Author Q&A Meme
I was tagged by @lou-allen for this one! :D
What is your new book about?
I’ve been describing it as “Jurassic Park with Faeries.” Obviously there’s more to it than that, but that’s a pretty good shorthand for the general feel of it.
What or who inspired it?
It actually started as a crazy dream I had (as in, literal sleeping dream), which just kept gnawing away at my brain until I had to turn it into something.
What was the biggest challenge, writing it?
Hmm. Well, I’m still in the process, so I can’t say what the biggest overall will be, but at the moment the big one is framing a pivotal scene in such a way that it rings emotionally true and certain characters don’t come across as unforgivably irresponsible/uncaring.
What do you want to achieve with this book?
I want to say the important and relevant things that I think are crucial to making the book actually meaningful... without seeming to pause the exciting ride that the story’s supposed to be for what feels like, “We will now cut for a message from our sponsors.” I’m always worried that I’m either not making important aspects clear enough, or being ham-handed about it. :P
What do you hope for your book?
I really, really hope I can get it published. I feel like it’s got the best chance of anything I’ve worked on so far - both in terms of marketability of the concept and the way it’s coming out in execution - but we’ll see.
Are there any parts of it that have special personal significance to you?
Yeah, there are aspects of it that feel incredibly personal and close-to-home, though I’m not sure even people who know me well would guess just which those are.
Do you have a favorite character or one you really enjoyed writing?
Aerynn, the younger of the two main protagonists, is so much fun. She’s just about the opposite of me, which can make figuring out what makes her tick a challenge, but her habit of just... saying stuff, regardless of whether it’s a good idea, is fun to write.
What do you see as the major themes in your book?
Family, by blood and otherwise. A need for others, and for something more, even when we’re afraid of being hurt.
What made you set it in__________?
I set it in my home state of Minnesota! Partly because I thought it would be fun to write something set in an area I know so well, partly because I so rarely see any books or movies set here, and I loved the idea of a story about faeries and monsters happening in quiet, laid-back rural Minnesota.
Did the title come instantly, or did you labour over it?
I almost never name anything until it’s finished (not out of principle, mind, but because I’m terrible with titles), and this is no exception. I’ve got a list of maybe-possibilities, but we’ll see what feels right once it’s done.
To whom have you dedicated the book and why?
Haven’t dedicated it to anyone - yet.
Who do you think will enjoy your book?
I think girls in their mid-teens through twenties are probably the most natural readers for it. People who want a good adventure and friendship story with lots of female protagonists. (Also, I hope there are enough out there for whom romance isn’t a primary/only draw, because at this point there’s hardly a whiff to be found anywhere, and I don’t see any further prospects developing.)
Do you have a special spot for writing at home?
Mostly I just sit in my chair in the family room, but sometimes when I’m in a rut and need to shake up new ideas a change of places helps. Then I might end up anywhere - including sitting on the floor with my laptop on a footstool.
Do you like silence or music playing while you’re writing?
Either! I don’t like music with lyrics, but instrumental music, especially movie soundtracks, can be very helpful to keep me focused.
When did you start writing?
That is kind of difficult to say, actually. I’ve been making up stories for my own entertainment almost as long as I can remember, but didn’t make much attempt to write them down until much more recently.
Did you always want to become an author?
Ahahaha, no. From childhood through about mid-teens I thought anything to do with writing was cruel and unusual punishment. I never made it all the way through a single writing course during school. Fortunately, in homeschooling me my poor parents had more freedom to experiment, trying to find things that worked and get me a good foundation in the subject despite my passionate hatred. I always loved reading and stories intensely, and in my teens discovered a real passion for editing and developing other people’s work (which eventually grew into a career), but it wasn’t until some time after I graduated that I did more than dabble in any writing of my own that wasn’t forced.
Tell us a bit about your childhood?
Well, I covered a bit of it above, but: Homeschooled, preschool through high school. We moved from an apartment to a house when I was a toddler and then lived in the same house for 14 years. We were founding members of the church we attended during that entire time, and it broke my heart to leave when we moved across the state for my dad’s job. That kind of stability growing up probably contributed significantly to the fact that I’m slow to commit to things, but once I do I’m in for the long haul.
If you’ve had other jobs outside of writing, what were they?
Writing is far from a career for me at this point, since I’ve made very little money at it. My main jobs have been a blend of things - editing, legal transcript proofreading, and running a couple of side businesses (making jewelry and selling on eBay), among other odds and ends. I’ve also progressed from assistant karate instructor to an Actual Paid Teacher now, so that’s cool!
Describe yourself in three words.
Likes helping people?
What three things do you dislike?
Hot and humid weather, disappointing people, when animals ignore or don’t like me. </3
What three things do you like?
Reading, rain, chocolate desserts. ^^
Tagging: All my writer friends who want to do it!