My Writing Process aka Fastening my Seat Belt
I've never actually blogged before, but I'm excited to give it a shot, mostly because I was asked to jump on board by my friend, writer extraordinaire, Heather Gudenkauf (http://www.heathergudenkauf.com/) New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of THE WEIGHT OF SILENCE, THESE THINGS HIDDEN, and ONE BREATH AWAY. I've loved everything Heather's written, and am excited to dive into her newest suspense novel, LITTLE MERCIES, which will be released on June 24th, 2014. So proud of her well-deserved success!
Sharing my writing process will be somewhat of an uphill battle as I'm not exactly sure how it happens. Writing feels to me like part magic and part something else that I've never been able to quite put my finger on. A little like taking dictation from a source that's a whole lot smarter than me.
1. WHAT AM I WORKING ON?
My first novella,THE UNDERTAKING OF TESS, will be published in July '14. It's a prelude to a full-length novel, THE RESURRECTION OF TESS BLESSING, which will come out in October '14. So currently, I'm wading through all the pre-publication stuff. Deciding on covers, font, flap copy, editor's comments, etc., but I'm also putting the finishing touches on the novel. Both stories inform the other, so it's been both a challenge, and a fantastic learning experience.
2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?
My books have been classified in a lot of different ways. "Women's Fiction," "Historical Fiction," "Cross-over Fiction," and from what I can tell, they're read by women, yes, but also men and teens. I guess my work is best characterized by my need to write about tough subjects in a hopeful, funny way. Sometimes a young narrator is the best way to do that.
3. WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I WRITE?
Most of my stories are fairly character driven. I love to write about what makes people sad, hopeful, despairing, and how they deal with those emotions and find the strength to transcend them. I also love setting. Location...location...location. If I'm going to spend some time, say a year or so, telling a tale, I want to be somewhere that I truly enjoy. And that has to be a place that I've spent some time. I marvel at writers who can write about the 1850's, or Mars, but that doesn't work for me. I need to have breathed the air, spent time in the buildings, and talked to the people. Pace is also a big deal. And something unusual in the plot, a twist...love that too.
4. HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?
It changes from book to book, but usually a vague story will begin to form. Then I'll get a feel of the setting. The narrator pipes in next. After that, it's a free-for-all. I get up when the sun does, let my sweet pup Amazing Gracie out, make my tea, light candles, and we head over to my desk. I go at it for around 4-5 hours a day, every day, no exceptions. My brain let's me know when it's time to head up to the shower, which serves as a transition back into the real world, unless I get another idea and have to run naked through the house and back to my computer.
5. AND ANOTHER PART OF THIS QUESTION, HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS NOT WORK?
Some days I wish I could outline a story and stick to it. I spend a huge amount of time rewriting because a character that I thought committed a crime or a transgression is, in fact, innocent, and the Casper Milquetoast that I thought was a supporting character is the real culprit.
PASSING THE TORCH, OR WHO'S NEXT?
I'm so happy to share a few of my favorite, super-talented, and all around awesome writers with you.
Karen McQuestion (http://karenmcquestion.com/) is the wildly successful, groundbreaking Indie author of numerous books for adults, teens, and kids. Her newest, HELLO LOVE, will be released in September '14, and is already getting quite the buzz.
Ann Garvin's (http://anngarvin.net/) new one, THE DOG YEAR, is gaining critical acclaim as well. It's funny, touching, and a great beach read.
The wonderful Cathy Lamb (http://cathylamb.net/) has a new one coming in September '14. WHAT I REMEMBER MOST. If you haven't read any of Cathy's work you're in for a treat.
Sharing my writing process will be somewhat of an uphill battle as I'm not exactly sure how it happens. Writing feels to me like part magic and part something else that I've never been able to quite put my finger on. A little like taking dictation from a source that's a whole lot smarter than me.
