Okay, this website is tons of fun.
Plot-o-matic
I was looking for some good plot prompt generators, and found this little beauty. Totally not usable for a story, but oh so much fun to play with.
Here is my screenplay. I expect Hollywood to call any minute now:
Things Go BOOM!
An original screenplay concept
by Elizabeth Poole
Period Piece: A precocious child teams up with a well-built female cyborg to win a wager. In the process they sign a suicide pact with a super intelligent chimpanzee. By the end of the movie they shoot 42 oogly mothers-in-law and end up winning the admiration of their spouses, living happily ever after.
Think Priscilla, Queen of the Desert meets Equilibrium.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [CUT HERE] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
How to make a million: Print this page now. Make a copy, send it to your favorite movie studio, and before you know it an armored car will pull up to your door and unload bag after bag of beautiful green entertainment bucks. And they’ll be yours to do whatever you wish!
Isn’t that just pure genius?
Enjoy!
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
A Plot Bunny for You
One month from today, I will be getting married! Yippee!
Okay, done with the mushy real life stuff!
Back to the blog.
I have recently found a great website for writing prompts, otherwise known as Plot Bunnies (You all know what a plot bunny is, right? It's an idea that spreads through your manuscript, procreating like...well, bunnies. The new idea usually have nothing to do with the main plot, and can lead you astray. But sometimes plot bunnies can spark some creativity to your first draft and take it places you never imagined.). I don't like to use writing prompts to write something completely new, but they have helped me out of a sticky scene a time or two, or recharged a saggy manuscript.
So I thought I would post some of the more interesting ones on my blog from time to time.
I can hear you groaning from here.
I promise, I will only post the prompts I think are different, and actually have a chance of sparking someone's imagination. I don't like the writing prompts like "A man meets a mysterious stranger". Too vague. A good writing prompt should spark something inside you, and make you immediately think of the possibilities. I will only post the most high quality, writer-tested prompts for your enjoyment.
And before you scoff, saying “I don’t need no stinkin’ prompts”, remember the last time you stared at the computer screen, knowing the story should be going somewhere but you aren’t sure where?
Sometimes prompts can help. They can provide a springboard for you to jump into the scene in a cool new fashion. Most prompts I have used never go into the book exactly as it reads, but are changed to fit the story or situation. Sometimes I don’t even use the prompt itself, but thinking about the prompt made me think of something else, which in turn made me think how cool it would be if…you get the idea.
Think of them as inspiration Energy Drinks. A Red Bull for your Muse, if you will.
Here is today’s prompt, from the Forward Motion for Writers forum story idea generator:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
FIRST IMPRESSIONS...
You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and that's never truer than in fiction. What you write about a character when they first enter a story will create that character in the reader’s mind, so make sure the intro counts!
Today, see how many one line character sketches you can do, giving attention to making a vivid first impression for each of them. For example:
'Long blonde hair and a face so sweet it was hard to believe she could be standing there with the bloody knife still in her hand, the smell of death and gunpowder clinging to her gown like lilies in at a funeral.'
Okay, your turn!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
I especially like this one for vamping up your secondary and tertiary characters. Not exactly main characters, but people that exist in your story to make it more real.
You could also revamp the introduction to your main characters, paying attention to the most unique details of the person. Let us know who that character is immediately, and your chance of hooking the reader goes up exponentially.
So what do you guys think? Do you like the prompt? Should I be burned at the stake for posting a such cliché writing tool? Do you have a favorite search engine for story prompts? How do you like to use them?
I would also love to know if anyone has actually created an entire book from a writing prompt. I assume this mythological creature exists, but I have yet to sight one.
Okay, done with the mushy real life stuff!
Back to the blog.
I have recently found a great website for writing prompts, otherwise known as Plot Bunnies (You all know what a plot bunny is, right? It's an idea that spreads through your manuscript, procreating like...well, bunnies. The new idea usually have nothing to do with the main plot, and can lead you astray. But sometimes plot bunnies can spark some creativity to your first draft and take it places you never imagined.). I don't like to use writing prompts to write something completely new, but they have helped me out of a sticky scene a time or two, or recharged a saggy manuscript.
So I thought I would post some of the more interesting ones on my blog from time to time.
I can hear you groaning from here.
I promise, I will only post the prompts I think are different, and actually have a chance of sparking someone's imagination. I don't like the writing prompts like "A man meets a mysterious stranger". Too vague. A good writing prompt should spark something inside you, and make you immediately think of the possibilities. I will only post the most high quality, writer-tested prompts for your enjoyment.
