Do you have an organized process or tips for writing well? Do you have a writing schedule?
I am a big believer in plotting out the book chapter by chapter before writing. If I don’t do this, the characters tend to take over which makes the story wander like real life, lacking tension. Of course, when completed, the novel doesn’t follow the outline all that closely. As for when I write, I begin just after breakfast in the morning and keep going until I can’t do anymore – usually around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. The schedule is important me, but very personal. Each writer needs to figure out what is more productive and creative for them.
Sometimes it’s so hard to keep at it - What keeps you going?
There was a time shortly after Foreseen was released that I was ready to give up and never write again, I wrote a letter to the fabulously successful cross-genre author Dean Koontz. He personally wrote back to me to encourage me to stick with it. I keep his note next to my desk. Maybe that sounds silly, but it keeps me going during the hard times.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I hope they turn the last page of Foreseen exhilarated from the thrill of the ride. Many readers are intrigued by the underlying ideas in the series as well which I find very satisfying.
What color represents your personality the most?
A vibrant blue. It energizes me.
What movie do you love to watch?
Raiders of the Lost Ark and Total Recall – good action movies for when I don’t want to think at all. Otherwise, Shrek, Beauty and the Beast – good blends of character plots embedded in action-packed stories. Iron Man has a pretty good balance as well.
If you could do any job in the world what would you do?
I’m doing it. For me, there is nothing better than writing novels.
What makes you angry?
Lying. I can deal with about anything except for lying. It destroys any basis for having any sort of relationship with the person.
What’s your most embarrassing moment of your life?
In sixth grade, my best friend convinced me to run for student body president and I had to give a five minute speech to the entire student body. I practiced it over and over. During the assembly, the candidates sat in a row, each waiting for our turn to speak. I felt confident. The candidate before me finished and I walked halfway to the podium before noticing the sniggers coming from the crowd. The school principal looked at me and said, “It’s not your turn, Terri.” I looked back, stunned to find that there were still two more candidates ahead of me. I turned bright red and some kids burst out laughing. That was the one moment in my life I truly wanted to sink into the ground. Or there’s the time my wedding dress nearly fell off as I walked down the aisle…
Are you a city slicker or a country lover?
If I had to choose one or the other, the country is definitely for me. Nature and open space calms me, but I also love the arts and restaurants of a big city. Right now, I have the best of both worlds: a house backing up to a hundred acres of farm and woods in the middle of a metro area of 1.8 million people.
What’s your next project?
I am working on Origins and Common Ground, the last two books in the Rothston Series. The second in the series, Choices, was released in November. Plus, I have a handful of other novels bumping around in my head, impatiently awaiting their turn.
What’s the reason for your life? Have you figured out your reason for being here yet?
I am humble enough to say that I don’t know the reason for my life other than to do my best to affect others in a positive way. An author knows how every movement and thought intertwines with others to change her characters and their situations. But we mere humans can’t see the big picture to ever know the extent of our impact on others. We get glimpses of small pieces, but never enough to say “Aha! That is the reason I exist.”
Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre - Science, Fantasy, Thriller
Rating – PG-13
More details about the author
No comments:
Post a Comment