Post by Urban Bucket on Nov 16, 2008 1:15:54 GMT -6
Gena answered our questions really fast and I just know you're going to love her answers. She was very thorough in everything, and it really encourages me to know that I'm doing things right and I hope it does you too.
Once again, I would like to thank Gena for taking the time to answer all of our questions. Additionally, I want to thank Innerprettiness from the Lords of the Underworld Site for helping make this possible.
For those of you who haven't heard me bragging about these books of hers, I truly encourage you to read them, especially if you are a lover of paranormal romance.
Her sense of humor is wonderful, the naughtiness of her characters divine. Her writing style is different from others, so you really get out of the "typical or norm", which really ends up enchanting you just as much as the stories.
Her imagination is definitely alive and I can't wait to read more of her books. Right now, I've read Darkest Night, Darkest Kiss, and Darkest Pleasure, and I've enjoyed them so much, that I am reading them again!
So, with no further ado, here are our questions with her answers. Enjoy!
Huggles,
Lann
********************
Dakota: Was writing something you wanted to do through high school and college, or was it something you decided to begin later?
For many years I was the slow girl in class. The one who had trouble reading, understanding, spelling – you name it! Therefore I hated reading and I hated writing. It took falling so deeply in love with the characters of Sweet Valley High for my love of the written word to grow. I didn’t care how long it took me to read the books or how much I struggled to understand what was being said. I just had to know what happened. And the more I read, the faster and better I was at it. Then, in high school, my own stories began playing through my head. I tried my hand at writing a novel but it was difficult, I was young, so I gave up. But I did like writing/creating so I wrote research papers and short stories. When I hit my twenties, it was time to buckle down and either finally finish school or get a job (and stick with it. If you’ve ever read Playing With Fire, I was just like Belle Jamison) Anyway. Writing was the only thing I could see myself doing for the rest of my life so I decided to give it my all, no matter how difficult it was.
Josh: What’s the key to describing your character and making it to where people see him for what he is. (or her)
To make a character come alive on paper, I think that character has to be alive for the writer. See them in your mind, hear them, smell them, know their flaws, their past – even if you don’t tell the reader everything in that past, you the writer need to know it because what they’ve been through will dictate how they react to, well, everything.
What is the hardest part in making your characters and how do you get over it.
The hardest part is letting the characters be who they want to be. (That statement might freak a non-writer out LOL) I see them a certain way in my mind, but when I’d sit down to write them, they don’t always come out that way. And that might seem to contradict what I said above about knowing them, but it truly doesn’t. They can take on a life of their own and you can learn them in a way you never thought possible. It’s just, letting go of your idea of them can be difficult.
What do you consider your biggest flaw in writing?
I tend to write stories that happen in just a few days. I’m working on that.
What do you consider your biggest strengths?
Humor, perhaps.
Simi: Do you have any advice for newbie-writers?
Read, read, read and write, write, write. Seems simple, but the reading will help you develop instincts about character development and consistency, plot development, and pacing. And the more you write, the better you’ll get. You’ll be surprised at what you learn with each new manuscript you tackle.
Blaze: What is your version of a good sense of humor for your characters?
I adore sarcasm, dry wit, and dirty humor
Slap stick isn’t my thing, though.
Lannorui: What was the hardest part about getting your very first novel published?
Writing the book the way it needed to be told rather than how I thought editors would want me to tell it.
Did you ever question yourself about whether others would really like your novels? If so, how did you overcome that?
Oh, yes. I don’t know if that’s a fear you ever get over. Each new book brings about a new set of fears. Is this any good? Am I fooling myself? Will this one tank? You just have to keep your eye on the prize and push through.
What do you do when you get writer's block?
I’ve never had writer’s block. Sometimes I don’t feel inspired to write and every word is torture but again, I keep my eye on the prize and write anyway. Crap can be fixed later.
Your sense of humor and even writing style is definitely different from anybody I've ever seen before. Did you ever worry that others wouldn't appreciate it? If so, how did you overcome this concern?
All you can do is write the story the way it needs to be told. Your love for those characters and that storyline will shine through, and that’s the most important thing. The hard fact is, you are never going to please everyone. And that’s okay. I remember reading a book and loving it -- utterly, absolutely adoring the book and everything about it. Then I read a review online about how much that book sucked. I remind myself that what someone loves, another will hate and what someone hates another will love.
What is your greatest challenge in writing?
That is different with each story. Sometimes it’s a struggle to write the action, sometimes the romance, sometimes the characters prove stubborn. I force myself to keep writing, though, knowing I can fix the problems once the rough draft is done.
