Blog Hoppin' - My Writing Process

Why do I write? How do I write? What do I write?

Until my fellow critique group writer Grace tagged me in this blog hop, I didn’t know the answers. But I had to write this post so now I know, and if you keep reading … so will you!

In addition to learning the answers to the questions below, I learned something else about myself: I don’t follow directions well. If you notice differences between my post and others on the tour … well, yeah. Sorry.

Check out Grace’s blog tour post, along with lots of other cool writing posts, on her blog: http://storytellergirlgrace.wordpress.com.

What am I working on? 

I am half way through my *cough cough sixth cough cough* full edit on my YA fantasy novel. The main character is both my best friend, and worst enemy and I am hoping she lives through the novel. This book is the first in what was originally a trilogy, but might end up being two books. It was the first idea that inspired me to write again after a very long hiatus, and has turned into my guinea pig for writing ideas and improvements … thus, the large number of edits. But, it’s making me a better writer and I will always love it, my precious. 

I blog sporadically and mirco-journal near constantly. I have two other novels I can’t seem to fully put aside: a MG fantasy and a NA fairy tale retelling (my NaNo book for 2013).



How does my work differ from others of its genre?   

1) The honest answer is: I don’t know. 

B) The short answer is: I don’t know. 

Also) The long answer is: longer. 

I am still figuring out who I am as a writer. I get a tremendous amount of enjoyment out of the process of letting my mind wander to fantastical places. I haven’t put myself into a specific genre (although it’s becoming clear) and I haven’t tried to strictly adhere to, and thus judge myself by, any categories. And at the moment, that’s enough.  When I’ve gotten through a few books maybe I’ll have an answer. If I ever quit my day job and dive into the publishing world head first, I sure as heck better have an answer.  But for now, I’m just enjoying the process of telling a story.



Why do I write what I do? 

       

Because I love it. There are stories I want to hear, but no one has written.  These are the characters pop into my head and just.won’t.leave.me.alone. When I write, their voices are heard, and they let me sleep. 

That makes me sound a little crazy. And … maybe I am.

I write what I do because I don’t know what else to do. I love it. I can do it.  So why wouldn’t I?



How does my writing process work? 

Please hold while I laugh hysterically <maniacal laugh>. 

Okay, that’s better. I don’t have a process, per say. I have a full time job, a hobby farm, and three young children. I do what I can, when I can, as much as I can. 

I write down things all day, every day. I make myself a promise to write something meaningful (an hour or more?) at least once a week. And when the mood strikes, my life allows, and the words flow—I write for 2-3 hours every day for a few weeks straight. NaNo is my friend. I found that it’s a great way for me to write.

When I do write—100% pantser. I even struggle to plot out novels after I’ve written them. I rarely know the ending … but I’ve learned that I need to get over this if I’m going to write with higher quality.

That’s all you could ever want to know about me, and more. I’ve tagged two fellow writers I met on the Twitter. They will be in the hot seat next week!

(If I’d followed the directions, this is where you would see carefully written bios for each of them.  Instead …)

Kristina L. Martin – fellow mom, fellow YA writer, and someone who seems to always keep my attention on twitter.  She’s also one of the first writers to send an encouraging, well-timed, tweet. Check out her “Missives” at tenminutemissive.com.

Leona Wisoker – hailing from the VA, Leona wrote the Children of the Desert series. She has got some very interesting posts on conventions and a unique and fresh view on writerly things. Check it out: http://leonawisoker.wordpress.com.