It's time I get to know more about you guys. I spout on enough about myself here, and pretend like I know at all what I'm talking about; I'd like to hear about you, and hear what you have to say. So if you don't mind, I've come up with ten questions to help me get to know you. Besides, learning to introduce yourself and answer questions is useful for interviews and schmoozing at conferences, right? It's time I heard from YOU.
Here are the questions. Answer as few or as many as you'd like:
What are your favorite books/songs/movies?
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you?
What makes you feel better when you’re down?
What are you most proud of?
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why?
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself?
What book are you currently reading?
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
Describe your writing process.
What would you personally like to see discussed on this blog? What would make it better/more helpful?
Don't be shy :) I am talking to YOU when I say I want to get to know you better. So pull up a comment box and spiel. It will make my day.
Sarah Allen
29 comments:
What makes you feel better when you’re down? Music and fresh air.
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself? I used to be a singer until I did a Julie Andrews and ruined my voice.
What book are you currently reading? Dan Brown Lost Symbol.
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why? None, I do not have a writing career.
If you really want to learn more about me read my profile. Nice I word and use of it.
This is a neat idea. Idea. Okay, sorry...
My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice. Never got over Mr. Darcy. Currently, I'm reading Abandon by Meg Cabot for review for Scholastic. My writing process, at the moment, is frantic. Going through a manic phase which, hopefully, leads me to greatness. LOL
Chocolate and wine (depending on the time of day) are my cures for depression. And what am I most proud of: being married to my amazing werewolf hubby and raising our 4 cubs.
1. Any book I read becomes my favorite. Really. Can't make up my mind.
2. All writers inspire me even when thier stuff sucks. We all have bad days.
3.Music and chocolate make me feel better on down days.
4.Never really thought about what I was most proud of...possibly the fact that I raised five daughters on my own and went to college.
5.All websites are helpful. They're encouraging.
6.What's weird and interesting about myself...probably everything.
7.Awakened by P.C. and Kristen Cast.
8. Keep writing.
9. First, I check e-mails, blogs, and facebook. Then I scribble stuff in a notebook. Sometimes I read a novel in between. Sometimes I play music or have the news on. I make sure I've got water, tea and coffee and choclate next to me. Every hour I tale a fifteen minute break and walk my dogs.
10. Advice on article writing. I'm more of a storyteller than anything but all my articles fail b/c they lack something.
Thanks for asking.
Great idea Sarah, but I'd love to see your answer to some of the questions too. I'd love to get to know you better too!
Books I'm currently reading: Lorrie Morre Like Life (bit too clever cloggy for me, and I've read her before and loved her) and just finished Muriel Spark Symposium in which I loved the humour, but found it a little confusint.
When I'm down, unfortunately I turn to food, and the purchase of a weighiing scales over the weekend has hopefully given me the shock I need to reward myself in other ways.
As you can see from the higgledy, piggledy way I'm answering these questions, I can be a bit all over the place and that reflects my writing style. I want to put more order on my writing schedule. I'm doing things at the moment to help with that - making a schedule, making 'contracts' with friends.
I don't think there are too many weird, interesting facts about me! Only maybe slightly odd things - and I use those to help me in my writing, blog posts and otherwise!
Ah, good writing advice. the best advice is to just do it, and its the hardest to follow. For me, fears and lack of confidence are my biggest writing blocks.
Great idea Sarah, but I'd love to see your answer to some of the questions too. I'd love to get to know you better too!
Books I'm currently reading: Lorrie Morre Like Life (bit too clever cloggy for me, and I've read her before and loved her) and just finished Muriel Spark Symposium in which I loved the humour, but found it a little confusint.
When I'm down, unfortunately I turn to food, and the purchase of a weighiing scales over the weekend has hopefully given me the shock I need to reward myself in other ways.
As you can see from the higgledy, piggledy way I'm answering these questions, I can be a bit all over the place and that reflects my writing style. I want to put more order on my writing schedule. I'm doing things at the moment to help with that - making a schedule, making 'contracts' with friends.
