Q&A- August Edition
I am so grateful for all the questions that have been sent in by my readers for this month’s Q&A. A large majority of the questions focused on my writing process, so I am excited to share my insights with all of you! Without further ado, let’s dive in!
When do you get the most ideas for writing?
I am a notorious night owl. I find that most of my inspiration for writing comes to me after midnight. Sometimes I even dream story ideas, and upon waking, I find that I need to write down the ideas before I lose them to wakefulness. I also get a lot of inspiration for my own stories from reading books. Reading the ideas of others can help inspire your own!
Do you have a strategy for writing?
My strategy for writing is to write my ideas down on paper first. I usually keep journals for reference and to organize all my plot points, character details, and backstories. It isn’t pretty; I just let my thoughts and ideas flow. I do this before I ever start writing the actual manuscript. I also do not always write my manuscript in chronological order. Sometimes I start with a specific scene I have in my mind’s eye. It's a scene that sets the tone for the rest of the novel. That scene usually acts as an anchor for the chapters that come before and after it. I use it as a guiding point to know what character arcs need to be built and to pace myself accordingly.
What is your favorite topic to write about, and why?
My favorite genre to write is historical fiction or fantasy fiction. Every novel I write has romantic themes as well. My love for historical fiction stems from my fascination with history. I have always loved learning about people who have come before us, their traditions, and how they lived their lives. It paints a broader picture of the human condition when we compare our struggles to those who have come before us. Clothing, technology, traditions, medical advancements, and political systems may have changed, but human struggles have remained consistent across time. When writing for academic purposes, I love writing about British Female authors, such as the Brontë sisters or Jane Austen. I find their personal lives inspiring. Especially how they defied gender expectations in a society that did not approve of and actively barred women from publishing.
What is your favorite book you’ve written?
All of my books, published and unpublished, have a special place in my heart. There is no way I could choose a favorite. It would be like asking a mother to choose who her favorite child is! Each book brings to life different characters, settings, and storylines that I love getting to explore.
How do you get your creative juices flowing?
My go-to’s for channeling my creativity are:
Listening to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack.
Journaling my thoughts & ideas
Going for a walk
Reading a good book
Who is your inspiration?
The authors whose books I read in my formative years as a teenager are John Green, Lauren Kate, & Veronica Roth. Now, as an adult, my newest inspiration is Sarah J. Maas. I look up to each of these authors and admire their unique writing styles. Their way with words, their memorable characters, who feel like dear friends, are something that I strive to emulate in my own stories.
If you would like your question to be featured in next month’s Q&A edition, click the Q&A Submission page above and send me your questions! I look forward to hearing from you.
