My Writing Process (Blog Tour)

I was recently invited to be involved in a writing blog tour to discuss my writing process. Thanks Denise for inviting me! You can check out her blog and her responses here. I am supposed to pass this torch on to other bloggers, but dropped the ball (because I’ve been so busy working on my novel) and didn’t send out my invitations to other bloggers in time for this to post. So I thought I would open this up to any of my readers who would like to keep the flame going. If you would like to answer these questions and post on your blog (on next Monday), feel free to do so. Just post in the comments below or use my contact page to email your blog link to me, so I can post your link on this post.

So let’s get started with these questions…

1. What I am working on?

Right now I am working to complete my novel called Blood Feud. It’s the first book in a larger series called Emperors of Ethia. Right now I am working to finish up the third draft, and I’m really close to being done just about six more chapters to go! So far it’s been a seven month journey to get this particular draft completed, but I’ve been enjoying the challenge of making the story and characters come together in a complicated epic tale.

2. How does it differ from other works of its genre?

I’d like to think I am bringing something fresh to the world of science fiction, and, in fact, my book is leaning more toward the science fiction fantasy. That’s something we don’t see much of and I would like to try my hand at it. I’ve always been a fan of science fiction and would like to add my own stamp to the wonderful works out there. I hope to enhance the fiction scene by adding colorful characters and a Universe so intriguing that it must be read, lived, and breathed (okay, so that last bit might be presumptuous, but a girl can dream, right?).

3. Why do I write what I do?

I write because doing anything else is insane, and the subject matter gives me no choice but to write on it. Many time I’ve attempted to write on stuff that is appealing and I have a passing interest, but it never sticks (and I’m miserable for trying). In my writing, I have to be totally immersed in it. I need to love it, adore it, and can’t sleep because it keeps me up at night. I write to let the people in my head find escape. I write to keep the voices from driving me into a straight jacket. I write because I have no other choice, and I love every single moment of it.

4. How does my writing process work?

Ooh, when I figure it out, I will let you know. lol… I find my writing process never stays the same. It changes as I grow as a writer. Though typically it’s a matter of steps. I know I need to do this, this, and this to get the story done. How I get those steps done varies on the project and my mood. I am a moody writer. I find I cannot escape this prison of emotion, but I have learned to channel it in more productive ways over the years. 

As far as location and what I need to write: I write wherever me and my laptop goes. Sometimes I stay at home and do it in bed, on the kitchen table, or sprawled out on the living room recliner (get your mind out of the gutter *wink*). And other times I can’t get my head into serious writing unless I take it out of the house. I have a favorite writing spot (a coffee shop) not far from where I live, although I’ve even staked out a spot at the local McDonalds and Hardees just to mix things up a bit. Oh, and in order to write I only need two things; my laptop and my notebook (where I can free write ideas if I get stuck). And if I do go out, I take my headphones so I can concentrate on my work and not the conversation going on two table away from me.