I was fortunate to be asked to participate in the “My Writing Process” blog hop. I want to thank James DiBenedetto for inviting me.
So what am I writing and how do I do it?
1) What am I working on?
Ah. I have five novels in the works right now, all fantasy. Two are almost ready to go out. One is about ¾ done to a solid first draft. Two have a long, long way to go. The first chapters of each are available on my website.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
The Stone Lions and its sequel, The Jinn’s Jest are the most different. They combine math and storytelling with a middle grade multicultural fantasy. Not many people write about Islamic girls from the 14th century who solve symmetry mysteries.
With my young adult novels, each book has its own tone. In one story I play with a two women from disparate cultures joining forces, in another I explore longing—wanting something you can have but must let go of.
But no matter what I write, the female protagonists are strong, though in very different ways. Strength is not always physical, but often can be shown in doing what you know is right and staying true to your values.
3) Why do I write what I do?
I love exploring old stories and adding a new twist to them. Lady and the Tower has the kernels of Rapunzel and many other fairy tales in it, but with a very different heroine.Dark started with the question of who would be the best person to defeat a basilisk, The Dragons’ Chosen came from wondering about fairy godmothers.
I like to write about heroines who, each in their own way, confront and challenge the mores of their time and world. With The Jinn’s Jest, the sequel to The Stone Lions, I thought about Jinn, what they are in mythology and how they have been portrayed.Seven Demons, while still in its infancy, is looking at guilt and redemption in demons.
The Stone Lions was started because I was asked to by a friend of mine. And from that has evolved the whole line of work.
4) How does your writing process work?
I sit down in front of a computer. I scribble notes on a piece of paper. I take long walks. I do hours of research. I’ve found that there are lots of ways to get to the same place. In the early days of my writing, I made a simple rule for myself: to sit with no other distractions and work on my writing for twenty minutes, three times a day. It didn’t mean anything had to be written, just that I seriously committed to the process.
Now I have a writing group and also attend workshops and retreats when I can.
I’ve picked three fellow authors to continue the hop, so please visit them too!
Louisa Clarkson (LJ Clarkson) crafts whimsical, inspiring fantasy adventures that keeps tweens reading for days.
www.mastermindacademy.net
Rosie Morgan is author of a young teen fantasy series set in Cornwall, UK, which also happens to be where she lives.
http://www.rosie-morgan-cornwall.blogspot.co.uk
ND Richman writes a series of middle grade books targeted at reluctant readers, called the Boulton Quest Series. The first in the series, Brothers, Bullies and Bad Guys was published in April of 2013.
http://www.ndrichman.com/blog/
So what am I writing and how do I do it?
1) What am I working on?
Ah. I have five novels in the works right now, all fantasy. Two are almost ready to go out. One is about ¾ done to a solid first draft. Two have a long, long way to go. The first chapters of each are available on my website.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
The Stone Lions and its sequel, The Jinn’s Jest are the most different. They combine math and storytelling with a middle grade multicultural fantasy. Not many people write about Islamic girls from the 14th century who solve symmetry mysteries.
With my young adult novels, each book has its own tone. In one story I play with a two women from disparate cultures joining forces, in another I explore longing—wanting something you can have but must let go of.
But no matter what I write, the female protagonists are strong, though in very different ways. Strength is not always physical, but often can be shown in doing what you know is right and staying true to your values.
3) Why do I write what I do?
I love exploring old stories and adding a new twist to them. Lady and the Tower has the kernels of Rapunzel and many other fairy tales in it, but with a very different heroine.Dark started with the question of who would be the best person to defeat a basilisk, The Dragons’ Chosen came from wondering about fairy godmothers.
I like to write about heroines who, each in their own way, confront and challenge the mores of their time and world. With The Jinn’s Jest, the sequel to The Stone Lions, I thought about Jinn, what they are in mythology and how they have been portrayed.Seven Demons, while still in its infancy, is looking at guilt and redemption in demons.
The Stone Lions was started because I was asked to by a friend of mine. And from that has evolved the whole line of work.
4) How does your writing process work?
I sit down in front of a computer. I scribble notes on a piece of paper. I take long walks. I do hours of research. I’ve found that there are lots of ways to get to the same place. In the early days of my writing, I made a simple rule for myself: to sit with no other distractions and work on my writing for twenty minutes, three times a day. It didn’t mean anything had to be written, just that I seriously committed to the process.
Now I have a writing group and also attend workshops and retreats when I can.
I’ve picked three fellow authors to continue the hop, so please visit them too!
Louisa Clarkson (LJ Clarkson) crafts whimsical, inspiring fantasy adventures that keeps tweens reading for days.
www.mastermindacademy.net
Rosie Morgan is author of a young teen fantasy series set in Cornwall, UK, which also happens to be where she lives.
http://www.rosie-morgan-cornwall.blogspot.co.uk
ND Richman writes a series of middle grade books targeted at reluctant readers, called the Boulton Quest Series. The first in the series, Brothers, Bullies and Bad Guys was published in April of 2013.
http://www.ndrichman.com/blog/
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