My Writing Process - Blog Tour

Today is Blog Tour Day where authors answer questions about their writing process. Linda Acaster, novelist, writing tutor, and professional editor, posted last week, and I thank her for my invite. Check out her writing process here: 

As for my post: welcome. Can’t get many of you in here; the box room of a small bungalow isn’t big enough to house all my books, desk and equipment, never mind a group of interested visitors. One day I’ll get that house with a view over the sea, a large study and the antique desk I deserve. Until then, perhaps best if we continue to meet in the virtual world, or I might be accused of emulating the Black Hole of Calcutta!

1) What am I working on?

Last month, I took part in the NaNoWri Mo challenge (if you’re not familiar with it, have a look at the November posts for info). My project was the completion of the 1^st draft of book 3 of the fantasy trilogy I’ve been writing for a while. Now I’m about to start the lengthy and involved process of editing that raw draft to make it into a piece of writing that people will want to read. It currently stands at around 195,000words. Whether it will grow or shrink depends on what I decide to exclude and how much further description I include. Whilst I’m doing a first draft, I tend to concentrate on story and leave the details of setting and atmosphere until I start the editing stage. I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy editing almost as much as the initial creation. I am also working on other writing projects: a novel in embryonic form, still growing in the subconscious; short stories, and I’m exploring poetry as a way of expressing some of my emotional responses to injustice, beauty, environment and other issues that arouse my passions.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

Genre? Did someone say ‘genre’? I’m all for rules, when essential, but the idea that a book can be somehow labelled in any sort of precise way is anathema to me. Yes. Works of art can be pigeon-holed as ‘portrait’, ‘landscape’, ‘abstract’, ‘figurative’, etc. But I don’t think anyone would then subdivide these identifying labels into ‘male portrait with feather in hat’, or ‘landscape painting including characters from a mythical scene taken from Greek legend’. Okay, I know I’m exaggerating a tiny weeny bit, but it seems to me that the simple labels, ‘Romance’, ‘Mystery’, ‘Thriller’, ‘Crime’, ‘Historical’, ‘Sci-fi’ and ‘Fantasy’ ought to be enough for most purposes. The rest is just an effort to encourage readers to restrict themselves to very narrow forms of storytelling. And that is hardly healthy for readers, is it?

So, my work differs inasmuch as I stray outside the normal boundaries set by those who wish to attempt to restrict me to a specific genre. Breaking Faith is a romance featuring an element of the thriller and the mystery novel. My current fantasy trilogy, A Seared Sky, is an epic fantasy tale involving a quest within an invented world and all that implies, but including elements of the thriller, romance, crime and philosophy. Does that answer the question?  

3) Why do I write what I do?

My inspirations are multitude. My interests are wide. I’m a storyteller at heart, so I want to spread my imagination’s offspring to as wide an audience as possible. I write because I’m compelled by some weird internal guiding entity to express myself in the written word. My mind is full of ideas, characters, thoughts and questions and, since they excite, delight and intrigue me, I hope I can share those emotions with readers as I marshal them onto the page in the form of stories.

4) How does your writing process work?

I’m one of those writers for whom plot is a cage, so I write by the seat of my pants. For short works, I sit down at the keyboard and write. Usually, a story emerges. Sometimes, that story is usable, after a bit of editorial work to smooth the raw edges. If it isn’t, I discard or completely re-write it. With longer works, I am visited by an idea that demands attention. This can be something as simple as a question that floats out of the ether at a particular time. For example, Breaking Faith arose from a simple question that entered my mind as I stared into the depths of a slightly sinister natural hole in the ground: ‘What if there was a woman’s body down there?’ I’ve no idea where this came from, or why. But it was the trigger for the story. I generally start with interesting characters I’ve devised in advance. Then I work out a very, very loose framework on which I can hang challenges for my characters to face. I generally know the end, but I never know the journey I will take to reach that destination. I think it’s this lack of pre-ordained form and structure that prevents me entering the lucrative world of crime writing. That requires an approach that involves the solving of puzzles and the laying of false and true evidence along a trail. And that is too much planning for the way I work.

