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Five Compelling Questions with Shawn

Five Compelling Questions with Shawn

By Shawn Reilly Simmons

Award-Winning Author and Editor Shawn Reilly Simmons gets to know her guests by asking Five Compelling Questions (plus a few bonus ones) about the writing life. Topics include finding inspiration, staying motivated, writing as a career, staying sane during the creative process, and balancing fictional and real life.
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EP4: FCQ for Lori Robbins, Author of the On Pointe Mysteries

Five Compelling Questions with ShawnJan 01, 2021

00:00
12:52
EP156: 5CQ for Dan White, Host of QUEER MAGNOLIAS and OUTWITHDAN

EP156: 5CQ for Dan White, Host of QUEER MAGNOLIAS and OUTWITHDAN

Shawn welcomes fellow podcaster Dan White to the show to discuss his podcasts, QUEER MAGNOLIAS and OUT WITH DAN, the importance of listening to diverse voices and points of view, finding your people, mutual friends, travel, eating and drinking, and Agatha Christie.

Mar 15, 202427:45
EP155: 5CQ for Lynn Painter, Author of HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

EP155: 5CQ for Lynn Painter, Author of HAPPILY NEVER AFTER

Shawn chats with Lynn Painter about her new novel, writing for adults and younger readers, weddings, blowing up weddings, writing rom-com male characters, the need for joy, and classic rom-com movies.

Mar 11, 202417:53
EP154: 5CQ for Cindy Goyette, Author of OBEY ALL LAWS

EP154: 5CQ for Cindy Goyette, Author of OBEY ALL LAWS

Shawn and Cindy chat about her debut novel, OBEY ALL LAWS, life as a parole officer, dogs, second chances, making mistakes, organic writing, and writing drunk and editing sober.

Mar 08, 202418:35
EP153: 5CQ for Jackie Layton, Author of WEEDING OUT LIES and CLUTTER FREE

EP153: 5CQ for Jackie Layton, Author of WEEDING OUT LIES and CLUTTER FREE

Shawn and Jackie chat about cozy mysteries, writing multiple series, flowers and what they mean to us, garden clubs, secret Pinterest boards, Texas, and how we want no sadness in some mysteries.

Mar 04, 202415:25
EP152: 5CQ for C.J. Box, Author of THREE-INCH TEETH

EP152: 5CQ for C.J. Box, Author of THREE-INCH TEETH

Shawn chats with NYT Bestselling Author C.J. Box about his 24th Joe Picket novel, THREE-INCH TEETH, writing a long-running and much-loved series, predator attack teams, Mama Bears, animal emotions, Mark Twain, and finding your own unique lane as a writer.

Mar 01, 202426:13
EP151: 5CQ for Lynn Chandler Willis, Author of WHAT THE MONKEY SAW

EP151: 5CQ for Lynn Chandler Willis, Author of WHAT THE MONKEY SAW

Shawn and Lynn chat about writing multiple series, finding a new publishing home, being from the South, True Crime, small town newspapers, breaking up with our characters, and French Bulldog puppies.

Feb 26, 202431:45
EP150: 5CQ for Bruce Robert Coffin, Co-Author of THE TURNER & MOSLEY FILES

EP150: 5CQ for Bruce Robert Coffin, Co-Author of THE TURNER & MOSLEY FILES

Shawn and Bruce chat about Bruce's new series, coauthored with LynDee Walker, the Byron series, his new series out next year, taking chances as a writer, Stephen King, non-writing spouses, the need for therapy, British television, and support from other writers in the community.

Feb 23, 202444:08
EP149: 5CQ for Darlene Dziomba, Author of FIRE AND DALMATION

EP149: 5CQ for Darlene Dziomba, Author of FIRE AND DALMATION

Shawn and Darlene chat about dogs, Bouchercon, meeting your people, support from librarians, indie vs. traditional publishing, Sisters in Crime, and connecting with readers.

Feb 19, 202423:03
EP148: 5CQ for Leah Konen, Author of KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE

EP148: 5CQ for Leah Konen, Author of KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE

Shawn and Leah chat about Leah's new novel, Alfred Hitchcock, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, making friends as adults, women shouldering family responsibilities, and how new friends might not always be what they appear to be.

Feb 16, 202426:37
EP147: 5CQ for Wendy Sand Eckel, Author of KILLER IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

EP147: 5CQ for Wendy Sand Eckel, Author of KILLER IN A WINTER WONDERLAND

Shawn and Wendy chat about writing culinary mysteries, research through cooking, moms who read, finding your reading groove again, Wendy's brush with the law at a young age, connecting with readers, and how art is important to the human condition.

