Shannon has served as a guest speaker at festivals and conferences around the country to include but not limited to the LA Times Book Festival, American Library Association, Book Expo of America, Bouchercon, Romance Writers of America, South East Young Adult Book Festival, Southern Festival of Books, and many more.
Shannon grew up in Tennessee where she dreaded all things reading and writing. She didn’t even read her first book for enjoyment until she was twenty-five. After that, she was hooked! When she’s not writing, she works as an adjunct math professor and lives on the coast in Florida with her very grouchy dog. Find her online everywhere @segreenauthor.
Most people are very surprised to discover I dreaded reading and writing as a kid.
What was the greatest thing you learned at school?
Funny enough, I had fabulous math teachers in high school. They made me fall in love with numbers.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received from another author?
Keep writing, even if you’re blocked. Set aside time every day. It’ll be so worth it in the end.
What are some of the common challenges that new and experienced authors face and what advice do you have for over-coming them?
Probably the biggest challenge a new author has is finding representation. As far as experienced authors, it seems maintaining the momentum and readership is the most common challenge. The market is constantly changing and it keeps all of us on our toes.
For those who are unfamiliar with your novel; The Summer My Life Began, how would you introduce it?
Girl goes away for the summer and discovers her life is nothing like she thought it was. Girl falls in love with hot surfer dude, too. Gotta have a hot surfer dude!
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Elizabeth?
Actually all the characters that popped up along the way are what surprised me most. It was the same way with my Specialists novels. Characters popped up everywhere and I was like, “Hello, where did you come from?”
Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
All of us go through a time where we’re trying to figure ourselves out. And some of us never do!
Do you have a favorite quote that you keep visible in your work environment to help inspire you?
Ha! “Sit your butt down and write!”
If you could introduce Cade to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
Hm, I’d introduce Cade to Beaker from the Specialists. I think she could use some of his laid back island vibe.
What are some of your current and future projects that you can share with us?
I’m definitely working on something but my agent will kill me if I spill the beans!
What’s the best advice you can give writers to help them develop their own unique voice and style?
I write with my eyes closed. I’ve discovered that’s how I delve best into the world I’m creating.
Where is the best place in the world you’ve been?
Oh, I’ve been to tons of great places. But recently I hiked the Na Pali coast in Hawaii. It definitely goes down as most memorable.
What book are you reading now?
I’m on a Susan Elizabeth Phillips binge right now. She makes me laugh out loud.
What do you think is the most useless class in high school?
Lunch. I’m too busy to sit for 30 minutes and eat.
When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?
Wow, crazy question. I tend to fib about all the junk food I inhale.
What's the worst summer job you've ever had?
Haven’t ever had one. I delivered pizza for Dominoe’s. I chipped paint at a paper mill. I waited tables at an Italian bistro. I’ve had some pretty fun jobs.
When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday. I was riding my bike and wrecked. You should see my road rash. I cried like the big baby I am.
Elizabeth Margaret--better known as Em--has always known what her life would contain: an internship at her father's firm, a degree from Harvard, and a career as a lawyer. The only problem is, it's not what she wants. So when she gets the opportunity to get away and spend a month with the aunt she never knew, she jumps at the chance. While there, Em learns that her family has some pretty significant secrets. And then there's Cade, the laid-back local surfer boy who seems to be everything Em isn't. Naturally, she can't resist him, and as their romance blossoms, Em feels that for the first time ever, she is really living life on her own terms.
With clues suggesting that the secrets of Em’s family could be terrible, readers can only hope that Em would be the one to turn it around. Shannon’s character development with Em is amazing. She is very confident without ever feeling arrogant. Her thinking makes her real as it can be and would be a fun friend to be around with.
Shannon’s stress on the importance of family sets this book apart from others like it. Shifting from one scene to the next came naturally. There is plenty of plot development that readers will be guessing what to expect. Coming of age books are a tough bid for me to sit through but I found myself invested with Em’s interesting life. Lead by Shannon’s amazing writing style, throwing myself into their world came easy. It encompasses a sweet story that will reach out and touch hearts. Every minute spent on this book will not disappoint and I am certain Shannon’s next project will be just the same.
You can purchase The Summer My Life Began at the following Retailers:
And now, The Giveaways.
Thank you SHANNON GREENLAND for making this giveaway possible.
1 Winner will receive a copy of The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland.