The current trilogy came out my questioning why it is that religion, as a general rule, is so fixated on sex and nudity and why, since most worshippers seem to be generally good people, those in charge are so often very far from good. But, avoiding the urge to preach my own version of what should be believed, I’ve turned the themes into a story that moves through landscapes and entangles many disparate characters into its multiple threads to take the reader on a ride that I hope will make them gasp, sigh, laugh and cry. Emotion, after all, is what reading is all about, so it is also what writing must be all about, too.

Monday 9th December: a very different author explains her writing process: Lynne Constantine is co-author of Circle Dance, a novel about two Greek-American sisters thrust into life-changing circumstances. There should have been two more authors to continue this tour from here, but, well, authors can be dreadfully unreliable you know!

Lynne Constantine’s love of the written word began early. An avid Nancy Drew reader in elementary school – the highlight of her week was going to the store with her father and buying the next book in the series. When the day arrived that she was able to solve the mystery half way through – she reluctantly set them aside and moved on to other books. For as long as she can remember, she has been prodded to “get her nose out of the book” when vacationing with friends. Her love of mystery and suspense is as strong today as it was back then and she is a voracious reader of thrillers and suspense.

She wrote her first book, Circle Dance, with her sister Valerie. Circle Dance was a legacy of love fueled by the desire to pass on to their children the traditions and experiences unique to them as second generation Greek Americans. Lynne was raised in a close-knit family surrounded by extended family and “adopted” family through the Greek community. Both she and her sister wanted to leave a legacy for their children and future generations of a bygone era.

Lynne attended Hellenic College where she earned her undergraduate degree in Human Development. She went on to earn her masters degree in Business Administration at Johns Hopkins University. She has an extensive marketing background and over eighteen years of business experience. She left the corporate world in 2000 to pursue her writing full time. She has written for magazines and journals but her true passion is fiction.

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Lynne relocated to the New York area with her husband and children. In addition to her writing, she is active in her church and local community. She serves on the board of her town’s Women’s League – a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping women and children. She is passionate about education, reading, health, and wellness. She enjoys traveling, spending time on the beach and talking walks with her family and their adorable golden retriever.

Lynne is currently finishing up her next novel – a thriller.

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A New Year and a Change of Direction.

I'm a writer. Not news, I know. But, writers write. They read as well, and, sometimes, they do a bit of living - on the side, so you won't really notice it.

So far, on this blog, I've served the needs of numerous authors by interviewing them and promoting their work. I've reviewed books I've read. Because, believe me, any writer who doesn't read is wasting his time. You can't write in isolation, unaware of what's happening in the world of books. I don't read as much as I used to, or as much as I should, or, indeed, as much as I'd like to. But last year, apart from the monthly writing magazines, frequent newsletters, and emailed updates I read, I managed to get through 30 books. This year I'd like to try to average 1 a week. We'll see.

But, more importantly, I'd like to get some new writing done, some of my past writing edited, and more of my work published. So, I'm publicly declaring a determination to enter work for competitions, to submit work to magazines and to complete the novels I currently hold in draft form.

Why make such a declaration public?

Well, if it's out there with readers, you're likely to ask me about my progress, which means I have an additional motive for actually keeping to the plan. I don't want to have to find excuses why I haven't done this or that. Not that that will stop me finding such excuses, when I feel the need, of course.

What this means in practice is that my Daily Word Spot will either disappear completely (please let me know how important this is to you as a reader by making a comment) or it might become a weekly digest with a few words in each instead. The problem with those posts is that they take up a lot of time, you see.

So, the plan is to do a longer article each week, usually on the writing process or something involved with books, reading and writing. This will replace my previous regular Thursday interview slot. At the weekend, I'll do a summary of my writing activity, illustrating what does and doesn't work and letting readers know what's involved in actually getting words down on paper (or, of course, on screen for the ebooks).

I'll keep up the writing contests page, since I'll be entering competitons and know how useful that particular page has been to a number of you.

And, this is breaking news here, I'm going to be giving something back to you for your time and contributions. Tomorrow, I'll post the full text of my free ebook, But, Baby, It's Cold Outside, so you can read it here, if you wish. It's an appropriate story for the day, since it's set on New Year's Eve. However, the real news is that I'll start to release the full text of my novel, Breaking Faith, in instalments, so that those who haven't bought or borrowed it, can read the whole story here. That will start on Friday, 6th January, with the Prologue, and continue each Friday until the end of the book is reached.

Why?

