Ask the Author: Mae Schick
Answered Questions (6)
Mae Schick
I came across an account of an actual woman homesteader in the eastern part of Montana. She had come west and set up a tar paper shack on the land the government allotted. I was intrigued. The first thing that came to mind was, "How could a single woman defend herself?"
I started doing research to find out more. I wanted to know what would be in those women's minds. What did they feel? What were they experiencing? What were their interactions, their personalities, their personal circumstances?
The written accounts were often written after the fact, sometimes years later, and generally very practical, mundane retellings. I wanted to hear more about who they were, and that is how I began to write the stories.
I started doing research to find out more. I wanted to know what would be in those women's minds. What did they feel? What were they experiencing? What were their interactions, their personalities, their personal circumstances?
The written accounts were often written after the fact, sometimes years later, and generally very practical, mundane retellings. I wanted to hear more about who they were, and that is how I began to write the stories.
Mae Schick
Walking. Walking alone for at least an hour at a time. You would be surprised the ideas that show up if you are listening for them.
Mae Schick
I am completing a collection of five fictional short stories that deal with a little known group of single women homesteaders. The stories take place near Lewistown, Montana circa early 1900's. Women who settled the west represented at least 10 percent of the homesteading population, and they were more successful than their male counterparts!
Mae Schick
I started writing late. I wasn't one of those people encouraged at an early age. I didn't even consider writing as a way of life. But, I always loved reading. A friend gave me a notebook when I took a bus trip and suggested I write my impressions. That was the beginning.
I think it is important to remember that writing is a craft. I recently read a statement asking the difference between Master and Student. The Master has had much more time to FAIL!
Writing is a process of building on what you know and developing your skills. For me, the essence of writing is to become the master of my craft. That challenges and pushes me, for I want each work to be better. I don't write to just entertain. I write to learn more about myself and, hopefully to touch people as I have been touched through quality literary works.
I think it is important to remember that writing is a craft. I recently read a statement asking the difference between Master and Student. The Master has had much more time to FAIL!
Writing is a process of building on what you know and developing your skills. For me, the essence of writing is to become the master of my craft. That challenges and pushes me, for I want each work to be better. I don't write to just entertain. I write to learn more about myself and, hopefully to touch people as I have been touched through quality literary works.
Mae Schick
All of it!! Waking up in the morning to the energy that says, "Oh, yes! You get to go at it again today." It's building a house and not knowing what materials you need, or where they are going to come from. It is the creative process. I just can't imagine anything else giving me the satisfaction (and angst) that writing does.
Mae Schick
I write the first thought that comes to mind. Then my censor barks at me and says, "That's idiotic. Doesn't even fit with what you're trying to do." "Back off," I yell and let the first sentence sit at the top of the page. Sometimes, when I come back to it, I ask myself, "Now what in the world were you thinking?" At other times, I thank that sentence because it was what I needed to get the words flowing.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more