Feb 12, 202429:07
EP146: 5CQ for Nick Petrie, Author of THE PRICE YOU PAY

EP146: 5CQ for Nick Petrie, Author of THE PRICE YOU PAY

Shawn and Nick chat about his long-running Peter Ash series, how Nick's career began, grocery store conversations, PTSD, writing by hand, cool techniques for writers who get stuck, many drinks with friends at conferences, author rock stars, and finding your people.

Feb 09, 202437:10
EP145: 5CQ for Erica Miner, Author of PRELUDE TO MURDER

EP145: 5CQ for Erica Miner, Author of PRELUDE TO MURDER

Shawn and Erica chat about playing the violin, creepy opera houses, being keynote speakers, concert masters, sexism in both music and writing, and Agatha Christie.

Feb 05, 202437:60
EP144: 5CQ for Dr. Frank Spinelli, Author of NO ANGELS WEPT

EP144: 5CQ for Dr. Frank Spinelli, Author of NO ANGELS WEPT

Shawn and Dr. Frank chat about his fiction and nonfiction writing career, a medical career and how it influences his writing, walking around as your character for a week, leaving good reviews, Stephen King, and Frank's great advice for writers and for life in general.

Feb 02, 202425:39
EP143: 5CQ for Marty Wingate, Author of A BODY ON THE DOORSTEP

EP143: 5CQ for Marty Wingate, Author of A BODY ON THE DOORSTEP

Shawn and Marty chat about her new historical mystery series, The London Ladies' Murder Club, the Society of Useful Women, useful women, gardening, writing multiple series, the value of a critique group, and releasing two full-length books at one time.

Jan 29, 202430:42
EP142: 5CQ for Dr. Paul Quinn, author of PRENATAL POSSIBILITIES

EP142: 5CQ for Dr. Paul Quinn, author of PRENATAL POSSIBILITIES

Shawn and Paul chat about his cookbook for expectant mothers, writing cookbooks, testing recipes, nutrition and where we all go wrong, the beauty of women and childbirth, and helping others.

Jan 26, 202424:47
EP141: 5CQ for Sharon Lynn, Author of DEATH TAKES A FALL

EP141: 5CQ for Sharon Lynn, Author of DEATH TAKES A FALL

Shawn and Sharon chat about her new novel set in Bath in the UK, Sharon's love of England, teaching and writing, following your own lessons, brains of nineteen year olds, a chastity belt for your developing brain that keeps you from making big decisions, how warm is your oven, and the art of not giving up.

Jan 19, 202423:40
EP140: 5CQ for Peter Malone Elliott, Author of BLUE RIDGE

EP140: 5CQ for Peter Malone Elliott, Author of BLUE RIDGE

Shawn and Peter chat about his debut novel BLUE RIDGE, being inspired by your surroundings, twin brothers, pancakes, how acting can help writers, Sam Shepherd, and fun dinner guests.

Jan 12, 202424:47
EP139: 5CQ for Edwin Hill, Author of WHO TO BELIEVE

EP139: 5CQ for Edwin Hill, Author of WHO TO BELIEVE

Shawn and Edwin chat about his new novel, RASHOMON, writing from multiple POVs, birthday cakes, story structure, teaching, and walking the dog.

Jan 05, 202428:00
EP138: 5CQ for Tom Coffey, Author of PUBLIC MORALS

EP138: 5CQ for Tom Coffey, Author of PUBLIC MORALS

Shawn and Tom chat about the first book in The Divine Trilogy, living in New York, police in New York, SERPICO, why NYC is a great place for stories, and writing fiction inspired by true events.

Dec 15, 202319:35
EP137: 5CQ for Lane Stone, Author of THE CANVAS

EP137: 5CQ for Lane Stone, Author of THE CANVAS

Shawn and Lane chat about the second book in Lane's Big Picture Trilogy, art and antiquity theft, the importance of art in the world, art and religion, sudden cold air, likeable and unlikeable characters, and the strategy behind writing a trilogy.

Dec 08, 202318:06
EP136: 5CQ for Linda Lovely, Author of A KILLER APP

EP136: 5CQ for Linda Lovely, Author of A KILLER APP

Shawn and Linda chat about the newest book in her HOA Mystery series, deep fakes, the state of the world, how AI is everywhere, writers and actors dealing with AI, book store events, and writing multiple series.

