Tags and a Snidbit of Writing

My Life (In as many posts as it takes) #108

Okay, so today I've got two versions of The Wisteria Writer Tag. I got tagged for one, and the other one Deborah from The Road of a Writer left open for anyone to do. I loved the questions, so I decided to do it as well. Thats the one I've got first:

The Rules

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you.

2. Answer the ten questions asked.

3. Add ten (writing or book related) of your own.

4. Nominate ten people.

The Questions:

1. What do you use to document inspiration and ideas?

Normally I just type it directly into my ‘ideas’ folder, but often I’ll scribble it down on scrap paper, or put it into my AlphaSmart and port it to the computer later.

2. Can you share a snippet of one of your current pieces of writing?

“Every single person in this world has an impact on the people around them and people like Tod are just sending those around him to bad things. I know I’ve lived a life for God, even if I haven’t followed him perfectly, but I think I’ve made a difference. All those people at our office have a difference to make as well. Maybe this will give people a chance to come to Christ and to bring others to Him also. I don’t want to shirk my duty today if it means the countless lives of the people who will be affected.”

3. What authors or books inspire you?

Jessica Greyson's books always inspire me, I just love her style and characters. Also Sarah Holman’s books, I can’t even begin to say how much I love her books. And the Ilyon Chronicles. They always give me food for thought.

4. What is the first story that you ever completed?’

It was a story called Martha’s Treasure. It was almost six thousand words and it was about a young girl who had a mystery set up by her siblings for her to solve. I wanted to write about something that could really happen, and write something about a girl my age for girls my age.

5. What story (short story or novel) do you consider your best work so far?

Probably my short story Heartless (Posted here and here). While its certainly far from perfect, I think this is my best work. I wrote it for someone I know, and I think I think God inspired me to write some it.

6. Do you outline your novels before you start writing, and if so, how?

No. If I outline stuff it tends to spoil it for me, and I won’t feel like writing it, and will probably just end up changing it. I go into my books with a very basic plot (normally just in my head) and let it grow from there. This technique has its upsides, and downsides, but its what works for me.

7. Who is your favorite character that you created?

Mandy McMullen. She’s been hurt in her past, and she's had to go through some hard stuff, but she doesn’t grow bitter. She’s willing to do anything for those she loves, including God. She’s got her own struggles, but she's my favorite because she doesn’t let herself get down because of them.

8. What style of prose are you best at writing (description, dialogue, action, etc.)?

I think I’m best at Dialogue. Now I’m still really far from being super good at that, but of the ones I can think of, that’s the one I’m best at.

(Getting tired of my rose photos? Don't worry, rose season is over! You get a break. ;D )

9. What is the first thing you do when you start revising a piece of work?

I bang my head on a wall. Okay, so seriously, I usually start by making sure all my chapter titles and stuff are the same size and script and I make sure my title page looks good. 

10. When do you write (in the morning, after lunch, before bed, etc.)?

I normally write between 7 and 10 at night. I normally end up writing until 10:30 and rushing to get to bed because I am not a night owl.

11. Where do you write (on your bed, at your desk, etc.)?

I almost always write on the dining room table. I have one chair I always sit at. When I’m borrowing my brothers laptop though, I write on the couch.

12. What is your favorite music to listen to while you write?

Two Steps from Hell.

13. What writing advice do you want to give yourself?

Spend as much time as it takes to make this the story it was meant to be. 

 

Now the one from Grace from The Girl Upstairs:

Her questions:

When did you start writing, and why?

I started writing when I was ten because I was really frustrated because all the books I read for kids were written by adults and they just didn’t get kids, so I wrote a book about kids, by a kid. I still that, to a certain extent. I try to write most of my books about kids my age or close.

Who inspires you to write?

Pretty much everyone around me. I’ll see something, or hear someone say something, and I’ll want to write about it.

What’s the worst thing about writing?

The late nights where I cannot get to sleep because I am so wrapped up in the story world. That and creating characters, but never being able to actually interact with them in real life.

What’s the best?

Being able to create people from thin air. There is something comforting when no one understands you, being able to create someone who does understand. Also being able to go places and do things that I never could do otherwise.

Why do you write?

Because I think if I didn’t I would go insane. Well, more insane. Honestly, writing has pulled me through some hard times in my life. when things would get really hard, and I thought I would just burst from the irritation of it all, I would just go and write. I could escape there. It was a safe place where no one and nothing could get to me because I was enveloped in the book.

Are you a planner or a pantser?

Panster. Though in my case I think it would be called a Skiter, because I only wear skirts.

Where do your ideas come from?

Everywhere. Sometimes it’s a photo, sometimes a conversation, sometimes a movie, or even an object. Most often it’s a photo.

What are your favorite genres to write in?

Contemporary Fiction and Non Magical fantasy, (as in, a story set in medieval times in a fictional country) 

What advice can you give for new writers?

Just write until the finish of a story. Don’t stop to think if is good, or if there's to many mistakes, just finish a story, it will be worth it.

Where do you hope to see yourself (writing wise) in 20 years?

Published, hopefully with a good following. 

If you want to do this, feel free!

I hope you have an awesome day!