about the abrupt transition from November Rain into November Snow. This is actually what I regret the most. I wish I had revised my word count and kept it as one book instead. 

But I can’t change the past! 

We live. We learn. We keep writing. 

I am grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had with Bad Bloods and my other novels. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned over the years into my new works.

If you were given the chance, how would you change your already published novels?

~SAT

Exploring Hidden World Building in BAD BLOODS

If you’ve been following me for a while, then you already know my young adult series BAD BLOODS is a dark fantasy that hinges on the outcome of a polarizing and violent election–an election primarily focused on the rights of others. 

I actually err on the side of caution when promoting this series because so many of the topics within my series were inspired by the painful parts of history…many of which we are seeing repeated today.  

For example, the sequel duology–July Thunder/Lightning–was largely inspired by Hurricane Katrina and the AIDS epidemic. Now we are in the throes of climate change and COVID. That said, in order to make room for some very heavy subject matters, I ended up cutting explanations for some of the lighter aspects of the world building. Of all those cuts, two parts of the first duology (November Rain/Snow) always stayed with me. 

The reason the election takes place at the end of November instead of the beginning: I always pictured this happening in the dystopian future because an election became so volatile (such as through an assassination of a candidate) that the election was postponed and later kept at that date. (It also gave me the entire month of November to use as a “ticking clock” storytelling device rather than just random days on a future calendar–hence why the original publication in 2007 was titled November Snow.) I also cut this bit of information because I was planning on covering a presidential assassination in Ami and Skeleton’s story in October Blood & Bone, which would’ve been the third duology in the series, so I didn’t want the information to feel repetitive. (A small part of me hopes that Ami and Skeleton get to tell that story one day, but for now, I’m okay with it sitting on my laptop.)Though the first duology takes place in November, there’s no Thanksgiving. In a society where parents sacrifice their own children to the streets–whether through radicalization or feeling like they do not have a choice–I couldn’t imagine families coming together anymore. Even the found families–the “flocks”–can’t come together safely because it risks their lives, much in the same way congregating becomes illegal when ruled by a police state. That said, I never mention this outright because I didn’t think Daniel and Serena (the two POVs) would even be aware of these holidays. The country is already so far gone by the time they are born that it didn’t feel natural for them to linger on old traditions they wouldn’t have had connections with, especially since both of them weren’t even raised by adults who could’ve explained it to them. 

Both of these world building aspects technically exist but are not outright stated, though a reader might wonder why the election is later in the book or why holidays are never mentioned. 

Sometimes I wish I had room to mention them. Sometimes I think about how I would write this book differently if given another chance. 

But maybe that’s a post for another day. 

When you’re considering which parts of your world building matter, I highly suggest being character-forward. What matters most to them? What is at the front of their minds? What’s true to their POV?

You, the author, have a birds’ eye view, but your protagonist does not.

It may hurt to cut or be subtle about an aspect you’ve put a lot of work into, but trust me, sometimes that what makes it feel more real. Besides, you can always use the information as extras (just as I’m doing now).

Anyway, elections always remind me of this series…now more so than ever. 

If you’re in the states, I want to take this moment to ask you to make sure you get out and vote tomorrow. Vote.org is an amazing resource to get all the information you need. 

Are there any world building aspects you have in your work that you don’t outright state but is still present? Why did you decide to handle it the way that you did? 

~SAT

If you’re interested in reading Bad Bloods, November Rain is free!

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, Goodreads

Quick peek: 17-year-old Serena is the only bad blood to escape execution. Now symbolized for an election, she must prove her people are human despite magical abilities before everyone is killed and a city is destroyed. 

Tropes: Wrong side of the tracks romance, star-crossed lovers, multi-POV romance, guardianship, childhood trauma, and “hurt her and die.” 

The Bad Bloods series is a dark romantic dystopian fantasy series (and the series is complete, so no waiting for the next book!) 

Content warnings: childhood trauma, death, gun violence.  

Free Webinar on Writing Spooky

Just a friendly reminder that I am teaching a free writing webinar this Thursday, October 24. Want to write stories that delight with fright? I will provide tips for writing stories that strike fear in the hearts of readers. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) Register.

