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/
Thanks Adele, it’s great to hear what inspires other writers to write what they do. Integrating your professional background with your fictional work would make your stories believable, and your work a great source for ideas. I liked what you said about getting stuck and calling out, ‘Help God I’ve got nothing.’ A good reminder to all of us. And one I’ll try today! Susanne
I agree, Susanne – it’s fascinating discovering what informs and inspires a writer’s work. Makes these types of “blog tours” really great to follow. It’s been lots of fun using my science background as a platform for this particular novel. A bit like a mini-research project. I like digging into a topic and discovering new information, so it’s been informative, too. And I cannot recommend that help call more highly! Quite remarkable the ways in which those requests have been met! Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
Thanks for a very stimulating ‘leg’ of the blog journey. I’d like to develop a knack for the fast-first-draft technique! Cheers, Rhonda.
Thanks, Rhonda. I enjoyed reading your Writer’s Process Blog Tour post very much. Could definitely relate to your interest in the past and the influence history has on our “now”. (That was one of the key elements of my master’s dissertation – that and the value of historical fiction in understanding and making meaning of the past.) My fast-first-draft conversion came when I wrote ‘Integrate’. The idea had bobbled about in my head for a while and as I was waiting for edits on one manuscript, figured I may as well put my time to good use and write another one! Must confess I was a little skeptical of the idea at first, but I think the forced consistency really makes you keep in touch with the storyline, while creating positive momentum as the work develops. That said, I think as Jeanette says in her comment, you have to have pretty clear ideas (the tent poles) about the key elements of the plots, characters etc, too. I guess what’s most important is a writer finding what works best for them.
Hi Adele – I love the way that Integrate has an engaging fast-paced plot, but also “integrates” hope and the value of life into the story line. Some YA fiction can be pretty dark, so it’s great to have positive alternatives out there. Can’t wait to see the final version. I’d say you’ve definitely “made it happen” in March. Maybe April can be “Advance it Altogether”? 🙂
Appreciate your comments, Nola. Authors who weave meaning into a great plot have had a significant influence on my life. I guess that inspires me to aim for more than just entertainment value, though there’s nothing wrong with a lighthearted “just for fun” story, either! Think my #marchmakeithappen goals have come unstuck a little this past week. Will have to write double time to try and get that draft done! Trust your goals are ticking along nicely. And was that you volunteering to start #apriladvanceitaltogther ??? LOL!
Hi Adele
I love the premise for Integrate (having both a medical and an ethics background) and look forward to reading it.
I’ve got a feeling that most writers fall somewhere in the middle somewhere with the “pansters” “plotters” pole. I like having the premise, the major characters and pivotal events of the plot (like tent poles) thought through before I start to write – but not always.
All the best for your March Make it Happen goals 🙂
Thanks, Jeanette. Will be interested in your feedback on Integrate when it comes out. I suspect you’re right about the pantser/plotter writing approach – and really like the mental picture of your “tent poles” analogy. Thanks also for the March Make it Happen encouragement. I’m determined to get that draft finished before the weekend, but life can sometimes throw a bug in the sandwich and change the most stringent of plans… 🙂