Outline or no outline?
Because I strive for at least a semblance of organization, I was drawn to the idea of outlining. How wonderful it would be to keep things nice and neat! But my characters had other ideas, and I found that trying to outline made it more difficult for me to finish the story. I would spend much energy and time plotting out the story, only to have the characters shake their heads and head off in their own directions a point or two into the outline. Once I gave in to the inevitable and threw out the outlines, the characters came alive and I found myself able to finish the stories I had started for the very first time.
If you could pick one celebrity to be for a week who would it be and why?
My internal Nerd shudders at the thought of being in the lime light, but I would love to have been Anne Hathway while she was filming The Princess Diaries. My inner Princess would love to be able to dress in princess dresses everyday. And the tiaras!
When did you know you were a writer?
The earliest moment I remember wanting to be a writer was in the fourth grade. I had one of those little spiral bound notebooks where I detailed the story of the daughter of the president of the United States of America. She bore a suspicious resemblance to me, and while I wanted to be a princess, I figured that was beyond my grasp so I’d go with the next best thing. My arch nemesis was a fairy named Dillweed. Unfortunately, my writing attention span at the time was equivalent to a toddler with sugar rushing through her bloodstream, and I never finished it.
What is the one small thing that makes you smile daily?
I have four small things (my very own chipmunks) and one large thing (Beloved Spouse Creature) that makes me smile daily.
How long did it take you to write your first novel?
My first novel took me about three months to complete. It was a glorious three months with a triumphant end. I–the Queen of Unfinished Projects–had actually completed a full-length novel! The fact that it will forever remain under my bed guarded by killer dust bunnies and the occasional monster does not dim the joy of the memory. 😀
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m nearly finished with the sequel to Goose Feathers. Then I’ll be starting a new novel called Dragon Flower. If I’m really lucky, I’ll be able to work on Ceryinis and To Catch a Prince somewhere in there as well.
How many times do you revise a manuscript?
The short answer is as many times as it takes. 😉 No manuscript is ever going to be perfect, but it’s important to get it as perfect as I possibly can at the time. Each story is different, and I lose track, but I believe I revised Goose Feathers somewhere between five and ten times. Moon Flower came out much cleaner and won’t require the massive overhauls that went into Goose Feathers.
Where did you come up with the idea to write alternate fairy tales?
Fairy tales are in my blood, and always have been. I love reading them, and love writing them. While I don’t stick purely to fairy tale retellings, my stories tend to have a fairy tale-ish feel to them.
Do you have a schedule?
Yes. Sort of. I write while the chipmunks are napping. If the words are flowing like buttered honey, then that’s my writing for the day. If I haven’t met the goal, I catch up after they’re in bed at night. My Beloved Spouse Creature is also very understanding and takes over the chipmunks so I can sneak writing in at other times too.
Do you have a daily goal you shoot for in writing, word count-wise?
Yes. If I’m working on revising a story as well as writing one, my word count is 500 words a day. If I’m not revising, my word count tends to be in the 1,000 word range. Having a goal really helps when the Muse wants a day off and I’m left to my own writing devices. For me, goals=writing getting done.
How old were you when you decided to be a serious writer?
I wanted to be a serious writer back in Junior High, and definitely through High School. But at the time, I had no idea what being a serious writer meant. It doesn’t just mean getting a fabulous idea on paper. It doesn’t just mean finishing the story. It means a lot of work–something I learned by doing.
What was that journey of decision like?
It’s been a lovely, maddening ride. Prior to being serious about writing, I wrote because I enjoyed doing it, and nothing more. No one read my stories, and I only wrote when I felt like it. Putting your work out there requires confidence and tenacity, and a very good support group. Whenever I’m low on the confidence-optimism line, I can always count on my support group to pull me through.
How long do you give yourself to type out a first draft? Or do you put a time limit on it?
I’m a girl that hates math, but when it comes to writing, I think in numbers. I have a total word count that I shoot for. Since I write YA, I shoot for 60-80,000 words all told. Then I calculate my daily word count goal and give myself a rough estimate on when the first draft will be complete. Life being what it is, I have to remember to be flexible, but the goal is there to help me along the way. And goals can always be rethought out.
