Did you always want to be a writer?
everything. It was a four-book series called “Dog City” and told the
dog civilization. By middle school, I was writing novels by hand, and
they were all 200 pages, since that was the size a package of paper
came in. By high school I used a typewriter, then college I used a
computer. I wrote my first “real” novel when I was 19, and rewrote it
over and over for the next ten years. I called it my training novel.
It's a terrible book, but I learned a lot from doing it.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to “The Shifter,” which has no title as of yet. Its
nickname is S2, Nya Strikes Back.
When is that book coming out?
Sometime in 2010. I’ll keep you all posted on the specific date.
Are you working on another series?
I have a few stand alone novels in the works, and another fantasy
series is brewing about a boy with a really crummy job. I can’t say
more now, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun.
Where do you get your ideas?
My husband. If he were a superhero, he’d be Premise Boy, because
he’s always coming up with stuff and asking, “wouldn’t it be cool if…”
and wham! I have another story idea. I also get ideas from random
things. I’ll see something simple, like a gopher with his head sticking
out of the sewer drain on our street, and suddenly I have this whole
story idea in my head.
Questions About Writing
How long did it take you to write “The Shifter?”
I spent a month or two researching and planning, then it took about
six months to write the first draft. I spent another two or three
months revising. I signed with my agent on Halloween 2007, and
sold the trilogy in June 2008.
Who is your agent?
The amazing Kristin Nelson of The Nelson Literary Agency. She also
blogs at Pub Rants, which is a great source of writerly information.
What’s your writing process like?
I like to know the basic framework of a story before I start it. I do a
loose outline of all the important moments and events, like a
roadmap to guide me. After that, I turn my characters loose and
point them where I want them to go. I often say I always know
where I’m going, but never how I’ll get there. My characters are
pretty good at ignoring my outline and doing what they want, but
they’re interesting folk so it usually works out.
Where do you write?
I have a metallic pink laptop I work on so I can write anywhere in the
house. I get more done when I’m not in my office, since I can’t
ignore an e-mail and I’m easily distracted by websites. I write best in
the mornings, and I do most of my writing surrounded by cats in
the living room.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Read a lot. The best way to understand what makes a book work is
to study good books. After that, write a lot. Writing is hard, and
there’s a lot to learn, but the only way to figure it out is to do it. It’s
also important to remember that writing is an art, but publishing is a
business, and a rough one at that. While you’re learning, focus on
crafting your skill and don’t worry about getting published. You need
that time to find your voice and know what kinds of books you want
to write and what you want to say.
But I want details! How do I write a book?
I blog about writing on The Other Side of the Story. You'll find tons
of information, querying and publishing. Don't say I didn't warn you!
everything. It was a four-book series called “Dog City” and told the
dog civilization. By middle school, I was writing novels by hand, and
they were all 200 pages, since that was the size a package of paper
came in. By high school I used a typewriter, then college I used a
computer. I wrote my first “real” novel when I was 19, and rewrote it
over and over for the next ten years. I called it my training novel.
It's a terrible book, but I learned a lot from doing it.
What are you working on now?
The sequel to “The Shifter,” which has no title as of yet. Its
nickname is S2, Nya Strikes Back.
When is that book coming out?
Sometime in 2010. I’ll keep you all posted on the specific date.
Are you working on another series?
I have a few stand alone novels in the works, and another fantasy
series is brewing about a boy with a really crummy job. I can’t say
more now, but I think it’ll be a lot of fun.
Where do you get your ideas?
My husband. If he were a superhero, he’d be Premise Boy, because
he’s always coming up with stuff and asking, “wouldn’t it be cool if…”
and wham! I have another story idea. I also get ideas from random
things. I’ll see something simple, like a gopher with his head sticking
out of the sewer drain on our street, and suddenly I have this whole
story idea in my head.
Questions About Writing
How long did it take you to write “The Shifter?”
I spent a month or two researching and planning, then it took about
six months to write the first draft. I spent another two or three
months revising. I signed with my agent on Halloween 2007, and
sold the trilogy in June 2008.
Who is your agent?
The amazing Kristin Nelson of The Nelson Literary Agency. She also
blogs at Pub Rants, which is a great source of writerly information.
What’s your writing process like?
I like to know the basic framework of a story before I start it. I do a
loose outline of all the important moments and events, like a
roadmap to guide me. After that, I turn my characters loose and
point them where I want them to go. I often say I always know
where I’m going, but never how I’ll get there. My characters are
pretty good at ignoring my outline and doing what they want, but
they’re interesting folk so it usually works out.
Where do you write?
I have a metallic pink laptop I work on so I can write anywhere in the
house. I get more done when I’m not in my office, since I can’t
ignore an e-mail and I’m easily distracted by websites. I write best in
the mornings, and I do most of my writing surrounded by cats in
the living room.
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Read a lot. The best way to understand what makes a book work is
to study good books. After that, write a lot. Writing is hard, and
there’s a lot to learn, but the only way to figure it out is to do it. It’s
also important to remember that writing is an art, but publishing is a
business, and a rough one at that. While you’re learning, focus on
crafting your skill and don’t worry about getting published. You need
that time to find your voice and know what kinds of books you want
to write and what you want to say.
But I want details! How do I write a book?
I blog about writing on The Other Side of the Story. You'll find tons
of information, querying and publishing. Don't say I didn't warn you!
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