Ask the Author: Debra Shiveley Welch
Answered Questions (8)
Debra Shiveley Welch
The ideas just come to me, either from a song or possibly a movie. I've had ideas pop into my mind from commercials. Many times I'll be out with friends and someone will say something and I'll think ... hmmm, expand that and it could make a good story.
As for the title, it's a mixed bag, but usually the book will name itself. In the case of "Cedar Woman" and "Spirit Woman," I knew what the story was going to be about. I simply had to name the main character.
As for the title, it's a mixed bag, but usually the book will name itself. In the case of "Cedar Woman" and "Spirit Woman," I knew what the story was going to be about. I simply had to name the main character.
Debra Shiveley Welch
I like them both, actually. I enjoy "giving birth" to a band new character, as in Officer Foster in "Spirit Woman," but have fun taking a previous character and including them in other books as in Logan Singing Grass Young Bear.
To me it is like going to an old friend's house for a visit and meeting someone you haven't met before.
To me it is like going to an old friend's house for a visit and meeting someone you haven't met before.
Debra Shiveley Welch
I turn on classical music and ask myself questions: questions you would ask a living person. That is, I talk to my characters - "What are you going to do to get out of this mess?" "How do you feel about this?" I put myself in the story and work it from there.
Debra Shiveley Welch
The need to write is like an itch: I have to scratch it. I've written since I was about ten-years-old and can't conceive of a time when I will not be doing so. I guess you can say that the best thing about being a write, for me, is following my passion.
Debra Shiveley Welch
Learn your craft. When in doubt, look it up. Write with your heart and let the words flow. Most importantly, when you are finished, edit, edit and then edit!
Get a friend who likes to read who understands punctuation and grammar and ask them to read it for you and mark your mistakes.
There is so much to learn about writing a good book - and it's a lot of fun.
Get a friend who likes to read who understands punctuation and grammar and ask them to read it for you and mark your mistakes.
There is so much to learn about writing a good book - and it's a lot of fun.
Debra Shiveley Welch
I'm currently working on "Swinging Bridge," and anthology of my poems, essays and short, short stories, "Memories of an Old Farmhouse," a micro memoir and "Christopher's Family Table," a cookbook which will include recipes from a "Chopped" and "Chopped Junior" Champion.
I'm also starting the outline for "Brave Heart Woman," which will be Book III in the Cedar Woman Series.
I'm also starting the outline for "Brave Heart Woman," which will be Book III in the Cedar Woman Series.
Debra Shiveley Welch
I get ideas from my dreams, movies, conversations with people or songs. Ideas just pop into my head.
Debra Shiveley Welch
Quite a few years ago I met a woman named Nickie. As we came to know each other and become good friends, she began to open up to me about the abuse she suffered at the hands of her husband. As the years passed, I met more and more women who shared their experiences. I combined all of these women's story into one and wrote "Spirit Woman," the second in the Cedar Woman Series.
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