Get to Know Me…

“It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien

I am a Christian writer with three “invisible” disabilities. But I am also…

Author Shannon Cramer scratching cat Vinny's back.

AN OBX NATIVE. ELON UNIVERSITY GRADUATE. WIFE. FAIRY GODMOTHER.

I grew up on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with sand between my toes and the wind in my hair. It was a rough childhood (wink).

I headed inland to earn my Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Elementary Education at Elon University. While I was landlocked, a superhero stole my heart. God knew I needed my husband, Parker, with me on this journey through chronic illness. Over a decade into our marriage he is still my best friend, my daily reminder of Christ’s love, and my favorite person to do BEATS workouts with.

Parker and I take great delight in spending time with our three godchildren and making their wishes come true. Thankfully, no one has asked for a pony. YET.

Shannon and her husband, Parker, holding starfish on the beach.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

-Jeremiah 29:11

Headshot of Shannon with black cat, Vinny, sitting in her lap.

CAT MOM. BOARD GAME ENTHUSIAST. MYSTERY LOVER. PRESCHOOL TEACHER.

I have a fur baby named Vinny who “adopted” Parker and me after we moved to Midlothian, VA. Vinny is the social butterfly of our neighborhood and is famous for following us on our walks.

I am a board game fanatic with sixty games and counting. My favorite party game is Telestrations and when I’m in the mood for strategy I reach for Smallworld. I also love cozy mysteries in all formats and wish I could shake hands with Elizabeth Peters.

Before I took up my pen in earnest, I had the great joy of teaching preschool for seven years. I miss my “tadpoles” everyday. What is brewing next in my teacher’s/writer’s brain? CHILDREN’S BOOKS!

If you knock on my door and I don’t answer… I am in the garden.

Gardening feeds my soul. I see my flowers as a moving painting—I enjoy the puzzle of trying to have something in bloom year round and the creative satisfaction of making my environment more beautiful. I love digging in the dirt, getting up close and personal with the tiny creatures that call it home, and am passionate about planting for pollinators. On cold rainy days, I get my gardening fix watching British gardening shows. (Why doesn’t America make these gems?) Monty Don is my hero.

Black cat, Vinny, in the garden bed with lantana flowers.
Tree frog resting in a pink knockout rose.
Red triumph tulips with pansies in a blue pot.
Two monarch caterpillars on milkweed.
Selfie of Shannon and her husband, Parker, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens.
Tree frog resting on a 'Sugar Blues' bearded iris.
Blue dragonfly perched on 'Firepot' dahlia.
Monarch butterfly hanging upside down on bog sage. Rudbeckia in background.
White bearded iris with purple edging and orange beard.
Bumble bee on bog sage with rudbeckia and a white fence in the background.
Black cat, Vinny, sitting next to a pot of blue Iris Reticulata 'Harmony'.
Picture of Shannon and her husband, Parker, among azaleas.
Single blossom of 'Diana's Delight' clematis.
Black cat, Vinny, sniffing Rudbeckia 'Autumn Colors.'
Hand holding a pink knockout rose.
Single blossom of a 'Tahiti' daffodil.

Life begins the day you start a garden.

-Chinese Proverb