It’s time for a writerly interview with yours truly.
That’s right.
Me.
Oh don’t raise your eyebrows at me, because, firstly, this is an entire blog with over 1,000 posts all about ME. And yet you’re still here. Obviously I am a fun topic of conversation.*
I’m linking up with our meme Beautiful People. Linky is open all month so jump over here and grab the questions! Instead of interviewing characters this week….we’re interviewing ourselves.
* The funny part is I am actually the most shy and awkward turtle of the universe, but shhhh. I’ll leave you with the image of me as Kuzco.
1. How many years have you been writing? When did you officially consider yourself a ‘writer’?
I attempt my first novel at 12. (I believe I wrote two chapters.) That aside, I really began writing at 15. After an entire pile of novella adventures in which I plagiarised Narnia, I finished my first real book that I was notoriously passionate about. People read it. They liked it. Life was golden.
This will be sixth year as a writer.
2. How/why did you start writing?
Most people have glorious answers for this like “I write because there is nothing else” and “I started writing because there was a story in me burning to be told”. Do you want the truth from me? THE REAL* TRUTH?
I began writing because my little sister did. And she was getting way to much attention.
Aren’t I inspiring and artful?
* There are, in fact, fake truths. I tell them all the time. I’m a writer, remember? I cheat. It’s similar to being a pirate except there’s less cool hats.
3. What’s your favourite part of writing?
Finishing.
How fun am I, right?! I actually find writing very hard. But sometimes the magic of the book swallows me and I just type and type and type. Mostly, though, it’s sitting back with that feeling of having made a whole world and thinking, “Wow, I am cool.” (Let’s not talk about rewrites or retrospect.)
4. What’s your biggest writing struggle?
- Self doubt is a biggie. I always think I suck. I’m never sure my ideas are original.
- Editing. I edit like a blind octopus and that’s embarrassing.
- Motivating myself to rewrite. I’m okay once I get going! But getting there…unnngh.
- Worrying I won’t reach my dream! Come now! Don’t we all panic about this?? Will I get published? Will I be the next Best Author Ever? Will I be able to get away with just giving my own novels out to people for Christmas/birthdays for the rest of eternity?
5. Do you write best at night or day?
It used to be night! But when I finished highschool, daytime became the best for me. I write best in 1-hour increments directly after a snack.
6. What does your writing space look like? (Feel free to show us pictures!)
My writing space has changed drastically over the years.
Once up on 2 years ago, it looked a lot like this:
I won a space in a writing contest because of this.
Now it looks remarkably like this:
Yes, I have comic background images and a sea-themed quilt with a turtle that I literally sneaked and stole from my mother. And I would use my desk but…that isn’t happening, folks, because my desk looks like this…
Hey, but I make messy fun art here instead!
7. How long does it typically take you to write a complete draft?
My average is 50,000-words in 10 days. I like this. I do it often. It’s comfortable. (I have to write fast, peoples, because I literally loose the plot if I don’t. My memory is shocking. Who even are you??)
Although I have nailed 75,000-words in 7 days. And I once wrote an MG of 40,000-words in 4 days.
8. How many projects do you work on at once?
ONE. Only ever one.
9. Do you prefer writing happy endings, sad ones, or somewhere in between?
I like sad endings. I like endings that burn down the book, your feels…practically the whole world. Yes I am that kind of author. Even my sister finished one of my books and said, “Was that necessary?”
To which I replied:
Accurate representation of me (as Edna) and my sister (as Helen).
10. List a few authors who’ve influenced your writing journey.
- Suzanne Collins: made me try present tense.
- Maggie Stiefvater: had me fall in love with paranormal and odd quirky characters.
- Sarah J Maas: made me realise fantasy is cool and doesn’t have to sound like Tolkien.
- Michael Grant: taught me how to me write short, crisp sentences and…let everyone die.
- Veronica Roth: taught me that an author always knows what they’re doing and that they need to stay true to the characters, not their audience.
11. Do you let people read your writing? Why or why not?
I do and I don’t. I’ve had several epic readers over the years and they’ve all taught me insanely good stuff. (Including my mum, my sister Mime, Ashley, Caitria, and Sky.) Currently I have the best critique partner of ever, Emily.
I’m always very nervous about my writing because it’s a) dark and scary and b) rarely written in the same style as my blog. WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK?! But I don’t ever hide my writing because I want to be published someday and what’s the point of writing if no one ever reads it?
12. What’s your ultimate writing goal or dream?
To be published. To be famous. To own a dragon.*
* This is definitely writing related because RESEARCH.
13. If you didn’t write, what would you want to do?
I really have no answer for this. None. I would become a professional reviewer, except that that’s technically writing isn’t it?
I think I would rule the world and be fair but firmly cruel.
14. Do you have a book you’d like to write one day but don’t feel you’re ready to attempt it yet?
There. are. so. many.
My brain is being constantly pestered by this idea of a heist story. It has crime families, professional thieves, and prison breaks and I don’t know how to write it. I constantly mull over it in my skull…the characters change, the plot changes, the setting changes. It goes paranormal and then back to plain thriller. IT IS JUST NOT READ TO BE BAKED YET.
