Five Compelling Questions with Shawn

Shawn and Nick chat about musicians who become writers, the past its impact on the present, content warnings in novels, working closely with editors, and debut author excitement.

Shawn and Anissa chat about the concept of someone disappearing and the resulting emotions for those left behind, following up a blockbuster novel with the next book, having goals at a young age to write, having to pay for rent and food, and a joyful rapid-fire quiz where we learn so much more than we thought we knew about Anissa.

Shawn and Colleen chat about her newest novel, grandmothers, gender-neutral names, how far we've come as women and how far we still need to go, Thelma and Louise, and having family members live on in our memories forever.

Shawn and Becky chat about what it’s like to be a quadruplet married to a twin, beach reads, high school sweethearts, the work that goes into life, how film development work has influenced Becky’s writing, weddings and wedding drama, and being extroverts in the writing community who found each other.

Shawn and Jenny chat about her debut novel, plotting with Post-It notes, being on the other side of the editorial desk, not tracking serial killers, life in Brooklyn, living in someone else's home, thinking in different ways to solve problems, and kind stalking.

Shawn and Ling Ling chat about musicians turned writers, nameless main characters, Starbucks names, the concept of beauty as self-care, discovering love, and having a very busy creative schedule.

Shawn and Cindy chat about her legal background and how that influences her writing.

Shawn and Kristin chat about her debut novel, her dad and his martial arts skills, beautiful book covers, readers in Bulgaria, Russia and current affairs, and the sweetest answer given to a regular question asked on the show.

Shawn and Jill chat about Italy, Italian families, the power of love, how being an editor helps your own writing, how writing is always fun, even when it's hard, and having a chef pair a menu to your book.

Shawn and Lynn chat about being from Indiana, connections and being connected, the Polio crisis, the hard work of healthcare workers and those who work tirelessly to help save us all, what it was like for women in the past and today, kindness, the black plague, and pandemics.

Shawn and Cheryl chat about her novel that was inspired by a family tragedy, her grandfather's murder, social justice, racial reckoning in our country, George Floyd, writing for all audiences, standalones vs. an established series, editorial notes that make you LOL, seizing opportunities, and how writing what you know is BS.

Shawn and Gabriel chat about writing historical fiction in the iconic town of Boston, being compared to the greats, characters and how to define them, classic noir mysteries, upcoming projects, and Insta-famous writing partner kitty Munchkin.

Shawn and Rachel chat about her debut novel, screenwriting and writing novels, her movie TORN HEARTS, Katy Segal, being salespeople, dealing with the one percent, being drawn to a strong point of view, weird jobs, casting for Naked and Afraid, and loving writing.

Shawn and Greg chat about Greg's Shamus win, and getting to be a judge for the competition afterwards, teachers, plotting and dialogue, Wallander, Nordic crime fiction, keeping a series fresh, and writing characters that everyone loves.

Shawn and Deepti chat about Portugal, what being a human being feels like, working on screenplays, writing trilogies, being less anxious, and loving all of your characters, even the bad ones.

Shawn and Iris chat about her screenwriting experience, writing the 2006 film LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA for Clint Eastwood, Alice in Wonderland as inspiration, writing in different disciplines, great advice for beginning writers, and loving going to bed early.

Shawn and Leah chat about common and uncommon knowledge, being broke in NYC, believing in yourself, finding free things to do, being inspired in bookstores, taking five or ten years to write a novel, and not loving chocolate.

Shawn and Heather chat about Christmas shops on the beach, when Christmas decorations go up and come down, talking about murder at the dinner table, finding things in your house to kill with, Law & Order TV, and writing multiple series.

Shawn and Lynn chat about Canada, ski resorts and skiing, writing millennial mysteries, 1950s housewives, reimagining goals after life's twists and turns, gorgeous actors and actresses, and the enduring appeal of cozy mysteries.

Shawn and Jenny chat about her debut novel, awkward beginnings, being human, finding the right agent, being midwestern, feeling like an outsider, trailer parks, and making new friends in the best way possible.

Shawn and Julie chat about historical mysteries, representing historical time periods accurately, writing short and long fiction, dogs and cats living together, and very hot peppers.

Shawn and Erica chat about playing violin at the Met, musicians turned authors, Charlotte Bronte, finding a publishing home for your series, and kindness.

Shawn and Marilyn chat about writing for adults and younger readers, Level Elevate, controlled chaos, eavesdropping in coffee shops, and coffee entrepreneurs/enthusiasts.

Shawn and Leah chat about her debut adult mystery novel, finding a location for a mystery series on a family trip, summers of our youth, finding time in the day, having young children, and their love of libraries.

Shawn and Des chat about his career in law enforcement and how it informs his fiction writing, writing multiple series, parents, comments on websites, and being told real experiences you've had wouldn't ever happen.