Today's guest blgger is a fantasy fiction auther, Nancy DiMauro. I notice from her web site that she is also a lawyer, like me! In fact, we have quite a lot in common, from pen names to living on a small farm to writing at night. Here, she responds to Ten Questions for Authors:.
1) A short paragraph on what you write about and the genre, please? (don't forget your web page address!)
I write stories about characters that interest me. These tend to be stories that generally fall into some portion of the fantasy genre and include strong romantic elements. The story dictates the heat level for the romance. I’ve written everything from sweet to sizzle. My protagonists tend to be female, but not always. I’ve written about a disinherited princess turned spy, a psychic whose talent is limited to reading memories from corpses, a few Greek gods and goddesses, a gorilla in a phone booth, and many other intriguing characters. Watch in the upcoming months for many of these stories as Musa Publishing has them under contract.
You can find me at FalconsFables.com and Fictorians.com. I tweat as kings_falcon@yahoo.com - that's an "__" between "kings" and "falcon".
2) What is a typical writing session like, in 300 characters or fewer?
I often write at night. The kids are in bed and the house is relatively quiet. I put the television on as background noise and type out the scene I've been playing with in my head. Unless I'm in a strong burst, I'll stop writing about 11 pm and average about 1000 words a session. If I'm burst writing, all bets are off and I growl at my husband when he says it's time to stop and go to sleep.
3) Men: boxers or briefs? Women: underwire or banded? (apparently people want to know this!)
Underwire. There's just no real comparison between banded and underwire once you hit a certain size.
4) If you use a pen name, why? If you don't, do you worry about stalkers?
By day, I'm a trial and business lawyer. So I write under my maiden name - Nancy DiMauro- to keep the fiction writing separate from my day job. Clients are generally looking for a conservative lawyer, Some of my writing isn't very conservative. My short story - Gorilla in the Phonebooth - published by Doghorn Press in the Woman Writing the Weird anthology is romantic fantasy that borders on erotic. One of my novels in progress is erotic as well. So, in theory, using a pen name makes me a bit like Clark Kent and Superman. I take my glasses off and now I'm a superhero, but no one knows.
5) What is the oddest thing about your writing or the way you write?
I write while I wait for the court to hear my case. Most of the courts will have a motions' day docket with somewhere between 30 and 100 cases to be heard. Often, the court will take time estimates and hear the shorter cases first. I usually have time to wait. Continuing to prepare for (stress about) my matter isn't productive at that point. I'll take out my handy note pad and write a scene or two in the time I have before my case is called. I've written a novel this way.
6) Give us a glimpse into how you choose the names of your chracters, please?
When I chose a name, I'm either looking for a sound association, meaning or a feeling. I have a character that loses his family in a civil war. He's the 15 year-old heir to the throne and next likely assassignation target. He needs to hide and change his name. When he's informed the kingdom is his, he says that death rules the land. So, he picks a namethat sounded connected with death - Mordent. His name also resonates with the word "mordant" which is a fixative - a substance used to set dyes on fabrics by combining with the dye's elements and then attaching to the fabric. The character "Mordent" brings the other plot elements together and binds them in a way that changes the original.
7) Any thoughts on staying healthy while pursuing such a sedentary career?
It's a battle. Just like you need to make finding writing time a priority, you need to make getting out of the chair and eating properly a priority. I'll do little things during the day like parking farther from the building since getting a large block of time is difficult.
8) Dogs or cats, and why? (don't say "neither" because even if you don't have one, choosing is informative!)
Yes. I live on a small horse farm so I have a somewhat smallish zoo. The husband would argue on the size designation. We currently have 3 cats, 2 dogs, 3 hermit crabs and 2 horses.
9) If you research, what's your method? If you don't, how do you get away with that?
Wow. That's a really great question. The answer depends on what I need to research. I research characters pretty much every day. I have a love/hate relationship with waiting for the court to call my case. Because I despise waiting, I keep a note pad with me at all times. When I have to wait, I crowd watch. Notes of what I see and histories I make up for the people passing by end up on the note pad. So, crowd watching is a critical part of my character research.
