Anything That It Takes To Keep My Head Screwed On Straight

Title from Silence by Emmy Meli.

It's been slow-going trying to come out of my fog and embrace the new year. That doesn't mean it hasn't had its upsides, because it definitely has. The weather is getting fresher and warmer daily, the sun is showing his face more and more every day, and there's always something to do, which might be overwhelming, but still, at least there's always something to do, right?

For me, it means working on the new edition of Under His Touch. It's been a lot more of a project than I thought it would be, mostly because I was never planning to create a sequel but also because I've been in the mood to write, to draft, and now I have to hold myself down and engage the editing brain. I know I can do it.

I enjoy it. I know that too. I always have fun with editing, when it's developmental edits. But this, alas, is line edits. So it's a slow, tedious brand of work that is almost like writing, but much more agitating. And I'm not good at being agitated.

So I'm doing my best. But I'm also trying to read more: it's actually insane that this is the same brain that read an entire book a day in high school. I try now, but it takes me two to four days to get through books I'd read in one before.

Is it my brain aging? Is it from smoking too much weed? Is it just my natural pace slowing down? Or is it that I'm out of practice? I think it's a little bit of all these things, to be honest, but I'm doing my best. My reading goal for the year is only 80 books, which is 20 less than usual, but even with giving myself that break I've got six books behind somehow. I'm determined to catch up!

But first, I want to write. Like a lot. I don't know how I always put it off until it drives me insane, but then when I do it it's such a relief it makes up for it.

So, first, editing. Then do what I actually want to do.

Lose Your Head

*Title from Lose Your Head by London Grammar

I haven't been blogging in forever. Nobody really reads this blog, but that should make it more fun for me, not less: frankly I'm here for me, doing this for me. It keeps me on-focus and keeps me feeling like I have some momentum behind me. It helps me orient myself and remember what my goals are. Honestly, I know it's all about vlogging on Youtube/Twitch these days, but I'm never going to stop writing/blogging.

It may be retro, but whatever, retro used to be cool. I used to love reading Amanda Hocking's blog back in the day. Writers write, so it makes more sense for us to blog than vlog. I do love a lot of authortube, though, don't get me wrong. Liselle Sambury and Katie Wisemer and Kate Cavanaugh, Alexa Donne, stuff like that. They're great.

I just also love blogging. Even though I don't read any other blogs any more. But somebody needs to become a blogger icon and bring it back. I miss the vibes, I'm waiting for my blogger messiah. In the meantime I'm gonna keep writing.

I've been trying and failing to focus on this project...

I wrote my book Things We Sat At Midnight wayyyy back in 2014 or 2015. I don't remember which. I'm 99% sure it was 2015, but I've been sure and still been wrong before. What I DO remember is I wrote it in one day and I was stoned as fuck. I edited it and put it out that same day, too. Back then I was so obsessed with speed and proving I could churn things out quickly and have a pipeline of content like a traditional publishing house did. I was eighteen and I felt like I had so much to prove.

Now, looking back at it at 27, I think any self-publisher trying to keep up with, let alone compete with traditional publishers is wasting their time and their potential. It doesn't need to be proven anyway: most trad-pub authors put out one book a year while many self-pubbed authors are out here putting out like four books a year.

I just want to keep writing. That's my idea of success: words on a page.

I used to be able to leap into another world, now I have trouble getting outside of my own head and engaging with stories. I'm fighting to reconnect with that side of my creativity, my love of reading and writing that was all-encompassing and felt so natural. I miss it a lot.

It's harder to escape the world now. I was so idealistic when I started writing, and now I feel guilty for engaging in fantasy while other people are being bombed, or killed, or violated. I miss my old self, I miss my old friends, I miss the world of 2011, 2012, 2013, when I felt nature was alive, the future was bright and hopeful, and I was young and full of promise, on the brink of my dreams.

Now every moment of joy or escapism feels fought-for and hard-won. And feels laced with guilt, shame.

I am slowly editing and rewriting Things We Saw At Midnight, feeling nostalgic for older, simpler times and vibes. I'm particularly working hard on the story Just Another Ordinary Monday, which is being re-named Worldspeak and heavily rewritten/expanded. It's been a hell of a job so far.

The story needs a lot more editing and improvement than I thought it would, but it's okay. I'm having fun despite the challenge. But I'm coming out of some writer's block and thinking things through. Rereading. Editing. Taking stock. I forgot how much I love/need/want/require outlines. And I do. Require outlines.

Discovery writing is fun, but so unreliable.

