Ask the Author: Stefania Shaffer
Answered Questions (7)
Stefania Shaffer
I recently asked for the remaining list of Liane Moriarty books I have not yet read. I am late to the party, but after feeling swept away by Big Little Lies, I am salivating for everything she's written. I promised I would not read anything for myself until I finished writing the third book in my new series for kids, but I couldn't help starting The Hypnotist's Love Story two nights ago and now I can't wait to finish. My friends know me so well, so I just received a slew of birthday books. Philippa Gregory's Taming of the Queen, and two final Potter books (I have avoided spoiler alerts for nearly two decades!) are at the top of my stash I'm itching to get to before August.
Stefania Shaffer
As a teacher, I always wonder how students ended up on their path to trouble in eighth grade. There is a theory that there really are no new problems in middle school, just unmanaged ones that have snowballed.
So, I like to make up what I don't know and fill in the blanks building character profiles. When I have time to write, some of my classroom observations become a launchpad for my stories. I never write about the worst of what I've seen, or the best of what I've seen because I don't want there to be any identifying information. Kids usually turn themselves around for the better after a few years:-)
So, I like to make up what I don't know and fill in the blanks building character profiles. When I have time to write, some of my classroom observations become a launchpad for my stories. I never write about the worst of what I've seen, or the best of what I've seen because I don't want there to be any identifying information. Kids usually turn themselves around for the better after a few years:-)
Stefania Shaffer
Usually this answer is because someone believed in us. Still true for me. My third grade teacher, Miss Ryan, got me started on "Fortunately, Unfortunately" books where I was to write a premise on each page until I built a little story. Fortunately, the girl loved going to the library. Unfortunately, kids made fun of her only friends- the books. Fortunately, she was reading about secrets on how to harness superpowers. Unfortunately, she couldn't afford any of the magic ingredients. You get the idea. My teacher was so encouraging when I built a few books for Father's Day. I found these gems tucked away in my dad's special drawer after his death. He saved them all those many, many years. Precious.
Stefania Shaffer
I am currently at work on a 4-book series for Middle Grade readers who don't like school and think reading is a punishment. My belief (as a career middle school teacher) is that they have not yet been exposed to a relatable character.
So far, the Beta-readers of varying ages who have read the first two books are thirsting for the release of the full series. There will be a wider Beta-reading opportunity before the end of 2017 for others to get a taste.
So far, the Beta-readers of varying ages who have read the first two books are thirsting for the release of the full series. There will be a wider Beta-reading opportunity before the end of 2017 for others to get a taste.
Stefania Shaffer
First of all, have a game plan. How are you going to sustain your lifestyle if you are devoting all of your hours and energy to writing? Do you have a supportive spouse taking care of your bills? If you are working while writing, set a reasonable schedule for tapping into your creativity.
Second of all, have a system for tracking your character names and profiles, and create a time-sheet for yourself. Clock in and out so you can begin to see your productivity (add a column for how many words you wrote).
Finally, I am the kind of writer who likes to write through the entire story first before I start tearing apart chapters for editing. I always have a vision of how the plot ends, and where it thickens. I find it so much easier to work backwards.
Second of all, have a system for tracking your character names and profiles, and create a time-sheet for yourself. Clock in and out so you can begin to see your productivity (add a column for how many words you wrote).
Finally, I am the kind of writer who likes to write through the entire story first before I start tearing apart chapters for editing. I always have a vision of how the plot ends, and where it thickens. I find it so much easier to work backwards.
Stefania Shaffer
My answer would be so much longer if the question were, "What's the worst thing about being a writer?" It would be the business-end of writing that gets in the way of the creative part. Building a platform, marketing, blogging, preparing speeches--I love these pieces, but they take as much time as it does for me to write a couple of chapters. The BEST part of of being a writer is experiencing characters coming to life. It really is magical when their voices start speaking faster than you can type!
Stefania Shaffer
I have heard writer's block is indeed a real thing for lots of writers. Fortunately, this is not my biggest problem. I find that I write in my head, even while I am experiencing a lull in conversation over dinner--those scenes are moving along in my mind:-)
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Jun 14, 2017 05:18PM · flag