For historical or setting research, my location helps me. I live about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. and the Smithsonian museums. A trip to the appropriate museum is a great research tool. I also read a lot about the time period I’m using as a pattern for the world I’m writing. I’ve read a lot on medieval warfare and have taken fencing lessons.
I also try to consult experts. Most people love talking about what they do for a living. As an example, I have a work-in-progress that’s an urban fantasy murder mystery. I’ve done all the “book” research I can do without having diminishing returns. Now, I need to consult a homicide detective. I’ll ask my contacts if they know a detective who would be willing to talk to me. I also always say “thank you” to those who help me.
10) What is the most interesting or outrageous comment you've heard/read about your writing?
I think the most interesting comments I've received relate to my voice.
One reader told me that my legal writing and fiction writing "sound" nothing alike and he never would have known I'd written both. I have two very distinct voices depending on whether I'm writing to persuade (legal writing) or entertain (fiction writing).
I’ve had a similar comment about my fiction. I tend to under-describe surroundings because I’d like them described with light brush strokes rather than layers upon layers of paint. A group of beta readers wanted more detail about the world. So, I’d gone back into a story to flesh out some description. It was a struggle for me. Satisfied I’d added more details, I sent it off to my next reader. He, a prolific and very successful writer, flagged the new section. He said that it read as if someone else had written it. I had to go back and lighten the touch so it was consistent with the rest of the narrative.
Thank you for your blog, Nancy!
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fiction. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Ten Questions Answered by Author Stephanie Campbell
I'm happy to welcome Stephanie Campbell to my blog. I particularly love her answer to the final question! Too funny!
I'm Stephanie Campbell, the author of Dragon Night at Musa publishing. Thank you so much for providing us the opportunity to be interviewed! I have also enclosed a picture, just in case.
1) A short paragraph on what you write about and the genre, please? (don't forget your web page address!)
I got my first book published at the age of seventeen. Now, I am the author of multiple novels with many more on the way for this upcoming year. I mostly write YA novels in all genres, but I’ve written in pretty much every genre. One of the reasons why I became a writer is so that I can experience different types of situations that I can’t in real life.
http://stephaniecampbellreleases.weebly.com/
2) What is a typical writing session like, in 300 characters or fewer?
I actually do different things, so a “writing session” for me is hard to define. I am very much a creature of habit. I sit down and I re-read the last two paragraphs of what I was working on last to get my scheme. I then pick up the scene in my head again. Sometimes I wonder if other writers see their work in the same way—for example, I actually see my scene. I barely notice that I’m actually typing. I edit my work at a different time.
3) Men: boxers or briefs? Women: underwire or banded? (apparently people want to know this!)
Both. I run in the morning and use a banded bra to keep from chafing. I swap out for an underwire later. I’ve been stabbed by underwire bras a few times, though. They make me nervous.
4) If you use a pen name, why? If you don't, do you worry about stalkers?
I have different pen names. I use them to separate writing interests for my readers. People expect Stephanie Campbell to write YA. It’s more simple that way. I suppose I’m worried about stalkers—I have a handful to speak of right now. I once had a set of anonymous letters on my doorstep. You have no idea how chilling that is.
5) What is the oddest thing about your writing or the way you write?
I take on the personality traits of my book characters. If my character is angry, so am I. The more intense the scene, the more intense my personality gets in real life. I don’t run around stabbing people, but people have noticed the changes in my personality. I guess I don’t have a line between my work and reality. You can’t take the writer out of me.
6) Give us a glimpse into how you choose the names of your characters, please?
I have a lovely book of character names that has meanings. If I write about a mean, vindictive character, I will find a name that means mean and vindictive.
7) Any thoughts on staying healthy while pursuing such a sedentary career?
I run every morning. I stand ten minutes out of every hour. When my writing hours are done, I stay on my feet. I am actually not that sedentary. I even write on my dresser so I can stand up.
8) Dogs or cats, and why? (don't say "neither" because even if you don't have one, choosing is informative!)
I prefer dogs, but I like cats. I like it because a dog wants to cuddle and get hugs. (At least my dogs do.) They also remind me that there is a life outside of my office.
9) If you research, what's your method? If you don't, how do you get away with that?
The internet is such a wonderful thing. If I have an idea, then I get a piece of paper and write a school-style report. I use that to keep my book up to par.
