Member Spotlight: Shannon Elliot

Why is writing important to you and why do you think it’s an important medium for the world? I love telling stories that reflect diversity. The people I surround myself with are the same ones who inspire me to write. I write romance and strongly believe that everyone deserves their happily ever after. As such, I want everyone to be able to see themselves in the romance stories they read. Queer, BIPOC, and disabled readers should be able to experience their own love stories on the page. Writing is my way of saying that they are seen, valued, and loved.

What are your tried and tested remedies to cure writer’s block? Word vomiting to my writing partners and alpha readers is the best way for me to work through writer’s block. Sometimes even just brainstorming a different story to work on later helps me break through. But also giving yourself time away from a project is always helpful when you truly can’t write another word.

What is your favorite time to write? I tend to be most productive when I first wake up, but alas, like many fellow self-published authors, evenings are typically when I have the most time to work on projects.

What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received and would like to impart to other writers? Write for yourself. If you’re not in love with the story and idea, readers can feel that in the work. It’s easy to be influenced by trends but if you’re writing the work you’re passionate about readers will pick up on that excitement.

What excites you most about being a writer in today’s age? I love the connection that I’m able to have with readers through social media. Gaining a large following on social media is a wild experience, and it’s been incredible to get to know readers in a whole new way through social media. I started as a reviewer on booktok long before I ever started writing and I am eternally grateful for the love and support of my booktok family.

Shannon Elliot’s Heel is out now.