And before you scoff, saying “I don’t need no stinkin’ prompts”, remember the last time you stared at the computer screen, knowing the story should be going somewhere but you aren’t sure where?
Sometimes prompts can help. They can provide a springboard for you to jump into the scene in a cool new fashion. Most prompts I have used never go into the book exactly as it reads, but are changed to fit the story or situation. Sometimes I don’t even use the prompt itself, but thinking about the prompt made me think of something else, which in turn made me think how cool it would be if…you get the idea.
Think of them as inspiration Energy Drinks. A Red Bull for your Muse, if you will.
Here is today’s prompt, from the Forward Motion for Writers forum story idea generator:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
FIRST IMPRESSIONS...
You only get one chance to make a good first impression, and that's never truer than in fiction. What you write about a character when they first enter a story will create that character in the reader’s mind, so make sure the intro counts!
Today, see how many one line character sketches you can do, giving attention to making a vivid first impression for each of them. For example:
'Long blonde hair and a face so sweet it was hard to believe she could be standing there with the bloody knife still in her hand, the smell of death and gunpowder clinging to her gown like lilies in at a funeral.'
Okay, your turn!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
I especially like this one for vamping up your secondary and tertiary characters. Not exactly main characters, but people that exist in your story to make it more real.
You could also revamp the introduction to your main characters, paying attention to the most unique details of the person. Let us know who that character is immediately, and your chance of hooking the reader goes up exponentially.
So what do you guys think? Do you like the prompt? Should I be burned at the stake for posting a such cliché writing tool? Do you have a favorite search engine for story prompts? How do you like to use them?
I would also love to know if anyone has actually created an entire book from a writing prompt. I assume this mythological creature exists, but I have yet to sight one.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Echo!
Today I am working my way through making scene cards for my revision process, and I am reminded of the importance of checking your “echoes” throughout the book.
“Echoes” are what I have always called the ripple-like events that precipitate through your novel. Say Scene 1 is of your hero looking for her lost puppy. The puppy is just the excuse you want to use so she can meet her love interest, but don’t forget about the lost puppy, either. That puppy will have some small echoes throughout the book. Most of the time it will finish up within the same scene—at the end, they find Mr. Wiggles and have a cup of coffee together—but sometimes not.
When you look at your novel in outline form, whether it’s before you write it or afterwards, check the events and make sure they have the proper ramifications throughout the book. This also might give you ideas for missing scenes or motivations.
I like to outline my novel with note cards, and then check to make sure I have everything properly worked out and set up. If by the end of the book, my hero needs to diffuse a bomb, I need to put more than one scene where her techie boyfriend shows her how to diffuse a pipe bomb on a lark. The climax of the book will have many echoes throughout your book, both great and small.
Some of echoes are wrapped up within the scene, small bits of details that make your book feel more real and breath, and other echoes will be much larger, and spanning multiple scenes. It’s confusing to keep all of these details straight in your head, so I would recommend either writing out your outline on a piece of paper, or putting the scenes down on notecards.
Go through the events. Ask yourself, Have I properly set the climax up? Are there any skills or abilities I need to mention earlier? Have I forgotten to mention any minor bits of plot, and how they were resolved?
What about you? What methods do you use to ensure you’ve set everything in your novel up properly?
“Echoes” are what I have always called the ripple-like events that precipitate through your novel. Say Scene 1 is of your hero looking for her lost puppy. The puppy is just the excuse you want to use so she can meet her love interest, but don’t forget about the lost puppy, either. That puppy will have some small echoes throughout the book. Most of the time it will finish up within the same scene—at the end, they find Mr. Wiggles and have a cup of coffee together—but sometimes not.
When you look at your novel in outline form, whether it’s before you write it or afterwards, check the events and make sure they have the proper ramifications throughout the book. This also might give you ideas for missing scenes or motivations.
I like to outline my novel with note cards, and then check to make sure I have everything properly worked out and set up. If by the end of the book, my hero needs to diffuse a bomb, I need to put more than one scene where her techie boyfriend shows her how to diffuse a pipe bomb on a lark. The climax of the book will have many echoes throughout your book, both great and small.
Some of echoes are wrapped up within the scene, small bits of details that make your book feel more real and breath, and other echoes will be much larger, and spanning multiple scenes. It’s confusing to keep all of these details straight in your head, so I would recommend either writing out your outline on a piece of paper, or putting the scenes down on notecards.
Go through the events. Ask yourself, Have I properly set the climax up? Are there any skills or abilities I need to mention earlier? Have I forgotten to mention any minor bits of plot, and how they were resolved?
