Meet Jennifer Shaw

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jennifer Shaw. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jennifer below.

Jennifer, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I maintain my confidence and self-esteem by reminding myself that there will always be haters—and they often speak the loudest. Instead of trying to appease everyone, I focus on writing from the heart and staying true to myself, knowing some readers will connect deeply with my work while others may dismiss it—and that’s okay. What truly matters is my personal growth as an author. When I come across reviews that offer thoughtful, actionable critique—whether glowing or harsh—I give those the most weight, because they are the fuel that makes me a stronger writer.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am an author, a dreamer, and an unapologetic creative thinker. I have been writing for over thirty years, observing those around me as I strive to navigate the often-confounding web of society—an ever-shifting script of conversations, behaviours, and expectations. After being diagnosed with Autism and ADHD in 2019, my lifelong confusion finally made sense—my brain is different, and what comes easily to others I must strive to learn. That said, my diagnosis became the spark that pushed me to turn my creative passion into published works.

To date, I have released the first four novels in my Callum Walker Series—a fantasy adventure filled with magic, action, suspense, and supernatural elements. I am currently working on my fifth novel in the series and have already plotted my sixth. In addition, I am drafting a dystopian project—imagine Robin Hood meets Romeo and Juliet with hints of The Hunger Games.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Those qualities, skills, and knowledge that have been most impactful are patience, perseverance, and self-acceptance.
Patience is vital because writing and publishing are long-term endeavours. Recognition rarely comes quickly. It can be a painfully slow process, taking years—or even decades—to build a fan base, and it’s easy to become discouraged along the way.

Perseverance—determination over time—is, therefore, another necessary element, allowing one to carry on when patience wavers. Without resolve, you risk spinning your wheels. Grit alone won’t carry you far—willpower without purpose never
endures.

Finally, self-acceptance is crucial. No one is perfect, and to deny our shortcomings would set us up for failure. While striving for betterment is a noble quality, it is paramount to acknowledge our flaws. Otherwise, how would we know what needs to change? I have heard it said that we learn best through our mistakes, and I live by this motto. That’s why I not only accept my imperfections, in both character and craft, but embrace them for what they truly are—teaching tools.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My mother’s harsh critique of my early writing was a surprising motivator, driving me to sharpen my craft. Her words pushed me to study the mechanics of writing—grammar, structure, spelling, and punctuation—while also deepening my desire to become a better storyteller. And though her scrutiny rarely involved my characters, plots, worldbuilding, and other creative elements, I resolved to improve those as well.

Even with ongoing education, my efforts delivered results. Over time, my mother’s assessment softened—and today, she is now one of my biggest fans.

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