Lynne Stringer at www.lynnestringer.com tagged me as part of a blog tour. Be sure to check her blog out if you're just joining the tour.
Here's a glimpse of what I've been up to with my current WIP.
1. WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I am currently working on my first novel. I've got about 1500 more words to write to complete the first draft and then the edits begin. I'm really excited about this project. It's a fantasy about a girl learning how to grow up essentially and she's got some tough decisions to make, including finding out she's the heir to a forgotten kingdom. The story follows her as she decides what must be done and all the adventures and misadventures she comes across in the process.
2. HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN YOUR GENRE?
I'm hoping to stand out with having a strong female lead. I also think the world I've created is different from any I've read so far. The cast of characters I have help too.
3. WHY DO YOU WRITE OR CREATE WHAT YOU DO?
C.S. Lewis and Tolkien wrote their novels because they wanted to read more stories they would like. For me it's the same. I love the fantasy genre and how many stories can be told and how unique the characters are portrayed. A lot of time, I feel like they are filled with allegory and often the characters teach me valuable lessons. I think this translates in my writing as well. I like to tell stories of the things I've learned and in processing that through my stories, I learn more as well.
4. HOW DOES YOUR WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?
I'm very chaotic when it comes to my process. I've spent years asking different writers what their style is, what they've found that works and doesn't work and I feel like I've actually tried it all too. I've read books and taken courses on it, but for me, I start with a basic storyline. I may write out a short paragraph of the overall story and then I start writing. I let the scenes come as I write, all the while keeping in the back of my mind where I need to get them and what they need to learn and how they need to change.
Along the way I may write out biographies for specific characters and I'll start building from there what the different places in the world I'm creating look like. As the story progresses I come up with more ideas and implement them into the story to flesh it out a bit more.
It is a very chaotic way to write and won't work for everyone, but I've discovered that even if I do plan out a detailed plot I still go off on tangents that actually have more impact on my test audience.
Once I've written out a full draft of the story, then I send it to a select few for feedback. I also live with a great bunch of friends who enjoy hearing my stories, so I'll read my story out loud. They're pretty vocal about what they like and when they stop me to ask questions, it gives me more of an idea of the plot holes I need to fix. Reading it out loud also helps me see where things are flowing and where they aren't.
Over all it's a fun process, but if I could encourage any aspiring author it would be to find the discipline to just sit down and write. Don't wait for inspiration. Schedule out a time to write and do it every single day.
I hope you enjoyed reading this and now to continue your blog tour, head over to Sandi Rog's page next week (10 August) to hear about her work and process. Also next week head over to Adam Colling's blog to hear about his as well.
1. WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I am currently working on my first novel. I've got about 1500 more words to write to complete the first draft and then the edits begin. I'm really excited about this project. It's a fantasy about a girl learning how to grow up essentially and she's got some tough decisions to make, including finding out she's the heir to a forgotten kingdom. The story follows her as she decides what must be done and all the adventures and misadventures she comes across in the process.
2. HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN YOUR GENRE?
I'm hoping to stand out with having a strong female lead. I also think the world I've created is different from any I've read so far. The cast of characters I have help too.
3. WHY DO YOU WRITE OR CREATE WHAT YOU DO?
C.S. Lewis and Tolkien wrote their novels because they wanted to read more stories they would like. For me it's the same. I love the fantasy genre and how many stories can be told and how unique the characters are portrayed. A lot of time, I feel like they are filled with allegory and often the characters teach me valuable lessons. I think this translates in my writing as well. I like to tell stories of the things I've learned and in processing that through my stories, I learn more as well.
4. HOW DOES YOUR WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?
I'm very chaotic when it comes to my process. I've spent years asking different writers what their style is, what they've found that works and doesn't work and I feel like I've actually tried it all too. I've read books and taken courses on it, but for me, I start with a basic storyline. I may write out a short paragraph of the overall story and then I start writing. I let the scenes come as I write, all the while keeping in the back of my mind where I need to get them and what they need to learn and how they need to change.
Along the way I may write out biographies for specific characters and I'll start building from there what the different places in the world I'm creating look like. As the story progresses I come up with more ideas and implement them into the story to flesh it out a bit more.
It is a very chaotic way to write and won't work for everyone, but I've discovered that even if I do plan out a detailed plot I still go off on tangents that actually have more impact on my test audience.
Once I've written out a full draft of the story, then I send it to a select few for feedback. I also live with a great bunch of friends who enjoy hearing my stories, so I'll read my story out loud. They're pretty vocal about what they like and when they stop me to ask questions, it gives me more of an idea of the plot holes I need to fix. Reading it out loud also helps me see where things are flowing and where they aren't.
Over all it's a fun process, but if I could encourage any aspiring author it would be to find the discipline to just sit down and write. Don't wait for inspiration. Schedule out a time to write and do it every single day.
I hope you enjoyed reading this and now to continue your blog tour, head over to Sandi Rog's page next week (10 August) to hear about her work and process. Also next week head over to Adam Colling's blog to hear about his as well.
