Blue Sludge Blues: Horror, Heart, and the Creative Grind

In this episode of Dads with Nerdy Ambitions, we sit down with horror author Shannon Lawrence to talk about what it really takes to keep creating in a genre that thrives on discomfort. From her work in short fiction and novels to the long, unglamorous grind of writing, editing, and showing up anyway, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the creative process behind the scares.

We talk about fear as a storytelling tool, why horror resonates so deeply, and how writers balance imagination with discipline. Shannon shares insights on persistence, creative burnout, and the reality of building a writing career without shortcuts or gimmicks