Welcome to Shannon Muir’s Infinite House of Books!
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INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR
+ What initially got you interested in writing?
I can’t pinpoint any one thing or time, but I’ve always had an active imagination. I began penning silly stories as a child, but what really pushed me into writing that first book (secretly I might add) was that common reason many authors give—I write what I want to read. Really, it just sort of happened.
+ How did you decide to make the move into becoming a published author?
In part because people around me told me to so I would stop talking about it. I’ve always been a doer and the not doing was driving me a bit crazy. There’s also that desire to see what you’ve written in the hands of readers. Perhaps they’ll enjoy, perhaps they won’t, but knowing the book is out there is powerful magic.
+ What do you want readers to take away from reading your works?
To put it simply I write love stories, but there’s also adventure, flawed characters, charming characters, and sometimes a little violence thrown into the mix. But in my books, at least one character has to endure—whether it’s enduring through great pain, finding their inner strength to survive, or enduring through heartache. I hope readers see that because I know it inspires me.
+ What do you find most rewarding about writing?
The bowl of chocolate on my desk! Seriously though, I find every part of writing rewarding. The ups and downs, the editing, the revisions, the initial plotting, the writing itself—it’s all rewarding. With each step I take through the process, I find something new to enjoy and to learn. Most recently I’ve learned how much fun it is to hear from readers and to interact with them . . . and I wasn’t joking about the chocolate.
+ What do you find most challenging about writing?
Marketing, though enjoyable, is the most challenging. I find that it takes nearly as much time to market as it does to write and I’ve had to find a balance. In the end, the marketing means nothing if the books don’t get written.
+ What advice would you give to people wanting to enter the field?
Know what you’re getting into. It’s an enormously rewarding field, but it’s also challenging and at times nerve-wracking. Go into with an open mind and an eagerness to do everything it takes to write and market your book. Whether you’re traditionally published or self-published, the amount of work is the same!
+ Is there anything else besides writing you think people would find interesting about you?
I always have a tough time with this question because I wonder why anyone would find what I do with my life interesting. I’m the person who can’t tell you what happens in People magazine—ever. But I’ll give it a go! I enjoy swimming in the lake during the summer or hiking through Glacier Park. I can spend hours baking in the kitchen and not grow tired or bored. During the winter I snowshoe. I love dogs and horses and would raise Friesians and Highland Ponies if given the chance.
+ What are the best ways to connect with you, or find out more about your work?
My website has the most collective bit of information on me and the books. I’ve only recently accepted the necessary evil of social media, but I do enjoy connecting with readers and authors.
Website: http://www.mkmcclintock.com
Blog: http://mkmcclintock.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MK-McClintock/454576274571336
Twitter: @MKMcClintockMT
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5438837.M_K_McClintock
