Hello Fellow Storyteller!
Shantal here. I’m a writer and storyteller living in NYC. I’m currently in the early stages of developing my professional writing career, even though I’ve been writing for most of my life. My writer’s journey continues to go through evolutionary stages and like most writers, I’m faced with many obstacles along the way. I’ve struggled with things like writer’s block, plot building and character development, among the many other challenges writers face. I made this blog to share my thoughts on these challenges, provide insight on what I’ve found works for me, and to practice bravery by sharing my work. My goal is to create a place for other writers to find relatability.
MY PROJECTS
THE BLOG
| Storytelling tools, tips and anecdotes |
| TV and movie reviews |
| Books reviews and recommendations |
YOUTUBE
Looking for creative ways to design your writing workspace? Check out my latest video.
THE PODCAST
If you're looking for short stories centered on young characters in search of identity and self-acceptance with a supernatural twist, look no further. Listen for an immersive auditory experience.
WHAT I BLOG ABOUT
Writing fiction
Looking for writing tips to tell the stories living inside of you? I got you covered. Learn about how to plot, create compelling characters, build worlds and overcome writer's block to write fiction your proud of.
What I'm Watching
We can learn a lot about storytelling by studying television shows and movies. I analyze and critique popular and contemporary media to teach you how to develop your ability to think critically as a writer.
What I'm Reading
To be a better writer it is important to read. Why? To learn more about the diversity of life. I review books and provide recommendations with a focus on stories told by diverse writers in the genres of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Romance.
MY WORK
“Summer in the time of Corona” is a small collection of poems written in July 2020. These poems are an exploration of themes such as pandemic, greed, insecurity, isolation, and vulnerability. My goal was to experiment with poetry and prove to myself that I could finish something, and so I did! Click to read the entire collection.
LATEST POSTS
Wild Child (2008): When Tropes Aren't Enough
Wild Child does what it is expected of its genre. It’s a fish-out-of-water story with subplots of friendships, romance and self-discovery. It even has the mean-girl and love-triangle tropes. However, that's all it is. Read on to find out why tropes aren't enough to tell a story.
Why Disney's Upside-Down Magic Leaves Much to be Desired
Disney channel's original movie, Upside-Down Magic (2020) is a fantasy based on a children's book series of the same title. While the movie's fantastical concepts and talented cast are a draw, ultimately it fails to deliver a good story. Read more to find out why.
"Dulce" A Short Story
Listen to the first episode of Shantal Reads podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
1985, Puerto Plata, DR. Gino is tired of living in his older brother's shadow, much less in his secondhand clothes. Martin is handsome, outgoing and the center of attention–all the things Gino is not. But when Gino meets Dulce at his cousin's quinceañera, he begins to realize that perhaps to get out of the shadows, he must simply take a step towards the light.