Hello Fellow Storyteller!
Hi fellow storyteller! Shantal here. I am a NYC storyteller and aspiring published writer with a professional background in human psychology and mental health treatment. I believe that stories are a powerful tool for self-expression, exploration, empathy, and understanding the human experience, teaching us how to overcome challenges and grow.
My stories explore themes of self-growth, self-acceptance and human connection across various genres including fantasy, science-fiction, romance, literary fiction and young adult fiction. As a writer, I have faced challenges such as writer’s block, completing stories, and finding my voice as a writer. I created this blog to share my writing insights, tips and practice bravery by showcasing my work. My goal is to create a space for writers to find connection and relatability.
MY PROJECTS
THE BLOG
| Writing tips and anecdotes |
| TV shows and movie reviews |
| Book 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 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 stories 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
1985, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Gino is tired of living in his older brother’s shadow, much less in his secondhand clothes. Martín 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. Listen to the first episode of Shantal Reads podcast available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
“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.
TOP POSTS
How to Be a Confident Writer: 6 Valuable Tips
Being a writer often feels like you're looking for an instructional manual that never came with the package. You want to write great stories that you can be proud of, but getting there can be pretty daunting, which can impact your confidence. Here are SIX valuable tips you can use help maintain your confidence as a writer.
How to Come Up With Story Ideas
Use this incredible method to generate ideas for your next story.
Learn about Story Structure
To write a good story it's important to understand the fundamentals of story structure. Here is a comprehensive guide on the types of story structures that exist and how to study them.