Let's Go To The (Blog) Hop!
I was recently nominated by writer pal Aaron Rosenberg to participate in a blog hop by answering the four questions below. Additionally, I must pay it forward by electing at least three other writers. I could only find two who were willing. They are listed at the end of this post.
What am I working on?
I'm excited to announce that we're proceeding with the followup anthology to Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity , which was just released in August. All of the contributors have agreed to return, and three new writers have been invited to contribute. I look forward to the same diversity of SF, Fantasy, and Paranormal tales as we have with the first book. We're planning for a late 2016 or early 2017 release. I already have a story finished for this and I understand that two or three of the other writers do as well.
I am currently developing a science fiction novel that will tell the tale of an overpopulated and depleted Earth and the need for humanity to seek its salvation off world.
I recently submitted a paranormal thriller novella called Like Mother, Like Daughters that chronicles the further adventures of psychic-medium Miranda Lorensen (Testing the Prisoner, By Your Side). Thirty-six years after encountering the ghost of a Puritan girl named Camille, Miranda returns to Salem, Massachusettes hoping to learn more about her. In doing so, Miranda is nearly killed while uncovering a startling truth not only about Camille, but also about herself. Meanwhile, Miranda's daughter, Andrea, begins to manifest her own psychic-medium abilities when the spirit of a murdered college friend seeks her help in solving her murder.
As a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, I submitted both a story and an essay to two anthologies slated to be published by the group next year. One will be a collection of essays on "Why We Write" and the other, strictly fiction. Both anthologies will launch at the Write Stuff conference in March 2015. As conference chair, I look forward to it!
Finally, my first attempt at flash fiction, "Man to Man", will be posted for free on this blog on Friday, October 10 to kick-off an occasional feature called "Flash Fiction Friday".
How does my writing differ from others in my genre?
I strive to create memorable characters and situations that will at the very least move or excite readers if not challenge their notions on a particular topic and open their minds to a different way of perceiving themselves and the world at large. If my work can both entertain and edify, without preaching, then I have done my job as a writer. For example, my first novel, Testing the Prisoner , tackled the disquieting topics of child abuse and family dysfunction and was extremely well-received by readers who were touched by the hero's plight.
Why do I write what I do?
I think I partially answered this with the previous question. The fact is, I live to write. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without the act of putting words to paper and connecting those words to form the kinds of tales that I also enjoy reading. While it is true that humans have an innate desire to tell stories, I write with the added intent of conveying a message, one that I hope will remain with the reader long after they have turned the final page. I find the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal to be replete with unique and powerful storytelling potential. The exercise of creating an original universe—with its own inhabitants, environments, and rules—brings nearly unparalleled satisfaction for me. As a writer, few things are more thrilling than developing both character and story arcs.
There is also a selfish reason as to why I write. Simply put, I do not wish to die forgotten. If I can leave behind a legacy of quality work that will be read and enjoyed for generations to come, then I will have achieved that ultimate goal shared by all writers.
How does my writing process work?
Once I come up with an idea--or it comes to me--I usually jot down a few paragraphs to begin fleshing it out. Often, I'll develop characters immediately, which is an extremely important step, as is defining clear arcs for the protagonist and perhaps one or two other characters. That is certainly true for longer fiction. My short stories may not always have a character who changes from beginning to end, but I always ensure that my main characters are memorable, whether heroes, villains, or somewhere in between.
For novels, novellas, and some short stories, I create an outline to map out the plot. It will frequently include lines of narrative and dialogue that will end up in the story. For me, the outline is a living document. As I write, it provides general direction, but does not restrict me. There are many routes to get from point A to point Z. I believe that writing is an organic process, especially when the characters take over and decide on their own course.
When that happens to the benefit of the story, I will then update the outline accordingly. Similarly, if I think of a better idea than what I'd originally plotted out, I will again revise the outline. At the start of each writing session, I review what I wrote before and sometime edit and tweak it before adding new material.
The next victims, er, I mean, writers in the chain are:
AMANDA HEADLEE is fascinated with the macabre. Therefore, it is not surprising that most of her written material stems from waking nightmares. It was not until she attended Kutztown University, to major in Professional Writing, that she realized she could share her terrors with the world by writing it all down. When she is not contributing to The Sarcastic Muse or cycling through the rural hills of Pennsylvania, she can be found penning worlds full of monsters, demons, and mayhem.
STEVEN H. WILSON is the creator of the Mark Time and Parsec Award-winning podcast series The Arbiter Chronicles, as well as the author of two novels spawned by the series Taken Liberty and Unfriendly Persuasion. He is also the author of Peace Lord of the Red Planet and three short stories for the ReDeus series from Crazy 8 Press. He has written for DC Comics and Starlog, and is publisher for the Maryland-based Firebringer Press , whose seventh and latest book, Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity, collects tales of science fiction, fantasy and the paranormal by Mid-Atlantic authors.
