Recently, Ken Mooney and Lela Markham, two good author friends, tagged me in a fun and informal writing activity. The assignment: post seven things about your writing…
Only seven? Okay, okay. Write, then edit and revise, right?
*flexes fingers* Here we go!
- For the first time, I’m working on plotting a novel. For my first two published books, The Purple Morrow and Wolf’s Bane (and basically anything I have written until now), I wrote them based on what I felt the story needed as well as how the characters evolved. However, now that I am writing the last book of my trilogy, I decided to modify my usual method to make sure I hit all the essential story points. I’ll let you know if I survive.
- I’ve been off my normal writing rampage in order to rest my elbow, which has been hit with tendonitis for the last few months. Not fun.
- My kids like to write as well. I like to think they have been influenced by watching me. 🙂
- I love to chat with readers and other authors, and I get really giddy when I find new messages and review requests in my inboxes.
- Self-marketing and promotion are the biggest challenges for me. I just find them emotionally and mentally draining, not to mention time-consuming.
- I’m thrilled to be surrounded by great author friends who include me in activities like this. When I started writing, it was a really lonely time. Now, it’s wonderful to know there are people I can turn to for ideas, information, contacts, writing activities and collaborations, and even a shoulder to cry on. Writing’s tough, man.
- I enjoy blogging about writing almost as much as writing stories. I think it’s because I like communicating with readers in a voice closest to my natural one (i.e. without all the trappings affiliated with fiction writing). I feel like I’m still telling stories, just in a different, more conversational way.
Now, who to tag? Phil Partington, Katie Cross, Cairo Amani. You’re up!
Totally doing it this week! “I think it’s because I like communicating with readers in a voice closest to my natural one (i.e. without all the trappings affiliated with fiction writing).”– I like that. I think that’s very telling of you 🙂
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Lol that I like to hear myself talk? Glad you’re doing the activity! I’m looking forward to your answers.
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Sorry about the elbow. I had frozen shoulder once and was in therapy for 12 weeks before the pain left me. Ouch! My first novel was panster styled, but I had to outline the little crime novel I wrote because things got complicated. That’s when I fell in love with Scrivener.
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Wow! That sounds intense! Glad the shoulder loosened up.
I really hate to plan lol But I have no choice. I’m planning on doing it old school, story boarding with cue cards lol I’m a mechanical learner/problem solver like that, it seems 🙂
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Your 6th point is true for me as well. When my first book came out, I had no idea that authors were supposed to network with people. I love how social media makes it so easy for like-minded people to connect! I’ve “met” so many wonderful writers and bloggers these past few years, and I love it. 🙂
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Hear hear!
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Hey, a friend did the same to me. I posted seven things about myself on my blog too 🙂
I enjoyed reading the seven things about yourself. I feel like I know you a bit better. And you know? I love blogging too, nearly as much as writing… but not quite like 😉
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Lol yeah I know. Blogging’s fun but not quite the same. Thanks! And can you send me the link to your post? I’d love to read it. 🙂
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Oh, sure! Here it goes
http://theoldshelter.com/the-very-inspiring-blog-award/
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Thx!
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I didn’t used to really have a “process” either, but now I’m figuring one out. Writing a series has opened my eyes to the importance of organization with stuff like this, so I’m trying to be more organized about it 🙂
Not that it’s working, anyway.
Loved reading about this, Dyane! Thanks for tagging me!
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Lol I don’t know if your comment about your writing process encourages or depresses me Katie!
Looking forward to your answers 🙂
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