15. Which story has your heart and won’t let go?
This goes to the novel that is, as we speak, with my agent. (So I can’t actually give details!) I was told constantly that it “wouldn’t work”. Seriously…how depressing can people be?! I’ve rewritten it from scratch over 10 times and edited it twice as many. I first wrote it when I was 15 and I’m still passionate about it. Even if it never finds a publishing house, this will be the story of my HEART.
Oh gosh, is that a tear? This vulcan is getting all passionate and emotional. Gesundheit.
if you’ve done the linkup, feel free to link me to your post! and my writerly friends, time for a question for you to answer now: do you let people read your writing?! is it easy/hard for you?
and bonus question as added wisely by Ana! which clearly needs to be asked…
what’s your favourite writing drink/snack?!
Cait is trying to write this post while a certain rambunctious puppy chews her toes. It’s distracting. She has been quite slack in the blogging world lately, but it’s HOT in Australia. It’s stinkingly meltingly hot. She just wants to swim in ice cream and read good books. (Speaking of which, she’s nearly finished the 4th Skulduggery Pleasant book!)
I could stare at that octopus gif all day. In fact, I messaged it to my cephlapod-loving boyfriend with the words “I imagine this is you at work”. 😛
I’m intrigued by this novel that everybody said wouldn’t work. Why did they think that wasn’t working, like, the plot or the concept? Was it the one that landed you an agent? Because that’s dedication! I know I’ll never be able to give up the novel I wrote at 15 (actually, it’s the one I’m querying) or the murder mystery I wrote at 13 that’s so quirky (and probably still my best YA work) that the characters always stay with me.
Aha, well I know what I’m going to be posting on my blog tomorrow. 🙂
That octopus gif is perfection. It totally is. xD
Oh, it was the concept no one was into…but yes! It got me an agent! It goes to show that you should really follow your heart instead of everyone\’s advice, right?! lol If I land a publishing deal of course. XD
My eye twitches a little every time I see you talk about your average word count. I can only dream of reaching 50,000 words in a month, and that’s only when I’m doing NaNo. Now that it’s not NaNo, I’m basically doing jack shit again. >.> YOU NEED TO TELL ME YOUR SECRETS. Srsly.
Also I love pizza. That’s a snack, yes? Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, pizza is very good.
Aw, poor little squidgy with your twitching eye. There there. I do have secret superpowers.
Pizza isn\’t a snack. IT IS A LIFE SOURCE.
I love hearing about you the writer. You the writer is far more interesting than me the writer. And your choice of pictures and GIFs is impeccable as always. As to letting people read my writing, I have a short, very short list of people who get to read my books. None of them critique. One is my sister, tea bringer and plot hole plugger extraordinaire, and two are longtime NaNo friends who are very kind to my poor messy books. Writing drinks or snacks? No snacks, because obviously food is too important to try and multitask while eating. But tea is my go-to drink. Always tea. Or coffee. Coffee is good too. But TEA!
Pfft. I am so not more interesting than you. XD Come on!! Look at my origins story! It\’s horrific. Someone out to send me to the corner of shame. *nods*
You have handy sisters. I wish my sister was that handy, but she does occasionally give me chocolate. I don\’t multitask while writing very well either. I tend to eat and THEN write. But I won\’t say not to some chocolate. xD
Excuse me while I gape at the fact that it is possible to write 75,000 words in a week. That is seriously some amazing magic you got there, Cait. And of course owning a dragon is a perfectly great goal. I’d like to own one myself. Also, I really hope that novel of yours you’ve worked so hard on gets published soon! 😀
EVERYONE NEEDS A DRAGON. Particularly one they can fly, amirite?!
Ooooh this was so much fun to read! I love to have a look in other people’s writerly brains. 😀 I should do this meme. But I should also do the tag you tagged me in. Yikes, so many posts to write!
I find it difficult to let other people read my stuff, but last year I participated in a short story contest, and my story got published with the other 9 winning stories, so people had to actually read it (I also forced it upon them because I was proud of it. that’s a bit of a contradiction right there, but oh well). I’ve also got a novel lying in a drawer waiting to be rewritten, and the only two people who have ever read that one are my mother and an internet friend…
Anywhoozles, if you’d be interested in reading my short story, it’s on my blog 😀 : http://booksbakingandblogging.com/2014/04/24/shor…
I shall check it out!
I really struggle with self doubt as a writer, although my doubt is like a switch. Sometimes I’m really doubtful, and other times I’m really confident. Editing is so hard. It’s fun, but difficult, and I kind of feel like a blind octopus when I edit, too. I had a whole big strategy for editing, but now I’m not sure I’m doing it right. HOW DO YOU EVEN WRITE A NOVEL IN A WEEK?!? THAT IS NOT HUMANELY POSSIBLE. 🙂
Yay! You added the food/drink question!
Also, how long does it usually take you to edit a book? I’m editing one right now, and it is such a slow process.
