I was tagged by Julia at A Piece of My Mind with a Writing Meme.? I thought it might be fun, so here goes.
1. List one of your writing goals for the upcoming month and how likely you are to accomplish it.
My writing goal for September:
- Retrieve all the copies of the novels, do last edits, and approach agents/publishers for partnership purposes.
- Continue care and feeding of Denver Cereal
- Finished promised articles on PTSD and on Brain Dump
- Continue moving forward with new identity project.
2. What genre or subject would you like to write about that you aren't currently?
I don't ever feel like I have a lot of control over this.? I write what comes.? I never would have guessed that I would write thrillers or realistic romances.? If you had asked me even last year about doing a serial fiction? HA!? Maybe I should have more control.? I just don't.
3. What is your writing lifestyle, habits? How do you manage the interruptions with your writing? How do you stay positive? Believe in your writing success?
a. What is your writing lifestyle/habits?
I just do it.? I don't wait.? I don't hesitate. I know there's a delete key and I edit everything - at least once.? I don't talk about writing. I don't take classes, go to conferences, or attend writing circles. I rarely write about writing.? I just write.
b.? How do you manage the interruptions with your writing?
Interruptions?? What interruptions?? When I'm involved in a story, I'm either writing or thinking about the story.? I can cook, go out, have a meal, engage the world, work, and still maintain the story in my mind. This, my friends, is a fringe benefit of having a horrible childhood.
c.? How do you stay positive?
I'm positive by nature.
I also am keenly aware that I am not in control.? I am merely a vessel for any story.? I have to work, and work hard, to make certain that I am a good enough writer for the characters. And I like to work.
d.? How do you believe in your writing success?
What is success? That's a common question in our household.? I am successful in that I am writing.? Maybe I'll never get published. That's possible. Would that mean I'm not a success?
What if I meet my dream and become a best selling author? Will that mean success?
Success and failure are two sides to the same coin.? I feel successful because I am able to create stories; and people are kind enough to give their time to read them.
Would I like to make a lot of money? Be famous? Be on the NYT best seller's list?
Of course.
But I'm not confident that any of those are success.
4. Are you a pantser or plotter?
Yes.
It depends on what I'm doing, when I'm doing it and what's going on. In the six years that I wrote for the Open Grove, and in my newspaper column, I had distinct outlines for the month, each article, and year long schedules.? I've used plans/outlines to finish projects and in editions of the books. (For example: I want to add this piece and this piece from edition 2 but write in between, etc.)
Then, things happen, life happens, and the characters create their own destinies. That happened recently on Denver Cereal.? Something happened that I did not plan, expect or control. But once it was there, it fit.
5. Who are two of your favorite current authors and why?
My father used to say that I was a "decent person" until I read Satre.? I say that now because someone recently told me that my writing reminded them of the 'old existentialists'. And I laughed.
Because I like so many books, so many authors, I don't really have favorites.? Frankly, I admire anyone who is willing to create a story and put it on paper.
6. How does your family feel about your writing?
My biological family never wanted me to write.? My mother was particularly cruel around my writing. She was convinced I was trying to show her up.? She was certain she would be a famous author and make millions.
My husband is incredibly supportive, plus he says he loves my writing.? He is my intended reader.? He reads everything and helps with proof reading.? He has a particular talent at content editing and story continuity.
More than anything, when I get lost in the "I'll never get published", my husband brings me back to the question of success.? That's wonderful.
Rose is my constant companion.? I've been blessed to spend this time with her.
Tagging - Gosh, there are so many people I would love to see their answers to this - but I will save us all by not passing the tag along!? Take it if you'd like!