If you like to read romance novels and would you like to meet new authors, join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all...about our writing, of course! Every week we'll answer the same questions. Once you've read my blog, the link below will direct you to another. Tell your friends and feel free to ask questions or make comments.
If you've joined me from Leslie Hachtel's blog, welcome! Here are my answers: When did you start writing, and why? I have been a voracious reader for as long as I can remember. But my first memories of being a writer were in Grade Seven. I seem to recall many creative writing assignments that year, and while other students struggled to fill the one or two page minimum, I would blithely hand in fifteen or twenty page manuscripts. I actually still have a couple of those tucked away somewhere (the paper is probably crumbling by now!). Two assignments stand out in my mind - “Shake and Bake”, a horribly inappropriately named story about the San Francisco earthquake of 1906; and an adventure tale about a girl who survives a plane crash in the wilderness, which my teacher thought good enough to sell to a magazine (I was too embarrassed to try). During my teens I continued to write short stories, poetry and even started a few novels, none of which made it past page 80. It wasn't until my husband bought me my very own laptop in 2010 that I finally completed a manuscript, which became MOUNTAIN FIRE, my debut release. What do you like best about writing? I love the chance to meet new people. That may sound weird, but my characters start out as strangers, and by the end they are friends. They don't always do what I tell them, but along the way we find out a lot about each other, and it always has a happy ending! I also love how a manuscript grows. I have a very small daily quota of 500 words. With a full-time job and an actual life, I've learned having this goal still gets me closer to the end, and yet doesn't panic me into paralysis. A tiny step each day is all I need to keep connected with my story – and I love to see the word count go up! If you could go on a writing retreat, where would you go and for how long? I've mentioned before on this blog about the Amtrak Writer's in Residence program. I think it would be so cool to write on a train, no matter where it is going! Otherwise, I love the idea of writing in a secluded cabin near a lake or the ocean. Water is very inspiring to me, and I really do enjoy writing outside. So a quiet, reclusive spot with a great view for a month or so would be heaven! Now it's time to move on to Carolyn Spear's blog. Enjoy!
10 Comments
5/13/2014 04:30:02 am
Shake and Bake! (still laughing) And I can relate. My first saga (also grade 7) involved 4 bff's (orphans) who were stowing away on board a steamer so they could be 'free' (in Canada). The terrible prison they had to escape? Britain. (It's all so very cagey)
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Brenda Margriet
5/13/2014 04:32:59 am
If the story had been funny (which it is in hindsight but certainly wasn't meant to be) the title wouldn't have been so bad. But really - how can you write a comedy about an horrible natural disaster? :)
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5/13/2014 04:44:08 am
LOL at Shake and Bake and I know what you mean about your characters
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Brenda Margriet
5/14/2014 05:25:51 am
I haven't written a series yet, but not saying goodbye would definitely be one reason to do so.
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5/13/2014 09:32:59 am
I do a character interview with each of my characters before start writing so I know them well, and they still end up surprising me. I've found I like some of my characters better than others too, which is kind of weird since I created them.
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J.J. Devine
5/13/2014 12:07:25 pm
Writing on a train would be awesome!!! I enjoyed your blog!!!
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5/13/2014 05:46:08 pm
It is great when you gradually see your manuscript becoming bigger and bigger :D It's a real sense of accomplishment!
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5/14/2014 04:49:17 am
Love "Shake and Bake!" Funny. Also, love the idea of writing on a train, although I'd probably have motion sickness.
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Brenda Margriet
5/14/2014 05:27:16 am
I did consider the motion sickness, but Gravol would hopefully take care of that!
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