What about you? What methods do you use to ensure you’ve set everything in your novel up properly?
Friday, May 14, 2010
Yay for Friday
Friday celebrations abound across the blogosphere! People are throwing parties and confetti! I saw it!
For me, it’s just another workday, or closer to a Thursday, since I work on Saturday. Also, today I have to go in early, and I have back to back clients. Which is really awesome, but also makes me want to cry, just a little. Saturday is shaping up to be busy too. Which, I repeat, is awesome, but makes me want to cry.
Yesterday I had a Eureka moment while I was in a massage. That’s one of the downsides of being a massage therapist. If I have a eureka moment I can’t just scribble something down and go back to work…I am a little busy.
Either way, it was good times.
Revision is progressing merrily along, since I am still riding the high of finishing the first slog. I am starting to get into what Holly calls Triage, where I am rooting out characters, conflicts, and Promises, which I will explain later.
I hope everyone has a great day. Anyone will awesome plans? How are the WIP coming along?
For me, it’s just another workday, or closer to a Thursday, since I work on Saturday. Also, today I have to go in early, and I have back to back clients. Which is really awesome, but also makes me want to cry, just a little. Saturday is shaping up to be busy too. Which, I repeat, is awesome, but makes me want to cry.
Yesterday I had a Eureka moment while I was in a massage. That’s one of the downsides of being a massage therapist. If I have a eureka moment I can’t just scribble something down and go back to work…I am a little busy.
Either way, it was good times.
Revision is progressing merrily along, since I am still riding the high of finishing the first slog. I am starting to get into what Holly calls Triage, where I am rooting out characters, conflicts, and Promises, which I will explain later.
I hope everyone has a great day. Anyone will awesome plans? How are the WIP coming along?
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Updates Galore and a Free E-Book Download (Oh My!)
Hi guys! Did you miss me? I know I missed you.
It’s been a crazy week, and I am really grateful to Mia and Lena for their interviews, giving me something to post when I didn’t really have time to make a proper post. Since Monday wound up being busier than I thought it would be, I shall tell you about my progress now.
And guess what? I finished a huge milestone for revision on Sunday.
Some of you may remember I started taking Holly Lisle’s class How to Revise Your Novel about two months ago. Lesson one is brutal, and I just finished. Huzzah!
Lesson one is the main editing slog, where I go through each page of my manuscript and make notes about the characters, the worldbuilding (even though it’s set in New York City, worldbuilding is still important), the plot (and all of those pesky subplots I tend to throw in there), any parts I feel myself skimming, and any parts I really enjoy. All of these notes go on their own separate worksheet, where I make a note of what is or isn’t working, and what might be the problem.
This is very time consuming, especially since I have already been over the manuscript twice before I started taking the class and flailing about. But I finished!
Of course, that’s just Lesson one, but hey! It’s one of the hardest lessons of the course, according to the graduates.
Now I am reading the next few lessons to see what I can combine. Because a) I am a few weeks behind because Lesson One took me so flippin’ long and b) Lesson Two requires going through your manuscript again. I am pretty sure I can simultaneously do lesson two and three, and perhaps even four. It’s not like I won’t be juggling this stuff in my mind eventually, since at the end of the course you learn how to put all of that together so you can do the famous One Pass Revision.
In preparation of lesson three, I bought the largest paperclips I have ever since. Seriously guys, these paperclips are four inches long. You use them to string your scene notecards together, and the other size the store had were hardly an inch long, and I was worried about running out of room. So I bought the big ones.
In other news, I finished reading The Career Novelist by Donald Maass, which is also available for free download at his agency’s site Here, and I am spreading the gospel. True, this book was written in the nineties, so some of the book market stuff has changed, but most of his advice is still relevant today. I highly recommend this book to all writers in all walks of life. Maass really sheds some light on how the publishing industry works, and how it affects you as a writer.
Well, I am off to continue my revisions. Have a great day everyone!
It’s been a crazy week, and I am really grateful to Mia and Lena for their interviews, giving me something to post when I didn’t really have time to make a proper post. Since Monday wound up being busier than I thought it would be, I shall tell you about my progress now.
And guess what? I finished a huge milestone for revision on Sunday.
Some of you may remember I started taking Holly Lisle’s class How to Revise Your Novel about two months ago. Lesson one is brutal, and I just finished. Huzzah!
