Something new!

 

Hi, everyone! I think I will make Sundays my ‘Interview Day’.

A lovely young lady interviewed me a couple of weeks ago for an upcoming blog post, so I thought I would return the favour. She’s currently working on a YA novel. So, without further ado, I’d like to introduce Misha from ‘My First Book’.

Hi, Misha! Thanks for joining us, today! Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

Hi Susan! Thanks so much for having me. I’m so honored to be your first interviewee. I’m 23 years old. Been writing since I was 13. I’ve done a variety of things so far in my life, just because I wanted to. Two of them, fencing and learning French, were inspired by The Three Musketeers. I also picked up the habit of checking the backs of antique wardrobes, even though I was already fifteen when I read The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe the first time…

Wow! I’ve always wanted to learn how to fence, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of my favourites, too!

Your blog name is called ‘My First Book’ and you have a timer counting down ‘until Doorways is finished’.  Is Doorways your ‘first book’? Would you mind giving us a few hints about it?

Yes. More accurately, it’s my first completed draft, but also the first one I want to see published. 

Hints…. hmm… I’m not sure what to share, except that it’s the first in a four-part fantasy epic… 

Keeping it close to the vest, eh? That’s cool. What inspired you to write it?

I was rereading Chronicles of Narnia, actually, in preparation for the release of Prince Caspian. And then… Darrion was there.

How long have you been writing?

Ten years in (I think) August. But I’ve been writing poems since the age of seven and creating stories way before then. 

The writing bug bit you early! 🙂  Have you written anything else?

Yep. A LOT of poetry and a western. I’ll be rewriting the western later this year once I’m done with Doorways. Then I have an urban fantasy waiting to be completed… As well as two dystopians. 

Sounds like you’ve been busy! Please describe a little about your process. For example, when do you prefer to work on your writing? Where do you prefer to write?

I actually do most of my writing in bed at 3 a.m. to 5 or 6 a.m. in the morning. It’s just easier for me to write when the rest of my family isn’t awake. 

You’re quite a night owl! 🙂 I envy you your energy!

Do you have any idiosyncrasies, like writing with a cup of coffee at hand, placing certain items near your keyboard or writing pad, etc?

Idiosyncrasies will be that I draft in long hand in hardcover notebooks with black v-tipped pens. Recently caved and bought an expensive fountain pen and its refills. I was horrified to discover they were all blue. And yes. I know that it’s insane of me.

I think all writers must have a streak of insanity, so you’re not alone! LOL

What do you do when you’re not writing?

Working, singing, blogging, playing guitar… and some other stuff. My hobbies sort of change every now and then, depending on what I find satisfying.

How are you finding the editing process?

Love it. I know a lot of people see editing as a chore, but I just love seeing my (VERY) rough draft turning into something resembling a published book.

Once you’re done with your editing, will you be looking for a critique partner or two or do you already have someone in mind?

I actually use crit partners to edit, because I have an issue with seeing faults in stories that I’ve worked on too long. I am, however, looking for beta readers right now. 

Perhaps one of my readers knows someone who would be of help to you with this.

There’s been a big debate going on in the blogosphere about the merits and problems with traditional publishing versus self-publishing and e-publishing. What are your thoughts with regards to getting your own manuscript published?

My first thought: AAAAAaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrggggghhhhh!!!! Honestly. I have no idea. Just when I think that I’ve made up my mind, I read another argument to the debate and get thrown for a loop again. I guess that means I’m right in the middle.

Well, Misha, I wish you the best of luck with your manuscript. Please check back with us and let us know how it’s going.

Anyone who might have comments or more questions for Misha please leave them in the comments section, or visit her yourself at ‘My First Book‘. If you use Twitter contact her here.

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Wonderful Readers!

While I was trying to think about what to post, today, I noticed that I had been nominated for the Reader Appreciation Award, by wantoncreation. I want to thank him very much for the honour! He has an amazing blog with a variety of interesting topics and always makes me smile. I can’t help but comment on his content, so I guess that’s why he nominated me for this award.

