My Writing Process - Blog Tour

The amazingly talented Carrie Smith involved me in this blog tour J You can read her awesome blog at http://adifferentengine.blogspot.com

1) What are you working on?

I’m working on a novel called Drugstore Zombies. It’s a story that Carrie Smith and I came up with years ago. We had planned it to be a comic book, but we never found an artist for it. I was thinking about it more and more and decided to turn it into a book (with Carrie’s permission of course! J) I’m having a blast! It’s a new spin on the zombie genre and it’s so much fun to write!

2) How does your work differ from others' work in the same genre?

I mainly write in the YA sci-fi/fantasy genre. I’d say what makes my work different is my voice. Even though the topics of my work tend to be on the darker side, I write it with a comedic, almost “light” tone. My hope is that it keeps the reader laughing, while going through some pretty horrible situations!

3) Why do you write what you do?

I love to write what I love to read. It’s that simple. My Kindle is jam-packed with YA sci-fi/fantasy because it’s my favorite genre. My DVR is also packed with the same types of shows. My husband calls me the CW Whisperer because I pretty much watch everything they put on the air lol!

4) How does your writing process work?

I’m a writer who loves to write. Discipline is the key for me. I write 1,000 words a day, every day. I can’t imagine not writing. I read a lot as well and I try to improve my writing with every book that I write. I’ve written and published seven books and my eighth will be coming out this August.

F.M. Sherrill is the author I chose for next week! We just wrote a paranormal romance together and are working on the sequel! She’s an incredible author who wrote the dark fantasy Ivory!

Her blog is: http://fmsherrill.blogspot.com

Contemplating...

My plans were to be super-laser-like focused right after graduation, but I found that I have been completely wishy-washy in what I want to work on. Don't get me wrong, the laser-focus is in full effect for marketing my current books, but for writing, I can't seem to stick with any one project.

First I was working on my zombie book. I was really into it, but then I reached a point where I wasn't into it. At all. I'm the kind of writer that feels that a reader can sense whether or not a writer is passionate about what they're writing. I can tell when I'm reading books, so I figure everyone else can too. So, if I'm not "feeling" a book, I feel obligated to stop working on it.

The second book I started working on was a new YA series, but again, after the first 5,000 words, it was like a passionless brick wall.

The third book I started working on was the sequel to Alexis Tappendorf. Now that's a book I'm into. I love the characters and I love writing adventure. But I'm finding that I can't seem to connect with my audience. The kids that have read it have loved it (thank goodness!) but it's actually really hard to get kids books into the hands of kids! Kids books have to be advertised to the parents not the kids because they are the ones who decide and purchase books for their children. In an indie market, this has been very difficult for me. So, the dilemma I'm in is: do I finish the second book, or do I work on another book that I know I can market?

The answer? I'm working on my sequel to Atlas next. I have all these ideas rolling around in my head and I'm really excited to get them all down on paper. For now, I'm going to continue to research for Alexis, but I'm starting book two of Atlas. I miss writing Kala! So here goes!

Gearing up for new book!

The wheels are turning and I'm excited to start a new series. 

I've been in constant "edit" mode, scouring my Atlas proof for the last two weeks, making sure it was ready to release.

But now I need a palate cleanser so that I can come back to the Atlas series with a fresh eye. So, I'm starting a new series called Recruits. It's going to be a lot of fun to write and Monday I hit the ground running!

A Day of Steampunk Sewing!

One time-lapsed day of a three day sewing spree with my friend Faith for making steampunk costumes for Halloween. I ended up making 2 corsets, 2 shirts, 2 pairs of bloomers and a skirt! Phew!

Zombies not homework!!

Getting excited...

Beginnings...