Lesson one is the main editing slog, where I go through each page of my manuscript and make notes about the characters, the worldbuilding (even though it’s set in New York City, worldbuilding is still important), the plot (and all of those pesky subplots I tend to throw in there), any parts I feel myself skimming, and any parts I really enjoy. All of these notes go on their own separate worksheet, where I make a note of what is or isn’t working, and what might be the problem.
This is very time consuming, especially since I have already been over the manuscript twice before I started taking the class and flailing about. But I finished!
Of course, that’s just Lesson one, but hey! It’s one of the hardest lessons of the course, according to the graduates.
Now I am reading the next few lessons to see what I can combine. Because a) I am a few weeks behind because Lesson One took me so flippin’ long and b) Lesson Two requires going through your manuscript again. I am pretty sure I can simultaneously do lesson two and three, and perhaps even four. It’s not like I won’t be juggling this stuff in my mind eventually, since at the end of the course you learn how to put all of that together so you can do the famous One Pass Revision.
In preparation of lesson three, I bought the largest paperclips I have ever since. Seriously guys, these paperclips are four inches long. You use them to string your scene notecards together, and the other size the store had were hardly an inch long, and I was worried about running out of room. So I bought the big ones.
In other news, I finished reading The Career Novelist by Donald Maass, which is also available for free download at his agency’s site Here, and I am spreading the gospel. True, this book was written in the nineties, so some of the book market stuff has changed, but most of his advice is still relevant today. I highly recommend this book to all writers in all walks of life. Maass really sheds some light on how the publishing industry works, and how it affects you as a writer.
Well, I am off to continue my revisions. Have a great day everyone!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Author Interview: Lena Hoppe
Good morning people!
First of all, I would like to apologize for my epic failure yesterday when I misspelled Mia’s last name. True, it was that way in her email, but I should have checked her blog to be sure. AND the link to her blog didn’t show up the way I wanted it to. I have now fixed everything, and apologize for the mistakes.
If you would like me to interview you about your writing career or job, please email me at writer (dot) elizabethpoole (at) gmail (dot) com.
In the meantime, we have another great interview! Lena has been my friend since NaNo two years back, and she’s been invaluable to my growth as a writer. She writes wonderful stuff, too. Go check out her blog!
She posts helpful advice and writing prompts! So, after you’re done with the interview, go check her out!
Writer Interview: Lena Hoppe
First, introduce yourself. Tell us who you are, what genre you write in, and what stage of the writer journey you’re currently mucking about in.
I'm a bilingual writer living in Germany. I write character-driven fantasy, sometimes YA and sometimes not. I am unpublished but I plan to start querying agents soon. Right now I'm in the middle of editing my NaNoWriMo novel from 2009.
You can find me at The Writing Desk.
1. Why did you decide to become a writer?
I didn't decide to become a writer. In a way I have always been one. I have been making stories up all my life, and I started writing them down in my early teens. I did decide to pursue writing as a profession and the reason for that is very simple: I'm not much use at most other things. Writing is the only thing I *want* to do, so I think I should try as hard as I can to make it my profession.
2. What is your writing environment like now?
I share an apartment with my boyfriend, and I have a desk in a corner of our bedroom. A picture of my writing space can be found on my blog!
3. What is your ideal writing environment like?
When, instead of actually writing, I sit at my desk and daydream, I envision a kind of cross between an office, a library and an art studio. I'd need at least two desks, one for the computer and another one large enough to draw huge maps on. I'd love to have all my non-fiction and reference books in my writing space with me, instead of spread throughout the apartment as they are now. I have a collection of dictionaries that just *belongs* in a proper office/study/library. My ideal writing environment would also be quiet (which my current one is) and have a nice view (which it doesn't).
4. Do you write with music? Why or why not?
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I love writing with music, but it has to be exactly the right music for whatever I'm writing. And sometimes I don't know what that is, so I write without. But when I have the right music, it helps me drive the plot and character emotions and focus on the story.
5. How do you find time to write in between the other demands on your time—kids, family, job, etc?
Right now I am lucky enough to be able to spend most of my time writing.
6. What are your comfort books? Those books you can read again and again, that foster and rekindle your desire to write?
The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce - I read those books as a kid and they still give me that cosy, coming-home feeling every time I open one. Various children's books - for the same reason. And, if I'm in the right mood, any of several Richard Jury mysteries by Martha Grimes - for the delightful characters that never really change.
7. What authors do you find influential?
I think I've been influenced in some way by every author I've ever read. But some that stick out, for various reasons, are Astrid Lindgren, Tamora Pierce, J.D. Salinger, Tom Robbins, Tonke Dragt, Madeleine L'Engle, Philip Pullman, Douglas Adams, and Federica de Cesco.
