As we celebrate the launch of the Storyshares 2024 Writing Contest, we’re thrilled to shine the spotlight on some of our brilliant former winners.
Let’s hear from a 2022 finalist, Shanea Strachan.
Where do you live? Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas
What year did you win the Storyshares writing contest? 2022
Tell us about your book, Conch Tales. The mystery of disappearing conchs takes 12- year-old Corine, an aspiring Marine Biologist on an undersea adventure. 12-year-old Corine is in for an adventure this summer when she visits her Uncle Elvis on the island of Andros, in the Bahamas. Known for its mysticism and mythology Corine unlocks the magic of the island when her Uncle gives her a conch shell and sea dust falls into her eyes opening her eyes to the unseen world.
When Uncle Elvis goes missing from their boat a day at sea turns into a quest to find him and the only place to search for him is at the bottom of the ocean in a large blue hole. Corrine uncovers a mysterious and magical secret during her quest, solves a few mysteries and meets some adversaries and friends along the way.
How did you find out about the contest? I found out through Google.
What gave you the idea for your story? A friend of mine encouraged me to write after the passing of my Grand mother. He encouraged me to use my imagination and to write an animated film script about Bahamian culture and some way use it to remember my grand mother. I started by writing out the plot, thinking about the characters, my main character is Corine which was my grand mother's middle name, from the I began thinking about island life and Bahamian culture then writing the story.
What made you want to participate in the contest? I wanted to participate in the contest because I believed that the story was a great way to share my story with young readers.
How has your life changed since winning the Storyshares contest? Since the Storyshares contest and my story becoming published as a book, I've been more inspired and encouraged to write more imaginative and out of the books stories aimed towards children and young readers. I've also written an animated short film script version of the story that I hope to produce and animated film within the next few years.
Shanea’s book, Conch Tales is thrilling mystery, ideal for striving middle school readers. It can be found in our eLibrary, and in both English and French!