Kidlit Blog Tour!!!

I'm so excited to be participating in this Kidlit blog tour!! Actually, I'm a bit late. . .I was supposed to post on Monday, but life's been a bit crazy lately, with school and Nano prep. Sorry about that! Anyway, I was asked by R.T. Finneran (and you need to check out her blog, as she is an epically amazing writer: http://imaryder.blogspot.com/)  to participate. This blog tour couldn't have come at a better time, since I get to explain to you guys what I will be writing this November.

Oh yeah, baby, I said it. . .NaNoWriMo #3, here I come! I kind of think I'm completely insane, but whatever. BRING IT, NOVEMEBER!

Now, then, here we go. . . .

What are you working on right now?

I'm currently working on what I like to refer to as a book of multiple genres. It's a YA book that's basically a modern fairytale. The overview is this: when Sleeping Beauty pricks her finger on her sixteenth birthday, she falls asleep, right? But she never gets kissed. . .and my book picks up when she wakes up a hundred years later. Hopefully, I'll be able to post excerpts soon! I finished the first draft a few months ago, but some MAJOR revisions need to be done. . .oh yeah, and it's called AWAKEN. And it'll hopefully be the first in a trilogy. . . .

How does it differ from other works in its genre?

Well, there are no werewolves of vampires, even though it does have a bit of a supernatural/sci-fi flare. Also, though it certainly isn't Christian fiction, faith plays a prominant role in the life of a rather significant character. I haven't really seen that a whole lot in the YA world.

Why do you write what you do?

I seriously think I've written almost every single genre, whether it be in the form of a novel, poem, or short story. I think I may be a little bit ADHD when it comes to writing. It takes a lot of self-control for me not to change projects the insant a new idea pops into my head. But no matter what I write, it is a reflection of my life. The characters are reflections of people I know and/or want to know. I write what I do because of what I've expirienced in my life. What has happened to me in life dictates what I do and don't write.

Also, what I read very heavily forms what I write. I attempt to try new techniques that I see used and steer clear of things that just didn't work. It's a lovely thing, learning from other people's successes as well as mistakes! 

How does your writing process work?

Ummm. . .well, I have the most random, unorganized writing process ever. Just to warn you. But it works, so hey, I'm happy as long as I write something! Usually my process involves me getting an idea (usually at an absolutely terrible time, of course, when I can't write it down right away) and then sprinting to the nearest writing utensil and paper/napkin/paper towel as soon as possible. I love turning the idea over and over in my mind, those minutes of anticipation before actually getting the first words down on paper.

And then, because I have no patience, I don't even outline. Once I get that writing bug, I can't outline, I just need to WRITE. Until about three chapters later, when I realize that I'm going absolutely nowhere and my characters are incredibly flat. THEN I outline. After that, it's write, write, write!

Any departing words of wisdom for other authors?

Three things came to mind and I just couldn't decide which one to do, so you get them all!

1. FORCE yourself to write. It's more important to push on in those moments when it feels impossible than in the times when it comes easy and the words flow like they were always meant to be together. It's in those "dry" days that make us writers because that is when other people would normally quit. Push on, stay strong, and WRITE ON!

2. DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T DON'T compare!!!!! You are just where you are supposed to be on the writing journey and you're not done yet. Don't be down on yourself because of the success of others. 

3. Friends are basically the best thing ever. Let them in on your writing life! Share your WIP with them, even if they're not writers. Their support encourages you to reach crazy heights you'd never believe you'd be able to reach by yourself. 

And next up, I asked fellow blogger Anna (http://thehomeschooledteen-anna.blogspot.com/) to answer these same questions! She's an incredible writer and friend of mine...stop by her blog and give her a follow =)