10) What is the most interesting or outrageous comment you've heard/read about your writing?
Someone once told me that my books made them hungry…I still can’t figure out why. I haven’t written a single book about food.
I'm Stephanie Campbell, the author of Dragon Night at Musa publishing. Thank you so much for providing us the opportunity to be interviewed! I have also enclosed a picture, just in case.
1) A short paragraph on what you write about and the genre, please? (don't forget your web page address!)
I got my first book published at the age of seventeen. Now, I am the author of multiple novels with many more on the way for this upcoming year. I mostly write YA novels in all genres, but I’ve written in pretty much every genre. One of the reasons why I became a writer is so that I can experience different types of situations that I can’t in real life.
http://stephaniecampbellreleases.weebly.com/
2) What is a typical writing session like, in 300 characters or fewer?
I actually do different things, so a “writing session” for me is hard to define. I am very much a creature of habit. I sit down and I re-read the last two paragraphs of what I was working on last to get my scheme. I then pick up the scene in my head again. Sometimes I wonder if other writers see their work in the same way—for example, I actually see my scene. I barely notice that I’m actually typing. I edit my work at a different time.
3) Men: boxers or briefs? Women: underwire or banded? (apparently people want to know this!)
Both. I run in the morning and use a banded bra to keep from chafing. I swap out for an underwire later. I’ve been stabbed by underwire bras a few times, though. They make me nervous.
4) If you use a pen name, why? If you don't, do you worry about stalkers?
I have different pen names. I use them to separate writing interests for my readers. People expect Stephanie Campbell to write YA. It’s more simple that way. I suppose I’m worried about stalkers—I have a handful to speak of right now. I once had a set of anonymous letters on my doorstep. You have no idea how chilling that is.
5) What is the oddest thing about your writing or the way you write?
I take on the personality traits of my book characters. If my character is angry, so am I. The more intense the scene, the more intense my personality gets in real life. I don’t run around stabbing people, but people have noticed the changes in my personality. I guess I don’t have a line between my work and reality. You can’t take the writer out of me.
6) Give us a glimpse into how you choose the names of your characters, please?
I have a lovely book of character names that has meanings. If I write about a mean, vindictive character, I will find a name that means mean and vindictive.
7) Any thoughts on staying healthy while pursuing such a sedentary career?
I run every morning. I stand ten minutes out of every hour. When my writing hours are done, I stay on my feet. I am actually not that sedentary. I even write on my dresser so I can stand up.
8) Dogs or cats, and why? (don't say "neither" because even if you don't have one, choosing is informative!)
I prefer dogs, but I like cats. I like it because a dog wants to cuddle and get hugs. (At least my dogs do.) They also remind me that there is a life outside of my office.
9) If you research, what's your method? If you don't, how do you get away with that?
The internet is such a wonderful thing. If I have an idea, then I get a piece of paper and write a school-style report. I use that to keep my book up to par.
10) What is the most interesting or outrageous comment you've heard/read about your writing?
Someone once told me that my books made them hungry…I still can’t figure out why. I haven’t written a single book about food.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Ten questions answered by Rebecca York!
I'm so pleased to post answers to my Ten Questions for Authors from my friend and mentor Rebecca York. She's a best selling author of romance and paranormal books that are a delight to her fans.
From Rebecca York
1) A short paragraph on what you write about and the genre, please?
I write mainly paranormal romantic suspense. I love plotting stories featuring men and women falling in love against a background of suspense and danger. My latest series is Decorah Security, about a detective agency where the agents have paranormal powers or take on paranormal cases. The first three are out on Amazon and B&N. Dark Moon has a werewolf hero. Chained is a novella with a hero who’s a ghost–or maybe he isn’t. Ambushed is a short story where the hero relies on his special instinct for danger.
2) What is a typical writing session like, in 300 characters or less?
I get up, check e-mail, tweet, finally get to writing and work until I’ve written ten pages. That might take three or four hours, or I might still be working at ten p. m. I start each session editing yesterday’s work. I write fast, knowing I will revise later.
3) Men: boxers or briefs? Women: underwire or banded?
Banded
4) If you use a pen name, why? If you don't, do you worry about stalkers?