Dec 01, 202316:47
EP135: 5CQ for Virginia Kantra, Author of THE FAIRYTALE LIFE OF DOROTHY GALE

EP135: 5CQ for Virginia Kantra, Author of THE FAIRYTALE LIFE OF DOROTHY GALE

Shawn and Virginia chat about her new book, which is a reimagining of THE WIZARD OF OZ, the male gaze, love and the darker side of love, if there really is no place like home, why Virginia writes the kinds of books she does, and life during lockdown.

Nov 24, 202336:02
EP134: 5CQ for Gregory Stout, author of WOMAN IN THE WIND

EP134: 5CQ for Gregory Stout, author of WOMAN IN THE WIND

Shawn and Gregory chat about the newest novel in the Jackson Gamble PI series set in Nashville, how Nashville is a great place to visit and set a series in, winning the Shamus Award then judging the Shamus Award, having enough time to read, hate mail, and never giving up.

Nov 17, 202320:13
EP133: 5CQ for Clementine Taylor, Author of SOMETHING ABOUT HER

EP133: 5CQ for Clementine Taylor, Author of SOMETHING ABOUT HER

Shawn and Clementine chat about her debut novel, the feeling of excited dread, coming-of-age love stories, writing stories we want to read, why everyone is so raw, and their fascination with both poetry and apples.

Nov 10, 202323:17
EP132: 5CQ for Marlie Parker Wasserman, Author of INFERNO ON FIFTH

EP132: 5CQ for Marlie Parker Wasserman, Author of INFERNO ON FIFTH

Shawn and Marlie chat about fires, old New York, the richer and poorer classes living together in the city, how people react in emergencies, and how there can be several truths true at the same time.

Nov 03, 202328:11
EP131: 5CQ for Mary Keliikoa, Author of DEADLY TIDES

EP131: 5CQ for Mary Keliikoa, Author of DEADLY TIDES

Shawn and Mary chat about East and West Coast living, keeping a series fresh, building characters, cozy vs. detective fiction and related body counts, being busy women, and collaborating on a short story together.

Oct 27, 202315:52
EP130: 5CQ for Joeseph Souza, Author of THE ANCHORMAN'S WIFE

EP130: 5CQ for Joeseph Souza, Author of THE ANCHORMAN'S WIFE

Shawn and Joe chat about perseverance in writing, getting through the hard times, living with no regrets, Ted Baxter, making up stories about strangers on the street, putting words in the bank, meeting Julia Child and having a child in Hollywood, dealing with the writers' strike and oddball projects.

Oct 20, 202325:45
EP129: 5CQ for Alan Orloff, Author of SANCTUARY MOTEL

EP129: 5CQ for Alan Orloff, Author of SANCTUARY MOTEL

Shawn and Alan chat about his new novel SANCTUARY MOTEL, life in Florida, police ride-alongs, Fish Kitchen, off-brand motels, upcoming anthology projects, and their mutual love of Stephen King.



Oct 13, 202335:07
EP128: 5CQ for Rachel Heng, Author of THE GREAT RECLAMATION

EP128: 5CQ for Rachel Heng, Author of THE GREAT RECLAMATION

Shawn and Rachel chat about uncovering our origins, library borrowing limits, spending time with writers, MFA programs, and being a teacher of creative writing.

Oct 06, 202320:18
EP127: 5CQ for Matt Singer, film critic and author of OPPOSABLE THUMBS

EP127: 5CQ for Matt Singer, film critic and author of OPPOSABLE THUMBS

Shawn and Matt discuss Siskel and Ebert and Matt's new book about the legendary film critics and their impact on movie watching through the years.

Sep 29, 202337:55
EP126: 5CQ for Edward Carey, Artist and Author of EDITH HOLLER

EP126: 5CQ for Edward Carey, Artist and Author of EDITH HOLLER

Shawn and Edward chat about books and art, finding inspiration during the pandemic, Edward creating a drawing a day, theater and politics.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Edward Carey is a novelist, visual artist, and playwright. His previous novels include The Swallowed Man, Little, Alva & Irva, and Observatory Mansions, and an acclaimed series for young adults, the Iremonger Trilogy. His writing for the stage includes an adaptation of Robert Coover’s Pinocchio in Venice, a continuation of the Pinocchio story. Born in England, he now teaches at the University of Texas in Austin, where he lives with his wife, the author Elizabeth McCracken, and their family.


