I’ve been invited to the join the Writing Process Blog Tour by the delightful Anusha Atukorala. Anusha is the author of non-fiction title Enjoying the Journey, and she is an incredibly inspirational lady with a positive outlook on life. She sees life as a journey and, even in the face of rain clouds and storms, chooses to dance – even in the slushy mud puddles! Anusha has also written two sequels to her non-fiction title, children’s fiction, and is in the process of writing a novel for adults. Read more about Anusha and her work at http://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/blog/I know you’ll be inspired.
For those new to the Writing Process Blog Tour concept, essentially it’s an opportunity for authors to showcase their current work-in-progress by responding to four pre-set questions (below), and then introduce another author who blogs the following week on their own work. Now, let’s get to those questions!
What am I working On?
Last week I completed a round of revisions on my YA novel Integrate, which is scheduled for release in September this year (through Rhiza Press). Over the course of the month I’ve also been writing the sequel to this novel. As motivation, I’ve set myself a writing target for March to complete the sequel’s first draft, along with a small poetry goal. You can follow the final week of #marchmakemakeithappen via Twitter or my Facebook author page. (Just don’t look too closely at last week’s efforts! Bit of a bomb out with my attention diverted to other tasks! Fortunately I did extra the week before to make up for it. LOL!)
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My current YA projects tell the story of Blaine Colton (Integrate), a young man whose life has been saved by revolutionary gene therapy for a genetic condition. With a professional background in science, I have aimed to make it as conceivably valid as possible, given it’s an extension of reality, and really play on the “what ifs” of scientific advances in relation to treating heritable disease. This establishes a platform for exploring a number of life–value themes against a dramatic, fast-paced plot.
Why do I write what I do?
I believe that every author brings their own unique voice to their writing. I also feel that my writing stems from a sense of having a story to tell, and strongly believe that the right words in season don’t just plop out onto a page (or screen) by coincidence. When I write I aim to not just entertain, but also journey with the reader in a search for greater meaning of themes explored through a given work. By exploring matters of life — love, family, faith and more — I endeavour to examine a variety of elements in a way that offers positive connection and hopefulness to a reader.
How does my writing process work?
I am not really a pantser (one who writes by the seat of their pants), but I am also not a writer who must have every detail nailed down before they can begin writing. Probably the key steps in my writing process begin with having a sound understanding of the key plot, story arc and main characters; and undertaking sufficient research in advance of writing to enable clear guidelines for story development and a mental map of the boundaries in which the plot must develop. In conjunction with these fundamental elements, I’m becoming a fan of the fast first draft concept. But when it seems the creative juice bar has closed down and the story–arc has drooped in the middle, I find the “Help God, I’ve got nothing” prayer one of the best ways forward!
Next week’s Writing Process Blog Tour will feature an exciting and remarkably motivated author, Elizabeth “Buffy” Greentree. Buffy is a writer, educator and entrepreneur, who has spent time amongst the ranks of academia and tutoring creative writing at a tertiary level, penning fiction, and delivering motivational online forums on fitness and writing (amongst other things). The title of her latest release, The Nice Guy’s Guide to Online Dating Profiles, with the tagline “The perfect if not subtle gift” suggests a uniquely humorous perspective on online dating and her online presence is vastly represented by no less than five domains offering an array of blogs and purpose specific websites encompassing her broad interests with a refreshingly humorous perspective. Buffy has also published The Five Day Writer’s Retreat and John Verry. Look her up on social media at https://www.facebook.com/BuffyGreentree
For more information, Buffy’s online headquarters are at http://www.thebuffygroup.com/ with links to her sites. Direct links can also be found below. Make sure you check out her Writer’s Progress Blog Tour on the 31st March at http://www.100firstdrafts.com/. It’ll be worth the wait!
http://personalfitnessbasecamp.com/?doing_wp_cron=1395352334.0828840732574462890625
http://aroundofwordsin80days.wordpress.com/sponsors-2/elizabeth-buffy-greentree/
