Vicki’s Comments (group member since Jun 04, 2009)

Vicki’s comments from the Q&A with Michael Zadoorian group.

Just wanted to say thanks, Michael, for taking the time to chat and answer our questions!

Thanks, Michael. That does answer my questions. I appreciate the response! And not to hijack this thread, but I do have one more question. Well, actually, two:

1) I've already mentioned that I think your characters in The Leisure Seeker are superb. Now I'm wondering about plot, too. Seemingly simple things happen to Ella and John on the road, yet each thing is significant in its own way and pushes the story forward to its conclusion. What is more important to you in your writing: the characters or the plot? Any tips on how to write interesting characters, while also making sure, in regard to plot, that there is some "there" there?

And 2) Will you be doing any sort of book tour for The Leisure Seeker? Namely, showing up on the East Coast anywhere? (I'm in a book club and some of the gang asked me to ask! :-)

Thanks!

I do! (says the aspiring writer)

Do you have someone who reads and critiques your work before you submit it to your agent, editor, and/or lit mags? If so, at what stage do you share it with your "first reader(s)" for feedback? Do you show them the finished short story? Or a few pages at a time? Chapters of the novel or the finished work?

Also, now that you have two novels and a short story collection under your belt, how has this changed your feelings about your writing (if at all)? Are you more confident than you were when first starting out?

Thank you, Michael!

Hi Michael...I enjoyed The Leisure Seeker immensely, and, like others who have already asked questions, was very taken with the characters of Ella and John.

How do you develop such realistic characters? Do you outline some sort of "character study" of your characters before you begin a book, or do they evolve as you write? You mention that the voice of Ella came naturally to you, but I'm wondering how much you know about your characters before you begin writing.

Thanks so much!