2/2/2014
What am I working on?
Right now I’m working on a shorter piece for an upcoming Mother’s Day anthology. I’ve only just started it so I’m in that nice stage where I’m getting to know the characters and it’s like making a whole new set of lovely friends.
2. How does my work differ from others in it’s genre?
That’s an interesting question. My female protagonists are always Australians so I suppose that’s a point of difference for non-Australian readers, who in fact make up the majority of my readers. I think my books generally have a strong female friendship component that most women can hopefully relate to. It annoys me immensely to read about characters who seem to have no one in their life, even in romance, if the character is so amazing that this guy thinks she’s amazing he can’t possibly be the first person in twenty-something years to have noticed. I hope the books also have a strong sense of place, except for one book they’ve been set in Sydney so far and I like showing readers around my home town.
3. Why do I write what I write?
I didn’t always write women’s fiction, chick lit or romance (half the time I’m still not quite sure what to call what I write – I probably should work on that). In fact my short stories tend to be quite dark. The reality is it takes a long time to write a book and you have to spend lots of times in the world you create. I don’t want to spend all my time in a dark place. I made a conscious decision to write books about people that I would like to spend time with, books that make people smile. I think being happy is a great thing to aspire towards and turning towards the light rather than the shadows is healthy, so I try to have the energy in my books. My books don’t necessarily have a happily ever after but they certainly don’t have a misery ever after.
4. How does your writing process work?
When I write a character appears to me in a certain situation. For all of my books the main character has appeared to me in opening scene and I start writing from there. Usually when I’m about a third of the way through I do an outline for the rest of the book. It’s not super specific, more like sign posts to help me get to the end. When I’m writing I usually write every day. I find that’s easier for me than dipping in and out of a story. I love the initial creation of a story, it’s exhilarating. The re-writes are a whole different ball game.
Keep the chain going:
As part of this blog chain I had to tag three authors who will post their won answers to these questions next Monday 10th February.
Leigh Bennet
Leigh Bennett is an Australian author who lives in Melbourne’s hilly and rugged outer east with her husband, three sons, 2 beagle x cavalier dogs and any number of chickens.
Currently a stay at home mother, she has worked in the public service, education, road and music industries.
She enjoys reading, cooking and writing stories full of fun, drama, love and always with a happy ever after.
Her first novel, Flirting with Magick was released in February 2013 and she is currently working on her next romantic tale.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeighBennettWriter
Twitter: @LeightaBennett
Blog: http://abroomwithaview.blogspot.com.au/
Karen E. Martin, M.Ed. is a full-time freelance writer/editor. She has been in the publishing business since 2004, working on books and publications for major and independent publishers, universities, businesses, and private individuals. Prior to entering the field of publishing, Ms. Martin worked as a Senior EFL Fellow (English as a Foreign Language) for the U.S. Department of State in Romania, a Junior EFL Fellow for the U.S. Department of State in Jordan, and a teacher-trainer for the U.S Peace Corps in Mauritania, Jordan, Romania, and Morocco. Ms. Martin served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years, teaching English in the Errachidia Province of Morocco. This is Ms. Martin’s first novel.
https://www.facebook.com/karenmartinauthor
http://www.karenemartin.com/blog/
http://www.amazon.com/Karen-E.-Martin/e/B00GL664QG/
Monica Donnelly
Monica is an Australian author who writes contemporary coastal romance.
She has always been a hopeless romantic who believes in love at first sight and ‘happily ever afters’. She does however, also know that the path to true love is not always smooth.
Her Henley’s Bluff romance series charts the romantic entanglements of the Doherty family and their friends in the sea-side town of Henley’s Bluff.
http://www.monicadonnellyromanceauthor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/MonicaDonnellyauthor
https://twitter.com/DonnellyMonica
Comments
Jenn J McLeod | House for all Seasons
2/2/2014 02:06:48 pm
Like you, my HEA is Happy Enough Afterwards. 🙂 I have trouble seeing you as a dark writer!
Reply
Monique
2/2/2014 02:24:25 pm
I think everyone does Jenn. Too perky! Too many exclamation marks!