Ugh, I agree. Confidence comes and goes. It\’s frustrating. >.>
I try not to edit as fast as I draft….I try to take more time. So maybe a month? If I edit a chapter every day. Last time I was editing for 40 days though and the second I finished I knew it needed more. OH HOW THAT HURT. >_<
Its so interesting to hear about your life as a writer. Its amazing how passionate you are about it. I don’t like to eat as I write because STAINS ON MY PRECIOUS LAPTOP I love your quilt. I myself has a beautiful quilt that my mum made which I am currently sitting on. I might let people read my writing (if I ever get off my butt and edit that is), but it has to be people which I trust. I have many ideas for books but maybe not so much time. Thanks for the post, Cait.
STAINS. I understand stains. Gosh, I swear I keep my fingers clean, but I wreck keyboards so fast that I actually have a keyboard cover for my new computer. (Well, I say \”new\” but it\’s like 6 months old. lol) Beautiful quilts are SO NICE. I destroyed my childhood one. (I DID NOT MEAN TO.) So my mother has basically banned me from all other quilts….hence I sneaked this one…
#2 cracked me up!! I started writing because my best friend did. We’re still best buds and we still write, so I think it was a worthwhile investment of my time O_O I usually let people read my writing (Usually her) but not of late because first it needs to be FINISHED.
I worry I won’t reach my dream either! I need to keep it fresh in my mind. I should probably rewrite it on a piece of paper every day. 75k in a week =( How? Just how? Do youuuu… work from home?? No? Yes? I have to GO to work =/ Problem. e_e I admire that you are able to find the time. Well, dreamers can dream. I’m going to post this on Tuesday, I think. Brilliant post, Caitoki.
I\’m so so inspiring, right? 😉
I also started music solely because of my best friend. I like to steal things from other people. I\’m actually completely unoriginal. -_-
I DO WORK FROM HOME. It\’s the secret really. I can give myself a week off if I need to. *nods*
Every time you mention how quickly you write novels, I turn a little bit green with envy. Okay, a lot bit green. I show my writing to people after a my second draft or what I call the macro edit. Because I hate macro editing, this really means that I rarely show my novels to anyone. (My elder sister being the one and only exception.)
My favorite writing snack would have to be a trailmix of chocolate chips, M&Ms, and marshmallows. But I do also love a good apple or clementine. And for writing fuel (aka drink) I always have water, but if I’m feeling uninspired I’ll also make iced tea, a chai latte, or some other hybrid of sugar and caffeine.
Wonderful and hilarious post as always, Cait!
~Sarah Faulkner
Inklined
It\’s okay. I turn purple with envy when I realise that some people write such nice first drafts they can actually get betas to read them. UGH MY FIRST DRAFTS SUCK. So just remember, I write fast, but super crappily. xD I usually let people see my draft after a big edit too. The micro editing is what sucks me dry. >.>
Chocolate chips for me too. It\’s like \”write a page and you get a chip\” AND IT WORKS WONDERS. XD
I also wish to own a dragon 😉
I let my Dad read some of my writing once, purely because I was entering it into a contest and wanted somone else’s opinion before it went. Other than that, I hoard the files of my memory stick and guard them in a similar manner to a magpie guarding silver. Oh, and writing is hard for me. Except for when it’s easy. It’s just one of those things. You either know exactly what you’re doing and you’re flying high, or you’re sobbing uncontrollably as you struggle along, believing that nothing you write will ever by good enough.
Favourite writing snack? SHORTBREAD. Seriously, I can never have enough shortbread when I’m writing…
I KNEW THIS ABOUT YOU. I just knew it. Actually, no. I\’m 98% sure you ARE a dragon. You are my dragon friend. *nods* This is the truth, don\’t deny it.
I so so understand the magpie illustration. *sighs* I wish I was more confident. If I ever do get published I\’ll be that person who tells her family, \’NO DON\’T READ IT\’ and they\’ll all think I\’ve completely lost it. XD
I have three people I let read my writing before it’s published. They all edit the work. One is a grammarian, one insightful with the broader strokes of what’s working and what’s not and what the story needs more of. One is a very good friend who is smart and creative and I don’t know yet how she’ll edit my work. But I couldn’t let her comment on the last novel, because it would make me want to change things. So, she gets to read this one before it’s published and I *can* change things 🙂
It’s scary though, and exciting. Because they fix my work where it needs it and tell me it’s good when I’m convinced I suck and need to hear that. It makes the novel feel more alive to share it with other people and get to talk to them about the characters and the plot and I LOVE *discussing* stories so, so much. The scary part of letting them read it is the price I pay for getting to talk about it with them 🙂
OH OH. That is a good idea to have people zone into different things, right?! GOOD ON YOU. It is incredible to talk about writing with people who understand. The first time I let my friend read a book and she was asking me questions it was just so….gah. I can\’t even. It was like my writing was REAL all of a sudden. XD
How dare you ask! Showing people my writing and let them actually read it is like the scariest thing ever. So yeah, I mostly don’t do it, unless I really want to know what others think about it (to actually learn from it, not to be praised ;-))
arendedewit.blogspot.com
IT IS THE SCARIEST THING EVER. I agree. But it\’s kind of rewarding when you get encouraging feedback, right?!
Beautiful answers. You are probably the fastest writer I have ever heard of.
