Occasionally, I get invited to participate in these chain-letter-type of blog tour things where you’re nominated by someone to answer a bunch of questions and then pass it on. I was a glutton for chain letters as a kid, though don’t ask me why my parents let me mail off a bunch of handwritten letters (and use stamps!) to avoid some kind of curse.
That’s not at all what this is about.
The My Writing Process blog tour aims to direct readers and writers towards new books and friends. When you are invited to participate, you simply answer the four questions below and then pass the torch on to three fellow writers.
The lovely Lisa Betz nominated me for this tour, and I’m happy to oblige because sometimes it’s fun to answer questions about writing. (Sometimes. Not always.)
I’m finally getting more comfortable talking about myself as a writer and not feeling like some kind of slacker with a pseudo-job. So, here’s a bit about my writing right now.
1. What am I working on?
Well, I’ve been writing a novel for the last, like, three years. Yep. Three. Years. Maybe longer. I’m hoping the next one won’t take me that long, but sheesh, that sounds like a long time. I finished the first draft this summer. So, now I’m reading it through again, editing, polishing, answering questions I didn’t think about answering the first time through. I’ve learned a lot about writing in the last three years, so I’m excited for this re-writing process. Earlier this year, I learned from a published author that another term for a first draft is a discovery draft, and that has changed my entire outlook on what I’ve been doing for the last three years.
And it explains why after I wrote “the end,” I went back to the beginning and changed many of the character names, as well as the title of the novel. My current working title is “The Dawn of Hope.” It’s a mostly contemporary story about a girl named Hope who doesn’t have much hope for her future, and some things she learns about her family’s past that help her move forward with her life. There are some historical scenes, too.
2. How does my book differ from others in its genre?
I’m not even sure what genre I’d put it in right now! I recently learned about frame stories, which intertwine historical and contemporary storylines, and while that’s close to what I’m working on, it’s not exactly what I’ve accomplished so far. So … I’m sure this will sell really well to an agent or editor because I can’t even answer my own questions!
3. Why do I write what I write?
I love stories of all kinds, and I’m especially drawn to those stories that combine historical and contemporary storylines. I love the link between past and present, and I have more story ideas along these lines. I think it’s fairly common for writers to write what they like to read, so count me among that group!
4. How does my writing process work?
Sporadically and frantically. Because I also blog and do freelance writing, I don’t always give my novel the attention it deserves. So, when I make the time to write, often in the evening, I write until I can’t write anymore or until it’s time to sleep. I don’t aim for a set number of words or a chapter or anything, but I do like to get to a point where I can continue the story the next time I sit down to write. It’s like if I think I know what’s going to happen but haven’t written it yet, then I’m more excited to get back to it.
When I started the novel, I just started writing. I didn’t plot or sketch characters or think up backstories–all work that I have to do now that I already have a skeleton of a story. Next time, I’ll spend more time thinking through some of these questions before I start writing. I think it will make things easier.
Also, these things help. Gifts from a writing friend.
So, how’s that? Not a lot of earth-shattering revelation, but a little peek into my brain and my computer.
Now the part where I’m curious about what people are working on but know how valuable writing time can be. So, I pass the torch (with no strings attached!) to:
Have fun writing friends!
Glad you took the plunge. And I’m really intrigued by your ms. I too like intertwined novels. What are some of your favorites in this pseudo-genre?
Susan Meissner’s A Fall of Marigolds is a recent favorite.