Do you write everyday, whether you feel like it or not? If so, how do you make yourself press forward when you really find yourself wanting to do something else?
When I start a rough draft, yes, I write my daily goal whether I feel like it or not. If I didn’t, a week would pass and nothing will have gotten done. You just have to press through, and pressing through is all about discipline. Only you can make yourself do it. Whatever it takes, do it. Reward yourself for meeting your goal, perhaps. Map out a daily goal chart, maybe.
Do you have any advice you would like to give to the young and old aspiring authors?
The same I give to newbies. Read and write as much as you can. Another bit of advice I like to give is to make sure your characters are consistent. Don’t let them do or say something just because you like it/think it’s cute/want them to do it. Only let them do and say things that fit their personalities. Otherwise the reader is left confused and disbelieving.
I have a difficult time trying to get into the detail of what a person looks like. I can see them in my mind, I know what they look like, every little detail, but I have a hard time expressing this. I can express other things in great detail though, so it's just a matter of making them see my characters as I see them, but I'm not sure how. Do you have any advice that can help with that?
Some of the magic of reading a book is putting your own spin on the characters. So no matter how much you the writer describe the characters and their physical appearances, readers are still going to picture them a certain way -- their way. It’s the character’s personality/actions/words that truly suck the reader in and hold them captive.
****FUN: From everybody:
What's your favorite color?
It changes all the time. Today, black. It’s just so sleek and sexy.
What's your favorite food?
This, too, changes with my moods. Today is a picky day and I’m only craving white mocha lattes.
What are your favorite pasttimes?
I love spending time with Jill Monroe, no matter what we’re doing. She makes me laugh like no one else. I also love reading and watching movies. I am drooling to see Twilight, which combines the best of both my worlds.
Who is your favorite author?
I can’t name just one! Jill Monroe, Kresley Cole, PC Cast, Karen Moning, JR Ward, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Lara Adrian, Deidre Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant, Eve Kenin, Marjorie Liu, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie, Linda Howard, Michelle Rown, Michele Bardsley, Larissa Ione, Merline Lovelace.. . I mean, I could go on and on!
What do you do just to kick back and relax?
I am a homebody by nature, so when I want to relax I just curl up on the couch or in bed and either read or watch TV. But to be honest, I don’t relax nearly as much as I should.
In the Lords of the Underworld series (sorry, I haven't gotten to the other books yet, but I will *drools*), do you have one particular character that is your utmost, will die for, character? Do you have a character in any series that you find yourself not wanting to write a story for because you're too possessive of him (the he's mine and you can't touch him kind of thing?)
In terms of females, Anya is my magical character that just snuck in and stole my heart. I loved writing her. Gwendolyn, who everyone will meet in The Darkest Whisper, is a close second. In terms of men, Devyn in the upcoming Seduce the Darkness is an unrepentant womanizer and I did not think I would love him. Sure, I liked him. But man, about the middle of his story I fell soooo hard for him. Never has a male character affected me more. Letting Bride (his heroine) have him was very hard J Dallas, his best friend, is going to be hardest to let go of, though. Maybe that’s why I haven’t written his story yet. He’s mine. Torin from Lords of the Underworld will be difficult to give up, as well.
I've claimed Aeron as mine. Can I keep him? Pwetty pwease
His story is the next full length novel I plan to tackle.
Do you have a lot of family support in your writing?
Absolutely! I am so blessed. My family is amazing. From my mom and dad, to my sisters and brother, to my husband, to my aunts and uncles and in laws. Besides Jill Monroe, they are my biggest supporters.
What's your favorite band, favorite taste in music?
My music tastes are very eclectic. I love Red, Dido, Barlow Girl, JJ Heller, Saving Able’s Addicted, Lifehouse, Casting Crowns, Skillet, Evanescence and The Fray (and many more). I do tend to gravitate toward the Christian inspirational, though. There is such peace in those songs.
Do you listen to music while writing and if so, what kind?
Oh yes. All of the above and more. Depends on what I’m writing, though. Faster paced music can get my heart pumping, so I’ll use that while writing fight scenes. Romantic music can help set the mood for a romantic scene, and so on.
***************
Well, those are all of the questions. She really did a fabulous job in giving us some very thorough and wonderful advice!
So, here's to Gena Showalter
Thank you very, very much for giving us a little bit of your time and a lot of great answers!
