LeAnna Shields Shares Her SECRET to Creating CLEAN Mysteries | Episode 207
MERCHANDISE SHOP: voices-for-voices.org/3QnokLU
SUPPORT VOICES FOR VOICES® https://www.voicesforvoices.org/shop/p/supporter
Leanna Shields: Breaking Through Dyslexia to Become a Successful Author
In a world where challenges often define our limitations, author Leanna Shields stands as a powerful counterexample. As revealed in a recent Voices for VoicesⓇ podcast interview, Shields has overcome dyslexia to become a successful writer of "cozy mysteries" and other works spanning multiple genres. Her journey illuminates the power of persistence, creativity, and finding one's unique voice despite educational obstacles.
Shields' creative journey began in fourth grade—ironically the same time her dyslexia was diagnosed. Bullied in school, she developed a rich inner world populated by approximately twenty imaginary friends that weren't typical childhood companions but fantastical creatures like winged lions with cubs and flying rams. This early world-building laid the foundation for her future writing career. As she described herself, she's a self-professed "mythology nerd" who enjoys exploring cultural mythologies and finding fascinating cross-cultural similarities, demonstrating how her intellectual curiosity transcended her learning challenges.
The traditional educational system failed to serve Shields' needs. The public schools hadn't identified her dyslexia until fourth grade, causing her to miss crucial developmental learning periods. The turning point came when her mother made the sacrificial decision to quit her job, start a home business, and homeschool Leanna. This change proved transformative: "I actually learned I could learn," Shields explained. Rather than viewing writing as work, she considered it "recess"—her reward and creative outlet. This perspective shift demonstrates how alternative educational approaches can unlock potential in neurodivergent individuals that standardized systems might suppress.
Shields' flagship series, the Mystic Ranch Mysteries, features something rarely seen in fiction: authentic Native American representation. Despite her own Native heritage, Shields conducted extensive research to ensure cultural authenticity, particularly for elements like Choctaw wedding customs in her third book. Her methodical approach to research doesn't feel like work because it feeds her natural curiosity: "It wasn't boring research... for me it was just like, oh, input, input, input." Her series currently includes three books: "Sparks of Suspicion," "Stock Show Stalker," and "Curses and Vows," all available on Amazon and ranging from 150-200 pages.
Beyond the Mystic Ranch Mysteries, Shields has ventured into various genres including science fiction with "The Illustrious Chronicles: Slaves Redeemed," steampunk with "The Clockwork Golem," and a 1920s steampunk mystery featuring a Black female archaeologist titled "The Art of Facts." She also hosts a podcast called "Capy's Cozy Chair," where she interviews authors in the cozy genre across multiple subgenres. Currently, she's working on a new mystery featuring a werecat character who runs a music and ice cream parlor, showcasing her versatility and imaginative range.
Despite her success, Shields remains humble about her challenges, particularly with punctuation. "I am horrible with punctuation," she admits. "I often say it's amazing that my editors aren't just shaking their fists at the screen cursing my name." This self-awareness extends to her collaborative approach to writing. While many consider writing solitary, Shields believes "it's absolutely the opposite." She reaches out to experts when needed, such as consulting a friend with rodeo experience to ensure accurate portrayal of a rodeo scene. This collaborative spirit enriches her work and demonstrates how community support strengthens creative endeavors.
Leanna Shields' story reminds us that neurodiversity shouldn't limit creative expression but can enhance it. Her books, clean and age-appropriate for "junior high strong reader to up," offer quality entertainment without inappropriate content. In an era where content boundaries are often pushed, her commitment to creating accessible, appropriate fiction stands out. For those interested in her work, Shields can be found on Amazon, through her website leannashieldsauthor.com, and via her podcast "Capy's Cozy Chair." She also writes children's books under the pen name Anna Lee Shields.
MERCHANDISE SHOP: voices-for-voices.org/3QnokLU
SUPPORT VOICES FOR VOICES® https://www.voicesforvoices.org/shop/p/supporter
Voices for Voices® is the #1 ranked podcast where people turn to for expert mental health, recovery and career advancement intelligence.
