Shannon A. Thompson

I always tell writers to take their time when writing about personal pain, but sometimes giving words to the anguish you're facing is what gets you through the day. 
          
          If you've ever lost your best friend - your pet companion - and you've faced the horrible decision of euthanasia, this one is for you. Though so many of us go through this, we rarely discuss this grief in depth. The anticipatory grief. The guilt. The what ifs and why's. 
          
          I believe one of the best ways I can honor Bogart is by sharing our story in the hope that it alleviates pain for others...and maybe even prevents what happened to him from happening to your beloved buddy. 
          
          Thank you for reading. 
          
          https://shannonathompson.com/2025/01/13/rest-in-peace-to-my-soul-cat/

Get ready to tackle your 2025 writing goals with these two free webinars!
          Learn more: https://shannonathompson.com/2025/01/06/free-writing-webinars-to-kickstart-your-2025-writing-goals/

Every year, I reflect on where I’m at, not only in my writing career, but also in my personal life and how it all correlates. 
          
          2024 was The Year of Revision
          
          Here's why:
          
          
          https://shannonathompson.com/2024/12/16/2024-the-year-of-revision/

Check out my interview with BOLD JOURNEY. We discussed overcoming postpartum depression while pursuing writing and working full time. I give tips on resilience and handling it all when you feel overwhelmed. 
          
          https://boldjourney.com/meet-shannon-thompson-2/

My last quarterly newsletter is going out this Thursday! 
          
          Subscribe for a chance to win $25 to any indie bookstore and see what it’s truly like to pursue traditional publication. I also give books recs and a sneak peek at my WIP. 
          
          Learn more: https://shannonathompson.us11.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=87beb4b34ec7641b5aee6c2c1&id=2410c3029a

Here are my favorite 2024 reads! What were yours?
          
          https://shannonathompson.com/2024/12/02/my-favorite-books-of-2024/

How would I rewrite my already published books if given the chance? 
          
          I ask myself this question every now and again. It’s a great exercise to evaluate what you’ve learned over the years. 
          
          Join me on my blog today to analyze my work and discuss the odds of a second chance in publishing. 
          
          https://shannonathompson.com/2024/11/18/how-id-rewrite-my-already-published-book/

When I wrote Bad Bloods, I realized I wouldn’t have space to fit in all my world building. That meant I had to make some tough decisions about what to cut and what to keep (but subtly). 
          Learn how to analyze your book by analyzing the lessons I learned writing mine. 
          
          https://shannonathompson.com/2024/11/04/exploring-hidden-world-building-in-bad-bloods/

Thank you to everyone who came out to my writing webinar last night! 
          
          My next event will be about fast drafting. Join me virtually at the OCLS Writers Conference in January. (More details to come!)
          
          Learn more and stay tuned: https://attend.ocls.org/event/11009407

Want to write stories that fright with delight? ✍️
          
          This Thursday, I’m teaching a free virtual webinar on writing spooky stories. (You do not have to have an Orange County Library card.)
          
          Learn more: https://attend.ocls.org/event/10960055