What am I working on?
I'm excited to announce that we're proceeding with the followup anthology to Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity , which was just released in August. All of the contributors have agreed to return, and three new writers have been invited to contribute. I look forward to the same diversity of SF, Fantasy, and Paranormal tales as we have with the first book. We're planning for a late 2016 or early 2017 release. I already have a story finished for this and I understand that two or three of the other writers do as well.
I am currently developing a science fiction novel that will tell the tale of an overpopulated and depleted Earth and the need for humanity to seek its salvation off world.
I recently submitted a paranormal thriller novella called Like Mother, Like Daughters that chronicles the further adventures of psychic-medium Miranda Lorensen (Testing the Prisoner, By Your Side). Thirty-six years after encountering the ghost of a Puritan girl named Camille, Miranda returns to Salem, Massachusettes hoping to learn more about her. In doing so, Miranda is nearly killed while uncovering a startling truth not only about Camille, but also about herself. Meanwhile, Miranda's daughter, Andrea, begins to manifest her own psychic-medium abilities when the spirit of a murdered college friend seeks her help in solving her murder.
As a member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group, I submitted both a story and an essay to two anthologies slated to be published by the group next year. One will be a collection of essays on "Why We Write" and the other, strictly fiction. Both anthologies will launch at the Write Stuff conference in March 2015. As conference chair, I look forward to it!
Finally, my first attempt at flash fiction, "Man to Man", will be posted for free on this blog on Friday, October 10 to kick-off an occasional feature called "Flash Fiction Friday".
How does my writing differ from others in my genre?
I strive to create memorable characters and situations that will at the very least move or excite readers if not challenge their notions on a particular topic and open their minds to a different way of perceiving themselves and the world at large. If my work can both entertain and edify, without preaching, then I have done my job as a writer. For example, my first novel, Testing the Prisoner , tackled the disquieting topics of child abuse and family dysfunction and was extremely well-received by readers who were touched by the hero's plight.
Why do I write what I do?
I think I partially answered this with the previous question. The fact is, I live to write. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without the act of putting words to paper and connecting those words to form the kinds of tales that I also enjoy reading. While it is true that humans have an innate desire to tell stories, I write with the added intent of conveying a message, one that I hope will remain with the reader long after they have turned the final page. I find the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal to be replete with unique and powerful storytelling potential. The exercise of creating an original universe—with its own inhabitants, environments, and rules—brings nearly unparalleled satisfaction for me. As a writer, few things are more thrilling than developing both character and story arcs.
There is also a selfish reason as to why I write. Simply put, I do not wish to die forgotten. If I can leave behind a legacy of quality work that will be read and enjoyed for generations to come, then I will have achieved that ultimate goal shared by all writers.
How does my writing process work?
Once I come up with an idea--or it comes to me--I usually jot down a few paragraphs to begin fleshing it out. Often, I'll develop characters immediately, which is an extremely important step, as is defining clear arcs for the protagonist and perhaps one or two other characters. That is certainly true for longer fiction. My short stories may not always have a character who changes from beginning to end, but I always ensure that my main characters are memorable, whether heroes, villains, or somewhere in between.
For novels, novellas, and some short stories, I create an outline to map out the plot. It will frequently include lines of narrative and dialogue that will end up in the story. For me, the outline is a living document. As I write, it provides general direction, but does not restrict me. There are many routes to get from point A to point Z. I believe that writing is an organic process, especially when the characters take over and decide on their own course.
When that happens to the benefit of the story, I will then update the outline accordingly. Similarly, if I think of a better idea than what I'd originally plotted out, I will again revise the outline. At the start of each writing session, I review what I wrote before and sometime edit and tweak it before adding new material.
The next victims, er, I mean, writers in the chain are:
AMANDA HEADLEE is fascinated with the macabre. Therefore, it is not surprising that most of her written material stems from waking nightmares. It was not until she attended Kutztown University, to major in Professional Writing, that she realized she could share her terrors with the world by writing it all down. When she is not contributing to The Sarcastic Muse or cycling through the rural hills of Pennsylvania, she can be found penning worlds full of monsters, demons, and mayhem.
STEVEN H. WILSON is the creator of the Mark Time and Parsec Award-winning podcast series The Arbiter Chronicles, as well as the author of two novels spawned by the series Taken Liberty and Unfriendly Persuasion. He is also the author of Peace Lord of the Red Planet and three short stories for the ReDeus series from Crazy 8 Press. He has written for DC Comics and Starlog, and is publisher for the Maryland-based Firebringer Press , whose seventh and latest book, Somewhere in the Middle of Eternity, collects tales of science fiction, fantasy and the paranormal by Mid-Atlantic authors.
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