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Every week we’ll answer questions and after you’ve enjoyed the blog on this site we’ll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride!
I hope you joined me from Ronnie Allen's page, and big huge thanks for this week’s questions from JJ Devine!
1. You’re moving right along with a storyline and suddenly it takes an unexpected twist. Do you go with the flow and follow where the twist leads you or do you conform your story to your way?
Though I have become a detailed plotter over the last year, my stories still take their own lovely paths, and I'm happy to follow. As I write, the story continues to unfold in my head, like a train that I am always trying to catch up with. I view my plotting efforts, notes, research, etc. as the tracks that I'm following, but there are always bends and bridges ahead that I can't quite see when I start.
My second Whitechapel Wagers novella, Wanton Wager, took an unexpected turn early on when Lord Ashdowne, who I expected to be a minor character who would only appear in one chapter, turned out to be a menacing presence throughout much of the story.
2. What time of year is your best time for writing? Winter, Summer, Fall, Spring?
2. What time of year is your best time for writing? Winter, Summer, Fall, Spring?
I am not sure I have a best time of the year for writing. I try to write everyday or every week at a bare minimum, so I need to be productive all year round. I've gotten to the point that I can write anywhere or anytime, since I need to meet deadlines and publication goals.
However, I certainly have favorite seasons or those that most inspire me. Fall is my favorite season. When I the calendar turned over to the fall season a couple of days ago, it gave me a little inner thrill and sense of relief. I knew cool breezes, gorgeous colors, and heavenly scents were on their way. I love fall leaves, plump pumpkins, apple pies, and all the beautiful sights and scents of fall. I also love the light during autumn. It seems to take on a bluer, almost grey hue, and I find it soothing after the bright rays of summer.
3. When looking for a publisher do you chose a traditional press, indie route, or one that does both ebook and print?
My goal as an author is to be published in as many formats and via as many pathways as possible. I am currently indie published, but I will soon be submitting a manuscript to a traditional press and another to a smaller e-publisher. However, I will never stop publishing my own work, and I will always offer short stories free. I currently have a few free short stories online at Free Reads from the Genre-istas.
It's an exciting time in publishing, and being the curious sort, I want to learn about and experience all the opportunities I can. I think it's worth considering every option.
Want to find out how Xio Axelrod answered these three questions? I do! Join me at her blog next.
I wish I had the discipline to be a true plotter. More power to you! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Xio! I became a plotter after spending too much time stuck in the "saggy middle." I was GREAT at writing story starts, but I couldn't get to the end! :)
DeleteI love that you visualize your plot like a train. What a great analogy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gemma. :) It came to me as I was thinking about plotting and why I even bother with it.
DeleteSomething about the crisp air of both Fall and Winter inspires me to write, too.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Brenda. :) My brain works better in cool weather.
DeleteI resorted to plotting to make me more productive. It doesn't work for everyone, but it certainly helped me
ReplyDeleteThat's it exactly, Sarah! I just have to get more done when I sit down to write, and I realized that happened if I had a clear road map. I don't have time to spend my writing time plotting.
DeleteI've started doing more plotting for productivity too, especially when I've got several things due in a short amount of time.
ReplyDeleteI hear you! You are one of the busiest women I know, and yet you handle it all more gracefully than most. :) I so agree that plotting makes the actual writing time more productive.
DeleteI think wanting to get your writing out there in whatever form you can is a great goal! Great answers :D
ReplyDeleteWhenever I give plotting a try - it tends to be all for not. I like that it gives me the basic ideas for story lines though! Love your GIFs btw... beauuuuuutimous.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about it until you wrote about it, fall is definitely a colorful time of year so maybe that's why its such an inspiration to a good many of us :) Fantastic answers!!!
ReplyDelete