I picked my pen name years ago when having one was the industry standard for romance writers.
5) What is the oddest thing about your writing or the way you write?
I never work at a desk. I always use a laptop. Either in bed or in a comfortable chair. I never write with a pen or pencil if I can avoid it.
6) Give us a glimpse into how you choose the names of your characters, please?
For first names, I look at the Social Security baby name data base and pick a name that’s either popular or one I like a lot.
7) Any thoughts on staying healthy while pursuing a sedentary career?
I try to exercise for at least a half hour to forty-five minutes every day. I get up and do work around the house to break up writing sessions. If I’m on a phone call I know will be long, I get up and walk while talking.
8) Dogs or cats, and why?
I like both dogs and cats, but I travel a lot and it’s easier to have someone come in and take care of a cat.
9) If you research, what's your method? If you don't, how do you get away with that?
I try to visit the location where I’m setting a story to pick up details unique to the area. These days, I do a lot of research on the internet.
10) What is the most interesting or outrageous comment made about your writing?
I once read an article I’d written to my critique group. When I’d finished, one of the women said, “That was discombobulated, unstructured and boring.” I think she was feeling hostile because she was having trouble organizing her work.
From Rebecca York
1) A short paragraph on what you write about and the genre, please?
I write mainly paranormal romantic suspense. I love plotting stories featuring men and women falling in love against a background of suspense and danger. My latest series is Decorah Security, about a detective agency where the agents have paranormal powers or take on paranormal cases. The first three are out on Amazon and B&N. Dark Moon has a werewolf hero. Chained is a novella with a hero who’s a ghost–or maybe he isn’t. Ambushed is a short story where the hero relies on his special instinct for danger.
2) What is a typical writing session like, in 300 characters or less?
I get up, check e-mail, tweet, finally get to writing and work until I’ve written ten pages. That might take three or four hours, or I might still be working at ten p. m. I start each session editing yesterday’s work. I write fast, knowing I will revise later.
3) Men: boxers or briefs? Women: underwire or banded?
Banded
4) If you use a pen name, why? If you don't, do you worry about stalkers?
I picked my pen name years ago when having one was the industry standard for romance writers.
5) What is the oddest thing about your writing or the way you write?
I never work at a desk. I always use a laptop. Either in bed or in a comfortable chair. I never write with a pen or pencil if I can avoid it.
6) Give us a glimpse into how you choose the names of your characters, please?
For first names, I look at the Social Security baby name data base and pick a name that’s either popular or one I like a lot.
7) Any thoughts on staying healthy while pursuing a sedentary career?
I try to exercise for at least a half hour to forty-five minutes every day. I get up and do work around the house to break up writing sessions. If I’m on a phone call I know will be long, I get up and walk while talking.
8) Dogs or cats, and why?
I like both dogs and cats, but I travel a lot and it’s easier to have someone come in and take care of a cat.
9) If you research, what's your method? If you don't, how do you get away with that?
I try to visit the location where I’m setting a story to pick up details unique to the area. These days, I do a lot of research on the internet.
10) What is the most interesting or outrageous comment made about your writing?
I once read an article I’d written to my critique group. When I’d finished, one of the women said, “That was discombobulated, unstructured and boring.” I think she was feeling hostile because she was having trouble organizing her work.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Ten question for Cornell Deville
Welcome YA Musa author Cornell Deville! He has a book trailer on YouTube. Pretty cool and something I need to learn more about. He and I use similar techniques for naming characters.
Ten Questions for Authors:
1) A short paragraph on what you write about and the genre, please? (don't forget your web page address!) I write middle grade and young adult fiction. I primarily focus on urban fantasy, a little paranormal, and a bit of thriller for the younger readers. My website is www.cornelldeville.com. I also have a mini website devoted to my new release, Lost in the Bayou. You can also find a book trailer on YouTube if you google the title.
2) What is a typical writing session like, in 300 characters or fewer?
I typical writing session for me usually begins by reading the last paragraph I wrote during the previous session and doing some editing on it. I'm one of those writers who edits as they go. It saves me tons of time at the end when I actually start on the real "editing" portion. I sometimes connect with Pandora and find some music that inspires me, depending on what I'm writing at the time.
