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9/29/2014

Three Burning Questions (Sept. 30, 2014) #lovewritechat

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Welcome to everyone joining me from Raine Balkera's blog . If you missed her, hop back when you're done here. 
Ever wonder what's going on inside the head of a romance writer? Wonder no more. You've landed in the midst of romance authors who are happy to give you a sneak peek into their writing lairs.
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1.) Was there a defining moment in your life when you knew you were going to become a writer? If so, what was it?

No, just an inescapable need to write the stories playing in my head. The characters give me peace once I put their story on paper (or bytes). It's very much like being haunted; they are desperate to get their stories told.

photo credit: Aristocrats-hat via photopin cc
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2.) When you write a story do you see it unfold as one big picture, or do you add layering in subsequent drafts?

Some stories come to me as like a miniseries, others require more step-by-step plotting. Either way, they all get additional sensory details and imagery with each edit, like a painting going from the basic sketch to a completed seascape ready to hang in a gallery.

photo credit: Rusty Russ via photopin cc
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3.) How many drafts do you usually write before you send your work to your editor?

Four or five. My awesome critique partners attack it with virtual red pens to identify plot holes, overuse of certain words, and characterization issues. Based on their feedback, I make adjustments then work through the manuscript again, ensuring continuity, layering in more colorful local idioms and sensory details. 
However, it always feels like a leap of faith off a cliff into a body of water with unknown depth and unseen obstacles.

Don't stop now! Head over to A.S. Fenichel's blog for another peek into a writer's life.

photo credit: Mr Chris Johnson via photopin cc

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6 Comments
Elaine Jeremiah link
9/30/2014 02:26:18 am

I love your comments here Carolyn, especially your analogies about stories being like paintings and how you describe writing as a leap of faith. When I think about it, that's how I feel too!

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Carolyn Spear
10/1/2014 02:38:30 pm

Every submission is a leap of faith. It is terrifying to put your work out for someone else to accept or reject.

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Veronica Forand link
9/30/2014 02:50:55 pm

I love the metaphor you provided about the layers of a painting. I completely agree. It gets better with each pass. Nice post.

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Carolyn Spear
10/1/2014 02:45:45 pm

Thanks, Veronica.

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Brenda Margriet link
9/30/2014 04:28:35 pm

Beautiful looking blog, by the way. And I loved your answers. Thanks for sharing.

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Carolyn Spear
10/1/2014 02:46:42 pm

The images are inspiring. Thanks, Brenda!

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    Romance writer. Paranormal and contemporary. Mother of two and wife of perfect husband. Love the environment, travel and reading.

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