Behind the Books: Fated Saga, Writing Space, Routine and Story Ideas, Vol 2

Another question I often get asked is where do I write, how do I write, as well as what kind of writing routine do I follow and where do the ideas for my books come from. So here's a little bit about that subject.


The picture above is my desk is all its cluttered glory! Its actually not always so cluttered, and there is just enough space for me to work. I do normally prefer to keep a work space that's a bit less cluttered, but this picture was taken just this morning. Prior to any quick cleans ups, etc.

I like the light the big window provides right behind the desk. And you might notice on the back wall part of a movie poster for Beverly Hills Ninja, starring Chris Farley.. both my hubby and myself are huge fans. We even named one of doggies Farley, because he made us laugh so much (the dog and the comedian).

More or less, this is where I do a lot of my writing. But I also often work in my kitchen, at my small, portable kitchen island. Mostly, for when I just need a change of scene, plus again, I really like the lighting in my kitchen. 

On occasion you will also find me at local coffee houses and cafe's, or just sitting in a park with a notebook while my current dog, Louie, plays.

As for my writing routine... well, to be honest I don't really have one.

Between my day job's and everyday life, I find it hard to get on a normal writing schedule. If I could I would get up and write each morning, that is when my head feels the most clear, eager and brimming with ideas. But unfortunately I work most mornings. But, my jobs do allow me some flexibility in the shifts that I work, so sometimes I can at least write when creativity hits me. But not always and that is very frustrating.

When I am able to take some additional time to write, I have no problem sitting for 10-13 hours straight, or often longer, as time really just flies by...

My day jobs: Continental/United Airlines (going through a merger) and Music Booking Agent for bands here in Salt Lake City. Both keep me busier than I'd like at times, but a gal's gotta pay the bills! Although I am finally able to offset some of that income now, with my writing, and that is very exciting.

As per the subject of how I write the Fated Saga Books:

It began with over a year of writing backgrounds and back stories for each of my characters that had any main roll to play in my story. Once finished I had a few binders worth of information. I then took some time to write a basic outline of what would happen and what ages my main characters would be when certain events would happen. From the very beginning, before I even wrote a single word of the story, I did know where each of my characters lives were headed and what would happen to each of them.

Whether they live, or die, or what they become, discover, etc.

The initial two main characters, Meghan and Colin Jacoby, I can say are loosely based on myself. I have gone through many challenges and changes in my life, but there was a certain point when I changed, a lot, sort of splintered off and became a much different version of myself. A much better version I think :)

So these siblings are, in part, based on these different sides of myself.

The books themselves are also loosely based on my younger life. I lived a very gypsyesque lifestyle growing up. Due in part to a fire that destroyed my families home and business when I was just three months old, and also partially due to my parents joining a religious cult and being migrant workers.

The caravan setting in the stories is just the perfect way for me to tell the story I want to tell.

You'll also take note, when reading these books, that there are two other themes that really stand out, or at least, I hope they do. I think they are much more present by the end of the 4th book, Broken. Fire is one main theme that always comes around. This theme comes to play because of the fire that changed the course of my life when just three months old, and it often makes me wonder about how fire changes people's lives. Especially when its one like the 1973 Great Chelsea Fire or Conflagration, that nearly burned down the entire city. What happened to all those people's lives? I would have to write an entire book to talk more on this subject and how it affected my own life.... maybe someday :)

The second theme is truth. And the endless search for it. And what happens once you actually discover the truth? How does it change your life? Does it change anything? And how do you know once you've actually discovered the truth? Who can you trust? What version of a story is true? Is there any way to actually discover the truth? And if you are not able to ever discover the truth, what affect does this have on your life and the decisions you make?


I guess I have digressed a bit, but this kind of gives you a little background into where these stories came from and how I go about writing them. Some of it is based on personal experiences. Some of it, obviously, is just my own imagination hard a play :)

As always, if you have any specific questions on this topic, or another topic you'd like to know about, just leave a comment, thanks!