3) Men: boxers or briefs? Women: underwire or banded? (apparently people want to know this!)
It depends on my mood that day.
4) If you use a pen name, why? If you don't, do you worry about stalkers?
I do use a pen name. I wanted something unique, and I learned there are several famous people with my name running around out there.
5) What is the oddest thing about your writing or the way you write?
It may not be exceptionally odd, but I usually picture the screenplay in my mind as I'm writing. I even select the actors to play the various roles and keep them in mind as I write the action and the dialogue.
6) Give us a glimpse into how you choose the names of your chracters, please?
Naming characters is a hard activity. I visit the baby name sites, but I usually just wait until something pops into my head that sounds right. My innocent heroines typically have what I would consider a "soft" name constructed with soft sounds like "ch" "sh". Villains can take a harder consonant like a "K" or a hard "C" or "Qu". It just has to sound right for the character before I use it.
7) Any thoughts on staying healthy while pursuing such a sedentary career?
I quit smoking a year and a half ago. That was a huge help. Other than that, just take a break every couple of hours and get some exercise and fresh air. And put the dark chocolate in the other room so you have to burn a few calories to get to it.
8) Dogs or cats, and why? (don't say "neither" because even if you don't have one, choosing is informative!) Both, actually. We have a bichon-poodle (poobie) named Hannah and a white Himalayan Persian cat named Billy (Sir William if you please.)
9) If you research, what's your method? If you don't, how do you get away with that?
Googling is my weapon of choice for research. Then making certain to verify everything before incorporating it. Wikipedia is also a good source.
10) What is the most interesting or outrageous comment you've heard/read about your writing?
One reviewer recently floored me when she said my writing in Lost in the Bayou reminded her of Stephen King and he'd better watch out. It made my day.
Ten Questions for Authors:
1) A short paragraph on what you write about and the genre, please? (don't forget your web page address!) I write middle grade and young adult fiction. I primarily focus on urban fantasy, a little paranormal, and a bit of thriller for the younger readers. My website is www.cornelldeville.com. I also have a mini website devoted to my new release, Lost in the Bayou. You can also find a book trailer on YouTube if you google the title.
2) What is a typical writing session like, in 300 characters or fewer?
I typical writing session for me usually begins by reading the last paragraph I wrote during the previous session and doing some editing on it. I'm one of those writers who edits as they go. It saves me tons of time at the end when I actually start on the real "editing" portion. I sometimes connect with Pandora and find some music that inspires me, depending on what I'm writing at the time.
3) Men: boxers or briefs? Women: underwire or banded? (apparently people want to know this!)
It depends on my mood that day.
4) If you use a pen name, why? If you don't, do you worry about stalkers?
I do use a pen name. I wanted something unique, and I learned there are several famous people with my name running around out there.
5) What is the oddest thing about your writing or the way you write?
It may not be exceptionally odd, but I usually picture the screenplay in my mind as I'm writing. I even select the actors to play the various roles and keep them in mind as I write the action and the dialogue.
6) Give us a glimpse into how you choose the names of your chracters, please?
Naming characters is a hard activity. I visit the baby name sites, but I usually just wait until something pops into my head that sounds right. My innocent heroines typically have what I would consider a "soft" name constructed with soft sounds like "ch" "sh". Villains can take a harder consonant like a "K" or a hard "C" or "Qu". It just has to sound right for the character before I use it.
7) Any thoughts on staying healthy while pursuing such a sedentary career?
I quit smoking a year and a half ago. That was a huge help. Other than that, just take a break every couple of hours and get some exercise and fresh air. And put the dark chocolate in the other room so you have to burn a few calories to get to it.
8) Dogs or cats, and why? (don't say "neither" because even if you don't have one, choosing is informative!) Both, actually. We have a bichon-poodle (poobie) named Hannah and a white Himalayan Persian cat named Billy (Sir William if you please.)
9) If you research, what's your method? If you don't, how do you get away with that?
Googling is my weapon of choice for research. Then making certain to verify everything before incorporating it. Wikipedia is also a good source.
10) What is the most interesting or outrageous comment you've heard/read about your writing?
One reviewer recently floored me when she said my writing in Lost in the Bayou reminded her of Stephen King and he'd better watch out. It made my day.
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