I don't think there are too many weird, interesting facts about me! Only maybe slightly odd things - and I use those to help me in my writing, blog posts and otherwise!
Ah, good writing advice. the best advice is to just do it, and its the hardest to follow. For me, fears and lack of confidence are my biggest writing blocks.
What are your favorite books/songs/movies?My favourite book is always the one I’m reading or re-reading at the moment – Treasure Island
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you? No inspiration from published writers, so nothing
What makes you feel better when you’re down? A birdie after a bogey or worse
What are you most proud of? Surviving A-Z so far.
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why? ww.writelink.co.uk – constructive and sensible advice
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself? I’m not wierd
What book are you currently reading? Treasure Island
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard? Get on with it.
Describe your writing process:Have an idea, research it, write, check and recheck
As this is only the second time I've visited, I couldn't possibly comment.
My favorite authors are Matthew Reilly and Dan Brown. Research and hardwork is key in their work!!!
Interesting fact about me?? I am obese and plan to join Indian Army in next few years!!!
Anything about writing, your works and tips are cool. Post them as you are doing now!!!!
with warm regards
http:becomingprince.blogspot.com
Favorite movie - Right now it's The Hangover. I love a good laugh!
Stephen King is the writer who has inspired me the most. Love his book On Writing.
St. John's Wort makes me feel better when I'm down. On a work day, I need it A LOT!
I love the Query Shark. It really helped me when I was writing mine.
I'm reading Expose! A Vicky Hill Exclusive by Hannah Dennison. It's the third book in her series.
Best writing advice I've heard is to keep writing.
Great idea for "I"! I'd like to see your answers. Introductions go both ways and since I'm new to your blog, it would be nice to meet you.
Hey,
I read the questions and have to answer them (and I really would love to hear your answers, too):
What are your favorite books/songs/movies?
I love the books of Tanith Lee (her writing gives a different mood), Dorian Gray and all the stuff, that I read it´s to much to list here.
Songs??? Everything that sounds good to me and inspires me^^
I loved the movie Dorian Gray (althought it was not exactly like the book, but when is it???)
And definitly Nightmare Before Christmas. This animation is amazing. Tim Burton really creates a whole new and fantastic world and do them in pictures.
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you?
I really love to write and paint. When I was younger, I wrote stories, but it was not really a hobby.
When I read some books of Tanith Lee I was inspired and had to write and write. It became a NEED.
Every book, that I read inspires me.Tanith Lee´s writing pushed me to writing. The way she creates new worlds and characters helped me.
Tad William shows me how to create a complex story with millions of characters and a very big story.
From the House of Night by P.C. and Kristin Cast I learned how to create dialogues between a big group of characters.
What makes you feel better when you’re down?
Reading a book of course and talking to my best friend ;) She´s really good in making me smile again.
What are you most proud of?
I don´t know. I think of that what I´m writing and the ideas that occure to me.
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why?
I found your blog and it is very helpful for me. Thank you ^^
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself?
Sometimes I´m stuck into a book for hours and this can be a little hard on people around me, but I do love it^^
What book are you currently reading?
Shadowplay by Tad Williams and I love it. The way, thousand of people and their stories are bend together is astonishing and I´m often surprised of the happenings.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
I´m telling myself all the time: ´Write down that what you dream of´
That means not the dreams, while you´re sleeping, but that what you desire and that what catches you emotionally.
And it is very important to write for yourself and not about that what you think, people want to read.
Describe your writing process.
I have an idea, a scene or a feeling that I write down. With time the story tells himself. I sum it up to a story and write it down. I just try to spend more time writing, but sometimes (sadly) this is impossible T_T
What would you personally like to see discussed on this blog? What would make it better/more helpful?
That, what you post here is amazing. I said this in my comments, too : your blog is helpful for me.
But I wish, that you give e.g. writing exercises for your readers. It´s only an idea, but I think I would try to do them^^
thank you ^^
I read the questions and have to answer them (and I really would love to hear your answers, too):
What are your favorite books/songs/movies?
