Hello, friends!
I got this set of questions from emotes.writes on Instagram. Go check her out!
Through these 33 questions, I'll quickly tell you a bit about me, my NaNoWriMo project, my writing process, and answer a couple fun prompts at the end.
Let's get started!
1. Yes! I always aim for 50k. Do I always get there? No. But it's always the goal. This year, I'm actually aiming to finish this book, so I can release it for the holidays, which could be about 60k-75k. So we'll see how this goes.
2. I'm writing a contemporary romance, although the plot bunnies are trying to get me to make it a paranormal romance.
3. I am typically a full-pantser. For those who don't know what that means, I typically sit down on November 1st with a shred of an idea or maybe a character I really like and just start writing their story. Sometimes I have a few more high points, a main conflict or villain, but I don't care to plot. It can get me into trouble when it comes to editing, though. This year, however, I am trying to be a plotter because I have a goal to actually write this book well the first time and release it immediately. I'm attempting to follow a Romance Beat Sheet to plot it out.
4. A new story! I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue working on my high fantasy, but I decided to give it a rest this year. I got bit by a crazy holiday romance plot bunny and have run with it. For better or worse.
5. It's in the works! I'm trying out Dabble this year to keep character sheets and world-building information, and I have a spreadsheet for my romance beat sheet.
6. I've always been a writer, ever since I was a kid. I found out about NaNoWriMo in 2010 and gave it a try that year, but didn't get involved in the local group (Columbia, SC) that year and only made it about 2k words in. The next year, I happened to meet the Columbia ML through another group, and she dragged me to events that November. I hit 50k! I've been hooked ever since.
7. Kind of answered this one in 6, but yes! I started in 2010 and participate in some capacity every year. I've been an ML since 2013, except the year I moved back to Tennessee. I also try to participate in the Camp NaNo events in April and July.
8. Is the writing community on Twitter considered a writing group? :) I used to be, when I lived in SC. The NaNo region I ran there expanded into the Pee Dee Writers, and we did things year-round. I'd love to find a great writing group that's more genre-writing focused and less literary fiction. I have rejoined the Insecure Writer's Support Group blog hop! And I lurk in The Writing Tribe group on Facebook as well.
9. Get the words on the page. If you don't write it down, you'll never get anywhere. It doesn't matter if they're good, eloquent words. That's what editing is for.
10. NaNo Fever always hits me and I'm insanely productive during November. Moreso than the rest of the year. But, I've been trying to get myself back to writing regularly. I finish up my Master's degree in December, so next year is the year I plan to release a few romance novels on Amazon to test the waters and see how they do! I'm using this November as a test. I knew if I wrote a holiday romance, it would give me a clear deadline for releasing it.
11. I am writing a contemporary holiday romance. While I typically add romantic elements to all of my stories, this will be my first time writing a straight-up romance.
12. Her name is Adelaide. She's mid-30s and has just moved back home to Tinsley Falls, Georgia, after having to close her business in the big city. She's feeling like a complete failure.
13. Since it's a romance, there are a lot of internal conflicts where Adelaide is really her own worst enemy, but her love interest's ex is definitely going to show up to try to ruin the mood.
14. Yes! His name is Jace, and he's Adelaide's best friend's slightly younger brother.
15, I really hate writing from multiple POVs, so I'll be trying to keep it in Adelaide's POV unless I absolutely have to shift for some reason.
16. I've been wavering with first or third, because contemporary is usually third person, but there are a lot of first person romances on the market. I prefer writing in third, so that's what I'll probably stick with.
17. Entirely new genre!
18. Well, it's a romance, so we have to have a happily ever after!
19. Most of October, which is way more than I usually do for any project.
20. Something salty and crunchy, like popcorn. But I honestly try not to snack while I'm writing. I do, however, drink plenty of tea, coffee, and sometimes alcohol. (And water, water is important.)
21. Sometimes! It depends on my mood. If I do, it's usually a Lo-fi or Chillhop station, instrumental. I am working on a romance playlist for this one. So I may have that going in the background. If there are lyrics I sometimes get distracted though, especially if I know the songs.
22. I sure do! Writing sprints (or word wars as I like to call them when you're in a group) are some of the best ways to push through during NaNoWriMo. I'm hoping to be hosting some on Twitter this year. I'll definitely be running sprints on my Twitch channel though!
23. Mostly my computer or iPad. Occasionally by hand if I need to, or my phone in a pinch.
24. Keyboard. But, I have written by hand if I'm traveling or get an idea and don't have my laptop handy.
25. Lately just at home at my desk. Sometimes in the recliner.
26. I love going to a coffee shop or somewhere like Panera Bread. Not too many options where I live now though.
27. I prefer writing at night. My brain is more awake and creative when the moon is in the sky, but during November I'll take any writing time I can get!
28. I'm still getting to know these characters, but we'll say Adelaide's cat, Aaron Purr. Seriously though, I love all my characters, even the bad ones. Don't make me choose!
29. Titillating, Romantic, Surprise
30.
31. The meet cute! Oh my gosh! So excited to write it. And this is why I don't plot, because I start thinking about these things and just want to write it already!
32. I mean, hopefully my favorite character dynamic will be the chemistry between my lovers, but we'll see if something else emerges.
33. It's a romance, so yes, of course! My biggest one is probably "friends to lovers."
Alright, that's it! I hope you've enjoyed this interview with myself about my NaNoWriMo project and writing process. Please, comment and tell me about your project!
You can always find me on Twitter and Instagram, as well. I love to chat in those spaces about writing.
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For now,
Rosie