Fast but messy. I promise you my first drafts are awful to behold. XD
This was so fun to read. It gets me all excited about the prospect of pursing writing all over again. I got my degree in writing, and at the time my ultimate goal was to become a best-selling YA author. I’ll admit, that’s changed a lot since I graduated 4 years ago. During my epic job hunt, writing just became a major chore. I decided to give myself a break from it, and around that same time I discovered cooking. Now, I feel like cooking fills the space in my life that writing used to fill, but I love the two of them for pretty much the same reasons (for example, they both involve just as much science as they do art). I still write on my blog and churn out a short story every so often, but sometimes I think I’d like to really devote myself to writing fiction again. I just don’t want to recommit unless I’m sure I really AM committed, and I DEFINITELY don’t want to leave cooking behind. The internal conflict is strong in this one! 🙂
I totally understand when passions change! A few years ago I was sure I was going to be a concert cellist (or at least a music teacher) but nope….writing is my real passion and I barely touch my cello anymore. (Although that does make me sad and I want to change it.) So good on you for following your heart though. Maybe you can balance both someday?! When you\’re feeling inspired. *nods*
OH MY GOSH IT’S SO HOT HERE I AM LITERALLY MELTING.
… Well, not literally, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I was.
But, anyway, onto the actual post, this is MOST ACCURATE description of editing I have ever, ever read: “I edit like a blind octopus and that’s embarrassing.” THIS IS SO ME. I SHOULD FRAME IT AND PUT IT ABOVE MY BED. Sometimes I wonder whether anyone knows what they’re doing when they edit and revise. I kinda just blunder along, hoping I’m not making the novel WORSE. (IS THIS POSSIBLE? PLEASE TELL ME IT’S NOT.)
As for my favourite writing snack… Chocolate, obviously. And tea. Tea is good too.
I am literally melting too. It\’s freakishly hot this year. *drowns in puddle*
I SHOULD FRAME IT TOO. It\’s probably the best descriptor of my life of ever. I\’m pretty sure people who read my writing actually wonder if I know hooooow to edit. (Spoiler: I probably don\’t.)
I’m not a writer, but it’s awesome to see how much time you’ve devoted to the craft. Also, the dream of owning a dragon is totally legit. I’ll be jealous if that happens. Or visit. Either/or. Haha.
IT IS LEGIT. Definitely going to happen, once I train it and all. *nods*
You’ve got an orange keyboard, how did you do that? It looks really nifty 🙂
Ha, stealing Narnia 😀 I used to steal another book too, when I had just started writing, a long time ago 😀
Burn down a book? I once thought of at least trying it, because I think it’s an interesting idea, but never did it yet. Isn’t this a bit rough to the poor book? 😀
Well, if you ever own a dragon, you could give me an egg of it to breed for me, could you? Because I definitely need research too
Gesundheit? You really use that in English? 😀 // o.O Since I read English blogs this is the second time I discover a German word seemingly to be thrown randomly in a text. Man, it’s kind of weird…
It\’s a keyboard cover case! Otherwise the keys are usually black. (I have insanely dirty fingers apparently and I decided to invest in a case and protect my laptop. XD)
I WILL SELL MY DRAGON EGGS AND ALSO BE RICH. *nods*
Actually I say Gesundheit a lot….but heh, I\’m pretty sure most Australians don\’t. SORRY! I didn\’t mean to be weird! Whenever someone in my household sneezes we always say gesundheit. I don\’t even know why. Maybe it\’s our German roots?! (My great-grandparents came from Germany.)
Why, being weird is the best thing to be, especially for the established world ruler 😉
I think it’s okay, I was just wondering where that came from 😀
Oh, and P.S.: My favorite Snack is chocolate. I forgot that somehow. Not very original though.
I just assumed Kuzco was always writing this blog, Cait.
OH MY GOD A WRITING SPACE FILLED WITH BABIES DLKGHLDSAGHDSLKHDSLG
That octopus is literally me when I write. 😛
My favorite writing snack… hmmm, I don’t often have snacks EVER, but I do like pretzels. I guess.
Also, I forgot to add this but YOUR LAPTOP IS AMAZING DAJKGHDSKJHSG ORANGE KEYBOARD!!!!!!!!!!
GOOD. You assumed correctly. Kuzco is writing. I am not here. Not at all.
ORANGE IS MY FAVOURITE COLOUR. Not prison orange though. I\’m sure that\’s not my shade.
*hi fives* We shall be editing Octopuses together.
I hope you are published soon so I can read the whole of something because I have always been intrigued by the snippets you sprinkle here and there. I have two complete novels written. One that I wrote when I graduated from uni with my first degree. I was having trouble finding a job so the writing made me feel productive. That manuscript has long since been lost in too many moves to too many different places. I still hope some day I stumble upon it in a box somewhere. The second one I wrote was when I was having servere panic attacks about a furnace we had in the cottage we lived in. I was certain it was going to explode for some reason, so I would stay up all night so someone would be fully awake in case of emergency, and I slept during the day when my family was at school and work. I filled those nights with writing. The scibbly manuscript still needs to be typed. I used to smoke like a chimneys and drink coffee when I wrote, but I quite smoking almost five years ago. I eat M&Ms now, one at a time and drink tea.