WHEN do you make the space/time to write your fiction?
*grin* Making time is the key. I write when the kids are sleeping (or supposed to be). I’ve had to cut back on other things, but for me, it’s been worth the sacrifice. Having a daily word count goal has really helped me make time, because it’s measurable.
What made you start writing?
To be honest, I’m not sure. I’ve nearly always loved falling headlong into a book. But if I had to give a definitive answer, I’d have to say I started writing to deal with the voices in my head of my imaginary friends. Doesn’t everyone?
What is your favorite fairy tale?
My favorite fairy tale would be Beauty and the Beast, closely followed by East of the Sun, West of the Moon. What can I say? I’m a sucker for transmogrifications. 😀
When do you decide (personally) that your novel is finished?
When I want to throw it at the wall and set fire to it. 😉 I know when the first draft is finished, but depending on the story, the revisions can take a while. I’m not sure how to explain it, but there’s a moment when I look at the story and I just know that it’s as good as it’s going to get in my hands alone. After it’s been revised, and beta read, and revised some more, it hits that point.
What’s you biggest strength as a writer?
For me, I think it’s being able to channel my characters. While I’m writing, they’re sitting on the edge of the desk telling me what to write. For a time, we share our brain waves. And as long as I remember who’s boss, we continue to work together in uninterrupted bliss.
What’s one of your bad habits when you write? Not the 1o second email checking, but writing-wise.
According to my Beloved Spouse Creature, my worst habit is procrastinating. I have a hard time sitting down to write when the Internet is going. Too many shiny things that distract me from work–because that’s what writing is–work. It’s wonderful and glorious at times, but it still require an enormous amount of work. Sometimes I’m also guilty of getting a little carried away with my descriptions to the point of being wordy. >.< But revisions tend to take care of that.
What is your favorite book read within this last year?
My favorite book of all time is Riddle-Master by Patricia McKillip. She does some very beautiful things with the English language. My favorite book I’ve read within the last year would be Just One Wish by Janette Rallison. It made me laugh when I wasn’t bawling. It is made of awesome. In non-fiction, it would have to be Look Me in the Eye. Seriously funny, yet it helped me possibly see into my son’s world a little better.
Do you feel guilty if you eat popcorn slathered with butter, or do you just go for it?
There can be no guilt if it tastes good. I’m an unrepentant slatherer. With salt.
What influences your writing?
First and foremost, my characters. Without them, I would be staring at a blank screen. Fairy tales would be next. Along with many great writers. My mood also affects my writing. If I’m anxious or stressed, my characters tend to do the wise thing and slink away until I’m less likely to take my frustrations out on them.
Most embarrassing moment?
Only one, huh? A recurring embarrassing moment I have is when I attempt to tell a joke. My mind tends to leap ahead and form associations in a very haphazard way. Jokes tend to be linear: Start at point A, work your way through to point B. My mind tends to follow those elusive trails of C,D, and E so the punch line arrives at point F which frequently has me giggling and everyone else scratching their heads. Until I explain the joke and it isn’t funny any more. >.<
Why do you write?
Short answer: to make the voices be quiet. 😉 I love discovering new people and places, and writing lets me do that. It lets me explore human nature, myself, and the world in general. I love discovering quirks and stories of the faces that creep into my sub-conscience and weave their way into my heart.
What’s your favorite veggie?
My favorite vegetable would have to be peppers. They are bright, beautiful, and taste so very good. 😀
Food you hate?
Anything that grew up in water. And anything that you could find in a biology dissection lab. Or out in the garden, crawling along. (Or whatever it is that snails do.)
Happiest moment?
My happiest moments are when my children wrap their arms around my neck and tell me they love me. Or when my Beloved Spouse Creature demonstrates his love in a thousand different ways. I’m also pretty happy when wandering about the bookstore right after pay day. 😀
Dream come true?
My favorite dream involves a Prince Charming and four little Chipmunks. Reality can be an amazingly potent thing. 😀