Inside An Author's Mind in 10 Questions

1010 Publishing asked Lynn Shebat to share a little insight about her and her journey as an author. Get to know Lynn and connect with her on social media.

1. Where do you get your ideas?

I get my ideas from real life experience, both professionally as a Special Education Teacher, and personally as a Mother of a daughter on the Autism Spectrum.

2. What is your writing process like?

I like to begin with journaling or just writing down pertinent memories or important facts to remember. I like to start with a pen to paper, maybe a pretty notebook or journal to start the inspiration. It is important for me to feel comfortable in my writing space or environment, so sometimes I will listen to music, or drink a lovely tea.

3. What advice do you have for writers?

The best advice I ever got from a friend was to remember that writers write! You must always write. You must write everything. A little thought, an idea, with some time will turn into something that can begin a story. Everyone has many a story, sometimes you just don’t realize it until you start to write. Also, I would say, write from the heart. You must feel your words as much as be able to express them on paper.

4. What is your writing Kryptonite?

My Kryptonite is disorganization. If I want to write with purpose, I need to have a clean work space, the right lighting, the perfect sound. If the music is too loud, I will be distracted, if it is too mellow, I will not focus. I have to start with an organized environment filled with things that inspire, and tools to do the job.

5. What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer? I like to read other authors encouragement about writing that is inspirational, but as a friend, and Publisher, Nuri Castillo Crawford kept me grounded. When I wanted to continue writing, she would help keep me in my boundaries, and keep me focused. She helped me to understand the parameters of my writing, and that eventually the story has to end.

6. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? Start. I would tell her to write and write everything. Until you begin you don’t know how your story will turn out, but you learn more as well. I learned about myself that I enjoyed the writing process and even the technical side of writing. It was like a whole new world was introduced, and I wish I had attempted it earlier in my life.

7. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? None at this time. I do , however have a couple of ideas floating around for book two!

8. What does literary success look like to you? I love this question! Literary success for this book in particular, is that I reach my target audience and beyond. I hope to send a message of hope, give some strategies of raising a child with special needs, and help some families live their fullest life in spite of some hardships. I envision having a platform that allows me to connect with my audience, answer questions and give feedback, as well as learn from my readers’ experience.

9. Tell us about your daughter and the relationship you have with her.

The title of my book is Connections: A Journey of Love and Autism. I chose this title based on a student that I taught many years before my daughter was born, but it was that little boy that was so elusive that taught me that the connection especially with a child with Autism is the only way you will ever really reach them deeply. When Bri was born and later diagnosed, I remembered that. I knew I would have to reach her on a level much deeper than with a typical child. She has always been a beautiful and easy child to raise, although the struggle was real for her activity level, lack of communication, and inability to connect with the outside world in the same way her siblings did before her. With this understanding came a fire in me, a drive to understand her completely, to help her never to feel alone. She and I have a relationship that cannot be explained in typical terms except to say that she needs me to navigate this world for her, and she has taught me to become the best version of myself in doing that. She pushes me as her mom to extend boundaries, and make a path that is wide and inviting for her , and other children like her. She is my muse.

10. Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?

I want my readers to know that I am not special in this journey, we are many. We have to continue to learn from each other, from other people in other countries with children with disabilities. Someone , somewhere will find a better way for our kids, and we will all benefit with that knowledge. In the meanwhile , we increase our village, and support each other in the quest.