Blog Hop - Tag You're It!

To all who are reading this,

I was tagged in a blog hop game of sorts by dear friend and fellow author Shaun Allan. The idea initially intrigued me and after reading the blog in which I was tagged in, I was looking forward to answering these questions that he has left me.

So let's begin...

What are you working on right now?
I am currently working on two novel length projects. Both are incredibly different...

My untitled WIP is an adult paranormal. The plot follows special criminal investigators and friends, Kayla Wiggins and Stefan Croft. A spate of murders are occurring around their home town, each paranormally linked. The novel is planned and I have nine-and-a-half chapters currently written (prologue included). The paranormal element is clear throughout the synopsis, but also deals with the crime element of things, such as police procedures, and romance, which is very girlie (for me).

The second WIP is a YA urban fantasy novel and has a working title - Hybrid. The plot follows Ruby Grint, who struggles to deal with the failings of university and a degree. Her life is turned upside down, when she moves into a house of lycanthropes (werewolves, to those who don't know). The novel is planned and I have twelve chapters currently written.

Both of the novels are close to my heart and I hope to complete them both and submit them to publishers.

How does it differ from other works in its genre?
Whilst both ideas are already quite prominent in the genre, I hope I can try and produce something different that readers and fans will want to try too!

In the case of the adult novel, I am compiling two best selling genres into the one idea. Crime is a genre I have only read, so reading it differs greatly for me.

In the case of Hybrid, I think it differs because there are not many female characters. She is a strong and realistic character, not weak and wilting over men, which I have seen quite often in current YA fiction. I want people to like her and support her, and of course, the boys I have created too.

Why do you write what you do?
Most of this I managed to say, in some point or another, during the final essay I ever wrote and submitted at university. And yet again, I could write an essay in response to the question, but I'll try and keep it short and sweet.

1. I write to escape.
2. I write what I like to read.
3. I write because there are subjects close to my heart that I want to express.
4. I write because characters scream at me until their stories are told.
5. I write because I simply have to.

How does your writing process work?
When the idea comes, it's jotted down, whether its plot or its character traits. If I know I want to work on it, I try and flesh it out, planning it into a synopsis that I can try and follow. This has worked in my favour just recently. I feel like it's helped me out loads, having a structure to work to.

Sometimes words and phrase come to me when I least suspect it. I always carry a notebook and pen, and when all else fails, I use my mobile. When that time comes, I write. I can go through spurts of creativity from one project to another, and I get so happy when things come tumbling out, especially when they make sense.

I don't set myself specific time slots in which I can work to, but I set myself word limits, like deadlines. Usually this is 1000 words a day, and I always aim to hit this target.

 Thanks once again to Shaun for inviting me to play this game. In future though, don't slap me on top of the head though when you tag. That's not so fun.

I'm passing the baton on and tagging some lovely ladies and I hope they have some fun! Please welcome:

Sarah Jayne Carr

Victoria Jane Chisholm

Amanda Dawn Gatton

Thanks for reading!

Yours, with eternal ink,

Zoe

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Currently reading: The Carrier by Sophie Hannah