Huggles from us all
The Members of A Writer's Journal
*****
NOTE: I will include this interview in our December Newletter. Additionally, anybody is free to leave comments if you would like
Huggles and Love,
Lann
Once again, I would like to thank Gena for taking the time to answer all of our questions. Additionally, I want to thank Innerprettiness from the Lords of the Underworld Site for helping make this possible.
For those of you who haven't heard me bragging about these books of hers, I truly encourage you to read them, especially if you are a lover of paranormal romance.
Her sense of humor is wonderful, the naughtiness of her characters divine. Her writing style is different from others, so you really get out of the "typical or norm", which really ends up enchanting you just as much as the stories.
Her imagination is definitely alive and I can't wait to read more of her books. Right now, I've read Darkest Night, Darkest Kiss, and Darkest Pleasure, and I've enjoyed them so much, that I am reading them again!
So, with no further ado, here are our questions with her answers. Enjoy!
Huggles,
Lann
********************
Dakota: Was writing something you wanted to do through high school and college, or was it something you decided to begin later?
For many years I was the slow girl in class. The one who had trouble reading, understanding, spelling – you name it! Therefore I hated reading and I hated writing. It took falling so deeply in love with the characters of Sweet Valley High for my love of the written word to grow. I didn’t care how long it took me to read the books or how much I struggled to understand what was being said. I just had to know what happened. And the more I read, the faster and better I was at it. Then, in high school, my own stories began playing through my head. I tried my hand at writing a novel but it was difficult, I was young, so I gave up. But I did like writing/creating so I wrote research papers and short stories. When I hit my twenties, it was time to buckle down and either finally finish school or get a job (and stick with it. If you’ve ever read Playing With Fire, I was just like Belle Jamison) Anyway. Writing was the only thing I could see myself doing for the rest of my life so I decided to give it my all, no matter how difficult it was.
Josh: What’s the key to describing your character and making it to where people see him for what he is. (or her)
To make a character come alive on paper, I think that character has to be alive for the writer. See them in your mind, hear them, smell them, know their flaws, their past – even if you don’t tell the reader everything in that past, you the writer need to know it because what they’ve been through will dictate how they react to, well, everything.
What is the hardest part in making your characters and how do you get over it.
The hardest part is letting the characters be who they want to be. (That statement might freak a non-writer out LOL) I see them a certain way in my mind, but when I’d sit down to write them, they don’t always come out that way. And that might seem to contradict what I said above about knowing them, but it truly doesn’t. They can take on a life of their own and you can learn them in a way you never thought possible. It’s just, letting go of your idea of them can be difficult.
What do you consider your biggest flaw in writing?
I tend to write stories that happen in just a few days. I’m working on that.
What do you consider your biggest strengths?
Humor, perhaps.
Simi: Do you have any advice for newbie-writers?
Read, read, read and write, write, write. Seems simple, but the reading will help you develop instincts about character development and consistency, plot development, and pacing. And the more you write, the better you’ll get. You’ll be surprised at what you learn with each new manuscript you tackle.
Blaze: What is your version of a good sense of humor for your characters?
I adore sarcasm, dry wit, and dirty humor
Slap stick isn’t my thing, though.Lannorui: What was the hardest part about getting your very first novel published?
Writing the book the way it needed to be told rather than how I thought editors would want me to tell it.
Did you ever question yourself about whether others would really like your novels? If so, how did you overcome that?
Oh, yes. I don’t know if that’s a fear you ever get over. Each new book brings about a new set of fears. Is this any good? Am I fooling myself? Will this one tank? You just have to keep your eye on the prize and push through.
What do you do when you get writer's block?
I’ve never had writer’s block. Sometimes I don’t feel inspired to write and every word is torture but again, I keep my eye on the prize and write anyway. Crap can be fixed later.
Your sense of humor and even writing style is definitely different from anybody I've ever seen before. Did you ever worry that others wouldn't appreciate it? If so, how did you overcome this concern?
All you can do is write the story the way it needs to be told. Your love for those characters and that storyline will shine through, and that’s the most important thing. The hard fact is, you are never going to please everyone. And that’s okay. I remember reading a book and loving it -- utterly, absolutely adoring the book and everything about it. Then I read a review online about how much that book sucked. I remind myself that what someone loves, another will hate and what someone hates another will love.
What is your greatest challenge in writing?
That is different with each story. Sometimes it’s a struggle to write the action, sometimes the romance, sometimes the characters prove stubborn. I force myself to keep writing, though, knowing I can fix the problems once the rough draft is done.
Do you write everyday, whether you feel like it or not? If so, how do you make yourself press forward when you really find yourself wanting to do something else?
