Shannon Ruane

About Shannon Ruane

Writing is life on a grand scale. An excellent plot involves twists and turns, concluding in an amazing experience. Yet the journey to the end is the most rewarding part of the adventure. Selecting me as your freelance writer will be rewarding because my perspective is unique, a trait that will be present in the final product.Choosing to obtain degrees and certifications in multiple disciplines provided me with opportunities to learn new skills. Theatre, Psychology, Creative Writing, and Japanese Language studies all taught me the most important skill a writer should have; the ability to creatively express their words in different formats and to a wide audience. Currently, I have written and published three book reviews for OnlineBookClub.org. I am also a blog author and weekly Writing Contest Judge with 17 published stories and a modest following on the Reedsy Prompts Blog. Previously, I was an intern writing for a UNCC website. In my senior year, I published my first article and seven student interviews which received praise and increased website engagement. Although I graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a B.A. in Theatre (Cum Laude) and a B.S. in Psychology (Cum Laude) I became intrigued by the prospect of writing as a career. I eventually obtained a Specialization in Creative Writing Certificate (from Coursera.org). Upon finishing the program, I could add copywriting, creative/ short story writing, and writing professional reviews to my skillset. Reflecting upon my professor\'s constructive criticism and praise throughout college indicated writing was my forte. Studying two vastly different majors at once improved my mental flexibility, allowing me to deliver high-quality writing utilizing unconventional methods. Increasing clarity by transforming a research paper into a Facebook page format added blogging/ social media development to my skillset. Writing traditional research assignments improved my academic writing. Constructing/teaching K-8 theatre lessons as well as acting, technical stage, and customer service ticket selling experiences enhanced my communication skills. My two-course certificates in Beginner Japanese Language taught me a new language and about a new culture completing my educational journey. The unexpected changes provided me with a life-altering insight; writing is my passion. The skills I learned throughout my journey continue enhancing my current performance as a writer.I am always looking forward to new opportunities. Please contact me at s••••••••@gmail.com,(98••••••52, or through Linkedin messenger.

Experience

1. Reedsy Prompts Author and Writing Contest Judge

   Reedsy

   Feb 2021 — Present · Mint Hill, NC, US

   I have been an Author for Reedsy Prompts since February 2021 and a weekly Writing Contest Judge (reviewer) since April 2021. As an author, I have written and published 17 original high-quality short stories under deadline pressure. The majority of my stories combine science fiction with other genres. with an exciting, captivating, and authentic approach.My writing has resulted in creating a following of over 250 users with an average of 55 \'likes\'(positive reviews) per story. Furthermore, my short stories are approximately words in length,(the maximum amount allowed per story). As a Writing Contest Judge (reviewer) I evaluate approximately 20 short stories words) weekly to \'shortlist\'(select finalists) for each competition. I also analyze whether stories not \'shortlisted\' are acceptable to publish on each user\'s blog. Because we are advised to select 1-2 stories to shortlist out of thousands of entries I have developed criteria to use when analyzing each story-Did the author follow simple \'prompt\'(topic) guidelines-Did the author include basic story elements, such as a clear plot with a beginning-end, characters, and a setting?(I also consider grammatical accuracy)-Finally, was the content written with creativity? An unusual interpretation of the prompt, vivid descriptions within the story, and/or a surprising conclusion often interest me.

Education

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

  2010 — 2014

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  2010 — 2014