8. Do you belong to a critique group? Writing organization? Why or why not?
I don't belong to a critique group because there are none where I live (at least not English-speaking ones). I do have a number of writer friends, though, that I discuss all kinds of writing issues with.
9. Have you ever been to a writing conference? Why or why not? If so, what was your experience like?
I haven't. Wrong continent again. But I would be too shy to talk to anyone anyway.
10. Are you querying? If so, what’s keeping you sane?
I have not started querying but plan to do so as soon as I have polished my current WiP. No idea what the process will do to my sanity, but I guess that my support network of extraordinarily lovely people will help to keep me sane.
11. What are your favorite kinds of characters to write about?
I have a soft spot for insecure characters and slightly sarcastic or dry voices, though I make sure that my narrators don't whine too much. I also like writing three-dimensional, realistic characters with physical disabilities - because there are too few of those out there.
12. What are you favorite kinds of characters to read about?
Same as above, but I can enjoy any well-written character as long as I can relate to them on some level.
13. Are you an outliner or a seat of the pants writer? Why?
I am a bit of both. I do need an outline, but my outlines are never extremely detailed. As I progress through a first draft, I often outline the next few scenes in more detail, but I could never write with an outline that tells me everything that will be in the book. I'd be bored to death. I need the story to still surprise me a little as I'm writing it - but a bit of structure and planning ahead is also necessary. I need to know what I'm writing about and where I'm going with it.
14. Would you like to be a bestseller or have a smaller, more manageable following?
Of course I would like to be successful and make some money with my books. But since I am shy, hate being the center of attention and am generally scared of strangers, I think I would be much happier with a smaller, friendly following than anything resembling literary rockstardom.
15. Do you have a writing "process?" What is it, if so?
First, I have an idea (Hah! I bet you didn't see that one coming!). Ideas usually come to me in the shape of characters. I develop the characters, setting and plot for a while. I put most work into the characters. I need to see them as clearly as if they were real people. I may jot down lines, but I don't write entire scenes until I actually start writing. When I write, I write linearly. Jumping around in a book doesn't work for me.
16. What is the single best writing advice you have ever received/come across?
To not hold back. I used to feel that what interested me most about a story would be dull for others, so I restrained myself and compromised and wrote half-heartedly. BAD idea. None other than the host of this lovely interview encouraged me to not only write what I cared about but to not hold back one little bit while I was doing so. And I have been writing so much better since than. (Thanks, Elizabeth!)
17. Any fears about becoming published?
Plenty. But that's just who I am. I worry too much about everything. I manage to be equally terrified of rejection and success. But I just keep going anyway.
18. Where do you get your ideas from? (*grin* sorry guys, I had to include that)
From everywhere. Books, movies, music, sunsets, sunrises, snow, rain, carpet patterns, castles, exhibitions, friends, walks, meals, overheard conversations, people's online status messages, paintings, photographs, dreams, anything.
19. What is your biggest pet peeve in your genre?
In fantasy, it's poorly developed characters and settings receiving more attention than the plot. Also, magic as a deus ex machina. In YA, I don't have any particular pet peeves that are specific to the genre. I guess I have been lucky in the YA I've read.
20. What is your biggest pet peeve in books in general?
Unrealistic or flat characters who don't act believably. Also, disabled characters who are either bitter villains or helpless victims. Or die.
21. Do you like books about writing? If so, which books would you recommend and why?
I enjoy books about writing if they are well-written, entertaining and not too preachy. But I don't always follow their advice.
22. And lastly, if you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which would it be?
It's tempting to go for something with a high page-count, but I guess if it's just the one book for, hopefully, decades to come, even a 1000-page monster of a book might become boring. So I'd pick something that I love for the beauty of its words and could read over and over again. Still not an easy choice, but I'd probably go for "The Waves" by Virginia Woolf, "Island Magic" by Elizabeth Goudge, or "Franny and Zooey" by J.D. Salinger.
First of all, I would like to apologize for my epic failure yesterday when I misspelled Mia’s last name. True, it was that way in her email, but I should have checked her blog to be sure. AND the link to her blog didn’t show up the way I wanted it to. I have now fixed everything, and apologize for the mistakes.
If you would like me to interview you about your writing career or job, please email me at writer (dot) elizabethpoole (at) gmail (dot) com.
In the meantime, we have another great interview! Lena has been my friend since NaNo two years back, and she’s been invaluable to my growth as a writer. She writes wonderful stuff, too. Go check out her blog!
She posts helpful advice and writing prompts! So, after you’re done with the interview, go check her out!