When I start a rough draft, yes, I write my daily goal whether I feel like it or not. If I didn’t, a week would pass and nothing will have gotten done. You just have to press through, and pressing through is all about discipline. Only you can make yourself do it. Whatever it takes, do it. Reward yourself for meeting your goal, perhaps. Map out a daily goal chart, maybe.
Do you have any advice you would like to give to the young and old aspiring authors?
The same I give to newbies. Read and write as much as you can. Another bit of advice I like to give is to make sure your characters are consistent. Don’t let them do or say something just because you like it/think it’s cute/want them to do it. Only let them do and say things that fit their personalities. Otherwise the reader is left confused and disbelieving.
I have a difficult time trying to get into the detail of what a person looks like. I can see them in my mind, I know what they look like, every little detail, but I have a hard time expressing this. I can express other things in great detail though, so it's just a matter of making them see my characters as I see them, but I'm not sure how. Do you have any advice that can help with that?
Some of the magic of reading a book is putting your own spin on the characters. So no matter how much you the writer describe the characters and their physical appearances, readers are still going to picture them a certain way -- their way. It’s the character’s personality/actions/words that truly suck the reader in and hold them captive.
****FUN:
From everybody:What's your favorite color?
It changes all the time. Today, black. It’s just so sleek and sexy.
What's your favorite food?
This, too, changes with my moods. Today is a picky day and I’m only craving white mocha lattes.
What are your favorite pasttimes?
I love spending time with Jill Monroe, no matter what we’re doing. She makes me laugh like no one else. I also love reading and watching movies. I am drooling to see Twilight, which combines the best of both my worlds.
Who is your favorite author?
I can’t name just one! Jill Monroe, Kresley Cole, PC Cast, Karen Moning, JR Ward, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook, Lara Adrian, Deidre Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant, Eve Kenin, Marjorie Liu, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie, Linda Howard, Michelle Rown, Michele Bardsley, Larissa Ione, Merline Lovelace.. . I mean, I could go on and on!
What do you do just to kick back and relax?
I am a homebody by nature, so when I want to relax I just curl up on the couch or in bed and either read or watch TV. But to be honest, I don’t relax nearly as much as I should.
In the Lords of the Underworld series (sorry, I haven't gotten to the other books yet, but I will *drools*), do you have one particular character that is your utmost, will die for, character? Do you have a character in any series that you find yourself not wanting to write a story for because you're too possessive of him (the he's mine and you can't touch him kind of thing?)
In terms of females, Anya is my magical character that just snuck in and stole my heart. I loved writing her. Gwendolyn, who everyone will meet in The Darkest Whisper, is a close second. In terms of men, Devyn in the upcoming Seduce the Darkness is an unrepentant womanizer and I did not think I would love him. Sure, I liked him. But man, about the middle of his story I fell soooo hard for him. Never has a male character affected me more. Letting Bride (his heroine) have him was very hard J Dallas, his best friend, is going to be hardest to let go of, though. Maybe that’s why I haven’t written his story yet. He’s mine. Torin from Lords of the Underworld will be difficult to give up, as well.
I've claimed Aeron as mine. Can I keep him? Pwetty pwease
His story is the next full length novel I plan to tackle.
Do you have a lot of family support in your writing?
Absolutely! I am so blessed. My family is amazing. From my mom and dad, to my sisters and brother, to my husband, to my aunts and uncles and in laws. Besides Jill Monroe, they are my biggest supporters.
What's your favorite band, favorite taste in music?
My music tastes are very eclectic. I love Red, Dido, Barlow Girl, JJ Heller, Saving Able’s Addicted, Lifehouse, Casting Crowns, Skillet, Evanescence and The Fray (and many more). I do tend to gravitate toward the Christian inspirational, though. There is such peace in those songs.
Do you listen to music while writing and if so, what kind?
Oh yes. All of the above and more. Depends on what I’m writing, though. Faster paced music can get my heart pumping, so I’ll use that while writing fight scenes. Romantic music can help set the mood for a romantic scene, and so on.
***************
Well, those are all of the questions. She really did a fabulous job in giving us some very thorough and wonderful advice!
So, here's to Gena Showalter
Thank you very, very much for giving us a little bit of your time and a lot of great answers!
Huggles from us all
The Members of A Writer's Journal
*****
NOTE: I will include this interview in our December Newletter. Additionally, anybody is free to leave comments if you would like
Huggles and Love,
Lann
I'm gathering you missed all the orginal information....