I love the books of Tanith Lee (her writing gives a different mood), Dorian Gray and all the stuff, that I read it´s to much to list here.
Songs??? Everything that sounds good to me and inspires me^^
I loved the movie Dorian Gray (althought it was not exactly like the book, but when is it???)
And definitly Nightmare Before Christmas. This animation is amazing. Tim Burton really creates a whole new and fantastic world and do them in pictures.
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you?
I really love to write and paint. When I was younger, I wrote stories, but it was not really a hobby.
When I read some books of Tanith Lee I was inspired and had to write and write. It became a NEED.
Every book, that I read inspires me.Tanith Lee´s writing pushed me to writing. The way she creates new worlds and characters helped me.
Tad William shows me how to create a complex story with millions of characters and a very big story.
From the House of Night by P.C. and Kristin Cast I learned how to create dialogues between a big group of characters.
What makes you feel better when you’re down?
Reading a book of course and talking to my best friend ;) She´s really good in making me smile again.
What are you most proud of?
I don´t know. I think of that what I´m writing and the ideas that occure to me.
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why?
I found your blog and it is very helpful for me. Thank you ^^
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself?
Sometimes I´m stuck into a book for hours and this can be a little hard on people around me, but I do love it^^
What book are you currently reading?
Shadowplay by Tad Williams and I love it. The way, thousand of people and their stories are bend together is astonishing and I´m often surprised of the happenings.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
I´m telling myself all the time: ´Write down that what you dream of´
That means not the dreams, while you´re sleeping, but that what you desire and that what catches you emotionally.
And it is very important to write for yourself and not about that what you think, people want to read.
Describe your writing process.
I have an idea, a scene or a feeling that I write down. With time the story tells himself. I sum it up to a story and write it down. I just try to spend more time writing, but sometimes (sadly) this is impossible T_T
What would you personally like to see discussed on this blog? What would make it better/more helpful?
That, what you post here is amazing. I said this in my comments, too : your blog is helpful for me.
But I wish, that you give e.g. writing exercises for your readers. It´s only an idea, but I think I would try to do them^^
thank you ^^
Wow, these are great questions. If I tried to answer them all here, my comment would be longer than your post! I will answer the one about the best writing advice I've ever gotten, because it's so good: to make a character come alive and move the plot forward/create tension/ set the scene/etc.: add detail that comes from the character's emotion, in the character's voice.
You've received a blog award, Sarah, over at Critique Sisters. Found your blog through comments you've made on other blogs. So glad to have found it!
My fav. childhood book is "Little Women". As an adult, it would depend on the day, what I am thinking.
I participated in SDAWP ( San Diego Area Writing Project) for teachers. I had to interview for this, and it was the most exciting 6 weeks/6 days a wk spent in writing. I was surrounded by teachers who were also excellent writers themselves.
I look forward to following your post.
1. Favorites
movie--Forrest Gump
book--The Help, The Hunger Games, Outlander, The Color Purple, The Stand
music--Melinda Doolittle, Smokey Robinson, John legend, Adele, Jimi Hendrix, and too many more to name.
2. There's something to be gained from every writer whose work I read, even the ones I dislike. I think, (hope), I learn something valuable for my own writing. But I am especially drawn to the style of Diana Gabaldon, because she immerses you in her world, with realistic characters and breathtaking scenery.
3. cats :-)
5. writersdigest.com
6. Here's not just one, but fifteen strange facts about me.
7. currently reading: The Psycho Kitty Speaks Out: Something of Yours Will Meet a Toothy Death (Max Thompson)
2. Christie, King and Karp. Write what I like.
3. Family, chocolate and beer - not necessarily at the same time.
7. Throwing Stones by John Wasik & Phillip Parrish
Your blog is very pretty now! I love the change!