Writer Interview: Lena Hoppe
First, introduce yourself. Tell us who you are, what genre you write in, and what stage of the writer journey you’re currently mucking about in.
I'm a bilingual writer living in Germany. I write character-driven fantasy, sometimes YA and sometimes not. I am unpublished but I plan to start querying agents soon. Right now I'm in the middle of editing my NaNoWriMo novel from 2009.
You can find me at The Writing Desk.
1. Why did you decide to become a writer?
I didn't decide to become a writer. In a way I have always been one. I have been making stories up all my life, and I started writing them down in my early teens. I did decide to pursue writing as a profession and the reason for that is very simple: I'm not much use at most other things. Writing is the only thing I *want* to do, so I think I should try as hard as I can to make it my profession.
2. What is your writing environment like now?
I share an apartment with my boyfriend, and I have a desk in a corner of our bedroom. A picture of my writing space can be found on my blog!
3. What is your ideal writing environment like?
When, instead of actually writing, I sit at my desk and daydream, I envision a kind of cross between an office, a library and an art studio. I'd need at least two desks, one for the computer and another one large enough to draw huge maps on. I'd love to have all my non-fiction and reference books in my writing space with me, instead of spread throughout the apartment as they are now. I have a collection of dictionaries that just *belongs* in a proper office/study/library. My ideal writing environment would also be quiet (which my current one is) and have a nice view (which it doesn't).
4. Do you write with music? Why or why not?
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I love writing with music, but it has to be exactly the right music for whatever I'm writing. And sometimes I don't know what that is, so I write without. But when I have the right music, it helps me drive the plot and character emotions and focus on the story.
5. How do you find time to write in between the other demands on your time—kids, family, job, etc?
Right now I am lucky enough to be able to spend most of my time writing.
6. What are your comfort books? Those books you can read again and again, that foster and rekindle your desire to write?
The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce - I read those books as a kid and they still give me that cosy, coming-home feeling every time I open one. Various children's books - for the same reason. And, if I'm in the right mood, any of several Richard Jury mysteries by Martha Grimes - for the delightful characters that never really change.
7. What authors do you find influential?
I think I've been influenced in some way by every author I've ever read. But some that stick out, for various reasons, are Astrid Lindgren, Tamora Pierce, J.D. Salinger, Tom Robbins, Tonke Dragt, Madeleine L'Engle, Philip Pullman, Douglas Adams, and Federica de Cesco.
8. Do you belong to a critique group? Writing organization? Why or why not?
I don't belong to a critique group because there are none where I live (at least not English-speaking ones). I do have a number of writer friends, though, that I discuss all kinds of writing issues with.
9. Have you ever been to a writing conference? Why or why not? If so, what was your experience like?
I haven't. Wrong continent again. But I would be too shy to talk to anyone anyway.
10. Are you querying? If so, what’s keeping you sane?
I have not started querying but plan to do so as soon as I have polished my current WiP. No idea what the process will do to my sanity, but I guess that my support network of extraordinarily lovely people will help to keep me sane.
11. What are your favorite kinds of characters to write about?
I have a soft spot for insecure characters and slightly sarcastic or dry voices, though I make sure that my narrators don't whine too much. I also like writing three-dimensional, realistic characters with physical disabilities - because there are too few of those out there.
12. What are you favorite kinds of characters to read about?
Same as above, but I can enjoy any well-written character as long as I can relate to them on some level.
13. Are you an outliner or a seat of the pants writer? Why?
I am a bit of both. I do need an outline, but my outlines are never extremely detailed. As I progress through a first draft, I often outline the next few scenes in more detail, but I could never write with an outline that tells me everything that will be in the book. I'd be bored to death. I need the story to still surprise me a little as I'm writing it - but a bit of structure and planning ahead is also necessary. I need to know what I'm writing about and where I'm going with it.
14. Would you like to be a bestseller or have a smaller, more manageable following?
Of course I would like to be successful and make some money with my books. But since I am shy, hate being the center of attention and am generally scared of strangers, I think I would be much happier with a smaller, friendly following than anything resembling literary rockstardom.
15. Do you have a writing "process?" What is it, if so?
First, I have an idea (Hah! I bet you didn't see that one coming!). Ideas usually come to me in the shape of characters. I develop the characters, setting and plot for a while. I put most work into the characters. I need to see them as clearly as if they were real people. I may jot down lines, but I don't write entire scenes until I actually start writing. When I write, I write linearly. Jumping around in a book doesn't work for me.
