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Sadly I must admit that the actual frequency of the following inquiries is dubious. In fact a few of them may never have been asked (not even by my sweet husband), but nonetheless I plunge on.
When do you write?
I am currently the mom of three small, yet fierce, boys and so the when of anything as quiet as writing has become vitally important. I used to write during nap time but as my sons got older napping began to morph from quiet snoozes in the crib to wild-eyed escape attempts and clandestine wrestling matches the moment I closed the door. Now I attempt to arise before my sweet boys (5:00—5:30am) and sneak in a little time before the days adventures begin.
How often do you write?
Each week I plan to write Monday through Saturday. Although even the best laid plans are known to go awry.
Where do you write? (the great debate desk vs. couch)
I used to always write on the couch, but since I've started writing so early in the morning I encountered an essential flaw in the whole write-on-the-couch philosophy. The risk of falling asleep, drooling on your keyboard, becoming electrocuted while everyone else is deeply asleep and unable to resuscitate you, and wasting precious quiet time. I battled to stay conscious on the couch for some time before capitulating and cleaning off my desk, which is stuffed into a corner of our living room and had become a cheap landfill for random objects. My mornings aren't as comfy, but I do get more work done at my desk.
On what type of surface do you write?
Most of the time I write directly into my computer, a laptop named Dietrich, but occasionally I will write on paper if I experience writer's block or am outside and unable to reach Dietrich. If I must add an additional scene to already existing text, I'll write the rough draft on paper because constantly viewing the current story as I write makes it nigh impossible to think up anything fresh.
Do use a pen, pencil, or quill dipped in blood?
Yes.
How do you organize your progress and goals?
I print a simple five week calendar every month or so and hang it on a corkboard in my office. At the beginning of the week I write out my current short term goal and keep track of my writing time for each day. At the end of the week there is a blank box for my total hours. I add up my writing hours and if I have accumulated at least five that week, I highlight the total hours box. If I put in seven hours or more I give myself one sticker. If I have accomplished my goal for that week I get another sticker. Yes this is reminiscent of pre-school but it keeps me focused and it is always encouraging to finish the week with stickers before facing the blank boxes that await me on Monday.
Why did you start writing?
Because when I was seven someone told me “You could be good” and even as a little person your heart just can't resist that.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing as inspiration hit from first grade through most of college. But the actual discipline of sitting down to write whether I felt like it or not came with my first distance course in 2001. I had already taken two creative writing courses in High school and one in college, but my distance course was different. It taught me that writing was more then a flurry of mad creative juices, but a discipline and an art. Writing has become my creative outlet and in the years to come I intend to continue learning and exploring the craft.
How long did it take you to value and seek out criticism?
Forever. Each assignment and every suggestion from my writing instructor was pure torture until around the time I finished my first distance course. I got a picture book text back from my instructor with very little criticism and mostly praise. But I found that I had hoped for more insight and assistance. It helped to remember this when I got a harsh critique of the same piece at our regional SCBWI conference. The more critical comments helped my writing greatly, though if tortured I might acknowledge the shedding of a few tears in the ladies room after the critique. Something that really helps is to try to get a critique on paper and not in person. When seeking insights into my current story I try to send it out on paper and have the reader mark what was lacking rather than discuss it in person. I am less likely to get defensive this way and everyone is happier.
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