A few years ago, for my old website, I interviewed several authors and posted their answers. (I may put some of those here, but it will be a while.) One of my interveiw-ees said she was curious about how I would answer, so for her, I played along. I altered some of the answers to bring things up to date.
MG: What was the catalyst to get you started in your writing?
-- In my case, it was a jumpstart to something I already loved but had forgotten. I was researching writing programs for my kids and found The Writer’s Jungle. The author encouraged moms to write so that they would inspire their children to write. The other book (mentioned in the first book) was No Plot, No Problem, which led me to national novel writing month, which led me to write a novel.
MG: How long have you been writing?
-- I wrote a really short essay in 3rd grade that my teacher traced onto carbon paper so she could make copies on the ditto machine. In 4th grade, I wrote a chapter book about dinosaurs (one chapter per page!). Then in Junior high, I started writing mysteries, but never finished. Writing long hand was too discouraging. I stopped writing when I was in college because I had to write what other people wanted to read (maybe that’s why I balk at having an editor telling me what to do.)
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
-- Whenever I get the chance - in between running errands, spending time with my pets, housework and other stuff. I have no writing routine at all. (It's more like, write like crazy when I get a good idea and then let my brain take a rest for a few days.) Before all this, I imagined myself writing in a coffee shop, but the smell of coffee makes me ill and coffee shops are too loud. I need quiet when I write.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
-- I once tried my hand at contemporary romance (and kind of like writing it), but realized I loved fantasy. Those stories always have magic, someone fighting against the person they were meant to be, someone who is enslaved (either literally or figuratively by their past, etc), and ROMANCE.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
-- I like to do scrapbooks, altered books, and paper bag books, and will get back to them eventually, but for now, I just write. I also like blogging, facebook, and fiddling with my website.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
-- Although the advice is to read what you write, I haven’t found many fantasy books I like, so I read romance – contemporary, historical, biblical. Some of my favorite authors are Siri Mitchell, Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, and Kaki Warner.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
-- Plot and Structure by Jim Bell and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. J. Bell’s book is great for how to write a story. Anne’s book just makes me laugh and reminds me to not take my writing too seriously.
MG: Publishing…?
-- I prefer to self publish, but the reasons are long and drawn out. Let’s just say, this is a passion, not a career, and I want more control. There are only 2 times when I envy published authors: 1, when I think about doing a book signing and then remember that I have to pay for my books ahead of time and if they don't sell, I'm stuck with them, AND 2, when I'm formatting a book to be printed, and then copy editing it when it comes back.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
-- In the case of self publishing, I think it’s been fighting the prejudice against self publishing. Thankfully, as of this writing, that's not a problem anymore.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
-- Write. Keep writing. Your stories are important. Don’t quit. Even if you aren’t published yet, keep writing, because in the end it’s not about getting published. It’s about getting your stories on paper (or computer) and letting God get your stories to the right people, in whatever way he chooses.
MG: What was the catalyst to get you started in your writing?
-- In my case, it was a jumpstart to something I already loved but had forgotten. I was researching writing programs for my kids and found The Writer’s Jungle. The author encouraged moms to write so that they would inspire their children to write. The other book (mentioned in the first book) was No Plot, No Problem, which led me to national novel writing month, which led me to write a novel.
MG: How long have you been writing?
-- I wrote a really short essay in 3rd grade that my teacher traced onto carbon paper so she could make copies on the ditto machine. In 4th grade, I wrote a chapter book about dinosaurs (one chapter per page!). Then in Junior high, I started writing mysteries, but never finished. Writing long hand was too discouraging. I stopped writing when I was in college because I had to write what other people wanted to read (maybe that’s why I balk at having an editor telling me what to do.)
MG: How often do you write? Do you have a routine?
-- Whenever I get the chance - in between running errands, spending time with my pets, housework and other stuff. I have no writing routine at all. (It's more like, write like crazy when I get a good idea and then let my brain take a rest for a few days.) Before all this, I imagined myself writing in a coffee shop, but the smell of coffee makes me ill and coffee shops are too loud. I need quiet when I write.
MG: What kind of stories do you tell?
-- I once tried my hand at contemporary romance (and kind of like writing it), but realized I loved fantasy. Those stories always have magic, someone fighting against the person they were meant to be, someone who is enslaved (either literally or figuratively by their past, etc), and ROMANCE.
MG: Do you have any other pursuits besides writing?
-- I like to do scrapbooks, altered books, and paper bag books, and will get back to them eventually, but for now, I just write. I also like blogging, facebook, and fiddling with my website.
MG: Do you have a favorite author and or genre that you read?
-- Although the advice is to read what you write, I haven’t found many fantasy books I like, so I read romance – contemporary, historical, biblical. Some of my favorite authors are Siri Mitchell, Mary Connealy, Karen Witemeyer, and Kaki Warner.
MG: If you could keep only two writing books, what would they be and why?
-- Plot and Structure by Jim Bell and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. J. Bell’s book is great for how to write a story. Anne’s book just makes me laugh and reminds me to not take my writing too seriously.
MG: Publishing…?
-- I prefer to self publish, but the reasons are long and drawn out. Let’s just say, this is a passion, not a career, and I want more control. There are only 2 times when I envy published authors: 1, when I think about doing a book signing and then remember that I have to pay for my books ahead of time and if they don't sell, I'm stuck with them, AND 2, when I'm formatting a book to be printed, and then copy editing it when it comes back.
MG: What has been the most difficult aspect of trying to get published?
-- In the case of self publishing, I think it’s been fighting the prejudice against self publishing. Thankfully, as of this writing, that's not a problem anymore.
MG: What one piece of advice would you give other writers, either about writing or about seeking publication?
-- Write. Keep writing. Your stories are important. Don’t quit. Even if you aren’t published yet, keep writing, because in the end it’s not about getting published. It’s about getting your stories on paper (or computer) and letting God get your stories to the right people, in whatever way he chooses.