1. Favorite book - Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones; Soulless by Gail Carriger
2. Neil Gaiman - I'm more inspired by his imagination than his writing (which I find hard to connect with); Terry Pratchett - I wish I could write books as funny and brilliant as his
3. Watching a good movie or TV show helps me feel better when I'm down.
4. I'm most proud of finishing the first draft of my book. It was a genuine book with a beginning middle and end. I'd never finished any writing project in my life before then, so it was kind of a big deal. Now if only I could finish the last draft...
5. I've found your website helpful! As well as a host of other blogs, JA Konrath, Zoe Winters, etc. I've also enjoyed reading Kait Nolan's and Katie Klein's. Each are indie authors at different stages in their careers. Very interesting.
6. I don't know if this is weird or interesting, but I'm huge history nerd, as well as a gigantic Anglophile. So pretty much, if it's British and historical, I'm in geek heaven.
7. Kat, Incorrigable by Stephanie Burgis (See?! British AND historical!!)
8. Best writing advice? Um, if you're going to be a writer, then first you have to write! Don't worry so much about technique and publishing and following the rules. Just write write write!! (I need to follow this advice more often.)
9. My writing process isn't very much of a process. I might become more prolific if I did have a process. My day job is on a flex schedule, so I have to squeeze my writing in where I can. Generally it involves a bit of music, way too much acting out at my keyboard and roughly a thousand words per sit down.
10. I think you're doing a great job with the blog, Sarah! I've been enjoying it very much.
What a fantastic idea Sarah!! I agree with some of the others though, I'd like to see your answers to some of these questions too! I really am thrilled to have found your blog..you are very inspiring and I've already learned a lot from your posts, so thank you for that.
Now, to answer some of your questions....as far as books go, I have been hooked on ancient, classic books for years. I've tried to incorporate some 'modern' novels into my reading, and I've enjoyed them so much, but it is still foreign to me when characters in novels have cell phones and computers, LOL! Some of my favourite reads are, The Picture of Dorian Grey..I adore Oscar Wilde!! Anna Karenina, The Idiot, Crime and Punishment..I absolutely love the old Russian writers! They were masters and these novels are probably my ultimate favourites! Especially Crime and Punishment! Dostoyevsky was one of the masters. I love anything writen by Anton Chekov...I have such a high regard for him as an artist and as a human being. Other favourite books are The Stone Angel, by Margaret Laurence, The Outsider, by Albert Camus, Portnoy's Complaint, by Philip Roth, The White Bone, by Barbara Gowdy, Norman Bray in the Performance of His Life, by Trevor Cole, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers...OMG..there's so many! This comment will be way too long if I continue!
As for music I love most of it...not too into country or death metal or gangsta rap though...I am passionate about the Beatles, Michael Jackson, The Doors, and Guiseppe Verdi..when I'm down putting on my music and dancing always makes me feel better...dancing with some of my grandchildren is the best!
I don't really have a writing process yet..not one that I can nail down as I'm not really a 'writer'...although that's what I aspire to be! Currently I'm reading 'When you are Engulfed in Flames', by David Sedaris...this is very long..sorry about that Sarah..great questions and thank you for a terrific and educational blog! I'm looking forward to your answers! Peace, eve.
Love this!
What are your favorite books/songs/movies? Book = The Time Traveller's Wife. Film = Notting Hill, coz it's where I live!
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you? Hemingway
What makes you feel better when you’re down? Wine!
What are you most proud of? Um... that my debut novel was in Kindle top 100 for almost 80 days
What book are you currently reading? The Golden Prince
What are your favorite books/movies? The Hunger Games for the premise, high stakes, and page-turning, action-packed chapters; A Game of Thrones and Sailing to Sarantium for the Byzantine politics and grey characters/Inception and Shutter Island for the mind-f*cks; The Fall for the gorgeous cinematography, emotion, and storytelling theme; The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings because they're epic.
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you? Jeanette Winterson and Angela Carter taught me you can write beautifully while telling a good/magical story. George R. R. Martin and Guy Gavriel Kay make me aspire to write complex political historical fantasy.
