Ask the Author: Katrina Shawver
Answered Questions (6)
Katrina Shawver
My most recent book is also my first book. It’s taken 15-years to write the story of a Henry Zguda, Polish political prisoner during World War II. We met by chance, and I’ve always been drawn true stories and writing things that provoke discussion.
Katrina Shawver
I believe in the power of the written world, and I learned this when I wrote newspaper columns for years. They were often editorials, so I had the opportunity to highlight unknown people in the community, or promote issues I believed in. It was both validating and thought-provoking when readers reached out to me. Even if they disagreed, I knew my writing had provoked thought.
Recently, I was able to quit my day job, after years of working around a full-time job and the demands of a family. Now I love the flexibility of choosing my own hours, and knowing I can work anywhere I have an Internet connection. If I stay up until one a.m. writing, now I don’t have to get up for my daily 6 a.m. commute. I’ll put in my hours, but on my schedule. Writing can be a lonely endeavor. I turned down a lot of social invitations to finish my book while I was working. Now I can connect with other writers more often, and see my husband more. Beyond that, there is nothing sweeter than seeing your name in print, or holding that new book for the first time, knowing I finished the project, my message is going out into the world, and will outlast me.
Recently, I was able to quit my day job, after years of working around a full-time job and the demands of a family. Now I love the flexibility of choosing my own hours, and knowing I can work anywhere I have an Internet connection. If I stay up until one a.m. writing, now I don’t have to get up for my daily 6 a.m. commute. I’ll put in my hours, but on my schedule. Writing can be a lonely endeavor. I turned down a lot of social invitations to finish my book while I was working. Now I can connect with other writers more often, and see my husband more. Beyond that, there is nothing sweeter than seeing your name in print, or holding that new book for the first time, knowing I finished the project, my message is going out into the world, and will outlast me.
Katrina Shawver
I love to write, but for me it is a discipline to churn out words, especially on a long-term project. I have a website and I blog about two times a month, so knowing I need to keep the interest going, and conversation with my readers, it’s like a self-imposed deadline. Sometimes, I just sit at my computer and follow what I call “the tentacles of the Internet.” I’ll check news sites or other blogs, and then follow links from there, and before I know it I do have ideas. The trick is to set a time limit, or the Internet can be all-consuming of your time. My genre is nonfiction, so unlike a fiction author, it’s much harder to just sit and write since I’m not making up stories. I’m basing my story on facts, so I have to tie into a lot of research.
Katrina Shawver
I am currently working to launch my debut book, Henry – A Polish Swimmer’s True Story of Friendship from Auschwitz to America. It has taken fifteen years from when I first met someone by chance and impulsively said “Let’s write a book.” Life interfered multiple times and the project was set aside more than once as I’d reach overwhelm. I’m drawn to nonfiction, am a history geek, and I believe everyone has a story.
I also want to learn Scrivener, a software designed for writers. It’s a fabulous tool for writers that helps organize facts, research, characters, plot and so forth. I intend to use it for my next project, so I anticipate it will be far easier, by helping me organize my information as efficiently possible. Writers I know who have used it have churned out books in half the time. Will I have another book? Stay tuned.
I also want to learn Scrivener, a software designed for writers. It’s a fabulous tool for writers that helps organize facts, research, characters, plot and so forth. I intend to use it for my next project, so I anticipate it will be far easier, by helping me organize my information as efficiently possible. Writers I know who have used it have churned out books in half the time. Will I have another book? Stay tuned.
Katrina Shawver
Believe in yourself, invest in yourself, and commit to perpetual learning. Take the time to read other authors, and other genres. Attend workshops and writing events to meet other authors and learn whatever you can to improve your craft. Be a sponge for information. But, don’t stress over social media and networking to the point you stop writing. I wish someone had told me this years ago. Networking is critical––in-person and virtually––but not to the point you stop writing, or spend more time on social media and networking than your writing. You’re not a writer – if you’re not writing and producing words on the page, so fiercely guard your writing time. My best focused writing happens when I avoid the internet, and put my cell phone face down on silent or in another room to avoid any distraction. And, absolutely, no matter how good you may think you are, a professional editor will make you shine. Then proofread the editor’s work before publishing. It’s your name on the book, not your editor’s and we are all human. First impressions are often last impressions if you don’t put out a quality product.
Katrina Shawver
I have learned to keep a file I call ‘ideas’, so that when I cannot think of anything to write, I will pull that file and it might trigger a new thought or tangent. The thoughts might be scribbled notes while I had a brainstorm in the grocery story, or reading another book. I always carry paper with me, although now I can also use the Notes function on my smart phone.
Another exercise that helps me is to write some place completely different for the day. I might take my laptop or tablet to the library, sit outside on a nice day, or frequent a coffee shop. Then I will practice describing a scene, setting or person I observe in as few words as possible, which may spur other ideas or future characters. Even if I am not working on my current project, I am still honing my writing and concise descriptions. Real life and people fascinate me. Sometimes I end up using those ideas in a later project.
Another exercise that helps me is to write some place completely different for the day. I might take my laptop or tablet to the library, sit outside on a nice day, or frequent a coffee shop. Then I will practice describing a scene, setting or person I observe in as few words as possible, which may spur other ideas or future characters. Even if I am not working on my current project, I am still honing my writing and concise descriptions. Real life and people fascinate me. Sometimes I end up using those ideas in a later project.
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