Answers to Writing Blog Roll about the writing process!

Hey everyone! So I was asked to participate in a writing blog roll by Janis Thomas, a wonderful writer whose books, Something New and Sweet Nothings, combine humor and suburban life in a very witty way. This blog roll is a fun way to learn about a writer and get to know some new ones, by answering five questions about writing.

Here we go…!

1) WHAT AM I WORKING ON?

I’m currently working on a couple of things. The first is the 3rd issue of my comic book series, HOLLOW’S PRISM, due out this fall (with illustrator Conrad Teves.) It’s a science fiction series that looks at what happens after an invading alien force takes over your world (–this was established first in the graphic novel, HOLLOW.)

I’m also working on finishing up my second novel, Identity, which is part of a two-book set. (Book one is called Illusion.) It is a science fantasy novel that follows up on Daith Tocc, who has made a decision whether she should fight against those who killed her family, even though she doesn’t remember her past.

The third project I’m working on is editing a completed science fantasy novel entitled Revenge. This follows Ness Opute as he changes his whole life to find the killer who murdered his wife, only to discover that he is not the only one on the hunt.

2) HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN ITS GENRE?

I try to bring a fresh perspective to the science fiction/fantasy world by making it appealing to people who may not read that genre. By concentrating on the characters and plot, the science fiction portion becomes a mystical and beautiful background that allows my characters to do things they couldn’t do on Earth, but it doesn’t bog down the story with technicalities and explanations.

I often say it’s like writing a story where your protagonist drives a car to get to where they are going. I could spend the time describing how the car works, even if the character doesn’t know how it does, or I can show that the car is just transportation and get them to the next part of their story.  That’s how I feel about the “science” in my science fiction/fantasy books. I love having interesting new gadgets and technologies, (for example, I use a “Time Sphere” to travel faster than light in my story Revenge), but beyond the basics, the reader just knows what it’s used for so they can continue on with the adventure. At least, that’s my goal. 🙂

3) WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO? 

I love to read books that allow me to escape, but still make me feel a connection to the plight of the character(s). If I can give that feeling to anyone else through my books… that to me would be the most incredible thing I could accomplish. So I write my books so that other people can experience that.

4) HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?

I usually write when I have a scene pop into my head. I begin there and let the story unwind/unfold however the characters lead me. I never know the ending–usually I have a vague notion that the “good guy” and the “bad guy” meet up somehow at the end and something happens– but until I write it, I don’t know for sure what will happen. It helps to push me to finish the story so I know how it ends, but also lets me know when I don’t want to write a story because if I don’t care how it ends, why write it?

5) AND… HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS NOT WORK?

Often I’ve written myself into a “corner” by not having the story/ending outlined. However, I’ve come to realize that if I let it sit for a while, I’ll realize the problem was because I was trying to make the character/plot go in a certain direction it wasn’t meant to go. When I backtrack, I can find where that wrong path was and continue everyone on to the correct road.

Thanks so much for taking the time to learn a little about me and my writing. The following three writers have offered to join this writing blog roll themselves. Check out their websites by clicking on their name and stay tuned for their own answers! And maybe you’ll find something new to read as well!

1) Holly Kammier: Holly is a very busy and extremely talented woman. Besides co-founding Acorn Editing, she is working on getting a memoir published called Could Have Been Holly Wood and a fun chick lit novel called Kingston Court. She has been a valuable friend to me and has helped to counsel me with my own writing. I’m very pleased that she’s agreed to do the blog roll!

2) Benjamin R. More: I met this science fiction and horror writer at the Southern California Writer’s Conference a few years ago. With clipped, fast-paced sentences and sharp details, Benjamin’s stories stayed vivid inside my head. He currently has a short story, Entangled Souls, published and is working on final edits for his science fiction novel, Cabbage Run.

3) Sheri Fink: Incredibly driven and motivated, Sheri is a wonderful children’s book writer. Her blossoming success with the Whimsical World of Sheri Fink series is sweeping the writing world. She is an inspiration to writers, not only in her beautifully crafted stories, but also her determination to make her dreams come true.