Writing is totally very productive. BUT IT\’S LOST?! WHAT!? That is so sad. 🙁 I do hope you find it.
I like chocolate chips….small things. Like you can reward yourself with just a nibble for every few pages or so, right?! (Gah. Just kidding. I totally eat them all at once and then just pine after chocolate for the rest of my book.)
Ahh… writing. It gets me superexcited and supernervous at the same time. I really love writing. I love words and being able to put them together to something that makes sense. I may not be the greatest in the english language, but I’m significantly better at swedish, my first language. I think we have some kind of love affair. Sometimes I show other people stuff I write, and some I just keep to myself.
Sounds great that you have somebody that you can really trust with what your writing, always a good thing. Looking forward to hear more about this book that may be happening for you! Sounds really exciting!
I love writing too! And I completely agree with the supernervous AND superexcited all at once. Sheesh, if you speak more than one language YOU ARE AMAZING, IN MY OPINION.
lol the picture of your writing space cracked me up. Looks a lot like mine used to be when I lived with my family.
As for my favorite snack? Chocolate. Period. Any shape or form. 😀
I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH YOUR WRITING SNACK.
I love learning more about you! You’re so funny and quirky and creative. I wish you ALL the luck on your books!
It’s hard for me to let people read my writing. I’m stubborn and don’t like to be told certain things (“yeah I don’t get it at all. .” for example). When I am at that unsure point where I want it to be read, I will EMAIL it to them and wait for an EMAIL response back. (Even if I live with my parents, I don’t like word of mouth.)
I learned the hard way that I do not want to be in the same room as a person who is reading my work. I can’t stand it. Every sniff and blink I interpret as hateful critique. I’m very dramatic.
And in answer to the wise question, I drink tea! I can’t eat because then the keyboard get’s sticky.
rebekahkoontzsite.com // US Lifestyle Blog
AW, THANK YOU.
Awk, but, I totally understand. If someone says \”yeah I don\’t get it\” then I kind of let that go and don\’t pay too close attention to it. It never EVER means I\’m a bad writer. It means my writing is not for that person. *nods*
Heeh, I email my parents too and I live with them. *hi fives* It is a glorious form of communication.
UGH I CAN\’T EVEN BE IN THE SAME HOUSE SOMETIMES.
uhm, sweetie . . . you know I love you and hate to disagree with you (LOL) but, uhm . . . I think your name is actually Cait. Not ‘Writer’. JUSTTHOUGHTYOUMIGHTWANTTOKNOW.
Also, how the eff do you write 50,00 in a WEEK? Why are you so super human? Are you made of ink and ideas? Do your fingers possess magical typing abilities? TELL ME YOUR SECRETS. It’s taken me, like, two years to write my 100,000 word novel and I’m STILL on the editing phase.
NO IT\’S WRITER. DON\’T CONTRIDICTE ME.
I am made out of ink and ideas. I always tell you guys I EAT books. Do you think I\’m joking? No. I literally do eat books. That\’s how I write really fast. Now go go…chew a paperback.
“it’s stinkingly, meltingly hot” SILENCE WOMAN. *throws dead maple leaves and snowballs at you* You give me some of your heat, and I’ll give you some of my freezing, and then we’ll both reach a comfortable temperature. XD
“What is your favorite writing drink?” LET ME BE REAL SPECIFIC, Y’ALL. Tetley’s Orange Pekoe tea with milk and sugar, OR Rolo hot chocolate, OR Carnation hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. XD
IT\’S A DEAL. WHERE AND WHEN DO WE TRADE? I\’LL BRING MY DRAGON FOR THE RIDE HOME.
I\’ll also steal your Carnation hot chocolate with mini marshmallows because that sounds ridiculously delicious.
Obviously I let people read my writing, as I’m a blogger. I’m more comfortable with strangers reading my blog, actually. I know my mom has found it and read it from time to time, and that makes me feel uncomfortable for some reason. I don’t know why; she often hears all my ranting about the books I read first-hand before anything ever goes up on the blog!
I can’t eat or drink when I’m doing anything that involves a computer. Mostly because my favourite snacks are finger food and I don’t want my keyboard and mouse to get all greasy/sticky/crumby. I mean, any more than they already are. (Sorry… TMI.) 🙂 So, yeah… blog posts are written after eating, at which point I’m usually powered by potato chips.
Too true! blogging is still writing. *nods* My mum reads my blog and I don\’t mind, but I do feel awkward sometimes and don\’t know why. xD
I have a keyboard cover in case of sticky fingers. xD
I’m actually pretty open when it comes to sharing my writing. Of course, most of the time, you do have to pay for it … (one of the privileges of being published and all that). I cut my writing teeth on plays, you see, and we’d start memorizing the scripts while I was still writing them. Not the best of ideas, in hindsight, but it meant that I never learned to be ashamed of my writing. Not only that, but I tend to be a very clean writer. Sure there are awkward wordings and typos here and there (and a scene or two where the characters became self-aware), but for the most part, I don’t mind sharing what I write. That is why I write, after all. If I wanted to keep my stories to myself, I’d just leave them in my head where they’re ever so much truer and perfect.
