Ask the Author: Patty H. Scott
Answered Questions (11)
Patty H. Scott
I am reading almost a book a day, so the reading list is LONG! I'm indulging in books by Jennifer Peel, Emma St. Clair, Jess Mastorakos, Rachel John, Whitney Dineen, and many others. On my non-fiction list are books like The Fire in Fiction, How to Write a Swoon Worthy Romance, and The Emotional Craft of Fiction. These are all books to help me become an even better storyteller. I also am reading some C.S. Lewis to feed my soul.
Patty H. Scott
If I could travel to any fictional book world, I would have such a hard time choosing. Would I go to rural England to have tea and a walk with Elizabeth Bennet? Perhaps I would go to Prince Edward Island and spend the afternoon exploring the woods with Anne. It would be amazing to visit Narnia to ride on the back of Aslan? Maybe I'd go to the cafeteria in Some Wildflower in My Heart and meet/hug one of my favorite characters of all time: Birdie.
But, honestly, now that I think of it, I would go to Wimberley, Texas. That isn't a fictional location, but the setting is home to my third fiction book. I would go there when Kat is on a visit to her parents with her best friend Patrice and her other dear friend, Mindy. I'd spend the week with those three women, because they are beloved characters I would want to know in real life.
But, honestly, now that I think of it, I would go to Wimberley, Texas. That isn't a fictional location, but the setting is home to my third fiction book. I would go there when Kat is on a visit to her parents with her best friend Patrice and her other dear friend, Mindy. I'd spend the week with those three women, because they are beloved characters I would want to know in real life.
Patty H. Scott
That's so encouraging, Sandy! It's awesome that you have this in process.
Patty H. Scott
Thank you, Sandy! I would love to hear how you like them :)
Patty H. Scott
Sandy, That's wonderful! Do you have a feel for the overall place the story is going? Writers have different ways they write. It's almost like it fits our personality. I'm more of an intuitive (aka pantser). That means I write in a flow and my writing takes me. It's a very right-brained process for me. I often don't know where a story is headed and the characters tell me as I write. That's not the case for all writers. Some of them are plotters and need to have the whole thing mapped out before they go. This youtube video is helpful to help you know what kind of writer you are: https://bit.ly/2DIpsrj.
I would say the next step for me - when I'm at 2/3 of the story it's time for the climax - the point where everything falls apart and we wonder what will happen to get our two main characters back together. I sometimes write out about 23-30 chapter headings (Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3 ...) and then as I think of the movement of the story, I write myself notes in coming chapters on the manuscript. I have a rough outline of where the story will go.
Have you read books like: How to Write A Swoon-worthy Sweet Romance Novel by Victorine Lieske? Also, I would recommend (if you are on Facebook) joining the Writing Gals Critique group and CreateIf Writing groups. They are two really supportive and informative groups for writers.
Best wishes on your novel! Keep writing. That's the key. Don't get discouraged. We're all growing as we go.
I would say the next step for me - when I'm at 2/3 of the story it's time for the climax - the point where everything falls apart and we wonder what will happen to get our two main characters back together. I sometimes write out about 23-30 chapter headings (Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 3 ...) and then as I think of the movement of the story, I write myself notes in coming chapters on the manuscript. I have a rough outline of where the story will go.
Have you read books like: How to Write A Swoon-worthy Sweet Romance Novel by Victorine Lieske? Also, I would recommend (if you are on Facebook) joining the Writing Gals Critique group and CreateIf Writing groups. They are two really supportive and informative groups for writers.
Best wishes on your novel! Keep writing. That's the key. Don't get discouraged. We're all growing as we go.
Patty H. Scott
This is going to upset some people. I don't get writer's block that often. I'm sure I will have bouts of it. When I'm stumped, I don't write for a bit. I go do something else. I engage in life. I come back. I write sloppy, no-good stuff to get the process flowing. From that I can sift and something rises to the top that has value. I keep a file of ideas that come to me at random times. I could be sitting in church and an idea will come to me. I jot it on the bulletin and get my mind back to the sermon asap. When I get home I put that idea in my file of ideas. I also play around with headlines a lot. That can spur ideas.
Patty H. Scott
I get to do what I love and then use what I write to bless others and help them improve their lives and relationships. I can think of no greater joy.
Patty H. Scott
Write. Write. Write. Get involved in groups with other writers and pour into their lives and writing. Find avenues to practice getting your writing out there like Medium, a personal blog or other places. The more you practice, the more you grow. Also, read books by great writers.
Patty H. Scott
OH!! I'm working on a few other parenting projects right now. One is about slowing down and savoring the moments, making time for what matters ... it's a sort of time management from the heart book for moms. The other is called Motherhood: A Memoir. It's my most gutsy writing right now, so I'm finishing it up and then working up to releasing it.
Patty H. Scott
Often times inspiration comes from conversations I have with moms or friends of mine or experiences in my own life.
Patty H. Scott
As I was raising our son through his pre-teen years and into his teen years, I realized we were facing challenges we hadn't anticipated. I grew so much as a mom and a person in the process. Since I already blog to bless moms, equipping and inspiring them to love their children intentionally, the idea to write about my experiences grew naturally from our experiences. I want to help moms to thrive through this stage of motherhood.
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