If you know an aspiring spooky writer, please share! I’m covering all age categories and sub-genres.

~SAT

What Content Do You Want to See More Of?

It’s check-in time!

As we get closer to the holidays (and the end of the year), I want to check in with you. 

Throughout the year, I post a variety of content, and it’s all for YOU. I want to make sure that I’m giving you all what you enjoy the most. Since the chaos of the algorithm is impossible to understand, I’d rather just ask:

Regarding my platforms, what did you enjoy seeing the most? What do you wish you saw more of? How can I help you?

Examples: Do you prefer funny reels or informative blog posts? If you want more behind-the-scenes writing content, what aspects interest you? Are there specific topics you want to know more about?

Any and all feedback is welcome! I have a bi-weekly blog (where I share informative writing tips), a quarterly newsletter (where I share exclusive sneak peeks), Facebook (with a unique discussion post every Wednesday), TikTok (videos), and Instagram (Stories is my fav for daily writing updates). I guess I also have X. (lol) I’m only online because of YOU. I love to connect with you. Knowing what sort of content will help and entertain you the most helps me get it made. 

Please comment below with your wishlist! (You can also reach me on any of my social media profiles here.)

~SAT

How I Manage Social Media While Writing Novels (& Working Full Time)

Writing a novel while working full time (and raising a family) is tough enough, let alone having to manage a social media platform, and yet being able to market yourself is a skillset publishers often consider. 

So how can you manage a social media presence while writing and working?

My answer isn’t going to work for everyone, but this is how I fit social media into my busy schedule:

I take advantage of writers’ block or other writing dry spells. 

Whenever I’m not quite vibing with my writing, I’ll use my writing time as content creation time. That means I’m drafting a blog post (like this) or analyzing my stats to see what I should be making next. I might be shooting videos or writing captions. Whatever I’m in the mood for, I’ll do. What’s important is that I’m utilizing my writing time (when I can’t write) to create social media content. 

Now that you have a set time to create social media, let’s focus on the next step: batch content creation. 

If you take a close look at my TikTok, you’ll see that I’m wearing the same clothes in numerous videos. That isn’t because I’m a cartoon; it’s because I shoot numerous videos in one day. Too many content creators worry about looking perfect and making every post unique. In a sense, you get content creator’s block (instead of writer’s block). My biggest tip here? Don’t overthink it. I don’t have time to jump on every single trend, so instead, I go into TikTok and ask it to recommend sounds for me. I browse those for a few minutes, select a couple, and record. I’ll edit everything (and post) later. 

Make a posting plan. 

WIthout getting into the nitty gritty, it helps when you have a plan and stick to it. For example, I post every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday morning. I’ll use my Stories feature on Instagram for any extras, and I have a unique Wednesday discussion post for my Facebook followers. All of the content is drafted two weeks beforehand. That way, I’m not scrambling at the last second every day (and I have wiggle room in case I fall behind due to unexpected illness or other life events). Figure out how much you want to create, and start posting at targeted times (I use a third-party scheduler, like Later, so that it uploads on its own). I’d recommend starting slow and building up from there.

One last piece of advice? Use Canva and delegate if you can. 

It takes one minute to flip my videos around so that my books are facing the readable direction instead of being mirrored backward. Use their already made templates to create reel covers. This will help your feed look consistent, which attracts viewership. You could even consider hiring someone through Fiverr or Etsy to make branded templates for you. (I did, and I wish I had done it earlier.) Design is not my strong suit. Maybe you even want to hire a social media person to do the posting for you. Whatever is in your budget, go for it. 

At the end of the day, your platform is a great way for readers, teachers, publishers, and librarians to learn more about you. But it doesn’t have to take you away from your writing time.

Writing comes first, then social media creation. Do as much or as little as you can. 

You got this!

~SAT

How to Find Beta Readers and Critique Partners

I love my critique partners. I’ve been swapping pages with the same group since 2016 (and connected with additional critique partners along the way). Without their insights, I would’ve never grown the way I have over the years, which is why I’m always encouraging writers to connect with beta readers and critique partners, too. 

