Where
do you write? Describe your writing space. Anything that helps in the
background?
When I lived in Connecticut, I wrote at a computer desk in the
dining room with the Hartford Oldies station on. Then I got a laptop, and could write wherever
I wanted to - living room, patio-anywhere. Now I'm writing in the living room
for the most part. I'm still pretty mobile, but with the bright Arizona sun and
temperatures that have already been in the triple digits, the living room is
the place for me. And, yes - there's usually caffeine involved as well as pet
ruckus going on. I also need television on in the background, but sometimes
it's turned down low so I can hear a book.
Do
you have a schedule (daily or book-long) for writing or do you just go with the
flow?
I actually blogged about this a few weeks ago. Our muses are
fickle things, that appear on their own schedule; so I guess I 'go with the
flow'.
What
is your writing routine once you start a book?
I spend a lot of time thinking about things--just before I fall
asleep and lying in bed when I first wake up. I also spend time sitting at the
deep end of the pool, staring into the water and contemplating things. So, my
routine is to plan out plotlines or dialogue and then write them down after email.
Where
do you start when writing? Research, plotting, outline, or...?
Characters-without a doubt, because they're going to provide a
story.
How
about the people and/or animals you share space with. Do they know not to
bother you when you are writing, or are there constant interruptions?
I live alone. Well, I
live with two wire haired fox terriers and a chiwinnie. And, no--they don't know they should leave me
alone. Luckily, they're pretty much
slugs-unless I make the mistake of saying something like 'car', 'leash' or 'outside'. My gentleman friend might pout if I tell him I have to work, but I try and get
him to research things - mainly weapons and/or history. Sometimes, he's even produced something
informative and useful.
What
do family members think of your writing? Do you ever ask him/her/them for
advice? Editing? My family (which is my mom and her
'live-in' (and she turned eighty-four last week--so see, we're never too old
for romance) are very supportive. What
surprised, and greatly disappointed me, was how my really close, friends (of
thirty years or more) kind of ignored it. OR, which was even worse, they gave
me a kind of 'that's nice, honey' look.
What
kind of research do you do?
Oh, all kinds. When I first got the computer and started taking
classes - back in the olden days, when a 1GB hard-drive would last you forever
- they were a lot less people on the internet; and you could get to some
surprising places (CIA, FBI, and MI-5 & MI-6--but just for job
applications, no sensitive stuff!) Now,
technology has left me in the dust, and I'm lucky if I can find my own Facebook
page. Still, googling is a lot easier
than searching library shelves. I have
started an antebellum romance, and I've researched Creole style houses to the
point of making precise sketches of the front exterior and floor plans. I have, however, promised myself I will not
do sketches of the furniture arrangements. Although, I have assigned paper
dolls to characters and am contemplating their wardrobes.
Are
you a member of any author group and how does that help your writing?
I have been in some author groups, and I can't deny I learned at
lot from the other members. I just am finding time to participate difficult
now.
What
do you think of critique groups in general?
They can be very helpful.
Often, someone will have a way of explaining something that makes it
just 'click' for you. And you can learn
more from reviewing they you might expect.
Also, sometimes you see things that are wrong in other writing, and
forced to acknowledge that you are guilty of that too. That said, they can also be a hindrance. You can't please everyone and having a dozen
people evaluate your first chapter can get you in this endless loop of revising
Chapter One and never make it to Chapter Two.
Which
comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?
Characters! Characters! Characters! They will tell their own
story, and the settings will come with the story.
What
is the hardest/easiest part of writing for you?
I find writing dialogue pretty easy. Then, because I find
settings often not important, sometimes hitting that happy balance of enough
setting - without getting insane about it more difficult.
Are
you in control of your characters or do they control you?
First time around, the characters. I let them do whatever they want. The thing is, if I've allowed them to 'form'
correctly, they'll only do things that are 'right' for them.
Have
you experienced writer's block? If so, how did you work through it?
Absolutely, but luckily not
very often. The best way I've found to
get through it is to ask someone to request a bit of research for them, or
write an article for a newsletter or something--anything! Once you have something else you need to
finish before you can return to your writing, you can't wait to get back to it.
What
do you enjoy most about writing?
I would have to say 'living' in my own little fantasy
world(s). It's good to be crazy!
What
is the single most important part of writing to you?
Crafting a well-written, satisfying story - for me.
Any
words of encouragement for unpublished writers.
To paraphrase Dora from 'Finding Nemo', "just keep
swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming". File the rejection letters or emails (And
really, isn't it better to often get almost instant disappointment because of
the internet?), have yourself a good old-fashioned cry (or whatever) and send
out another query.