As for snacks, whatever I have on hand that’s easy to munch. A lot of the time, it’s sprinkles. Don’t ask.
And here’s my link-up. Actually, my character filled it out for me. It was interesting: http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com/2015/01/bea…
Ah, but you\’re a published author. xD SO YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE, RIGHT?! And that is cool you write rather neatly to start with! I am the kind of person that just throws words on a page and then edits hard later.
I won\’t ask about the sprinkles. BUT SPRINKLES ARE STILL GOOD.
I can’t wait to read your books someday, Cait. Here’s wishing you fame and publishment (totally not a word, I know). And dragons. Definitely dragons.
AWWW. THANKS, NICOLE. I seriously hope you get to someday. Publishment! I LIKE IT.
CAIT YOU ARE AMAZING AND I BOW DOWN TO YOUR WRITING PROWESS. I love all the excerpts of yours I’ve read so far, which are all insanely good. I can’t wait to read your first book when it gets published (and trust me, it will). 😉
ajfldfasdafds that is so so encouraging. XD
YES! I love sad endings too! One time in book club, I said that for a book to be good, at least one character needs to die. I got some disgusted stares for that comment, so I’m always happy to find someone who likes sad endings too!!
Also, I love how you talked about the authors who inspired you:)
Oh oh I\’m going to have to agree with you there. Too many rainbows and unicorns never leave me satisfied at an ending. THERE MUST BE DOOM.
(No no I\’m not at all over-dramatic.)
You are a crazy, writing machine, flailing, Vulcan octopus. But that’s why I love you. HOW CAN YOU WRITE THAT MANY WORDS IN A WEEK??? my writing habits are completely opposite to yours. unless it’s nano.
My absolute favorite writing drink is tea. Hot tea, iced tea, whatever. I don’t like coffee. And my favorite writing snack is chocolate. DUH. I especially like this one kind I got once. It is 70% dark chocolate with mint. Delish!
VULCAN OCTOPUS. I LIKE THAT. That should seriously be in my bio…*nods*
*whispers* But sometimes I don\’t do anything else the entire week, just write. It\’s a bit tough on the hands, but I do like churning out fast drafts. 😉 You don\’t drink coffee??! Noooooo! I LOVE COFFEE. Hehe. But omg, dark chocolate is the best. I live for darkest of dark chocolate.
I love your answer to #2. Well, you do look a little bit like Edna … same hair, maybe? BTW, I browsed your WIPs page and I love the sound of all of them, especially Six and Wild Things in Your Head.
My favourite writing snack … probably pepper mints, since they’re sweet and leave minimal mess.
I DO. It is definitely the hair. Probably the insane fire in the eyes too.
EEEPP THAT MAKES ME HAPPY. Six is my absolute baby.
I would love to read one of your novels, especially the one your agent has.
I never let people read what I write (novel-wise) because I feel like it might be crap and they hate it, or they think it’s boring etc. I have started about 6 different novels all half finished and I should let someone read them but I can’t! Because what if they hate them! However, I have just started writing a YA fantasy book and let my partner read some and he enjoyed it and gave me constructive feedback which really helped! x
Angelica
MAYBE HOPEFULLY ONE DAY YOU WILL!!! *flails forever and always*
The \”what if\” really really sucks. I often hide my books just because sometimes it\’s better not knowing. People can think I\’m a good writer and it\’s a better feeling then them saying it\’s rubbish, right?!! >_< AHHHH. Writing is hard.
YOU HAVE SUPERPOWERS, CAIT. Seriously. How do you write so much in 5 days?! THAT’S INCREDIBLE. Also, I’m sure you’ll get published some day! Your blog has fabulous writing, so I’m sure your books will and they sound really good! 😀
There is a ritual involving a dragon tail, tears of a unicorn and 3 Persian coins, and after that a writer can pretty much do anything.
I sometimes let people read people read my writing. It’s really hard for me to let my family read my writing…I just want to crawl under a rock and hide when I know they’re reading something i wrote.
My favorite writing drink…tea? I usually have my coffee in the morning, and i don’t usually write in the morning. As for snacks…whatever’s in the pantry, preferably something chocolately. Yum!
I DO crawl under a rock and hide if I know people are reading my writing. Except for my little sister. I practically sit on her head and tell her to give me feedback NOW. Definitely not annoying, right?! xD
I always really enjoy your writing posts and they inspire me to want to start writing again. I have no idea where to start though and I just don’t know if I have it in me anymore. I used to love it when I was younger and I always wanted to write a book but I kind of feel like my braincells have all died and I don’t think I could even come up with a half decent idea anymore. I have a very basic concept in my head for a contemporary YA novel but it hasn’t developed anymore since I first thought of it. Sigh. I applaud you for having so many ideas and so much determination. I can’t wait to read something you have written!
Ah don\’t worry, I often feel like my braincells have died. -_- Which is not good news if I want this to be my career. *heavy sigh* WRITING IS REWARDING THOUGH. It\’s epic to create. x)
That’s a FANTASTIC answer for #2! XD I laughed out loud when I read that. The thing is, while it you may not have started writing because “there was nothing else,” you have a hilarious and unique story to tell.
