My Writing Process – a Blog Tour
I was invited to participate in this blog series by my fellow author, Erica Alex. She is an upcoming independent author who is polishing up the final product of her first book. The Final Chapter of Rain. You can learn more about her work here .
My Writing Process
1) What am I working on?
Currently I am in the process of writing the sequel to my novel, The Corporeal Pull. At this point it is tentatively entitled “Aware” but that is subject to change. My goal is to have the book to be ready to be released this summer. Most of my readers are ready to hear the next installment in what is an unconventional yet still compellingly human tale. I admit to composing a few paragraphs here and there for other potential projects as I go.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Most of my readers have pointed out that my book is very unique in it’s genre. Technically, The Corporeal Pull is somewhere in the paranormal or metaphysical genre. But there are no vampires, werewolves, zombies or anything of that nature in my book. Instead there are otherworldly beings that are more of spirit entities who are sometimes human beings, and sometimes a more pure form of self with out a mortal shell. There are also elements of evil that embody and are responsible for the evils of the world that we as mankind struggle to explain to ourselves on a daily basis. In these ways my book stands somewhat alone.
3) Why do I write what I do?
I know that authors are supposed to “”brand” themselves and become synonymous with a specific type of writing and subject matter, but I honestly take my inspiration from things that happen around me. The Corporeal Pull is based on a rather compelling repeating dream that I felt I needed to chronicle. I began writing it as my father was dying of cancer. He read the first chapters before he passed away and left me grieving and writing as I healed. My novella, To Conspire was actually supposed to be a short story about a topic that a reader had requested, but it grew into something more so I published the result. In reality most of my writing including my poetry has an undercurrent of my awareness and concern with mortality itself. I had a brush with death as a young person. I have witnessed death and birth and it has profoundly affected my perspective of my journey here on this speck of a planet in the vast unknown that is space.
4) How does your writing process work?
I write as the story flows. Most of the time I reach a point in the plot where I can see exactly how I will tie things together. I have attempted to scaffold part of a book based on this end bit of knowledge, but my writing tends to feel forced when I add too many details to the plan instead of the novel. At most I limit myself to a paragraph or two to remind myself where I want to be when all is said and done.
Many blogs and authors have recommended against editing as you write. I actually find it helpful to go back over my writing and iron out a few wrinkles as I go. That way I know what I wanted to convey and the mood and tone of my writing is still fresh and authentic. I also have an extensive editing process after the manuscript is complete. I use the programs White Smoke and Text Aloud to find the first rounds of mistakes. After that I enlist willing or unwilling readers to tell me what works and if there is anything that needs clarification. Finally I send my book to my editor, Alison Jack and she goes through it with an entirely different perspective which is critical. When my work returns from editing I review every proposed change one by one and make any needed adjustments. A few more beta readers and perusals and I may be ready to click publish!
Next Week on Monday’s Blog: Learn More About the Writing Process with Three Awesome Authors!
Annie Douglass Lima is a YA fantasy writer and world traveler. She and her husband currently live in Taichung, Taiwan, where she teaches 5th grade in an international school. Find out more on her website: http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com
Hillary K. Grigonis is the author of Kaleidoscope Me, a non-linear novel for preteens and young adults. When she’s not writing fiction or working as a web content editor, she can usually be found with a camera in her hand. Follow her at www.hillarykgrigonis.com.
Marianne Sciucco is not a nurse who writes but a writer who happens to be a nurse. A lover of words and books, she dreamed of becoming an author when she grew up, but became a nurse to avoid poverty. She later brought her two passions together and writes about the intricate lives of people struggling with health and family issues. Her debut novel Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s love story, is often compared to Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook. With 63 reviews averaging 4.7 stars, it’s hit number one in Amazon’s Medical Fiction four times, is Indie Reader Approved by IndieReader.com, and won IndieReCon’s Best Indie Novel Award. Blue Hydrangeas is available in print, digital and audio through Amazon, Audible, iBooks, Nook, and Kobo. Follow Marianne’s Adventures in Publishing or keep up with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