From Just Another Ordinary Monday Morning >to> Worldspeak, this story is going from short story to novella, which means a lot is getting expanded, several characters are getting more to do, and the stuff that was there needs significant re-writing too, so lots is changing, and it's been intimidating, but I think I'm slowly getting a grasp on it. So here's to finishing this story as soon as possible so I can share it with somebody, anybody!

Author Interview: Erika Kochanski

Today on the blog I'm talking with Erika Kochanski, author of Polarity and Indecision! On a quick aside, I'd like to apologize for the short hiatus on the blog the past week or so - I took a break from social media for the week of my birthday, but should be getting back into regular posts now!

The Author: Erika Kochanski was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, and graduated with a Bachelor's degree majoring in writing and literature from Griffith University. Writing has been a lifelong dream, travel an ever growing passion, and when given the option to live out of a suitcase in a foreign city while writing about the world the answer is always 'Let's go!'

Goodreads // Blog

The Book:

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Interview Questions:

When did you decide or realize you wanted to write?

I wanted to be a writer as a child already. I used to write ghost stories for myself after I finished my homework after school everyday. I hung out for Wednesday's when my family would take their weekly trip to the local public library.

What does your general process usually look like, from initial idea to published book?  Do you outline or wing it?  Write digitally, or by hand? 

Everything for me is digital, and the ideas just come to me and I collect them and expand on them. I usually have several folders put aside on my computer just accumulating imagery or writing files for me to see what takes off and what doesn't. Sometime over time folders end up merging when the ideas work right. I don't outline the entire story, so I suppose I wing it, but I generally have an idea of where I want it to go. I don't write in a linear progression of events, but more I write several events at different times depending on my mood and piece them together later. Sometimes that means a little extra rewriting, but more often than not I come up with better ideas than if I had of just followed a timeline and stuck to it.

What was the idea or spark that led to your latest book?

 Some of it is personal, although the story is complete fiction, but things in my own life tend to inspire my writing. At least as an adult. I like to think of it as taking pieces of the world that you already know and cutting them up into squares, then throwing them up in the air and watching as they come together as a completely different puzzle of events and people that you wouldn't have expected before. There is definitely a lot of myself in Polarity and Indecision, that's for sure.

Do you listen to music while you write, or do you enjoy the silence?

 Generally speaking I require silence. Occasionally a television might be running in the background, but for me to get any decent kind of work done on a story I need peace and quiet. Most of my best writing has happened when I was at home alone.

What does your work space look like?

 Ha, well, that changes. I am a traveller, so one day my workspace might be my room (which is light and bright with clean simple lines and a few travel knick-knacks) but the next day I might be fighting for space in a hostel common room or sitting in a quiet cafe. Sometimes when I need to get a real lot of work done I like to hire out a hotel comfortable hotel room for a couple days and just let myself be alone without interruption.

What type of research, if any, goes into your novels?

Mostly I just research as a situation requires it. Sometimes, like with Polarity and Indecision, I have to get people to look at certain situations to make sure they're reasonably accurate and realistic. I had a conversation in the original draft that I was never quite happy with, and when I presented it to a friend to read he said, "Two guys don't talk like that to each other." I knew straight away that he was right, that it was the entire issue with the scene, and after a long deliberation I decided to cut it because it never really fit right. It's always hard to cut out big sections of your work, but if they're inaccurately portraying the world that you're trying to create you'll end up losing your audience. Sometimes you have to research facts (e.g. does a hospital really operate in this way?) and sometimes it's more of a question of social interaction and if what you have written is plausible to your reader.

What are your interests and hobbies outside of writing?

Travelling and running. I try to go out running 3-5 afternoons a week and I save like a demon to make sure my travel dreams can become a reality.

Favourite snacks while working (if any?). 

Wow, so many. Haha. Sometimes all I want is water and coffee, but other times I want chocolate, popcorn, licorice or cookies. I think it depends on how emotionally attached to what I am writing and how involved in the process of expression I am. If I am in a writing frenzy generally I'm not snacking just keeping my fluids up. Other times I'm spending and entire weekend in my bed clothes just trying to get an idea out of my system and I continuously snack on little meals throughout (mostly so I have to get up and walk away from the computer as often as possible so I don't go cross-eyed).

Who are some of your biggest inspirations as a writer?

This changes a lot over time, but two books that have affected me very deeply are Colin Falconer's Anastasia and Vanessa Diffenbaugh's The Language of Flowers. When I was younger I also used to read a lot of Stephen King and Melanie La'Brooy (very different genres of course).

What can you tell us about your latest project?

I have several ideas as always, but I'm not sure which one is going to take the lead yet so we will just have to wait and see.

Speed Round!

Films or TV shows?