But how do you find critique partners and beta readers?

I connected with my critique partners through an in-person conference in my home state. I was looking for an in-person meet-up, which is why this worked for me. There’s five of us total, and we write across lots of genres and age categories. What I love most about our group is that everyone brings something so unique to the table. One person in our group is fantastic at line editing; another is fabulous an enhancing interiority. We meet once a month and exchange about 10-20 pages a piece. We also let each other know what type of feedback we’re looking for, so that we have a focused conversation. 

I share this because connecting with critique partners is only the beginning. Setting up expectations is just as important. Communication is key to building a wonderful group you can lean on for many years. 

You might look up local library programs, indie bookstores, or coffee shops. They often host meetups. Local writer associations—like SCBWI—may have a chapter near you, too. 

But what if you don’t have in-person options?

That’s okay! 

Writers are everywhere online. 

I have four other critique partners that I connected with on the internet. My biggest tip for finding critique partners online? Connect with fellow writers who are in a similar place. For example, if you’re writing a young adult fantasy and pursuing traditional publication, get on X, Threads, Instagram, etc., and follow writers who are posting about their WIPs. You could explore booktok and hashtags like #fantasybooks or #publishingjourney.

Show each other support, get to know each other as friends, and then ask if they’d be open to reading. Offer to exchange pages. Start out slow and only exchange a few chapters, explaining what type of feedback you’re looking for, and see how it goes. 

You may have to swap pages with a couple of people before you find someone that you truly vibe with, and that’s okay! Everyone has different styles and needs. Your needs may even change from project to project. For example, I have a first draft of one of my projects out with only one CP, because I knew that CP would be perfect for that book, and I wanted her insight before I shared it with others.) 

This is what works for me.

What works for you may be different, but don’t be afraid to get out there and exchange work with other writers. 

We’re all in this together. 

~SAT

Free Writing Webinars: Revising Your Manuscript and Tips for Writing Spooky

This fall I’ll be teaching two free writing webinars. I know how signing up for an educational event can feel daunting…or just plain time consuming. Which is why I thought I’d give you all a sneak peek of what’s coming up. That way, you can make a more informed decision on if the content is what you’re looking for to help with your writing goals this spring! If you attend the programs, you will get a free copy of the slides for your personal use. 

On Tuesday, September 10, I’ll be teaching Revising Your Manuscript at 7 PM EST via ZOOM: Learn how to revise your manuscript for publication. I will provide self-editing tips and discuss how to handle feedback from critique partners. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) Register.

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, I’ll be sharing Tips for Writing Spooky at 7 PM EST via ZOOM: Want to write stories that delight with fright? I will provide tips for writing stories that strike fear in the hearts of readers. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) Register.

Again, you can register for the programs here: Revising Your Manuscript and Tips for Writing Spooky. I also encourage you to share them with others! Various classes have helped me fine-tune my writing over the years. It’s a joy to give back from the other side.

As always, keep an eye out on my Event page and subscribe to my newsletter for the latest news. It is quarterly, and it goes out this week! 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

I hope to see you there!

~SAT

P.S. If you’re interested in me teaching at your library, school, or event, please use my Contact page. I am currently booking 2025 events.

How to Tackle an Edit Letter

Have you ever received an edit letter or notes from a beta reader, and you’re not sure where to begin?

Everyone’s revising tactics will be different, but sometimes it helps to see how someone else digests information and figures out what to do. 

This is how I tackle an edit letter:

I read it once, sleep on it, then return to it in the morning and reread. During my second read, I color-code. Personally, I highlight the parts that resonate with me, bold the parts I want to think about more, and turn the biggest hurdle issue red. I will also cross out parts that I know, without a doubt, don’t resonate with me, but I typically don’t start crossing out until I’ve genuinely given everything a chance to ruminate. It’s important to note that I never delete anything (just in case I change my mind later). Crossing out allows me to still reference it if needed.

Now that I have a color-coded setup of the edit letter, I create a new document where I start piecemealing my plan together. 

