What
are you working on?
 |
| Lots going on right now, and I like it that way. |
I currently have
several projects in the works, but probably the one I’m most enthusiastic about
is converting Beyond the Farthest Star
to an ebook. I’ve been contemplating this for a couple of years, and
finally—with encouragement from Sarah Basore—decided to go for it. The determining
factors were a couple of workshops at the recent OWFI Conference. This a
revolutionary time in the book publishing business, and much of the stigma of
self-publishing is vanishing. I’ve weighed the pros and cons, and lately it
seems the scales are tipping in favor of the pros. Also, I think my tolerance
for risk-taking has grown. Sooo, in the not-too-distant future, look for my
book on your favorite reading device!
Other projects
include my finished manuscript, a women’s fiction piece with the working
title Crossroads. My initial experience with electronic publishing will influence
the course I take with it. I’m also just beginning a book which
centers on a woman getting out of prison and beginning a new life. I’m still blogging
(obviously), and I’m trying to enter more contests these days.
How
does your work differ from others in its genre?
A tough question
because as the verse in Ecclesiastes states, “There is nothing new under the
sun.” So I’ve taken tried and true themes and—I like to think—added fresh
twists. For example, BtFS is
basically about bullying, friendship, and young love—definitely nothing new in young
adult fiction. But I gave it an unexpected ending. In Crossroads, I borrow on the
“reversal of fortune” idea. My pitch for this story: Take the Jasmine character
in the movie Blue Jasmine—or Blanche
DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire—and set her in the middle of Oklahoma with
no drugs and better friends.
Why
do you write what you do?
First, I blog
because thoughts and ideas bounce around in my head like marbles in a pinball
machine. Some of those thoughts I want to share and get feedback on. Others I
just want to get out of my head before it explodes. Some are serious (gems), some completely inane
(gimcracks). As far as books go, I also learned at the OWFI Conference that I
can classify my work as inspirational women’s
fiction. I was thrilled to learn this because I’ve struggled for some time with
pinpointing the category in which I write. My work isn’t overtly Christian, but
it’s based on a Christian world view, and I make references to Christian
beliefs. I want my writing to entertain—and hopefully elicit the occasional
laugh—but I also want it to inspire, to leave the reader with a sense of hope.
How
does your writing process work?
Huh? I’m supposed to
have a process? No, really, I guess I do have a process. I just don’t have a
routine. I don’t get up each morning, have a cup of coffee, and devote the next
four hours to writing. But, like probably 90% of bloggers, I have a mile-high
stack of newspaper articles or slips of paper with thought-provoking quotations
or subjects I use to generate content. Or sometimes I just elaborate on
observations I’ve made as I grow older and go about my daily life. Regardless
of where the ideas originate, I try to remain consistent with my posts, writing
one at least every one or two weeks. Blogging regularly is good for me. It
requires a modicum of self-discipline, and when you’re retired from a “real”
job, self-discipline can present a challenge. Another part of my so-called process
is belonging to the Inklings, a writing group. If you aspire to be a serious
writer—serious being a relative term—a
writing group is the best thing you can do for yourself. The group will
encourage you, feed your creativity, give you honest feedback, and hold you
accountable. Plus, you’re guaranteed there will always be a few people who’ll
read what you wrote.
As far as my
process for writing a novel, I try to write a general outline first and then
write the scenes in chronological order. I also write down events on a calendar
as they occur, so I can keep the time sequence straight in my mind. Not
everyone adheres to this plan, but it works best for me, even though I do
adjust the plot for characters who won’t cooperate.
This is probably
waaay more information than anyone wanted. If you’re still reading at this
point, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and applaud your tenacity.
Next Monday, the
destination on the tour will be Marisa Mohi’s blog. A member of Oklahoma WomenBloggers and self-described “unprofessional librarian,” Marisa brings her
unique perspective to a variety of subjects.
