A Writer's Life for Me tag
Thank you to Heather at Sometimes I'm a Story for tagging me!
The rules:
Thank the person who tagged you.
Answer the ten questions.
Re-post the picture.
Tag 5-10 bloggers.
Now onto the questions...
1) What kind of writer are you?
I write pretty much whatever comes to mind. Sci-fi, contemporary, paranormal, short stories, action, poetry (and blog posts, obviously).
2) When did you start writing? What made you want to try it?
I started writing waaaaay back in second grade when I wrote a 2,000 word short story about a girl who grows wings and ends up in Cloud Kingdom. I was very proud. I then realised how bad it was and journaled for years until I picked writing back up when I was thirteen and didn't look back.
3) What inspires your stories?
People, places, other stories. Everything and anything, in other words.
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| Things like Harry Potter inspire me. (And Harry Potter world in Tokyo is awesome. Just saying.) |
4) What themes do you like to explore in your writing?
Friendship is a big one and I'm beginning to write more about family. Selfishness is a big problem for a lot of my characters.
5) Are you a pantser or a plotter or a bit of both?
It really depends on the story. For my fantasy (Formulas) I had a detailed outline of each chapter (it had three narrators, so that may be part of it) then for the next book I wrote I had no outline at all and just pansted it. I always know how it ends, though, and usually have some kind of outline.
6) Where are you at in your journey? Querying, agented, published?
Querying. (Still.)
7) Have you ever entered any writing contests? Finaled? Won?
8) Who are your writing heroes?
Anyone and everyone who has the courage to write something they believe in. (Look at me, being deep today.)
9) Have you been to a writing conference? Share your best or worst conference experience.
I have never been to a writing conference. I'd like to go one day, but today is not that day! (*cue Lord of the Rings music*)
10) Top three tips you'd give to newbie writers?
1) If you write, then you may call yourself a writer. There is no secret meeting or ancient ritual or evil sacrifice that you must attend/take part in in order to become a writer. If you write, you are a writer. The end.
2) Edit something until the story is right. Don't give up just because you think you've already done enough work on something and ignore that feeling that something's wrong. Your story deserves to be finished.
3) Don't come to me for advice because I have no clue what I'm doing and I'm making it up as I go along. (I'm good at pretending that I know what I'm doing, but in reality I'm rather lost.)
And I tag everyone! If you decide to do the tag post it in the comments and I'll put a link up.
Edit: RM Lutz at The Book Hound has done the tag, so make sure you check it out.
Edit: RM Lutz at The Book Hound has done the tag, so make sure you check it out.
*Thumbs up for LotR reference*
ReplyDeleteI'll steal this tag, if you don't mind!
I really like tip number one on the last question. I think that's a struggle for many of us.
LotR is awesome, isn't it? Now I really want to watch it.
DeleteYeah, go for it! I'll put a link up once you write the post.
Thanks, it's something I struggle with too. Writers kinda assume they aren't a writer unless they've written a book, or sold a book, or have half a billion books sold with film adaptations and awards and glowing reviews or There's always some reason to not call yourself a writer, which is stupid and frustrating.
Your writing advice is so good, although I think number three is a bit off. The people who make it up as they go along are the best people to listen to, in my opinion. Not that I'm biased or anything, you know, since I am one of those people. *hides from disapproving glances*
ReplyDeleteAlso, a lot of my characters struggle with issues of selfishness to some degree or another (although I do include a few selfless people as well, for contrast). My favorite type of character to read about is the selfish kind, like Ruby from Imaginary Girls, and that probably doesn't say much good about me, but oh well. :P
To quote "Doctor Who":
Delete"You're just making this up as you go along, aren't you?"
"Yep. But I do so brilliantly."
(Well, it wasn't an exact quote, but it got the point across.)
I have a sneaking suspicion that most people just make it up as they go. I think the difference between some people is that they pretend they know what they're doing. You *look* like you know what you're doing, so I think you're all good :)
I think selfish people are super relatable. (We can both let someone else have the moral high ground, I think.) People are generally selfish, and if we can see a selfish character overcome that it makes it all the more powerful and inspiring. I haven't read Imaginary Girls, but one of my favourite characters is Artemis Fowl. He just cares about himself and was totally ok with destroying the fairies, but then he turned out to be a pretty great guy. Thanks for commenting!
yeSS I love your advice! I think so many writers are afraid to call themselves writers and ... it's not right! There is no "level you must reach" to have that title. If you write = you are a writer. *nods* SO THIS Post IS GOLDEN.
ReplyDelete(Also good luck with your querying! I know it can be such a nerve-wracking time...)
Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
It sucks, doesn't it? Writers write. The end. Thank you!
DeleteI think your first point of advice is so important! Like, yeah, totally call yourself a writer because that's what you ARE. It's also cool that you're starting to write about family more, which makes me quite curious. Thanks for doing the tag, Victoria!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! Writers write because they do, and therefore they are writers. Yeah, I've been writing more about relationships between family members and how those can be damaged or fixed, so I'm not sure what that's saying about my life right now. *shrugs* Thank you for tagging me!
DeleteAaah, thanks Emily! That's awesome that you're enjoying writing enough to do it almost every day, and may you never look back! Thanks, I'm glad you liked my advice!
ReplyDelete