Hi Yall!
Yeesh--I posted a little something before I saw the questions. I didn't realize we were going to actually take this seriously! Whoops! :-) So here's a little about me.
I'll try to be serious. I promise.
Yeesh--I posted a little something before I saw the questions. I didn't realize we were going to actually take this seriously! Whoops! :-) So here's a little about me.
I'll try to be serious. I promise.
1) When did you start writing?
About two years ago. I'm an attorney, and I was trapped in a hotel in Anchorage in the midst of a two week trial. I picked up a Julie Garwood book from the hotel gift shop and remembered how much I loved historical romance, which I hadn't read for years. When I got home, I decided to write one.
I should say that I wrote a very very very bad historical romance when I was in high school. But we don't need to go there.
The book I started as a result of my hotel stay was my 2006 GH finalist, More Than a Lady.
2) What books/authors have influenced you?
My all time fav author is Johanna Lindsey. I've also lately developed an absolute passion for Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I wish I could say I was influenced by some incredible work of literary fiction, but the truth is, I never really liked literary fiction. I didn't take English classes in college. All I liked to read were romances.
In the name of craft I've been trying to stretch myself and read "good books." But it's a stretch.
3) Describe your writing process.
I'm a few pegs shy of obsessed with writing. I usually get up around 5:15 so I can get in an hour or so before the kids (I have two) get up and I have to get them ready for school and get myself ready for work. I also write after they go to bed. And obsessively whenever I get the chance on the weekends. I often get up at 5 on Saturdays and write until 8 or so.
The process other than that is still evolving. My first ms was a seat of the pants sort of thing. I was writing at the same time I was trying to learn about the craft. I researched as I went. Book two was more plotted in advance. I tried hard to use all sorts of fancy plotting techniques for my YA, and still changed my mind about everything as I went.
I did everything wrong with my most recent ms and realized after I had most of a draft that my poor heroine didn't have a serious GOAL. Ooops. Heehee.
4) Tell us about your current Work In Progress and what is next for you?
I have a draft done of a ms I'm targeting for Blaze. I'm letting that sit while a couple of critique partners take a look, and then I'll get back to revising it. Meanwhile, I've got another really fun contemporary perking. I'm starting to research it, and I'll probably start putting together an outline over the next few weeks while I wait for the other ms to be reviewed.
Meanwhile, I have a lot of fantastic books on craft that I'm working through.
5) Any advice for others or personal observations?
Goodness, I have no idea!! I haven't "succeeded" in the sense that I haven't figured out how to get published. On the other hand, I've written a lot and feel like I'm "almost there" (and will probably be for the next few years, but still!). I think you've got to really want it and make it a priority.
And have a small amount of OCD. That helps, too.
Hugs,
Inara
About two years ago. I'm an attorney, and I was trapped in a hotel in Anchorage in the midst of a two week trial. I picked up a Julie Garwood book from the hotel gift shop and remembered how much I loved historical romance, which I hadn't read for years. When I got home, I decided to write one.
I should say that I wrote a very very very bad historical romance when I was in high school. But we don't need to go there.
The book I started as a result of my hotel stay was my 2006 GH finalist, More Than a Lady.
2) What books/authors have influenced you?
My all time fav author is Johanna Lindsey. I've also lately developed an absolute passion for Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I wish I could say I was influenced by some incredible work of literary fiction, but the truth is, I never really liked literary fiction. I didn't take English classes in college. All I liked to read were romances.
In the name of craft I've been trying to stretch myself and read "good books." But it's a stretch.
3) Describe your writing process.
I'm a few pegs shy of obsessed with writing. I usually get up around 5:15 so I can get in an hour or so before the kids (I have two) get up and I have to get them ready for school and get myself ready for work. I also write after they go to bed. And obsessively whenever I get the chance on the weekends. I often get up at 5 on Saturdays and write until 8 or so.
The process other than that is still evolving. My first ms was a seat of the pants sort of thing. I was writing at the same time I was trying to learn about the craft. I researched as I went. Book two was more plotted in advance. I tried hard to use all sorts of fancy plotting techniques for my YA, and still changed my mind about everything as I went.
I did everything wrong with my most recent ms and realized after I had most of a draft that my poor heroine didn't have a serious GOAL. Ooops. Heehee.
4) Tell us about your current Work In Progress and what is next for you?
I have a draft done of a ms I'm targeting for Blaze. I'm letting that sit while a couple of critique partners take a look, and then I'll get back to revising it. Meanwhile, I've got another really fun contemporary perking. I'm starting to research it, and I'll probably start putting together an outline over the next few weeks while I wait for the other ms to be reviewed.
Meanwhile, I have a lot of fantastic books on craft that I'm working through.
5) Any advice for others or personal observations?
Goodness, I have no idea!! I haven't "succeeded" in the sense that I haven't figured out how to get published. On the other hand, I've written a lot and feel like I'm "almost there" (and will probably be for the next few years, but still!). I think you've got to really want it and make it a priority.
And have a small amount of OCD. That helps, too.
Hugs,
Inara
4 comments:
Hey Inara,
NO BEING TOO SERIOUS here! You can post whatever. I just thought the Q&A thing would be an easy way to start. Also, as I said to Caren, GREAT IDEA to put your piccie at the beginning of your post. You'll have to teach all of us how to do that!
And IS THERE such an hour as 5 am?!?! ACK! I'd heard rumors that it existed but no way I'd ever be coherent enough to write then.
Aunty C
who is SO TOTALLY NOT a morning person
Aunty Cindy, now for my confession - I AM A MORNING PERSON TOO! That's how come I post to the Packers at an hour that you find bearable but unfortunately nobody in Australia does.
Inara, loved your post. In fact, I love all these posts - I'm supposed to be writing a blog for a guest spot but I keep coming back to my Packer mates.
kisses right back atcha, babe!
and you too, aunty cindy! :-) you should try 5AM sometime--it's really pretty, sunrises and all that sort of thing. and quiet, too. pretty and quiet. i guess that's particularly important when you have a 4 and 6 year old.
Inara, I have to confess that I am of the belief that no sane person voluntarily awakens at 5 am. Of course I work nights, so I also believe that no sane person really awakens before 9 am!
Suz
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