Ask the Author: Lisa Vasquez
Answered Questions (9)
Lisa Vasquez
I have one character that I have the hardest sitting down to write her story. The reason is because every story must end. She's so much a part of me, I can't bear to do it, yet.
My stories are like tiny treasures which used to be stored away in my mind - a place I keep quite private - and now they're exposed! Out in the open for anyone to read and share. It's frightening, sometimes. So, yes, it is very hard to let go of some characters.
My stories are like tiny treasures which used to be stored away in my mind - a place I keep quite private - and now they're exposed! Out in the open for anyone to read and share. It's frightening, sometimes. So, yes, it is very hard to let go of some characters.
Lisa Vasquez
This one was a hard thing to balance. For about a year, I barely finished anything I wrote, so I used that time to focus on mentoring the authors who work me. I found it so rewarding, and frankly, it improved my own writing. I can honestly say I have met some extremely talented authors in the past two years Stitched Smile has been in operation. It's not a stretch to say they spoiled me because I hold everything I read against what they write. For that, it is only right that I devote my time to them. Now that I have the balance down, my writing time is back, so expect to see more from me in 2018!
Lisa Vasquez
Wow, great question. I think it boils down to a lot of things. There were family situations that made me withdraw from being social. Writing and imagination became my two best friends. There many things I saw which didn't reconcile with what I was taught in church, so my spiritual side was constantly being tugged at. At the end of the day, my dad (step-father) glued it all together, and made it feel manageable. We watched horror movies together and he sat down and explained it. "There's nothing to be scared of. See? It's all make up and effect." Suddenly, the things that scared me, weren't so scary anymore. I was able to face what I felt was "horror" in my life. As I grew older, I appreciated it more and more.
"Without darkness, there can be no light." It became my motto.
Thank you, Chuck, for the question!
"Without darkness, there can be no light." It became my motto.
Thank you, Chuck, for the question!
Lisa Vasquez
Dreams, music, and art, mostly. Sometimes it's an emotion. Sometimes it's a mini-movie that just shows up in my head as a daydream.
Lisa Vasquez
Giving my inner "people" and worlds a place to be real, and sharing them with others.
Lisa Vasquez
I don't ever get writer's block. My problem is having too many things to write about, sorting through them, and having them make sense to someone else.
Lisa Vasquez
Get a support group. Not just family and friends, but those that are writers professionally. Be sincere in your friendship, and don't always ask for things. Offer to talk about other things because no one wants to talk about work all the time. Being around people who have similar interests is the best way to keep you focused. It'll naturally give you the knowledge you need to be exposed to "lingo". It's easier to ask a friend, "what does that mean?" in casual conversation, then to ask a potential agent, publisher, etc. Sharing ideas like blogs, cover artists, and things like that is as natural to writers/authors as coupons, and sales are to savvy moms/dads. Women that have no interest in cars, don't keep 10 Nascar Friends in their top 10 contacts list. Does that make sense? When I want advice on an OB/GYN I don't ask my male guy friends. That's about as basic as I can get with that answer =)
Lisa Vasquez
Book Two of The Unsaintly series. Time to get down to it!
Lisa Vasquez
I think it always lived inside of me but I ran across a picture painted by Alan Daniels and it brought Isabel to a whole new life for me.
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