Ask the Author: Marilyn Vix
Answered Questions (10)
Marilyn Vix
NO. But I'll check out the link. Update: Been looking it over. Trying out a sample now.
Marilyn Vix
From what I've seen on my writing boards, everyone is trying to get their word count speed up. That sells books better than not writing them. There is a demand right now to write and publish quickly. NaNo encourages the process of getting the work done. It's a good motivator. And it has word count as a goal. There is also a lot of prep. that should be done before NaNo, like character development or outlining. I usually participate with a work in progress. It helps finish the project.
Everything can be rewritten, but it has to be done as a first draft first. I don't think there is ever any bad writing, just not "revised" writing. You improve if you write. So, NaNo helps get people to sit down and do it. That's powerful. Writing can only be learned by doing more writing. So, no matter what, if you write you will only get better.
NaNo has also help me set a writing routine. This is important to get any kind of real writing done. One hour a day, twice a day, is my current routine. This gets me 500-1500 words done a day. I've actually gotten faster now that my routine is down.
And I've almost made my word count with my project on NaNo. It won't finish the novel, but it will get it on the road to almost completed. I'm hoping that by July, I'll be able to finish. Than, I can go into revision. But you can't do anything without a rough draft. A lot of writers say, just write the first draft. Don't worry about anything until it's done. And that's what you're supposed to do. Revision will make any writing better, and of course, working with an editor polishes it.
I'd recommend NaNo for the writing step of working on the initial first draft. It really helps to get it done. All writers usually have at least one project that is at this point in the process. For other things like revision, editors and beta readers are good for that.
Everything can be rewritten, but it has to be done as a first draft first. I don't think there is ever any bad writing, just not "revised" writing. You improve if you write. So, NaNo helps get people to sit down and do it. That's powerful. Writing can only be learned by doing more writing. So, no matter what, if you write you will only get better.
NaNo has also help me set a writing routine. This is important to get any kind of real writing done. One hour a day, twice a day, is my current routine. This gets me 500-1500 words done a day. I've actually gotten faster now that my routine is down.
And I've almost made my word count with my project on NaNo. It won't finish the novel, but it will get it on the road to almost completed. I'm hoping that by July, I'll be able to finish. Than, I can go into revision. But you can't do anything without a rough draft. A lot of writers say, just write the first draft. Don't worry about anything until it's done. And that's what you're supposed to do. Revision will make any writing better, and of course, working with an editor polishes it.
I'd recommend NaNo for the writing step of working on the initial first draft. It really helps to get it done. All writers usually have at least one project that is at this point in the process. For other things like revision, editors and beta readers are good for that.
Marilyn Vix
Sometimes the characters take over. I call this really being in the writing zone. I've learned to let it go of the control when the characters start talking or doing things in my mind's eye that I didn't realize would happen. The characters become the boss sometimes, and you got to know when to let them. I will give them a kick in the pants to get started, and I hope they will take over. That's the best kind of story.
Marilyn Vix
I have a lot of interests in the paranormal. From witches to vampires and ghosts, I've always been interested in it as a topic. I used to read ghost stories a lot as a kid, and I still do. I love buying local ghost story books when I'm traveling.
I got hooked on vampires, because of Anne Rice. Witches were interesting when I was as kid, and I watched "Bewitched" a lot. I also liked "I Dream Of Jeannie". I imagine kids always want secret powers. I'm not surprised that I write on these now. I've always been attracted to the paranormal as a topic.
I got hooked on vampires, because of Anne Rice. Witches were interesting when I was as kid, and I watched "Bewitched" a lot. I also liked "I Dream Of Jeannie". I imagine kids always want secret powers. I'm not surprised that I write on these now. I've always been attracted to the paranormal as a topic.
Marilyn Vix
I get out and walk, bike ride, or go shopping. The mall can be a saving grace for anything. Plus, a nice cup of tea sometimes help, or in some cases, a good glass of wine. Taking a break usually helps me be able to come back to everything later.
Marilyn Vix
Control. I'm an absolute control freak. Plus, I'm always escaping within stories. Whether the stories are my own or whether I'm reading someone else's, books and stories are my savior. I read therefore I must write.
Marilyn Vix
Keeping writing. No matter if you think it's crap, keep writing. Finish the first draft, and keep writing. No matter what, just write it down. It will all sort itself out. But most of all, find that editor. They are a must.
Marilyn Vix
I'm working on the third ebook in my Beware of Warlocks series, Never Cross A Warlock. I have a Time Travel Romance novel half finished, and just started another story that includes zombies. Really am excited where I'll go next. I'm setting no limits.
Marilyn Vix
I try to write a little each day, at least for an hour. I have several projects, and try to switch between them all. I observe everything. A lot of my ideas come from just observation. But a lot of ideas come from dreams lately. I used to daydream a lot as a kid. Never hurts to work out the imagination.
Marilyn Vix
Last summer, I had a dream of walking in on a guy with a woman. A spell battle started, and as I woke up, I continued the battle. I blasted him through the window, and he countered with a spell I felt burn into my arm. As I woke up, I grabbed my laptop and started the coffee maker. Within the time of finishing my morning coffee, I had written the opening scene of "Never Marry A Warlock".
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