What are you most proud of? Writing my first novel, even if I learned more from my mistakes (needs more plot!) than my few successes (character).
What book are you currently reading? Shiver.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard? Start on the day that is different. -Lois Lowry. Don’t be a writer. Be writing. -William Faulkner.
What a great idea, Sarah. I may have to do something similar on my blog, you can get a fun dialogue going.
- Sophia.
I read Jane Austen over and over and over, especially P&P and S&S. I also love 2001 and Dune and Tale of Two Cities.
When I feel down, I get out my telescope.
The best writing advice was from three published writers who were honest about all the years of rejection they went through before making it. Keep an open mind to keep learning and never give up.
What a wonderful idea!
Favourite books, songs, movies? Way too many to mention. In books I love fantasy, paranormal and romance; my music collection is very eclectic - classic rock to classical; movies I enjoy are adventure, thriller, or chick flicks.
Writer's who have inspired me are Alexandre Dumas and Charles de Lint, for the way they can twist many threads together and make it come out as a complete story.
Friends make me feel better when I am down.
I am most proud of my daughter.
There's way too many helpful websites out there to list!
I'm reading a couple of books right now: Dante's Inferno, Family Tree by Sheri S. Tepper, and I have a stack of Harlequin Blazes as my reward for finishing the Inferno. :-)
Best writing advice I ever received was: stop talking about it and just do it.
I'm a pantser when it comes to writing. I just sit down and start writing.
Hehe. Awesome idea for a post!
Interesting fact - I got an E in A'Level English Literature. Well, I did spend more time in the pub!
Best piece of advice - a total stranger said to me once, 'I am a painter, so I paint. You are a writer, so write.' Sure stopped me from procrastinating!
Ellie Garratt
You've opened a Pandora's Box! OK, here goes:
1. Ghormenghast, Viva la Vida, Mrs. Doubtfire
2. Annie Proulx, Jack Keourac, Michel Faber
3. Chocolate
4. That I've beaten cancer
5. Litopia because it's like a writing university
6. My elbows are double-jointed ;-p
7. Rabbit: The Legacy by Ellen C Maze
8. Cut, cut, cut. Show don't tell.
9. Erratic, manic, winging it.
10. This is a lovely idea. I wish I knew what makes a blog work. If I did I'd spill it here, but I don't. Your personality comes through in yours and that's why I like it.
Wow! Quite a list of questions, but I'll tackle the first two:
1. Books: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, way too many more to list
Songs: Whatever I'm listening to at the moment (very eclectic taste in music) and classical anything
Movies: Lord of the Rings, Dead Poets Society, again too many to name
2. Love Stephen King, JK Rowling, George R. R. Martin, Susanne Collins, and bunches more!
I really stopped by to say thank you for commenting on my blog, and that I really dig your blog! (Now following :-)
EJ
Dear Sarah: how fun! Who doesn't love talking about him or herself?
What are your favorite books/songs/movies?
My favorite books are autobiographies. This is left over from my childhood, when I read about Sakagewea, who helped out Lewis and Clark. I thought she was terribly cool. My fav. song is Thunder Road by Bruce Springsteen.The acoustic version. My fav. movie is Independence Day, with Will Smith. I know I know, call me deep.
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you?
This is an impossible question for me to answer. I have been inspired by so many writers on my journey to adulthood I would have to say it has been almost painful how much I have been moved by certain writers.
What makes you feel better when you’re down?
Praying, baths, my family, photography, our dog, humor.
What are you most proud of?
My beautiful outstanding family.
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why?
Michelle Mach is terrific. I love her site. I also love Andrew Thornton. Naomi Fugimoto is great as well. Why? they are always honest and interesting.
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself?
I can flex my nostrils individually,and have never met anyone else who can.
What book are you currently reading?
None! I am knee deep in books and deadlines and I cannot bring myself to get started! It is work right now! I am a reviewer of jewelry design books.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
I rarely listen to advice, except for stop look and listen when yu are crossing the street. I suppose I am apt to do the opposite of what people suggest when advised to do something THEIR way. I guess I am ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) that way, a bit.