16. What is the single best writing advice you have ever received/come across?
To not hold back. I used to feel that what interested me most about a story would be dull for others, so I restrained myself and compromised and wrote half-heartedly. BAD idea. None other than the host of this lovely interview encouraged me to not only write what I cared about but to not hold back one little bit while I was doing so. And I have been writing so much better since than. (Thanks, Elizabeth!)
17. Any fears about becoming published?
Plenty. But that's just who I am. I worry too much about everything. I manage to be equally terrified of rejection and success. But I just keep going anyway.
18. Where do you get your ideas from? (*grin* sorry guys, I had to include that)
From everywhere. Books, movies, music, sunsets, sunrises, snow, rain, carpet patterns, castles, exhibitions, friends, walks, meals, overheard conversations, people's online status messages, paintings, photographs, dreams, anything.
19. What is your biggest pet peeve in your genre?
In fantasy, it's poorly developed characters and settings receiving more attention than the plot. Also, magic as a deus ex machina. In YA, I don't have any particular pet peeves that are specific to the genre. I guess I have been lucky in the YA I've read.
20. What is your biggest pet peeve in books in general?
Unrealistic or flat characters who don't act believably. Also, disabled characters who are either bitter villains or helpless victims. Or die.
21. Do you like books about writing? If so, which books would you recommend and why?
I enjoy books about writing if they are well-written, entertaining and not too preachy. But I don't always follow their advice.
22. And lastly, if you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which would it be?
It's tempting to go for something with a high page-count, but I guess if it's just the one book for, hopefully, decades to come, even a 1000-page monster of a book might become boring. So I'd pick something that I love for the beauty of its words and could read over and over again. Still not an easy choice, but I'd probably go for "The Waves" by Virginia Woolf, "Island Magic" by Elizabeth Goudge, or "Franny and Zooey" by J.D. Salinger.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Author Interview: Mia Hayson
First I would like to say: HIIII!!! to all of my new followers. Second, I do author and job interviews on my blog where I interview authors via email about their writing career. The lovely Mia Hayes agreed to do one such interview, so here it is. You should go check her out; her blog is like a daily party of awesome and interesting.
Mia's Awesome blog
First, introduce yourself. Tell us who you are, what genre you write in, and what stage of the writer journey you’re currently mucking about in.
I'm a nineteen year old student living in Scotland and writing my way through the dark nights. I'm just in the writing stage of the journey currently, but that's sometimes the best one right? I'm unpublished, I think, although recently I remembered that one of my short stories from when I was 14 was put in a REAL book. So maybe I am? No, I don't think that counts. And I'm not telling you the name of the book because it makes me cringe when I read it. It was a story about a door, a queen and Scotland… and that workshop guy made me do it.
So, I mainly write Young Adult and Paranormal Fiction because I love the bizarre and being able to defy the laws of gravity. Having said that, when an idea hits I tend to ignore genre and just go for it. My WiP is a YA Paranormal Fiction piece and I love it… kind of…. I mean, we have a turbulent relationship…
Now, some questions. You may keep your answers as short or as long as you want.
1. Why did you decide to become a writer?
I guess there was no one point I decided suddenly that I was going to become a writer. I started writing this WiP one day, got to about 20 000 words and realised I wanted to finish it. And then somebody suggested jokingly maybe I should publish it and I thought why not? Then I did a little research online, discovered blogging, joined in and here we are. Suddenly my computer is full to bursting with words and I appear to write in my sleep.
2. What is your writing environment like now?
My room in my flat is mainly where I write. I have this great view of the street so I often people watch whilst I'm typing. It helps with dialogue sometimes too, although some things you just can't write down no matter how funny they are. I can write almost anywhere though; travelling is a fun way to write because there's great inspiration to be had.
3. What is your ideal writing environment like?
Oooh, um, there would be an open fire because I like to be warm, a good view and endless quantities of tea.
4. Do you write with music? Why or why not?
I think music is my second biggest love aside from literature so it feels natural to write to it. I'm on the student newspaper so I often have new promo CDs to listen to that I end up writing to as well, I don't mention that in my articles though. I use music to get me in a particular frame of mind.
5. How do you find time to write in between the other demands on your time—kids, family, job, etc?
I write in-between studying, socialising and working ---> I mostly write when everyone else is asleep. It's actually a brilliant strategy because most of the USA is still awake on Twitter and whatnot, so if I need help there are people to consult. At the moment it's very much about using all my free minutes to type a little here and there. It helps that I rarely sleep.
6. What are your comfort books? Those books you can read again and again, that foster and rekindle your desire to write?
I have so many but the main ones worn out from my reading are The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.
