I’ve been tagged! Author extraordinaire Kai Strand asked me to participate in the My Writing Process blog hop. Make sure to check out Kai’s post about her (many) works in progress and her blog at http://kaistrand.blogspot.com/.
Now on to the questions I must answer:
1. What am I working on?
I’ve been really mum on the blog lately (and in general) about my WIPs since putting myself in a creative bubble last fall. I’m not exactly ready to bust open the bubble, but a little sharing won’t hurt.
So I’ve been working on drafting two different YA projects. Elixir Saved (which I’ve mentioned on the blog before) is a companion novel to my published YA fantasy Elixir Bound. It has three point of view characters, is epic in scope, and has a central theme of sacrifice. My other YA project is tentatively titled Black Butterfly. And that’s all I’m going to say about that one.
I’m hoping to have good drafts of both done before Baby Boy #2 arrives, but that may be wishful thinking. We’ll see how the drafting progresses.
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My work is different from others in its genre in exactly the same way as any other writer’s is (how’s that for a paradoxical answer!). What I mean is I write stories that only I can tell in a way that only I can tell them. Okay, you want me to be more specific. One important way I try to stand out in the fantasy genre is to feature dynamic female characters with complex relationships among themselves and with the males around them. (Admittedly, there are other fantasy stories, particularly YA ones, that do this, but I think there aren’t enough.)
3. Why do I write what I do?
I write for teens and kids because that is what I love to read. But it goes beyond that, too. Kids and teens are learning and growing in ways an adult never will. A book read by a child has a far greater impact on his/her life than a book read by an adult had on that adult’s life. I think it’s important to offer kids and teens important, deep, diverse, fun, and entertaining reading experiences (not necessarily all provided by a single work). And I’d love to feel like something I’ve created can have even a small impact on a child.
4. How does your writing process work?
I’m not sure I’d say it does work. I often feel inadequately equipped to be a writer. Not because I can’t write well, but because the process can be elusive. Most of my stories start with a driving plot point and a character and grow from there, but I’ve never written two books in the same way. But they eventually get written, so maybe it my process does work.
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Thanks for reading about my writing process. I’m tagging two more authors extraordinaire Erin Albert and Suzanne de Montigny. Be sure to check out both their posts next week!
Erin Albert (http://www.erinalbertbooks.com/erins-blog.html) is an editor at BookFish Books and author of The Fulfillment Series. Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word. She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the “Grammar Police.” In her free time, Erin enjoys acting, running, kickboxing, and, of course, reading and writing. Her favorite place to be is at home with her family and easygoing tabby cat.
Suzanne de Montigny (http://suzannesthoughtsfortheday.blogspot.ca/), author of The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Legacy, was an elementary music teacher for twenty years where she discovered her knack for storytelling. She has nearly completed The Shadow of the Unicorn: The Deception.
Ah, so that’s how it’s done. So I’m on next week and I have to find to others to tag, right?
Yup, Suzanne! If you can find others to tag…seems this one has kind of made the rounds already. Looking forward to your post next week. 🙂
LOL! Katie I love your description of your writing process as well as how your work differs from others. Too funny!
Looking forward to ELIXIR SAVED. I know it’s going to be fantastic. And BLACK BUTTERFLY has me all kinds of curious. Happy writing!
Hi, Mary! I was feeling a bit cheeky when I wrote this post. 😉
I think you’ll be getting ELIXIR SAVED early for some feedback if you want…but not sure when that’ll be yet. And BLACK BUTTERFLY is like nothing I’ve ever written before. It’s equal parts exciting and scary!
I love your answer to how your process works (or not). I’ve never had two books happen the same way twice either. Maybe that will change now that I’m more focused, but somehow I doubt it. They are like kids and trust me when I say you don’t raise each kid the same way either – as you’ll learn <3
Too true, Kai, about the books and kids!
Now I’m really curious about Black Butterfly 🙂 I hope you manage to get your drafts completed! I liked your answer about your writing process–if the books get written, then I definitely think it works!
Thanks, Meradeth! I’ve been doing a lot of editing lately, but I should have some good writing time over the next few months. *Fingers crossed* for productivity.
Great to hear about your process and what you’re working on. I’m another one who never writes a book the same way twice. I also love the title Black Butterfly–intriguing!
Hi, Jenni! Seems there are a lot of us writers with no set process around. Thanks about the title. It’s one I actually really like so I hope it sticks.
Good post, Katie. I think the question of how one’s books differ from others in their genre would be a hard one to answer.
Your writing process seems to work well for you. I have to wait for a lightening bolt to get me started.
Thanks, Leona! The question about how my books differed was a really tough one. Don’t we all write the same few stories over and over again? 🙂
I’m still a bit more streaky with the writing than I’d like. When I really push myself to get a lot of words written, I tend to get burnt out and need a little break. Being able to sit in front of the computer regularly helps to be more productive…even when I’m not feeling particularly inspired.
It struck me as a new idea that children are influenced by stories more than adults. Too bad I’ve lived too long to think like a child, but maybe I can hope to touch some adult’s imagination with a story.
Carolyn Rae Author – facebook, author of Romancing the Gold, coming in the fall from MuseItUp.
Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn! I truly believe stories do have a greater impact on children than adults. I think experiences in general (from movies to vacations and everything in between) impact you more as child than an adult as well. There’s just a different level of influence things have on you as a child.
I enjoyed reading about your writing process. What you’re doing is working. You’ve turned out a nice book with more on the way. And you’re so right about children and their reading. Good luck with your new stories.
Thanks, Beverly! It’s always nice to hear that someone enjoyed my book. Best of luck to you on your stories.
“Kids and teens are learning and growing in ways an adult never will.”
That’s why I prefer child (psychotherapy) clients to adults!
I always felt like I would work with children in my job. I just didn’t know until I was in college that it would be with writing. 🙂
Hi,
I think all your books sound wonderful and I’d love to read them. I review books under a different name and have done so for the last ten years. There’s already a book out named Black Butterfly that you might want to avoid any association with. Maybe a subtitle might make it clear it isn’t the same book. I realize tons of books come out with the same title, which can lead to confusion for the potential book buyer or even the reviewer.
Thanks, Rayna! I’ll definitely keep in mind that other Black Butterfly. If you’d like to review Elixir Bound, you can contact me using the contact me page on this website. I’m always happy to provide copies for book bloggers and reviewers.