Fabulous gif use for #4. I think we can all relate to that.
Your niece and nephew are so cute! Scout likes to snuggle up in my mom’s lap while she’s writing on her laptop. It makes it hard to type, especially when she rests her chin on the keyboard.
#9 makes me scared to read any of your books. O.o Then again, I probably should’ve been scared anyway.
You should’ve put the octopus gif after you talked about editing. 😉
It is unique…shamefully unique. BUT AT LEAST I\’M HONEST, RIGHT?! *winces and hides* It\’s funny thought because I was the child-musician and Mime was the child-writer and we\’ve basically swapped now.
I don\’t think Atticus will ever be the sit-on-the-lap-while-I-write type unfortunately. -_- He\’ll be more like biting heels for motivating I guess.
YOU SHOULD BE SCARED.
OMG You write so freaking fast. In fairness, when I’m ACTUALLY writing I write at a similar pace (drives my best friend and writing buddy nuts). But I can’t stick with it — I usually hit close to that 50k word mark and just stop because, well, I get stuck in a tough scene and I don’t feel like pushing through. And I can’t write out of order. I just, can’t. I’m OCD like that (which also drives my best friend and writing buddy nuts).
You shall have to announce when this book that “wouldn’t work” is available; it sounds intriguing.
And I’m a huge fan of sad endings too. My books I try not to do that SO much, but I’ve never written a short story with a happy ending. Ever. I just. Can’t.
Awesome interview of yourself 🙂
I can\’t write out of order either! WE ARE THE SAME FOR THAT ONE.
Oh oh I will definitely let you know if my book-that-wasn\’t-supposed-to-work gets published. XD It is my dream. xD
I do let people my writing, but only online friends get to read it before all the major editing! Everyone else gets to waitXD It’s scary! Especially the darker, more murder-y (is that even a word?XD) stories!
My favorite writing snack/drink is water (aren’t I responsible?;P) and peanut butter m&m’s (ok, not so responsibleXD)
Basically NO ONE reads mine without major huge ginormous editing. Unless it\’s those little snippets I post sometimes. xD Murder-y should definitely be a word. *nods*
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. 50/50? Surely that\’s good statistics, right?!
Oh, how I adore this post. I love that you started writing because your sister was getting too much attention. HA! If you ask me (which you kind of did, and if not, we’ll pretend you did) that is kind of a sign of an artist in itself!
I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t write… something. Not novels, per se, but just words that I had to write. Though, the very first thing 8 year old Shannon did with her brand new, top of the line Tandy 1990 computer (google it, young ‘un) was open whatever the equivalent of a Word document was and start (and never finished) a story. The second thing, incidentally, was playing preloaded Hangman, the only game that came with 1990 Tandy.
Um, sorry, that got off topic rather quickly. Dragons. I think you could probably own a dragon if you were famous. I mean, if Suzanne Collins asked for a dragon, I bet someone (ah hem, Lionsgate) would probably bequeath her a dragon. Just saying.
STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST. I\’m pretty sure that\’s a book isn\’t it?? Steal like an Artist? Eh. Anyway. I STEAL WONDERFULLY. My sister and I actually swapped interests. She was writing and I was doing music and we were both jealous of each other. She started music, I started writing…and now we\’ve officially swapped. xD
Never underestimate the awesomeness of Hangman.
Exactly. I need just get myself a 4-movie deal too. THEN I GET A DRAGON.
“fair but firmly cruel” Someone gave me a strange look when I laughed out loud in McDonald’s.
The gif for #9! It’s so perfect!
Suzanne Collins made me want to try present tense also. After reading The Hunger Games, I was thinking in present tense. I would write in past tense and change to present without realizing it. When I look back over it I think, “Oh, I must’ve been reading Collins or Roth at that time.”
Letting other people read my work isn’t too bad. If they are writers and they know what they’re looking at, it doesn’t bother me at all. But if it’s my family, I go crazy. They always ask me weird questions when they finish. My mom once asked, “Bandit monkeys? Is that real or did you just make that up?” They give me this the “who are you” look. But the thing that bothers me the most is when I have to be present when someone is reading my writing. Especially if they’re reading aloud; I want to run for the hills.
I did the link-up! This one was a lot of fun.
*whispers* I\’m sorry I actually stole that from Iron Man. xD BUT IT STILL FITS. I am mostly Iron Man too, btw.
I can\’t imagine what it\’d be like if I hadn\’t have switched to present. I LOVE PRESENT. It\’s my favourite now and I blame Suzanne Collins entirely. x)
I loved reading about your writer brain! And it makes me miserable because I feel like screaming: WHY IS EVERYONE SO MUCH COOLER THAN ME? The self doubt is hitting me HARD. I have this one idea that I keep taking it into different directions and I’m freaking out because one is a contemporary path, the other is fantasy and I’M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.
I AM NOT COOLER THAN YOU. Come on! I started writing to get attention! LOL How embarrassing is that?!! I\’m alway self-doubting and I\’ve been writing for 5 years. *Sigh* I don\’t think it\’ll ever go away, tbh, but I do make more of an effort to believe in myself these days.