Writing is all about being read. Any modern writer who sets out to make money from writing as a primary aim is either daft or self-deluded. The JK Rowlings and Dan Browns represent an almost infinitesimal fraction of the community of writers out there. In UK, the average novel sells no more than 2,000 copies. For an experienced writer, that's around a year's work. At a royalty rate of 10% on a £7.99 paperback - well, you do the math, as they say. Let's just accept that by far the majority of writers, irrespective of talent and ability, will never make a living from their writing. For those wannabees who think they'll make a quick killing in the market place, please accept this as a friendly warning: if you want to make a quick buck, find something else; writing isn't going to do it for you.

So, I'll waste no more of your time now. But, please, do make comments. It's easily done, anonymously, if you can't do it any other way; you can always add your name at the end of the comment. Writers exist in a world that can be isolating, and feedback is not only important, it's essential.

My thanks for your time and attention. May I wish you all the very best in the coming year? I hope you all receive the good things you wish for yourselves.

Author Interview with Prue Batten

Hello Prue, please tell us about you, as a writer.

Hello Stuart and thank you so much for having me here on your blog.

Like many writers, I have been writing since I was young and that’s a looong time ago. For me, it was a form of emotional fulfilment, an escape and of course the obvious… a creative outlet. It’s interesting that as a child I learned ballet, had art classes and learned to horse-ride but at no time did I have a chance to learn the craft of writing because there was no such thing for primary school children. It was merely something that was vaguely alluded to in English at school under the rather generalised title of ‘composition’. All I knew was that when I was told we had ‘composition’, my heart sang and I would write like a devil possessed.

Your book A Thousand Glass Flowers is a fantasy. Perhaps you’d you give us some insight into it in a few sentences.

Okay, here goes:

Driven by the knowledge that charms exist that could kill the one remaining member of her mortal family in Eirie, Lalita Khatoun is desperate to find and destroy the infamous Cantrips of Unlife. Finnian, an Other, hunted by his insane grandmother after he fails in a murderous attempt on her life, is convinced the only thing that will rid him of her are those same cantrips and he too is desperate to find them. Fate contrives that Lalita and Finnian should seek together. In an ominous quest through a world where spine-tingling Others lace their way in and out of the lives of mortals, it’s a story of legend, love, and clashing ideals; a story of murder, regret and revenge… a story that journeys across a world too hauntingly like our own.

How did you come to write this particular book?

I’ve always been inspired by odd things: stumpwork embroidery, miniature books, pocketglobes, intricately woven fabric and in this particular case… paperweights. It was only a small step to imagine something dastardly and secret concealed within these things and for a ballad or myth to be created.

      Do you have a favourite character from the book? If so, who and why this particular one?

I think Lalita is a woman to be admired. Such loss and grief should have pitched her into a breakdown! But she’s a determined, feisty woman who knows how to handle a dagger and in addition, she’s a calligrapher and bookmaker and I once learned to book-bind at Art School so Lalita is dear to my heart. As for the co-protagonist, Finnian, he is a damaged man… attractive, dark and infinitely dangerous and could kill Lalita with a flick of his fingers, but…

Where can people buy your books?

All my books both in hard copy and e-format are available at Amazon.com http://amzn.to/ks8C6i and Amazon.co.uk http://amzn.to/m01qxa as well as for Apple, Kobo, Nook etc. A Thousand Glass Flowers will be released in September and I suggest readers keep an eye on my blog (see below) for details.

What qualities does a writer need to be successful?

Success is relative, I think. For me it’s the creation of a story that can take people out of themselves and far, far away. But in addition, that story has to be backed up by credible skills, by application, by research and dedication. In short, a form of obsession.

What’s the single biggest mistake made by beginner writers?

Its difficult to generalise but it would perhaps help to show what my own mistake was. A thing called Point of View. My POV would jump from one character to another in the space of a paragraph. It’s rarely handled well and can lead to a jumpy, incoherent narrative. It’s still the thing that terrifies me the most.

To what extent are grammar and spelling important in writing?

Vital. Vital, vital, vital! Enough said.

How much do you revise your MS before sending it off?

A hundred times and then I could revise a hundred times again. I honestly believe that any writer, published or not and re-reading their work in the future, will find things they could revise and write with more polish.

As a writer of fantasy and historical fiction, to what extent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?

