Author Interview with Shannon Iwanski

Shannon Iwanski began writing as a child and won his first award at 15. He has gone on to win multiple awards for science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery/suspense, and romance. He has previously served as an editor for two small presses, enjoys speaking at writers’ conferences, and helps other writers with their craft, including as a sensitivity reader.

1. ‎How did you become a writer?

I learned to read using the I See Sam books, which featured various animals. That led to me writing plays featuring animals. From plays I went on to short stories, which brought my first writing award outside of school at the age of 15. I also handwrote my first novel around that same time. It will never see the light of day. 

2. What inspires you to write?

I attribute the vast amount of my inspiration to my muse. She definitely works overtime. My inspiration also tends to hit all over the place. For instance, I once had an idea for a story while watching a documentary about volcanoes. The story had nothing to do with anything I saw or heard in the documentary.

3. How do you develop your plot and characters?

When it comes to writing, I'm very much a Pants-er. I'll have brief flashes of characters and/or plots that will slowly start to coalesce into the idea of a story. I may write down a few things to remember, and I may mull things over from a particular viewpoint, but once it comes down to the writing, I don't know what's going to happen until it's forming in my mind. At times, it can result in a lot of stop-and-start writing, but once I hit the flow, I can knock out several thousand words and not realize how much I've written. My characters also have very bad habits of "talking" to me, especially when I'm trying to fall asleep. A few of them have even invaded my dreams and woke me up arguing with each other.

4. What is your current project?

I'm working on an ongoing Queer supernatural detective series of novellas. Think The Dresden Files meets The Murderbot Diaries as told by Deadpool. The first four are complete, and the fifth one is in process. The idea for the sixth installment is already percolating in the back of my mind.

5. Tell me about your protagonaist. What's your favorite trait and/or weakness?

Detective Parker Eklund is the main character, and he tells the story from his perspective. He's incredibly loyal and faithful. He knows his limits, but that doesn't always mean he sticks to those limits. His biggest flaw is being incredibly realistic while also not always having a reliable perspective on the reality of various situations.

6. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

If fellow writers need help, give it. If they offer help, take it. Your only competition as a writer is you, and you get to determine what makes you successful as a writer.

To learn more, visit shannoniwanski.com.