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
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?
Tuesday Pil
asked
Shannon Messenger:
So, I don't like to read classic books -- I don't even like them, in fact. (gasp, I'm a shame to society! :D ) Anyway, my friend has been telling me that if I don't read those classic books (like The Great Gatsby, The Scarlet Letter, etc . . .) then I'm not a good writer. But do I really HAVE to read classic books to be a good writer?
Sara
asked
Shannon Messenger:
Now that you've finished writing Neverseen, when can you tell us if there will be a fifth book? And if there isn't (cries) we the fans expect a spin off series about Sophie's children. Or you can just write whatever you want as long as you keep making it awesome. (But Sophie.)
Shannon Messenger
18,980 followers
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