1. WHAT AM I WORKING ON?
My first novella,THE UNDERTAKING OF TESS, will be published in July '14. It's a prelude to a full-length novel, THE RESURRECTION OF TESS BLESSING, which will come out in October '14. So currently, I'm wading through all the pre-publication stuff. Deciding on covers, font, flap copy, editor's comments, etc., but I'm also putting the finishing touches on the novel. Both stories inform the other, so it's been both a challenge, and a fantastic learning experience.
2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?
My books have been classified in a lot of different ways. "Women's Fiction," "Historical Fiction," "Cross-over Fiction," and from what I can tell, they're read by women, yes, but also men and teens. I guess my work is best characterized by my need to write about tough subjects in a hopeful, funny way. Sometimes a young narrator is the best way to do that.
3. WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I WRITE?
Most of my stories are fairly character driven. I love to write about what makes people sad, hopeful, despairing, and how they deal with those emotions and find the strength to transcend them. I also love setting. Location...location...location. If I'm going to spend some time, say a year or so, telling a tale, I want to be somewhere that I truly enjoy. And that has to be a place that I've spent some time. I marvel at writers who can write about the 1850's, or Mars, but that doesn't work for me. I need to have breathed the air, spent time in the buildings, and talked to the people. Pace is also a big deal. And something unusual in the plot, a twist...love that too.
4. HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?
It changes from book to book, but usually a vague story will begin to form. Then I'll get a feel of the setting. The narrator pipes in next. After that, it's a free-for-all. I get up when the sun does, let my sweet pup Amazing Gracie out, make my tea, light candles, and we head over to my desk. I go at it for around 4-5 hours a day, every day, no exceptions. My brain let's me know when it's time to head up to the shower, which serves as a transition back into the real world, unless I get another idea and have to run naked through the house and back to my computer.
5. AND ANOTHER PART OF THIS QUESTION, HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS NOT WORK?
Some days I wish I could outline a story and stick to it. I spend a huge amount of time rewriting because a character that I thought committed a crime or a transgression is, in fact, innocent, and the Casper Milquetoast that I thought was a supporting character is the real culprit.
PASSING THE TORCH, OR WHO'S NEXT?
I'm so happy to share a few of my favorite, super-talented, and all around awesome writers with you.
Karen McQuestion (http://karenmcquestion.com/) is the wildly successful, groundbreaking Indie author of numerous books for adults, teens, and kids. Her newest, HELLO LOVE, will be released in September '14, and is already getting quite the buzz.
Ann Garvin's (http://anngarvin.net/) new one, THE DOG YEAR, is gaining critical acclaim as well. It's funny, touching, and a great beach read.
The wonderful Cathy Lamb (http://cathylamb.net/) has a new one coming in September '14. WHAT I REMEMBER MOST. If you haven't read any of Cathy's work you're in for a treat.
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Jill
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Jun 11, 2014 06:41PM
Very nice. Thanks for letting us take a peek into your writing life. Can't wait to read about Tess!
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Hi Lesley. I was lucky enough to meet Heather at a reading in March at Prairie Lights. She's lovely.
There is just something about Leslie's characters that makes them come alive. My very favorite is "Whistling in the Dark"
Mary wrote: "There is just something about Leslie's characters that makes them come alive. My very favorite is "Whistling in the Dark""Mine too, and also my husband's. He laughed through most of the book and was so happy when I showed him I had the sequel too!
Jill wrote: "Very nice. Thanks for letting us take a peek into your writing life. Can't wait to read about Tess!"Thank you, Jill! I can't read for you to read about Tessie too:)
Susan wrote: "Hi Lesley. I was lucky enough to meet Heather at a reading in March at Prairie Lights. She's lovely."Heather is just so gifted. As a person and a writer. I'm proud to call her my friend:)
Mary wrote: "There is just something about Leslie's characters that makes them come alive. My very favorite is "Whistling in the Dark""Thank you, Mary! If you loved "Whistling in the Dark," I have a sneaking suspicion you're gonna like THE UNDERTAKING OF TESS as well. Fingers crossed!
I know I will love Tess and am having an impatient time waiting to meet her!
