Meet author Shannon Dunlap

Shannon Dunlap is a fellow Scrivenings Press author! Her newest book is available for pre-order now. Before we get into that, let’s find out more about her!

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Jen – Hi Shannon! Tell us about yourself (no pressure, right?) 🙂

Shannon – It’s fitting that my four matchmaking heroines spend their days in constant travel, because my own life has involved countless hours on the road. My parents took so many trips when I was young, and of course, I brought a stack of books along. When I finished them, they’d have to stop in whatever town we were near to buy me more.

Books and travel have been my lifelong comfort. I was born in Tennessee, raised in Virginia, went to college in Missouri, taught in a school in Botswana, Africa, and have visited so many countries, I might forget some of them: England, Scotland, South Africa, Zambia, Israel, Italy, Austria, South Korea. And I’m not done yet! It feels like God put this hunger for travel in my heart. I believe he has things for me to do all over the world, and I love knowing He’s my eternal traveling companion.

About Shannon’s books

Jen – I love that! I can only imagine all the things you’ve learned in those different countries. What have you written?

Shannon – I write romance because I like to read romance. My Sweetheart Series is set in a fictional Texas small town named Sweetheart. It has two books (Lone Star Sweetheart and Substitute Sweetheart) with a third releasing in October (Vintage Sweetheart). And my cruise ship series has two books, Love Overboard and my latest Hearts Aweigh.

Hearts Away by Shannon Dunlap

The cheeky “Shippers” are a quartet of matchmakers who retired to live on a cruise ship full-time. Their latest mission is to secure a dreamy Mr. Right for Abby O’Brien, a sunny, optimistic childcare worker for Monarch Cruises.

She loves her job looking after the children of vacationing parents, but harbors one unfulfilled desire: to be a wife and a mother. With his shy five-year-old daughter in tow, divorced elitist lawyer Spencer Randolph Masterson has anything but romance in mind. His goal on the MS Buckingham is to persuade his mother, Daisy, to leave her ridiculous cruise ship lifestyle and return to New Orleans.

But Daisy isn’t interested in life on land. Besides, she and her matchmaking posse have a marriage to arrange. When a secret from Daisy’s past surfaces and threats of blackmail start flying, the Shippers must protect their own while attempting to convince Spencer’s scarred heart to weigh anchor and boldly set sail for a future with Abby.

Writing habits

Jen – As an author myself, I always want to know about other authors’ writing habits. Are you a full-time writer? Plotter or pantser? Tell me all the things!

Shannon – I go where the story leads me, without an outline or a fleshed-out destination (other than it has to have a happy ending). My favorite time to write is in the morning, but I work a day job, which means that doesn’t often happen. I’m a believer in a writer using whatever methods work for her. We can read professional development and craft books to better ourselves, but the same habits don’t always work for everyone. Early or late. Plotter or pantser. Just as long as the words get on the paper.

Shannon Dunlap’s writing goals

Jen – That’s so true. We’re all different and need to do what works best for us. I’d love to hear your goals – why do you write, etc.

Shannon – My books are for people who need a mental vacation from the never-ending Mondays. The Bible says a broken spirit drieth the bones, and there are so many things that suck the moisture from the bones of a believer—bills, work drama, caretaking, unexpected illness. A reader may start my book feeling exhausted and brittle, as if one more crisis will turn her bones to powder, but I hope she doesn’t leave that way. My desire is that my merry romances will water the reader’s core and do it good like a medicine.

What Shannon reads

Jen – That’s beautiful, Shannon. I truly love your heart. What are some books you like to read?

Shannon – Even though my own writing is light on the descriptions, I love the word pictures L.M. Montgomery paints in her books, especially The Blue Castle. As for non-fiction, I’ve really enjoyed reading about body language. It helps me craft more life-like characters and communicate their motivations through something besides dialogue. One of my favorite body language resources is Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication by Vanessa Van Edwards.

Jen – You’re challenging me! I never thought to read body language books to learn to write characters better. Thanks!

Shannon Dunlap’s bio

Shannon Sue Dunlap lives in hot and humid Houston, Texas, where she writes stories with a dose of laughter and a spoonful of love. She loves traveling, chocolate, Jane Austen, and Jesus. She’s a big fan of happy endings and believes the heavenly Father has tailor-made one for each of us. You can find out more at SusanSueDunlap.

Shannon’s platform: I recently revamped my author website at www.shannonsuedunlap.com. Readers can sign up there for my newsletter or go to this link where they can download a free clean romance novella: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6cpwi2gaih

Other places they can find me are: Facebook, Instagram, BookBub

Fun facts about Shannon

Jen – Readers love to hear fun facts about authors. Share some fun facts with us!

Shannon – As for likes, I enjoy watching Korean Dramas, listening to Frank Sinatra, and for a favorite drink, I’m a Dr. Pepper gal. Luv it. But the scale has been tipping too high, so I made a switch to Cherry Coke Zero. (I was surprised by how good it tastes!) I admit I still cheat with a Dr. Pepper every now and then.

I also spend the school year as an elementary music teacher, Pre-K3 through 3rd grade. As you can imagine, those little darlins keep my life interesting. This leaves nice, long stretches of summertime for working on novels.

Advice for new authors?

Shannon – Work on building a community now. Even before you receive a contract, connect with other readers and writers on social media. Start a newsletter where people can keep up with your journey, and try to keep a positive, uplifting tone that encourages them. I believe readers like to root for storytellers. If they see the journey, it helps them care more about the book when it releases. Once you have a platform, use it for the ultimate purpose. God has been whispering to me lately about why I do this. It’s not about contracts and sales and awards. It’s about pointing to Him. I need to use my platform to share the Good News.

Jen – YES!! I love that. Thank you for being on my blog and sharing with us about yourself and your books!

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Hi, I’m Jen! I’ve been married for 39 years, have 5 amazing kids, and have 3 adorable grandkids. I homeschooled our three youngest children and used to blog about homeschooling. I also taught Oral Communication as an adjunct instructor for over 5 years.

Jen Dodrill Writes is born of a passion of mine – to write a novel! My first cozy mystery – Birds Alive! – released Feb. 27, 2024, and the 2nd in the series, Where’s the Quetzal? released Feb. 25, 2025!

When I’m not working, you’ll find me writing, spending time with my family, or curled up on the couch reading and drinking a mug of dark roast coffee. (Don’t forget to check out my mug shop – JDMugs!)