Anyhow, the awesome Erin Albert tagged me in this really fun blog tour and I was seriously looking forward to posting about it, so despite being late, I'm doing it now! You definitely should go check out her blog on her writing process (and her blog in general, because it's great), and if you haven't heard about THE PROPHESY yet, you definitely need to check out the cover and other fun, because it's going to be epic!
Okay, my answers:
~Currently, not coming off as too crazy to my students. *ahem* Okay, in my writing, I'm currently working on the 4th Sary book, which totally does have a title, and has somehow morphed into a major man-hunt, everything changes for the Sary, book. And it's kinda fun. So far I have about half of it written from Marcus' (from Chemistry) POV, and will be introducting a new character, Morgan, to tell the other half.
For those interested in learning what happened to Julia and Edison, and Ari and Tom, along with Gabby and Jassen from book #3 (which I should be working on edits for....), well, you'll catch that all here :)
I'm also shopping my NA sci-fi, titled AN ABSENCE OF LIGHT. It's got aliens, lasers, and a tattooed hottie--what more could you want? :)
How does my work differ from others in its genre?
~Hmmm. I'm a big fan of lyrical writing--nothing purple, but definitely pretty writing, which I try really hard to have shine through in my books, which isn't terribly common in somewhat dark paranormals. That, and I hit on themes most people don't: grief, suicide, forgiveness of self, etc. I'm not the typical boy-meets-girl, they fall in love, one of them's a vampire/werewolf/fae, and they must save the world. Well, not always anyway.
Why do I write what I write?
~Because I've always loved the real world with a twist scenario. I love seeing a common setting, then watching the reactions of everyone as they deal with a huge, earth shattering change. Whether that's to realize that someone's not what/who they seem, or they had to deal with the loss of someone they thought they couldn't live without. That, and I have to write to keep my sanity (what little there is), and paranormal just seems to be what hits the page. (I have no idea what this says about my subconscious, lol!)
How does your writing process work?
~I am a horrific panster. Actually, I was just at a conference where one of the speakers implored us all to call it a puzzler (she hated the term panster), because we're putting all the pieces together as we go. Kinda like that! Anyhow, I often sit down with a blank sheet of paper and just start writing. Seriously, AAoL totally came to me that way. Other times, a scene will get something started and kick it into gear for me. For SURRENDER THE SKY (book 3), this turned out to be the opening scene in the classroom, where there's a horrific event that leads the main character, Gabby, into a sticky situation. I seriously wish I could outline, but the process for me is about discovery, of the story, characters, world, and I kind of enjoy the journey.
Until I have to revise for ages.
Okay, that's it for me today! I totally need two volunteers to take this on for next week!! (Please????)
Wow, you sound busy!
ReplyDeleteI'm a panster too. As I go, I see more of the story.
I love how you phrased that--definitely as I go, I see more of where I should be headed.
DeleteWell, hopefully :)
You are busy! Sorry about your dress. :(
ReplyDeleteI'm a pantser, or puzzler, too. :)
thankfully a cute sweater has sort of fixed the problem. For now. Definitely has been a day to contend with thus far!
DeleteOw..*hugs* hope you feel better, Mer! I'm a puzzler/panster as well. A big one! I'm trying out outlining for my NaNo but, I'm not sure...lol Outlines are so intimidating. Ooh 4th Sary book!! *claps excitedly* can't wait to read. :D
ReplyDeleteOutlines are totally intimidating! Why is that? I wish they weren't, but I can't write with one to save my life!
DeleteIt's awesome to learn more about your writing style.
ReplyDeleteOh, I like puzzler instead of pantser!! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI know, right? I heard that and was all "I'm SO stealing that term!)
DeletePantser, er, puzzler here! Although I am, as we speak, trying to put together an outline for nano. Surely it can't hurt...
ReplyDeleteWishing you much luck!! :)
DeleteI'm a puzzler too! Good luck with the writing and not having your students think you're crazy. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm not so sure how I did on the latter one there... :)
DeleteI'm a plotter... I never did like the sound of pantser... puzzler seems much more suitable.
ReplyDeleteI thought so too! Definitely a nicer term.
DeleteI really, really like Surrender the Sky as a title. It's so...epic sounding! =D
ReplyDeleteThanks!! It took ages to come up with, but I'm pretty fond of it :)
DeleteSee, that's why I don't iron. Ever ;)
ReplyDeletelol!! This is why I rarely do :)
DeleteI'm sure your students think you are completely normal...or as normal as a writer can be!
ReplyDeleteA puzzler? Hmm, I like that!
lol, yeah, that's a major caveat for "normal" :)
DeleteOoo, a Sary manhunt? That sounds action packed!
ReplyDeleteAnd did you say a tattooed hottie? I'm in! LOL
I admire how your writing has such a lyrical quality to it. You really have a unique voice that's all your own.
And I always enjoy paranormals more when they keep a real world setting like yours do. And I give you two big thumbs-up for tackling some serious issues in your novels. You don't back away from difficult subject matter and that's to be commended.
P.S. If you need someone for next week's meme, just let me know!
Thanks for volunteering--I'm totally taking you up on this :)
DeleteAnd I feel silly saying these things about my writing, but they are what I'm shooting for at least!
I like the term "puzzler" and your NA sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI think the term is great! Glad you like my NA, too :)
DeleteMelted your dress? Yikes - that sounds like something I would do.
ReplyDeleteI love the term puzzler rather than pantser. I've written 4 novels through NaNo, and the only thing I knew starting each one was the main character's name, and puzzler describes the process so much better.
It's a great term, right? Definitely describes the process better. And best of luck at NaNo!!
DeleteI'm changing the term pantser to puzzler. That's exactly how I look at putting my stories together...pieces of a puzzle. However I'm a bit puzzled myself at how this book 3 is going to fit them all into one beautiful picture!! Enjoyed reading about your process. I posted for this unusual blog tour too invited by Heather Fraser Brainerd.
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit puzzled by that, too! :)
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