TV shows LOST and Sherlock are my favourites. Films would be Wild, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Hector and the Search for Happiness, and my guilty-pleasure Pitch Perfect (it's my go-to when I'm feeling down).

Singles or entire albums?

I'm actually into Soundtracks and Compilations.

Sweet, savoury or salty?

All in one please.

Favourite season?

I live in the tropics so everything is usually Summer for me all year long, so when I travel I love experiencing the different seasons. I love them all equally.

Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram?

Facebook. I've done them all, but I streamlined my social media because it was becoming a little overwhelming so now I just have Facebook and Google+.

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There you have it, folks! You can read samples of and purchase Erika's books here, and as always, give her a shout on social media if you enjoyed the interview! 

Author Interview: Stevie Turner

Today on the blog I'm talking with Stevie Turner, author of A House Without Windows (recipient of a 2014 New Apple Book Award) and various other titles including For the Sake of a Child, The Porn Detective, and Revenge.

The Author: Writing with a unique focus on the darker side of human relationships, Stevie's stories are interspersed with an intelligent, sharp humor, and complicated characters - you won't find any fangs or magic spells in her stories; just a tantalizing glimpse at the challenging and real lives of her characters - often while exploring dark subject matter.

Goodreads // Twitter // Facebook

The Books:

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Interview Questions:

When did you decide or realize you wanted to write?

It was back in junior school when I won an inter-schools’ writing competition aged 11.  I’d written a short story about my budgerigar and how I always let it out of its cage when my grandmother visited, as she hated birds and always went into meltdown if it flew anywhere near her.  Poor old Nan; she helped me win a certificate that I still treasure to this day.

What does your general process usually look like, from initial idea to published book?  Do you outline or wing it?  Write digitally, or by hand? 

I find inspiration from news items, but tend to wing it and make up the story as I go along.  If there are many characters I will write down their details and traits in a notebook.  I type out the manuscript on my computer using Word, as I can type much faster than writing, having worked as a secretary for many years.  I have recently signed with a publisher, Creativia, for my new book ‘Repent at Leisure’.  Creativia will be editing my new manuscript and providing a cover as well as publishing it, but previously I have always done the editing and published the books myself on KDP.  In the past I have usually paid for my book covers.

What was the idea or spark that led to your latest book?

As I said before I often find ideas from listening to the news.  I also gain inspiration from walking in the countryside around my village, and also from looking at photos.  In the case of ‘Repent at Leisure’ I was looking at a friend’s wedding pictures on Facebook who had married at the famous Gretna Green venue in Scotland.  This got me thinking… what if a couple married after knowing each other only a short time and the bride didn’t really know too much about her husband?  The cogs started to whirr, and hey presto, I had a story!

Do you listen to music while you write, or do you enjoy the silence?

To me there is nothing better than silence.  I cannot write with any background noise or with anybody else in the room.  I suppose I’m just an anti-social kind of girl!

What does your work space look like?

I have two desks joined together which are full of papers, books, and family photos.  It’s lovely, and it’s mine (I’m also very territorial, due to suffering with the ‘Only Child Syndrome’)!.

What type of research, if any, goes into your novels?

Having been around for 58 years I am fortunate to have lived through a wealth of life experiences which I can write about, and I tend to write from personal experience or about what I’ve found out as I’ve travelled along life’s rocky road.  However, I do check facts and figures on Google if I am unsure.

What are your interests and hobbies outside of writing?

I am totally undomesticated, and have no interest in cooking, sewing, or anything feminine.  I do like walking along country footpaths near where I live though, and also love reading, watching documentaries on TV, and going to music festivals and concerts (next one is the Isle of Wight festival in June – can’t wait!).

Favourite snacks while working (if any?). 

Pineapple, kiwi or grapes.  I also like to drink green tea or fruit teas.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations as a writer?

I like to read and write women’s fiction, so I’d say probably Gillian Flynn and Paula Harding for the modern times, and then classic fiction writers D.H Lawrence, L.P Hartley, R.F Delderfield, A.J Cronin, and Evelyn Waugh.

What can you tell us about your latest project?

I am working on a collection of short stories.  So far I’ve written 16, but would like that number to increase to about 30 before I publish.  I originally started out with the theme of births, deaths and marriages, but this has since fallen by the wayside!

Speed Round!

Films or TV shows?

Films.  Many TV programmes are utter rubbish.

Singles or entire albums?

Entire albums – you get more for your money.

Sweet, savoury or salty?

Savoury.  I’m not really keen on sweet or salty foods.

Favourite season?

Spring.

Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram?

Facebook.  I don’t have an Instagram account.

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There you have it, folks! You can read samples of and purchase Stevie's books here, and as always, give her a shout on social media if you enjoyed the interview!