Our Voices for Voices® podcast is all about teaching you insanely actionable techniques to help you prosper, grow yourself worth and personal brand.
So, if you are a high achiever or someone who wants more out of life, whether mentally, physically or spiritually, make sure you subscribe to our TV show and podcast right now!
As you can see, the Voices for Voices® podcast publishes episodes that focus on case studies, real life examples, actionable tips and "in the trenches" reports and interviews from subscribers like you.
If that sounds like something that could help you grow personally or professionally, then make sure to join me by subscribing, following, liking, sharing, commenting!
Support Voices for Voices with Venmo
#voicesforvoicespodcast #voicesforvoices #charityorganization #justinalanhayes #Podcast #PodcastEpisode #MentalHealthAdvocacy #subscribe #MentalHealthAwareness #Newepisode #newpodcastalert #podcastseries #podcastcommunity #mentalhealth #newpodcast #MentalHealthMatters #australia #unitedkingdom #unitedstates #canada #southafrica #germany #netherlands #ireland #india #italy #israel #norway #lithuania #russia #singapore #france #japan #russianfederation #moscow #stowohio #hudson #hudsonohio #Kyrgyzstan #akron #columbus #losangeles #brazil #argentina #Philippines #spain #finland #sweden #malaysia #belgium #mexico #poland #romania #kenya #indonesia #vietnam #antarctica #greenland #bahamas #hungary #portugal #hawaii #maui #hilo #iceland #peru #angola #bosniaandherzegovina #jerusalem #Sarajevo #congo #colombia #rwanda #kigali #prague #czechrepublic #slovenia #elsalvador #stateofthevaticancity #vaticanholysee #holysee #madagascar #tanzania #chad #sierraleone #liberia #namibia #northkorea #egypt #yemen #oman #estonia #bolivia #guyana #paraguay #uruguay #sudan #mozambique #mali #uganda #fiji #nonprofitorganization #help3billionpeople #help3billion #newpodcast #MentalHealthMatters #donatetoday #nonprofitorganization #501c3 #help3billionpeople #help3billion #3billion #selfimprovement #motivation #joerogan #motivationalvideo
LeAnna Shields Shares Her SECRET to Creating CLEAN Mysteries | Episode 207
.
👕👚Merchandise Shop: voices-for-voices.org/3QnokLU
.
📺Rumble: voices-for-voices.org/4hNrofx
📺YouTube: voices-for-voices.org/3E25J5m
🎧Listen: voices-for-voices.org/3WJ9frC
🎧Apple Podcasts: voices-for-voices.org/4iBJyCd
🎧Podcast Addict: voices-for-voices.org/43r4mYl
🎧Spotify: voices-for-voices.org/4iKjTYa
🎧Amazon Echo: Smart Speaker
🎧SoundCloud: voices-for-voices.org/3FAHonF
🎧iVoox: voices-for-voices.org/4iSRE9u
🎧CastBox: voices-for-voices.org/4l4ZpLe
🎧Deezer: bit.ly/3UydHaJ
🎧PodBean: voices-for-voices.org/3XwknIW
🎧iHeart: voices-for-voices.org/3FDPpZ0
🎧Audacy: voices-for-voices.org/4l33IXp
🎧Amazon Music: voices-for-voices.org/4l83Vsw
🎧Podcast Republic: bit.ly/46ZQpjh
🎧TuneIn: voices-for-voices.org/40WGlXj
🎧Pocket Casts: bit.ly/4d6E66Z
🎧Podchaser: voices-for-voices.org/4jJgrh6
🎧Podcast Index: voices-for-voices.org/429hz61
🎧PlayerFM: player.fm/series/voices-for-voicesr
🎧Listen Notes: voices-for-voices.org/42gRBhX
Become a supporter of the show! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1887594/supporters/new
#cleanmysteries #cozymysteries #creativewriting #writinginspiration #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklovers #writerslife #writingcommunity #creativeopportunities #challengesturncreative #leannashields #Newepisode #newpodcastalert #podcastseries #podcastcommunity #voicesforvoicespodcast #donatetoday #501c3 #charityorganization #Podcast #donatetoday #nonprofitorganization #help3billionpeople #help3billion