ABOUT THE BOOK:

The witty and entrancing story of a young woman trapped in a ramshackle English playhouse—and the mysterious figure who threatens the theater’s very survival.

Sep 22, 202320:06
EP125: 5CQ for Author Dale T. Phillips, Author of 87 WAYS TO SELL MORE BOOKS

EP125: 5CQ for Author Dale T. Phillips, Author of 87 WAYS TO SELL MORE BOOKS

Shawn and Dale talk about traditional vs. indie publishing, writing inspirations, Stephen King, their mutual appreciation for the Writing Life, and finding your community in the world of writing.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dale T Phillips is a New England writer and actor who spent his formative years in Maine, and has lived and worked in a number of different places. He graduated from the University of Maine at Orono, studied writing with Stephen King, and has worked for over thirty years as a Technical Writer in a number of major industries, translating the work of software developers into clear instructions for using computer software.


ABOUT THE BOOK: 87 WAYS TO SELL MORE BOOKS

Most writers want to sell more books, but with over 20 million books on the market, you need to adopt techniques and methods that help do that. Here are a number of things to do that will move you further along your goal of more book sales. Some are quick and easy, some are more difficult and long-term, but the more you do, the better your chances of sales improvement.

Sep 15, 202320:44
EP124: 5CQ for Lauren J.A. Bear, Author of MEDUSA'S SISTERS

EP124: 5CQ for Lauren J.A. Bear, Author of MEDUSA'S SISTERS

Shawn and Lauren discuss her new novel MEDUSA'S SISTERS, how no one is born evil, shaping young minds, the allure of myths and mythical stories, the roles of siblings, sisters, and birth order, the unfortunate timelessness of blaming the victim, feminism, and the importance of compassion in all things.

Sep 08, 202321:41
EP123: 5CQ for Tim Murphy, Author of SPEECH TEAM

EP123: 5CQ for Tim Murphy, Author of SPEECH TEAM

Shawn and Tim discuss growing up in the 80s, how comments made during our school years stay with us into adulthood, small-t trauma, speech writing and fiction writing, speech team vs. drama club, and the emotional well-being of Gen-Xers.


Sep 01, 202321:11
EP122: 5CQ with Sandra Rathbone, Author of SKELEE BOY

EP122: 5CQ with Sandra Rathbone, Author of SKELEE BOY

Shawn and Sandra chat about writing for younger readers, hard endings, plotting vs. organic writing, Stephen King, having rogues in the family, Chloris Leachman, and their love of music.

Aug 25, 202331:23
EP121: 5CQ for Kerri Maher, Author of ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL

EP121: 5CQ for Kerri Maher, Author of ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL

Shawn and Kerri chat about The Jane Collective, how you have to keep fighting for your rights, great girlfriends and having a ride-or-die set of friends, accidentally topical books, listening to the universe, and hanging in there through rejection in a writing career.

Aug 18, 202319:55
EP120: 5CQ for Lisa Shaughnassey, Founder of The Writing Retreat Directory, co-hosted by Author K.B. White, Author of SECRETS DON'T SINK

EP120: 5CQ for Lisa Shaughnassey, Founder of The Writing Retreat Directory, co-hosted by Author K.B. White, Author of SECRETS DON'T SINK

Shawn and her co-host Kate KB Jackson chat with Lisa chat about her business The Writing Retreat Directory and Writing Retreat Sampler, her deep dive into Ancestry.com, and finding inspiration when starting or maintaining a writing journey.

Aug 11, 202319:15
EP119: 5CQ for Don Bentley, NYT Bestselling Author of WEAPONS GRADE, the latest TOM CLANCY novel

EP119: 5CQ for Don Bentley, NYT Bestselling Author of WEAPONS GRADE, the latest TOM CLANCY novel

Shawn chats with returning guest Don Bentley about the newest book in the Tom Clancy world of novels, what SWAT stands for, what it's like on the bestseller lists, writing multiple books and series a year, Tom Cruise, writing sprints, and having either a Stephen King or Mark Greaney kind of day.

Aug 04, 202325:36
EP118: 5CQ for Amy Young, Author of THE WATER TOWER

EP118: 5CQ for Amy Young, Author of THE WATER TOWER

Shawn and Amy chat about comedy writing vs. novel writing, great dialogue, being Midwestern, debut novels, shifting careers, and the importance of supportive partners for creative people.

