Via Lisa Mantchev

[melissajm]

1. How old were you when the craft of writing called you to perform?
Well, there are entries in my baby book from my toddler years about me and my stories, but I didn't try writing for publication until 1997, and I started taking it seriously in 2002.

2. What's your favorite writing outfit?

Anything comfortable.

3. What computer program do you use for your writing?

Microsoft Word

4. What's the name of your most difficult character to write?

At the moment it's Bearer Amberlynn Delaverde. She's clever, with a wicked sense of humor, she's devoted to her job, and I think she's great- but she weighs half a ton and hasn't moved from this one spot in 14 years, so her scenes are too static.

5. When is your favorite time of day to write?

Early evening.

6. What's your favorite genre?

Fantasy

7. What writers have inspired you the most in your career and why?

Lois McMaster Bujold, who writes the way I wish I did. Terry Pratchett, who's brilliant. Robin McKinley, who helped me realize that authors are Real People...

8. Do you think you're smarter than a fifth grader?

No, but I have a bigger knowledge store.

9. What's your favorite thing to do when you're stuck on a scene?

Listen to music. Loudly. And sometimes sing along. Badly.

10. If you could give one piece of advice to your fellow writers, what would it be?

Just Write!

Comments

[kara-gnome.livejournal.com]

Nice list!

#3 & #10 seems to be the universal answer, and would be my answers, too :)

I love your #4 answer, but I can see that she would be difficult, for sure, yowza!

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I love Bearer Amberlynn, but she's hard to write exciting scenes for because I can never change her setting, she can't pace, or leave the room if she's ticked off... and she's never alone, because she has 12 other women within earshot at all times. If she wants to speak "privately" with the POV character the closest she can do is speak French, which the other women don't understand.

[kara-gnome.livejournal.com]

Wow, that would be hard. I was thinking of my own experiences with seeing this in my family: two members who are very dependent. The ones who are dependent are very conscious at all times about their caretakers and do quite a lot to ingratiate themselves, but also do 'funny' things to tick off their caretakers.

The caretakers, sometimes, seem to act more as if their dependents are, well, like wallpaper, or something with no feelings. They're frustrated and tired, mostly, but it's a hard dynamic. Though I will add that most of my family are not very kind or even very empathetic.

Love the name, by the way, it really sings!

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

You know, I'm slow. Amberlynn can't leave her tent, but the other women can, and I've been neglecting them.

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

I have to depend on people more than I like to admit, so that part's easy.

Amberlyn is lucky in that respect. The position of Bearer is highly respected, and the 12 women consider it an honor to serve her. It's still killing her, though.

(If you want a peek, drop me an e-mail.)

Thanks!