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If you know me, you know it doesn't take much for me to nerd out and talk about writing. Since I'm between projects currently, I found these writing questions and answered the first set for you here:
What inspired you to start writing?
When I discovered The Babysitter's Little Sister series as a sixth grader, I was super inspired by how real her characters seemed. It made me want to write my own story with my own characters.
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How long have you been writing?
Since I was eleven. So, most of my life.
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When did you start writing?
I wrote my first story in a notebook in sixth grade. I used to get in trouble for writing in it in school. It's missing several pages (and the cover) now, but I still have the notebook, and I put the existing story into a Google Doc for safekeeping.
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Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Not always, but ever since age eleven? Writing's been it for me.
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What advice would you give a new writer, someone just starting out?
Write because you love it, and it really helps to have people in your corner who encourage and support you.
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How do you handle writer’s block?
Having a schedule and having a specific combination of scents I like (lotion, candle, oil) really helps writer's block not be a thing for me.
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What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
The most important element of good writing is caring about the characters. Make sure you're writing the story you want to write and that your love for the characters comes through.
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What comes first, the plot or characters?
Characters.
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How do you develop your plot and characters?
Characters have always been tough for me, so I've always been partial to writing with established characters (fanfiction). From there, I can branch off and make it an AU so that the characters work in the story I want to tell.
The plot, in the beginning is really what's a thing that I really care about and / or want to explore more?
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How do you come up with the titles to your books?
They're usually just words or phrases that pop into my head that summarize the story somehow.
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When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Oh my God. I was ten, and I had just finished writing my autobiography for a school project. In my About the Author section I was like: "I love writing books!"
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| [Tonia, age 10, smiling, right around the time she finished her autobiography] |
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Describe your writing space.
My desk at my laptop in my office. I've got a bulletin board behind my laptop that has all the cover art for my books (designed by friends).
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What time of the day do you usually write?
In the morning / pretty soon after I get up.
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Describe a typical writing day.
Get up. Post things to my Tonia Says Facebook and Twitter. Then (hopefully) open my Reading at the Cafe candle (coffee and chocolate pastry), put on some orange scented Energy lotion and a little You Slay pineapple roll-on oil. Then, I'll write for an hour and a half on average. My goal is a chapter at a time. Sometimes, I'll pause in the middle for breakfast and finish after.
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What is the most difficult part about writing for you?
Oh my God, the self doubt is brutal! Every few months, it seems, my rejection sensitivity reaches an all time high. And since my writing is so closely tied to my sense of self (I put so much into my writing) it's really hard when a chapter does not go over as intended, or it's just been a certain amount of time without positive feedback.
(Also getting ideas and researching is really hard for me. Tara really helps in those areas.)
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What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
The same as it is when I'm not writing?
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What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
My most interesting writing quirk is apparently not drafting and instead doing like three rounds of editing as I write? Also, when I write it often feels like I'm just transcribing what my characters say. And that's really enjoyable.
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Do you hear from your readers much? What do they say?
My sister and two closest friends read everything and their comments to me are everything.
I struggle with wishing more people would read my writing, instead of reading content featuring disabled characters written by nondisabled people.
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How do you do research for your books?
Usually a good Google search will do the trick, but if I need something more involved, like a timeline, I'll ask Tara for help, because she loves making timelines (and she's so good at it!)
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What are the tools of the trade?
My most important one is a notebook that Tara and I share. We write back and forth to each other each night (before a writing day). I'll usually share where I'm planning to go in the next chapter and check to see if Tara has any ideas or if she's noticed any plot holes or things I've missed.
Before actually beginning a project (and during) I'll use it to jot down brainstorms or ideas for scenes or bits of dialogue. Then, I'll check them off as I get to them.
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What does success mean to you? What is the definition of success?
Success for me is finishing something. So whenever I finish a novel, it's a big deal.
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Is writing your full-time career? Or would you like it to be?
Pretty much? I don't get paid, I write for the love of it, but it's what I spend most of my time doing. Either novel-writing, or blogging.
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On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?
90 minutes to two hours.
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Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you?
Yes (links are at the bottom of each post.) And please interact with me. (Positive feedback is my jam.)
When you’re writing an emotionally draining (or sexy, or sad, etc) scene, how do you get in the mood?
Writing is cathartic for me. As a trauma survivor I'm usually emotionally drained and at least a little sad. So, it's not really a challenge for me to go to dark places. (Sexy? Not so much, but I don't write that.)
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Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Pace yourself. If you need to take days off, take days off.
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How do you deal with emotional impact of a book (on yourself) as you are writing the story?
It's hard! I've cried writing scenes.
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How do you handle literary criticism?
Negative feedback is hard to hear. I'm generally always braced for it, so it doesn't catch me off guard.
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How do you deal with poor reviews?
It's frustrating. But I try to remind myself that not everybody has to like everything I write. (Again, I'm pretty much always braced for criticism.)
How much ‘world building’ takes place before you start writing?
I don't really get into that stuff. That's where having established characters helps.
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Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing the story?
In my current series I usually need about 2 weeks of planning before I'm ready to dive in and start writing. By now, it's down to making sure I do a character survey and various personality tests for any new characters.
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When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Sometimes, a time jump helps. Sometimes, introducing new characters.
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What was your favorite part, and your least favorite part, of the publishing journey?
My favorite part is when people read it. My least favorite part is the pervasive belief that writing needs to be traditionally published (by a big name, besides) to be valid.
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Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?
The first one, for sure! Creating something where nothing exists is always the challenge for me. Sequels are almost relaxing because so much is already established and I've gotten to know my characters.
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Describe your perfect book hero or heroine.
My writing honestly doesn't have those. It just has people, living their lives. I don't want to write about somebody perfect. I can't relate to that. I'd rather read (and write) about characters that feel real.
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