Jul 28, 202318:43
EP117: 5CQ for Jane Loeb Rubin, Author of IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN

EP117: 5CQ for Jane Loeb Rubin, Author of IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN

Shawn and Jane talk about surviving and thriving after a cancer diagnosis, healthcare for women over the years, the bandwagon effect, what history was actually like, and the magic of teamwork.

Jul 21, 202325:20
EP116: 5CQ for Ali Hazelwood, NYT Bestselling Author of LOVE, THEORETICALLY

EP116: 5CQ for Ali Hazelwood, NYT Bestselling Author of LOVE, THEORETICALLY

Shawn and Ali chat about Ali's Fan Fiction origins and her path to traditional publishing, the role that luck plays in our lives, the best writing advice you can give or get, how stories help us deal with difficult times, finding your community, and a billion-dollar idea.

Jul 14, 202324:33
EP115: 5CQ for Katherine Ramsland, True Crime Expert and Author of IN THE DAMAGE PATH

EP115: 5CQ for Katherine Ramsland, True Crime Expert and Author of IN THE DAMAGE PATH

Shawn and returning guest Katherine Ramsland discuss crime-solving teams, horse dentists, teamwork and brainstorming, Mother Nature and the weather, the DC Snipers, saying yes to opportunities, Dostoevsky, and philosophy.

Jul 07, 202323:06
EP114: 5CQ for Libi Siporin, Author of IF TWO OF THEM ARE DEAD

EP114: 5CQ for Libi Siporin, Author of IF TWO OF THEM ARE DEAD

Shawn and Libi chat about Ben Franklin quotes; professional storytelling; living and traveling in Italy IRL and in your mind; elegant murder; and beautiful book covers.

Jun 30, 202321:58
EP113: 5CQ for Shelley Costa, Author of NO MISTAKING DEATH

EP113: 5CQ for Shelley Costa, Author of NO MISTAKING DEATH

Shawn and Shelley chat about Shelley being a Ph.D. and Edgar-nominated writer, finding power in words and how they impact others as well as ourselves, how to write mysteries, Mark Twain, and food, of course.

Jun 23, 202322:26
EP112: 5CQ for Sidney Karger, Comedy Central, MTV and SNL writer, and author of BEST MEN

EP112: 5CQ for Sidney Karger, Comedy Central, MTV and SNL writer, and author of BEST MEN

Shawn and Sidney chat about gay characters who aren’t just sidekicks, the lasting appeal of rom-coms, their mutual distrust of outlining stories, a roller-coaster of words, writers on strike, and being culture vultures.

Jun 16, 202325:54
EP111: 5CQ for Genevive Gornichec, Author of THE WEAVER AND THE WITCH

EP111: 5CQ for Genevive Gornichec, Author of THE WEAVER AND THE WITCH

Shawn and Genevive chat about The Viking Age, pantsers/discovery writing vs. plotting, faking it till you're making it, content warnings on novels, Viking women, and how women fight.

Jun 09, 202315:58
EP110: 5CQ for Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of THE THREE OF US

EP110: 5CQ for Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of THE THREE OF US

Shawn and Ore discuss her debut novel, THE THREE OF US, what it's like being a debut author, writing short and long fiction, pandemic novel writing, friendships and love, juggling on Zoom, and eavesdropping on someone's worst nightmare.

Jun 02, 202314:26
EP109: 5CQ for Lauryn Chamberlain, Author of WHO WE ARE NOW

EP109: 5CQ for Lauryn Chamberlain, Author of WHO WE ARE NOW

Shawn and Lauryn chat about Millenials vs Gen-X experiences, The Interestings, the financial crisis of 2008 and how it impacted a generation, growing up with social media, pantsers, restructuring a book post editorial review, multiple POVs, and hard writing math.

May 26, 202325:00
EP108: 5CQ for Sarah Bewley, author of BURNING EDEN

EP108: 5CQ for Sarah Bewley, author of BURNING EDEN

In a very Florida episode, Shawn and Sarah discuss her new book BURNING EDEN, the state they’ve both called home, the ability to listen well, falling oak trees, how we’re all a bunch of weirdos post-pandemic, and murdery comedy.


May 19, 202337:21
EP107: 5CQ for Brian Freeman, Bestselling Author of THE BOURNE DEFIANCE

EP107: 5CQ for Brian Freeman, Bestselling Author of THE BOURNE DEFIANCE

Shawn and Brian chat about continuing the Jason Bourne series, Lennon vs. Lenin, Richard Chamberlain cred, maintaining your own voice while writing another author's series, sharing ownership of a character, writing action effectively, and finishing what you start.

May 12, 202321:52