And seriously DO NOT WORRY ABOUT CHANGING DIRECTIONS. I spent like 2 years writing a fantasy series that kept changing directions and I was so stewed up about it. But at the end of the day, just do what you want not what you think people would like. The on YOU want is always the most fun to write. I PROMISE YOU.
Yay, a post on your writing process! So this was a fun read. 🙂 I’m still amazed by your speed-writing, and I’m not totally sure how you do it (I mean, yeah, you outlined your process for 10K-in-a-day in a post, but STILL); however, it’s highly impressive. I also think it’s kind of cool that you started writing for such an “unusual” reason; i.e. that’s really not the way most people answer the question, haha! I like that, because every writer’s got a different “origin story”, if you will, and I don’t think any one is necessarily better than another. It’s not as much about why you started as it is about how and why you continued, and I don’t think anyone will disagree with me for saying that you, dear Cait, have continued in quite a spectacular fashion. 🙂 So good for you! Also, I have to say (again) that I find it so exciting that you have an agent and I really really hope you book sells because a) that would be AWESOME for you! and b) then we could read it! I can’t wait to be able to buy a copy of your book. 😉 Thanks for sharing!
I HAVE NO LIFE. hehe. That\’s basically just how I do it. Take a week holiday and don\’t do anything but write and maybe watch a few episodes of Supernatural on the side. (Plus chocolate.)
Agh, gosh, my reason is so embarrassing right?! I\’ve been reading everyone else\’s posts and they\’re like \”I write becuase I cannot stop\” or \”I write because there\’s a story burning to be told.\” And here I am like \”I WRITE COS I\’M JEALOUS OF MY SISTER.\” -_- Bury me. >_<
Haha, no, I actually like it! I mean, the other answers are great as well, but sometimes I don’t feel quite on par with the people who say, “I write because I have a story burning to be told,” because there are a lot of times when I almost have to force myself to sit down and write. *facepalm* Like, I enjoy it when I get into it, but I’m not always good about getting around to it, you know? So I like your answers here. Makes me feel less out of place when I find other people who write/started writing for unique reasons like this. 😉
I do find sharing my writing hard, but am getting a lot better at it. It is extremely nerve-wracking! And I don’t really have a fav writing snack or drink because I don’t usually eat or drink when I write. Once I’ve got a good rhythm going I don’t stop, even to pick up a drink with one hand. *shrugs* it’s just the way I am.
Oh my gosh you are like a super fast writer! That’s brilliant. I wish I could write that fast. Thanks for sharing this insight into your writing life 🙂
IT IS NERVE WRACKING. I\’m not sure I\’ll ever be super comfortable, but I am getting a bit more relaxed. (I\’m more of an eat-before-writing sort of person, but I won\’t say no to some chocolate chips as I write. x)
I think that if I had full empty day with no responsibilities and I was in the right mood I could write that much. On the last eve of NaNoWriMo I wrote 5,000 in about 3 hours. But I can’t be bothered doing the maths to work that out.
HUZZAH!!! WRITING!!!!
A post that contains a Kuzco gif always wins the awesome award. *gives awesome award* *also gives cake*
I believe you will be published and then I can buy and devour all of your books. I feel you should have two dragons, so you can breed them and give me a dragon egg. I want my own dragon.
I finally got around to finishing this today. I love these questions.
As for my favourite writing snack…Smiths Cheese and Onion chips are my brain food. I eat them while I’m studying, I eat them while I’m writing, I eat them when I just feel like eating.
Sometimes those chips are my entire lunch.
I really love those chips. Whenever they’re on special, I buy so many packets.
And not the little packets. The big ‘share with everyone’ packets that are only half as full as they appear to be. (And, of course, I rarely share them).
As for letting people read my writing…I’m not opposed to the idea. I’m always bugging my sister when I’m stuck on something (her brain works the same way as mine, but is more organised), but she hasn’t actually read anything yet.
When I finally get around to finishing a first draft, she’ll be one of the first people to get to read it.
You’re gonna make me go all Princess Bride with the title of this post, Cait. BEWARE.
Is that a journal, in that picture, next to your laptop? If that is a journal that you can buy and everything (I don’t even know what I am saying), I want it. I NEED IT. Lists and charcoal and pretty. Also, necessary.
My gosh. I actually don’t think I realised that other writers feel self doubt, too. I feel awful, some days, because I’m just like my gosh, what have I written, I’ll never get anywhere with this rubbish and what it the point ect. ect. But to hear that you feel self doubt too… I’m sorry that you do. I’m sorry that we both do. But… it does make me feel a little better, which is a strange thing to feel and admit. I’M SORRY!
Suzanne Collins is the reason I wrote a novel in the perspective of a singular character! How funny!
Fantastic post, Cait, even if this comment is weird and a jumble of thoughts. You wrote a great post. Xx
*tackle hugs you* WE ARE ALL WRITERLY DOUBTERS TOGETHER, EH? I'm notorious in my household for never letting anyone read my books because I feel they're rubbish. I do need to work on that. And YES that is a little notebook. I have no idea where it's from. It was a present from my friend in America. XD