We were lucky to catch up with Lynn Slaughter recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lynn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’m a late-in-life novelist, following a long career as a professional dancer and dance educator. When I got an idea for a young adult novel post-dance retirement, I honed my skills by joining a writer’s critique group, reading lots of novels, and countless craft books and articles. I joined SCBWI (the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) as well. Most importantly, I wrote! That first project became my first published novel and I then returned to school to earn my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. I don’t think earning an MFA is necessary to become an author, but for me, it really helped me develop my craft as a writer and provided me with lots of encouragement and support and a lovely writing community! My one regret is not starting my MFA sooner. As far as skills, I think perseverance, resilience, and self-discipline are essential for any creative career such as dance and writing. Fascination with people and their struggles and issues is a handy quality to have, as well as a good sense of humor. I haven’t encountered obstacles to learning more. There is such an abundance of information for aspiring writers.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

When age and injury led to my retirement from dance, I was really grieving the loss of a major identity and passion in my life. Looking back, my first foray into writing fiction, a young adult novel about a young dancer with all kinds of friend and family problems, was a way to heal and move forward in my life. That project became my first published novel, WHILE I DANCED. It hooked me on writing fiction and I returned to school to earn my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. I’ve just kept going ever since, and my sixth published novel, MISSING MOM, will come out on January 14. My romantic mysteries usually have some connection to the performing arts, since that’s my background. I strive to include character-driven entertaining tales that often include some hard-hitting issues.

In addition to writing novels, I also enjoy offering writing workshops, speaking to groups about books and writing, and teaching creative writing. I’m an active member and former president of Derby Rotten Scoundrels, my local chapter of Sisters in Crime.

I’m most proud of re-inventing myself as a late-in-life novelist. It’s never too late to become a writer! I’m also proud of having touched the lives of many students over the years by offering encouragement, support, and guidance, both in dance and writing.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Shortly after I finished my MFA, a publisher expressed interest in my thesis project, a novel called IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU. I got an advance, acquired an agent, and figured I was on my way toward a smooth sailing writing career.

Of course, it didn’t turn out that way! My agent refused to submit my next novel, LEISHA’S SONG, because it featured a protagonist outside of my identity group. We ended up parting ways. But I strongly believed in my novel and began submitting to small presses that didn’t require an agent. Four or five of them expressed interest, and I went with Fire & Ice/Melange Books, who have been publishing my novels ever since.

LEISHA’S SONG went on to win Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion award, an Agatha nomination, and a Moonbeam bronze medal. I felt proud of myself for not giving up!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Like so many of us, I’ve had my share of mind-numbing jobs where the minutes on the clock seemed to be going backwards, instead of forward! The joy of doing creative work is the opportunity to do stimulating work in which I’ve often gone “into the zone” and lost all track of time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lynnslaughter.com
• Twitter: @lslaughter2

Image Credits
Headshot by Shannon L. Wells Cover for WHILE I DANCED: painting by Suzanne Enriquez Dougherty Cover design for MISSING MOM and LEISHA’S SONG: Ashley Redbird Designs Cover design for MISSEED CUE and DEADLY SETUP: Caroline Andrus