Storytelling with Ghost Writer and Author Shawn Smucker

Ghost writer turned published author Shawn Smucker shares his journey from blank page to full book with Dan Moyle in this episode of The Storytellers Network.

Shawn lives in Lancaster PA with a population of about 60,000. He loves living in a smaller town. He started his full-time writing career in 2009 while living in Leesburg VA but he and his wife have lived many places including FL and England.

“There is so much more to do and I have so much improvement that can be made.” - Shawn Smucker his storytelling journey

Becoming a Storyteller - Shawn Smucker

When Shawn was young his obsession was reading. He consumed as many books as he could. In college he developed a desire to create the kinds of stories that were moving and inspiring to him.

His first year in college, Shawn was going through the typical freshman angst and have a small bout of depression. He was questioning his direction in life and found comfort in writing.

Shawn began writing poetry that morphed into a story. To most it would be uninteresting but to him it was powerful. He had discovered how to take what was inside of him and put it into a story.

Overcoming Self-Doubt

Shawn sees the powerful connection between storytelling and life. He sees how strongly they affect his children in how they view the world, each other and themselves.

“Storytelling is how we relate with people...it’s fundamentally how we connect as human beings” - Shawn Smucker

People use storytelling when trying to gain power by creating a narrative or people trying to sell you something try to connect with your story or their story. It’s powerful stuff.

To hear more from Shawn Smucker and what he’s writing now, download and listen to the entire episode. You can connect with him at these links:

• Shawn’s website

• Shawn on Facebook

• Shawn on Twitter

• Shawn’s books:

  • Once We Were Strangers: What Friendship with a Syrian Refugee Taught Me about Loving My Neighbor

  • The Edge of Over There

  • The Day the Angels Fell

• Shawn’s author page on Amazon

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