Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
Miranda Shanklin I live in Central Illinois with my husband, our two children, our 100 lab, two cats, our sons 10 month old lab and our daughter’s cat. I work full time during the day as a Paralegal at a very busy law firm. That job is very demanding and stressful. I love my job, but I also love I get to come into my home office (which hubby built for me and is everything I wanted) and escape into another world for the weekend.
When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?
For me the first book in a series is the easiest one to write. I think it’s the last book in the series that’s the hardest to write. I had such a hard time with it I had a spin off trilogy already planned because it wasn’t coming together the way it needed to in order for that to be the end. Luckily, the last book in the Trilogy (which took me three times as long to write) was able to give me that completed feeling.
When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Yep. My series is a serial series. It needs to be read in order. The spin off trilogy isn’t really as much but it’s better if it’s read in order. It’s also better if you read the series first because I always refer back to things that happened in prior books.
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
I have cried many times while writing. All that means is I put all of myself into my writing. To me writing is personal. Don’t separate yourself from your writing. Immerse yourself in the story. Write a story you would want to read.
On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?
I don’t typically write during the week. As I said my day job is demanding and stressful. I am usually drained by the time I get home. I want to make sure I am giving my characters my all. On the weekends it depends. I had some health issues that had to be dealt with and some anxiety issues and now that I’m back I make sure to get at least 5,000 a weekend but try for more. I currently have three fantasy series, a second chance romance, a contemporary fiction, and a dystopian I am working on so sometimes it’s just a matter of taking notes or writing a few scenes in my journal I carry around just for that purpose.
Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.
I do, I love this character. I really wish I could tell you about her, but she is in a book that I’m still working on. She is one of the main characters in one of my fantasy series. I will tell you it is about dragon shifters!
If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?
That’s a hard one. I’m thinking it would be one three different ones. Of course, I can’t tell you about those either because I’m still working on those too ! I know authors can be so frustrating can’t they?
What is your definition of success?
Most people would answer this with some kind of money measurement. That just isn’t who I am. If one of my books helps someone through a tough time, then I am a success. Or if I inspire someone to reach for their dream, then I am a success. I have a job that pays the bills, I don’t do this for the money. I do this because I love it. When I was about ten years old my mom let me read Stephen King for the first time (I had been bugging her for about a year and she finally caved) and I was hooked. He is the reason I became a writer. I thought if I could help one person escape whatever is bothering them like he did for me, I couldn’t do anything better for someone. There is no greater honor in my opinion.
What are your social links?
https://www.facebook.com/mirandashanklinauthor
https://www.instagram.com/mlshanklin/
What are your buy links?
https://author.amazon.com/home
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go to www.WritersontheRiver.com
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