Isn’t it pretty? It’s perfect for today because we finally have some sunshine!

Apparently there are several variations on the rules of acceptance, so I will follow Matt’s lead and tell you about what I have been up to lately. As you may have read, yesterday, I finally had my root canal done on my  broken tooth. It’s still a little tender, but I think I’ll survive! 🙂

This morning, I was preparing for a wedding shower/roast for the daughter of our close friends. I’ve known the girl since she was born, so have a few stories to tell. One of the things I loved about her when she was little was that she looked like she had just stepped out of an Eloise Wilkin picture. If you’ve never seen an Eloise Wilkin illustration, here’s an example. As a matter of fact, I bought this book for the bride-to-be when she was about 3 years old because the character looked just like her!

 

 

 

Another thing I was doing this morning was going through some old photos of the street where I grew up and the friends I had there. I’m hoping to meet with a woman who used to live across the street from us. I haven’t seen her in a very long time, so thought I would bring along a bunch of pictures to jog our memories. Here’s one of me taken on the street when it was still brand new.

Here’s what the street looks like now. It’s amazing the difference 50+ years makes!

 

Other things I have been doing, lately (besides blogging), are working a little more than usual, and partaking in many social events, such as the shower mentioned above. Last weekend, I went to a baby shower, played with my grandson and celebrated our anniversary with friends. I try to get to Tai Chi when I can and have lunch with friends when I’m not working. I recently started Twittering and last night I signed up for Goodreads. I still have a lot to do to get the site up and running, but at least I’ve started it and plan to add an author’s page to it eventually.

I apologize that there hasn’t been much about my writing lately, but I’m hoping that will change once the summer break arrives at the end of June. Tomorrow, I will be starting a new post ritual – interviews with other writers. My first one will be with someone who interviewed me for her blog. I’ll mention more about that when I know when she will be posting it. In the meantime, I know there are many writers out there who have been following my blog so I will be asking each of you if you would be interested in being interviewed for an upcoming blog post.

Now I should proceed to mention those readers who I appreciate. I have enjoyed and appreciated every comment ALL of my followers have made in response to my posts, but I will try to restrict the list to those who comment most frequently. In order not to overwhelm those I would have mentioned here that were already nominated by wantoncreation I will not nominate them again, but will direct you to their blogs so you can check them out: Green Paw-paw, Diane’s Story Site, Eternal Domnation, Storyteller in the Digital Age, Roshrulez’s Weblog, Friffle Thoughts and Easyondeyes, J.Keller Ford.

Here are the others who have most frequently commented on my posts:

C.B. Wentworth

Traci Kenworth

My First Book

Ramblings

Byroisinealy

Laurie Buchanan

 

Again, I want to thank ALL of you who have dropped by and ‘liked’ my posts or made a comment! I wouldn’t keep blogging without your support! 🙂

 

May the Tweets be with you!

Hello, everyone! Hope all my Canadian friends & family are enjoying this extraordinary Victoria Day! It’s 20 degrees Celsius, here, with full sun – the perfect spring day! Better yet, it’s a HOLIDAY! 🙂

Well, I finally took the plunge and joined up with Twitter. I’ve been told it’s a great way to keep track of other writers, new books on the market, and what’s going on in the world of publishing. Oh, yeah, and it’s a great way to get noticed by other like-minded folks. I kind of thought that’s what blogging would do for me, but as yet I haven’t actually linked up with any kids who have read my books or would be interested in them. Not that all of you haven’t been great. I’ve really enjoyed connecting with so many wonderful talented people. 🙂

With the lack of marketing being provided by publishers, these days, we writers have to do as much as we can to reach our target markets. I was talking with my editor earlier this week and she was praising the benefits of Twitter. Since I value her opinion, I tried it. I’ve noticed that a lot of you bloggers have Twitter buttons on your pages and I have pressed the follow buttons so I can enjoy your wisdom in other ways, too. 🙂

I’d appreciate any advice you can give me regarding this new (to me) social media.

Since you started with Twitter, what advantages have you found about it? Any pitfalls I should try to avoid?