Interview: Shannon O’Connor

Today we welcome Shannon O’Connor to the blog to answer intrusive questions and tell us all about her upcoming books. Welcome, Shannon! Firstly, what brings you here today?

For fun! And also a new book release/ series cover reveal.

What started you writing?

I honestly don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing, even when I wanted to be a fashion designer or an artist, I always wrote short stories and things like that. About 3 and a half years ago I went through a pretty dark time, experienced a heartbreak, among other things and I wrote to heal myself. When I was done I felt it was something I wanted to share, so I self published my first poetry book For Always and shortly after, Holding on to Nothing.

Where do you write?

Mostly at different coffee shops, most commonly Starbucks.

What do you like to read?

Anything romance, poetry and psychological thrillers.

What are the three books you’d take to a desert island? Why would you choose them?

Honeybee by Trista Mateer, Folie a Deux by Cynthia A. Rodriguez, & Straight Up by Charity Ferrell. They consist of one from each of my favorite genres and they’re books I wouldn’t mind reading over and over again.

Writing is an intrinsically solo occupation. Do you belong to any groups or associations, either online or in the ‘real’ world? How does that work for you?

I’m hoping once covid calms down, or eventually goes away I’ll feel more comfortable to meet in person for a writing group. I am in several facebook writing groups that I really love. It’s great to be able to connect with people who do what you do.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love baking! I used to work in a bakery so usually when I’m stressed or just want something sweet I’ll bake. I love decorating cakes, making chocolate covered desserts and baking muffins.

Tell me a little bit about your most recent release. What gave you the idea for it? How long did it take to write? What did you enjoy about writing it? What did you hate?

It’s set to release in March and it’s something I’ve been working on for quite awhile. It was a part of an anthology in 2021 as a shorter 20k story, but I always had plans to expand it. It started as a contemporary romance between two women and changed to a women’s fiction novel with a side of FF romance. It took me about 6 months to write it all. This story was a little tougher than usual to get through because it wasn’t just telling a love story, it was showing a journey of self love. The idea came to me with a bit of similarity to something I went through personally, losing someone I loved who was toxic and discovering myself for the first time. I hated that it took so long for me to write, but I really wanted Riley’s story told correctly. She was a tough character to write because she evokes so many emotions for me personally. I really enjoyed seeing it all unfold, her story isn’t quite finished as she is a side character in Unexpected Days, my novel set to release in September 2022.