7. What authors do you find influential?
Terry Pratchett
Douglas Adams
8. Do you belong to a critique group? Writing organization? Why or why not?
I haven't found the guts to really join one yet! Actually, I think I am a member of #YAlitchat.com and they have groups that critique there but I haven't worked up the courage to join in any.
Seriously, I've been speaking with a few people over the net about maybe starting something but I'm shy I guess. My work isn't nearly finished yet so I worry it'll be torn to shreds and I'll never be able to do so. Also, you've got to have the right people you know? Ideally, I'd like people who I feel I know well enough to trust them with my work but whom I also know won't hold back when push comes to shove.
So if you know of any…
9. Have you ever been to a writing conference? Why or why not? If so, what was your experience like?
I want to, haven't been a writer long enough to check them out. Also there's an issue with travel and funds. I'm a student so unless there happens to be a practically free local one I'm unlikely to be able to join.
10. Are you querying? If so, what’s keeping you sane?
11. What are your favourite kinds of characters to write about?
The weird and disturbing ones I think. I mean, I do write an awful lot of characters that you shouldn't sympathise with but you do. I guess they're more fun than normal people.
12. What are you favourite kinds of characters to read about?
Oh the quirky ones. The ones that surprise you and take you along with them as they discover who they are.
13. Are you an outliner or a seat of the pants writer? Why?
I'm seat of the pants writer. I try to outline overall the things I still need to add in at some point, choose a scene "area" and then unleash the MC but it just doesn’t work for me. The way I write I need to freedom to be able to surprise myself so the planning actually happens after everything has been written.
14. Would you like to be a bestseller or have a smaller, more manageable following?
I don't mind. It's more about making a difference than who enjoys the writing. I want my writing to have a positive effect because it is books that helped me through difficult times in my life and no doubt will as the hard times roll on by. So I'd like a following of people who feel the book made a difference. That's probably even more ambitious than requesting an uber-bestseller, isn't it?
15. Do you have a writing "process?" What is it, if so?
Make a cup of tea, choose an area that needs work/finishing and then let the MC take me where she will. There's no other way to roll with her. I write until the words run out, then realise that the tea has gone cold and repeat.
16. What is the single best writing advice you have ever received/come across?
17. Any fears about becoming published?
Not having the time to write.
18. Where do you get your ideas from? (*grin* sorry guys, I had to include that)
As any writer will probably say, I get them from anywhere and everywhere. Songs, scenes you watch play out in front of your window, er dreams. Yes, I know that's very cliché but I do write my dreams sometimes. Well, once actually. My current WiP is the result of a very disturbing dream I had and just had to write down. I'm more ashamed of this than anything else, my subconscious just had to go and be all "cool" and find something in a dream.
19. What is your biggest pet peeve in your genre?
VAMPIRES, which is ironic because I actually love stories about them. Let me amend that statement, stories that have been recently published and are incredibly similar to that best seller about vampires. That's my pet peeve. I love that best seller but let's all branch out a little ya? Also, vampires are allowed to be evil people they don't have to always sparkle from now on.
But then again I do end up falling in love with Vampire stories *sighs* so it's a love-hate thing.
20. What is your biggest pet peeve in books in general?
Confusing stage directions, I'm sure I do this in my writing but I try my best to whittle it out. I hate reading a paragraph of action and then having to re-read it because I just don't understand where and what everyone was.
21. What is the biggest writing issue you’ve had to date, and how did you fix it? (writer’s block, crappy first draft, realized the main character sucks, etc)
22. Do you like books about writing? If so, which books would you recommend and why?
I want to read more books on writing but find non-fiction difficult to trawl through. That may have something to do with the fact I already have to read about 20 different textbooks for my course anyway. Reading textbooks can be difficult; I associate it with exams and LOTS of stress.
Something far more helpful is just reading the blogs and advice of other writers. Books often won't agree on certain points and that can be confusing. Talk to a bunch writers on a forum and you'll discover why there's a miss-match in opinions and can make your own mind up about things. I've discovered that writing involves a lot of learning rules that must be absolutely obeyed AT ALL TIMES and then breaking them, books can't really tell you that.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are some FAB writing books out there, it's just they'll rarely tell you the truth about writing like people can. Writing is subjective, you can obey all the rules ever thought of and still not have a good book. It's the story that really counts.
Oh and p.s. I LOVE adverbs. Deal with it. :P
23. And lastly, if you could only read one book for the rest of your life, which would it be?
Alice in Wonderland. FOREVER.
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