Emily ~Autumn, Winter~
asked
Shannon Messenger:
Do you ever read the fan fictions? If you do and have time there is this REALLY amazing one on fanfiction.net/s/9937018/1/Unexpected-Presents I was wondering if you could somehow incorporate something like it into the fourth book?
Shannon Messenger
Actually, I don't read fanfictions, for a lot of different reasons. Time is a big one. But I also *don't* want it to influence the story.
I've found that If I spend too much time thinking about what *I* want to have happen or what the fans want to have happen, it strangely ends up making scenes that aren't as good. They end up feeling forced. And the best scenes I write are always the scenes where I step back and ask the characters, "okay, what are you going to do now?"
So I work very hard to shut out everything else, and just write the story the way it needs to be told. So far, it hasn't led me wrong yet. And hey, if I end up missing a scene fans want, they can go read the fanfictions. :)
I've found that If I spend too much time thinking about what *I* want to have happen or what the fans want to have happen, it strangely ends up making scenes that aren't as good. They end up feeling forced. And the best scenes I write are always the scenes where I step back and ask the characters, "okay, what are you going to do now?"
So I work very hard to shut out everything else, and just write the story the way it needs to be told. So far, it hasn't led me wrong yet. And hey, if I end up missing a scene fans want, they can go read the fanfictions. :)
More Answered Questions
Savannah Chandler
asked
Shannon Messenger:
Hello! I just started reading your Keeper of Lost Cities series, and I'm really loving it! Your writing is just incredibly captivating, and I cannot wait to read the next book! My question for you is...where did you gain inspiration for Keeper? Was there a specific place you retreated to brainstorm, or did your ideas just come to you at moments least expected? The whole idea for this series is just so neat to me!
sasha
asked
Shannon Messenger:
Hi I was just wondering,(and Im pretty sure this question has yet to be asked) So you have a plot whisperer named Kari Olson who occasionally helps you out with the plotting system and whatnot... So i thought "Maybe she knows all about the story and what's gonna happen" Well,is it true? I mean does she know where the story is going and so so?
julia
asked
Shannon Messenger:
Hi Ms. Messenger! I have another question when you have time to answer it. ^_^ In your answer to my last question, you said that you can't click links to other people's writing. Just wanted to let you know that the link I sent you wasn't anyone's writing, it was a blog post (not my blog) that listed the team name of the winner of a kids writing challenge. :) Can you look at stuff like that? Thank you so much!
Shannon Messenger
19,178 followers
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