So, just as I was sitting here, wracking my brain for something to write about, the amazing and talented Mary Ann Nicholson tagged me in the Liebster Award blog hop. Yes! Inspiration! (No, I don’t know what the Liebster Award is, but that’s OK). She asks some tough questions, though. I’m not even sure how to answer most of them. But I will prevail.
1) When did you decide to become an actual for real, sweat-pants-wearing, coffee-drinking, dirty-kitchen-inhabiting writer?
Just over a year ago, I was on my honeymoon when we went to a spa for his and her relaxation. No electronics, not allowed to speak, an entire day of thinking and relaxing. It was amazing. Sitting there, listening to my surroundings and just thinking helped me realize that if I kept saying “I’ll write a book when I have more time,” it would never happened. I needed to just do it. So I did.
2) What genre(s) do you write and why are you drawn to that?
Women’s fiction. It’s my favorite thing to read, although I read most genres. And I want to show that you can have light, fun books for women that aren’t all about finding love and getting married. There’s some of that in my books, but love isn’t the only thing that matters, or even the most important thing.
3) In fifty words or less, what is your current project about?
I can’t even. The last time I tried to explain it to someone, she started backing away and muttering about padded rooms and white coats. Ask me again when I get to the third draft.
4) On an average day, what’s your writing routine?
I’m starting to think I’m much too fly-by-night to be a writer. I don’t really have a set routine. Usually, I try to make myself write 500 words per day when I’m working on something, because that almost always turns into more. I just need something to get started. But sometimes I write before lunch, sometimes in the evenings, and I’m a sucker for writing sprints on Twitter if I have time when I see someone starting them.
5) Are you a plotter or a pantster?
I am 99% a pantster, although I make notes about what I want to happen when something comes to me. I do have a couple of sequels plotted out for my finished manuscript, so we’ll see how well plotting works for me once I get started on them.
6) Who is your favorite character you’ve ever written and how would you describe them?
Right now, it’s probably Gabby Rodriguez, from my work in progress. She’s a tiny bundle of awesome, and I just want to hang out with her all the time. But she’s based on a friend, so that might be cheating. My writing didn’t improve on the original. If you want a character I completely made up, it’s Birdie from Reality Summer. She’s funny, warm, smart, and totally addicted to Twitter.
7) What’s the most egregious writing cliche you’re guilty of committing?
What? I don’t commit writing clichés!! *averts eyes*
8) What’s the greatest word in the English language?
Antidisestablishmentarianism. I spent a lot of time learning how to spell it, so I’m going to use it, darn it! (Note: My books typically do not use the word “it” three times in one sentence. I’m pre-coffee.)
9) What do you do on days when you just. can’t. write.
It really bothers me when people say you have to write every day to be a writer. When I have something to say, I write it down. When I don’t, I do all the normal stuff: work, do dishes, go to the gym, go shopping, spend time with my husband, nap, read, play board games, watch TV, hang out with friends. I refuse to beat myself up for taking a day off because some guy on the internet says I have to write every day. If that works for other people, great. It’s not my thing.
10) Which book do you wish you’d written and why?
50 Shades of Grey, because I would be a freaking bajillionaire and I could just lie around and sleep for like a month if I wanted. And then I could travel. The rest of my time would be spent working for charities and counting my money.
And now I get to tag some writers for their own torture…er, blog hop experience. To my fellow Query Kombatents, Max Wirestone and Wade Albert White, and to Bethany Hyde, because she needs to blog more.
1. What prompted you to finally sit down and write a book?
2. Be honest – how do you really feel about wearing pants?
3. What is your favorite genre to read and write?
4. When writing, what is your #1 go-to junk food of choice?
5. What is your preferred caffeine-injection method?
6. What crutch words do you need to seek out and obliterate when you’re done?
7. How many query letters did you send before you found your agent?
8. What’s being on submission really like?
9. What is the weirdest response you’ve gotten to telling someone you write books?
10. What is your least favorite bit of writing advice that seems to be all over the internet?