This is a bête noire for me. Genre is necessary to catalogue a work but there are so many subgenres that are rarely used that would make selection easier for a discerning reader. Take Glass Flowers. It’s fantasy. But if I could, I would classify it as any or all of fantasy ballad, fantasy romance or magical realism.

Many authors see marketing as a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?

It’s a necessary part of the life of a published writer. Of course I would rather be writing but I’m able to engage with many readers as part of the marketing process and so many relationships have been formed with kindred spirits.

In terms of dealing with it, it’s very difficult because I live in the southern hemisphere and most of my readers are in the northern hemisphere. In order to engage properly, I should be awake all night and chatting on the internet! Suffice to say I do what I can and should do more and should have a timetable but I don’t.

      What’s your working method?

I research what has to be researched. I read monographs and internet detail. I use sticky notes a lot. Then I bullet-point my story with pen and paper. My characters have a style file including a photo of any likely face I have seen that fits. I also have a style sheet that I divide into squares in alphabetical order and into which I drop words so that spelling of names, places etc remains consistent. I write mostly on the computer but sometimes I have ideas in bed or in the bath or walking and I will jot those down. Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night and will write pages in pen, taking off from where I stopped on the computer. I will then type that up next day. I edit the previous day roughly. When the story is finished, I edit on the screen and then print a hard copy and edit that with red pen and sticky notes. I send it off to London and when it comes back, I edit (and sometimes re-write chapters) again. Until it gets the seal of approval.

What sort of displacement activities keep you from writing?

I do love that term: displacement. My husband and I are farmers, growing the superfine merino wool for which Australia is famous, so that displaces me more than I want! In addition I have dogs I adore, I volunteer as a dog walker at our local dogs’ shelter, I am an obsessive embroiderer, I love the beach and the sea and spend a lot of time on and in the water.

What support, if any, do you receive from family and friends, or a writing group?

My family are supportive, my husband chiefly so. He is my backbone, my agent and my financial adviser. My friends are marvellous… beta readers of the best kind. I’m a member of YouWriteOn.com and have found the peer-review process to be the best sort of writing group.

Is presentation of the MS as important as agents and publishers suggest?

Indeed. If one wishes to submit mainstream. After a period of time submitting, I decided to go the indie route and such presentation has stood me in good stead for any other publishing method I might follow.

How long does it take you to write a novel?

Taking into account the fact that I submit to an editorial consultancy in London, to bring the novel to the point where it’s considered commercially viable, it takes me two years.

Who or what inspires your writing?

My emotions and a feeling of writing what I need to. It’s the oddest sort of motivation. I’m an eclectic reader and because of that, I couldn’t honestly say it was one writer more than any other that inspires me. That said; I love Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets. I love Yeats. I admire Dorothy Dunnett’s historical fiction and of course, Jane Austen is a given.

If there’s a single aspect of writing you find frustrating, what is it?

Line-editing… it’s excruciating and I always worry I’ve missed something.

Is there a particular feature of writing that you really enjoy?

Two things. Research because I am constantly learning and characterisation because the characters become real and it thrills me to see what happens to them. I think I might be a voyeur!

Do you believe creative writing is a natural gift or an acquired skill?

Being creative is a gift. Being a writer can be an acquired skill. To be a creative writer, you simply MUST have the imagination.

What are you writing now?

A historical fiction called Gisborne and based on the legendary Sir Guy of Gisborne. This is my take on what he may have been and what he might have become in different circumstances. The novel will be released for Christmas 2011.

Do you have a website or blog where readers can visit?

I do. My website is merely an informative site (http://www.pruebatten.com) but my blog is interactive and welcomes all comers. (http://www.mesmered.wordpress.com) I’m also on Twitter if anybody tweets: @pruebatten and on Facebook: Prue Batten

Given unlimited resources, where would you do your writing?

Exactly where I do it now… except maybe the room would be much more of a library room than currently… shelves on all four walls and filled to the brim with books of interest, a sliding ladder, an illuminated manuscript on a lectern, tellurions, and orreries.

Where do you actually write?

At home, I write on a laptop on a couch because I love the sunshine through the window and the birds-eye view of the Derwent River and the city of Hobart. All my books and research are in another room and I jump up and down. It’s good exercise. But when we are at our tiny cottage by the sea, I have a table by a window (also masses of sunshine) where I can look out at the garden and hear the waves and the seabirds. Sometimes in both instances, the view can be a little distracting.