Since I use Scrivener, I often find myself in Side-by-Side mode. At the top, I put the biggest issue that I need to solve. This is generally about character motivations because it’s the driving force of the story and I’ll need to keep it in mind as I consider the other puzzle pieces. 

Now that I have that at the top, I divide my plan into three pieces:

Character ChangesWorld Building ChangesOutline

The reason I separate these is because character changes and world building changes need to be decided upon before I start outlining plot. I need to truly understand them before I dive into the book or the domino effect could derail everything.

Once I get those elements solidified, I will tackle my outline. 

When I look at my outline, I need two documents: My original outline and my blank document where I will start to create my new storyline with all the notes I’ve collected from the edit letter. 

I think it’s vital to reread your original piece before jumping into your new piece because you may have forgotten some details that could change the direction you want to go. If I haven’t already reread it, this would be where I would stop and reread. While rereading, I will most likely create a bare bones outline (if I don’t already have one) or crosscheck it against the one I do have (while taking any notes that I feel are relevant to the revision). 

For example, if I know I want to cut Chapter 3, I will color-code notes to let myself know what I’m keeping (purple), what I’m cutting (red), and what I’m changing (green), so that I know I’m being consistent. 

With all this in mind, I will start putting my plan in order. 

For example, I will write “Chapter Three: Add in a new world building element, remove an unnecessary character, adjust cliffhanger, change dialogue” etc. 

As I write my revision, I will cross out the details, but I won’t delete them. That way, if I need to go back for whatever reason (most likely a domino effect of some kind), I can reference it to find the information I need. I will continue this method until the very end, and I will keep my revision notes afterward (again, in case I need to reference it for whatever reason). 

Typically, I use Revision Mode in Scrivener so that my revision is color-coded for my agent (or editor). I will also turn in a bare bones outline of the changes I made. This helps everyone refresh their memories of the original, the requested changes, and the changes I actually made (versus the ones I didn’t). I will even add in explanations as to why I didn’t change something. 

Anyway, I hope this helps you tackle your next edit letter!

How do you revise?

~SAT

P.S. I will be teaching Revising Your Manuscript on September 10, 2024 at 7 PM EST via ZOOM: Learn how to revise your manuscript for publication. Author and mentor Shannon A. Thompson will provide self-editing tips and discuss how to handle feedback from critique partners. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card to attend.) Register.

Trusting the Writing Process When You Must Kill Your Darlings

Right now, I am in the process of killing my darlings. A common phrase used in the writing world, and yet many writers have different definitions for it. Recently, it seems many writers take “kill your darlings” literally and they kill characters. While that technically counts, “kill your darlings” is a reference to eliminating any part of your writing that you previously loved but is no longer serving a purpose in the story.

But how does this happen?

From what I’ve seen, many aspiring writers revise and revise and revise, and by the time they get to their “final” draft, they believe everything that’s in their book is necessary. And you know what? That might be true…for this draft.

You could absolutely have a very tight narrative with well-developed characters and a thought-out world. But if you’re pursuing traditional publishing, agents and editors will have their own take on what elements need to be enhanced and cut back in order to achieve a more commercial story.

Hence why you may need to tear up that “final” draft and kill your darlings in order to get a new version.

I won’t lie though. It’s tough.

For me, taking an edit letter and applying it to my own work is both exhilarating and frustrating. Mostly frustrating at the beginning – when uncertainty is clouding my ability to sever my expectations of my old draft so that I can focus on what the new one will look like. It’s hard to let go of those one-liners you were so in love with, those characters you spent all that time with, those scenes that made your heart flutter.

It’s why I don’t kill my darlings permanently.

While I may cut something from my novel, I always drop it into a folder for another day. Who knows? I may find the opportune moment to bring it back – or I can use it as “fan extras” in my quarterly newsletter.

Right now, my “kill your darlings” folder is full. And you know what I see in those words? My patience and perseverance. My passion.

I am using the scenes that I once loved as fuel to discover the new scenes I will fall in love with.

I am growing – and so is my work.

~SAT