Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Lennon.
Hi Sharon, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
How far back should I go? Let’s start with high school graduation, which I definitely didn’t earn. I didn’t do the work, like, at all. I acted out, got in a lot of stupid trouble, made drawings in my notebook and wrote an ongoing story with the first person I ever fell in love with, my best friend. She was a creative and sometimes mean-spirited tornado and I was a whirling dervish with a sense of absurdity and a taste for trouble. I sat in detention. A lot. I think the teachers and guidance counselors were so sick of me, they just shoved me into the graduation ceremony to get me the hell out of there. BUT since then I’ve worked my ass off at pretty much everything I’ve said yes to.
Thing is, I’m the spawn of a truly bizarre family and a long line of grifters and gamblers who specialize in ordered chaos, false narratives and a host of unprosecuted crimes. Somehow I managed to become a writer. I’m mostly self-educated, but people always assume I went to some impressive university, so I guess that means I talk good.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s been a lot of dips in the road. The key is to knowingly sign on for a challenging trip. Perseverance, listening and learning are everything. And having good manners – saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ even sometimes when you’re not feeling it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer with a background in theater directing, photo editing and film production. My first paid writing jobs were in the non-profit world – public education campaigns, speeches, book reviews, PSAs. All of that happened (and 29 other jobs) on my way to screenwriting,
I’m all about character-driven humor, a solid dramatic spine, surprising and complicated psychology, family dynamics, and abhorrent behavior. I love fucked up people. At least in my writing life. In my life-life, I think I’ve reached my max. Only time will tell.
I’ve been out in the wild pitching t.v. series these days, but prior to that I worked on the series Start Up (Netflix), which had a culturally diverse cast and a muscular type of storytelling, and I was a scriptwriter for the soap One Life To Live (ABC), which also had a diverse cast and it’s own wonderful challenges. A lot of people don’t know this, but you write an entire episode of t.v. every single week of the year. And if another writer is on vacation, you write two in a week and a half! I became a better writer through these and other writing experiences. I really think if you reflect on every creative endeavor, your storytelling prowess and potential grows.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now, we’re on the tarmac with two of my series concepts. As one of my exes used to say, we’re preparing for preparation. That’s where it is right now. I”ll be over-the-moon if we get to lift-off. I’m also looking forward to working in another t.v. writers room. I like collaborating with other creative humans.
Contact Info:
- Repped by Sheree Guitar Entertainment
- Website: http://www.sharonlennon.com/
- Twitter: @SharonLennon17
Image Credits
Joanna Degeneres Photography