Describe your writing process.
I write fluidly and rarely change or rewrite.
What would you personally like to see discussed on this blog? What would make it better/more helpful?
I like it just the way it is! You're great!!! jean
Dropping by on the a-z challenge and love your blog.
What are your favorite books/songs/movies? I love reading crime thrillers as a genre, but have recently started reading chic-lit and love it!
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you? I am inspired by crime writers. Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson and Kathy Reichs for instance.
What makes you feel better when you’re down? My kids
What are you most proud of? My kids
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why? Fellow writers blogs. There is a font of knowledge out there and it's all being fed into the blogosphere :)
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself? I did a skydive when I was 18
What book are you currently reading? Split Second by David Baldacci
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard? I read so many great tips I'm not sure I could pin it down to one.
Describe your writing process. I write when I have time. At first this stressed me a little because I wanted to write more, but I've come to realise I'm not in a race, everything I write adds to the wip.
What would you personally like to see discussed on this blog? What would make it better/more helpful? As a new follower I can't really comment on this.
Have a great a-z month!
All those answers will have to wait while I put some of my life on hold to write my next book set in the jungles of Central America in order to meet my publisher's deadline. I need to borrow that WIP Meter for a while!
Thanks for commenting on my blog!
Monti
NotesAlongTheWay
Here are some brief responses:
1. The Alchemist/ Ender's Game
2. Clare Dunkle, because she wrote back to me twice
3. Humor/Comedy
4. my life
5. unsure
6. I used to work at a living history museum.
7. Vanity Fair
8. Write.
9. Much gnashing of teeth, followed by brief but prolific output
10. unsure. So far I really enjoy it.
I'm late getting to this, but it's been a busy past couple of days XD
What are your favorite books/songs/movies?
Books: Les Miserables, Mere Christianity, Until We Have Faces, The Green Mile, The Importance of Being Earnest, To Kill a Mockingbird, and Blue Like Jazz.
Songs: Togetherness - Ennio Morricone, Sleepsong - Sasha & Shawna, Winter - Tori Amos, Speeding Cars - Imogen Heap, A Boy and a Girl - Eric Whitacre
Movies: The Prestige, The King's Speech, One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest, Dead Poets Society, Fireproof, Lord of the Rings
Who are the writers that have inspired you the most and what have they taught you?
José Saramago's style consists of page-long sentences but very short descriptions, and stands out from most anything else I've seen. His work pulls me in and has me empathizing with every character, even without traditional dialogue.
What makes you feel better when you’re down?
Routines. Strange as it may sound, it's comforting in the midst of stress to know that I still wake up and go to bed at the same time each day, attend the same classes, hang out with the same friends.
What are you most proud of?
My ACT score! I retook it several times just praying for a 29, which would earn me a larger scholarship, and ended up with a 30.
What websites have you found helpful in terms of your writing career and why?
Believe it or not, fanfiction.net. Many fanfics demonstrate what NOT to do as a writer, but I've stumbled upon amazing writers whose stories show me where I still have room to grow.
What is a weird, interesting fact about yourself?
You may already know this from seeing my journals on DeviantArt, but I'm actually a singer and pianist masquerading as a writer. Even though it's not my strongest ability, I've played music long enough to know that practice makes perfect! I'm going into Music Education, but I intend to publish something one day.
What book are you currently reading?
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever heard?
“I’ve said it before, and I'll say it again. When you find something at which you have talent, you do that thing (what ever it is) until your fingers bleed or your eyes pop out of your head." ~Stephen King
Describe your writing process.
It varies, but mostly I spend a few days without touching the keyboard and then return to type pages and pages - preferably in the early morning hours, when no one that could distract me is even awake.
What would you personally like to see discussed on this blog? What would make it better/more helpful?
If it's possible, I would love to see more of the story you're working on. Since you intend to publish it, maybe you could just post little snippets or quotes from the first draft that you particularly like?
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