Get to know Shellie…

Married for over 20 years, Shellie Neumeier and her husband have four wonderful kiddos and two goofy greyhounds. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, she went on to acquire an early childhood education certificate.  Shellie also served in youth, children’s, special needs and family ministries for over twenty-two years. Now she enjoys teaching her teens how to drive and chauffeuring her preteens across the Wisconsin countryside.  And once in a while, she loves to read big people books (you know the kind without pictures). Shellie writes because it keeps her away from her husband’s power tools and because every now and then, she doesn’t have the choice, it just takes over.  Her best inspiration comes from God and the occasional walk along a country road with her greyhounds. Be sure to check out her Amazon page!

Let the conversation begin!

Was it easier to write before or after you were published?

If we’re talking fiction, I’d say before. I write everyday now, but a lot of it is non-fiction related or marketing stuff. I miss my characters and the fun we had together.

Are your characters completely fictional?

People in my life sneak into my characters. It’s such fun when a friend finds a trait or two they have in common with the MC and they ask if that was purposeful. Of course I’m careful not to mention who inspired the demon in Driven. (Are you curious? J Nope not going to say…but I do like dark chocolate if you’re thinking about bribes.)  

What advice would you give young writers?

You have a story, write it. When you’re done, break into the world of critics one toe at a time. Let your best friend/Mom/Dad read it first (whoever would be the kindest). With a little confidence and experience in your pen, find people who are authors or aspiring authors and let them read your story. Don’t panic if (when) they come back with things you may need to change. Take a day to nurse your wounds and then go back to your writing. Guess my advice is pretty simple: you CAN do it and DON’T give up. If that doesn’t encourage you, email me I’ll pull out the old cheerleader pom-poms.

When are you the most productive?

So morning. I crammed edits into the night (pulled an all-nighter once) and it showed. I’m better off waking up at a nightmarish time and taking a nap later. I know…that’s so old:D.

What element would you add to your writing space if money wasn’t an issue?

Does adding a writing space, count? I don’t have one—at all. Right now I write at the snack counter or on the couch when the TV is off. So if money weren’t an obstacle, I’d add an entire writing space. Then I’d hang a sign above the door that said:

Mom’s writing space.

Girls only.

Girls over forty only.

Girls over forty bearing coffee only.

Come on in.

Do you write with music?

Absolutely. Every WIP seems to beg for one song to be played over and over and over. It drives my family nuts, but it works. Music pulls me into a mood which flows into my writing. I even edit with the same music in the background. I can write in silence, come to think of it the words flow faster, but not with as much emotion and strength. So music it is.