Never Too Old For Y.A. & N.A. Books discussion

Today we welcome Dawn Metcalf to the group!


1Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else?
I always wanted to be a writer. Always. Next question!
How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?
Sometimes it takes a year, sometimes it takes exactly one month, but those are extreme circumstances. Most often it takes me about 6 months with plenty of self-editing and revamping to have a solid first draft from start to finish.
Do you have a schedule of when you write?
Yes. Whenever there’s no one in the house or everyone’s asleep. I am easily distracted (Ooo! Shiny!) and rife with guilt for not spending time with my family while they are around and conscious. So this means that I usually write from 9am-2pm and, if I’m lucky, from 9pm-midnight.
How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?
Um… Next question!
What was the hardest thing about writing a book?
Telling my inner editor to SHUT UP and let me write!!!
How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite?
Published? My third book, INVISIBLE, is coming out September 30th. If you mean how many trunk novels? I believe I’m at 23 full-length manuscripts, not including roughly 30 terrible picture book attempts. But, as I often say, there is no timeline for awesome!
Where do you write?
I am very fortunate that I have my own office in my house which is my writing sanctuary and filled with everything from colored Post Its to scraps of paper littering my desk to a giant picture window with a view of the backyard wilds. It is the perfect place for me to get things done. (There is even a little sign on the door that says “No Whining” under a cartoon by Ursula Vernon.)
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Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?
I always share my first chapters with my parents. My favorite reaction of my father’s was when he calmly finished reading and pushed the pages back across the table and said, “What did we do to you growing up?”
What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?
There are things outside of writing?! Actually, I like to do quite a lot including karate, baking, board games, improv theater, make elaborate clothespin dolls, visit art fairs, throw parties and add to my collection of costuming and Victorian hats. Oh, and have fun with my family…that’s in there, too!
What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?
Sit down and start writing. If that’s too hard, stop. Go do something else. Seriously, if you can do anything else besides writing, that’s probably better for your sanity, but if you can’t NOT write, then you are One Of Us and your only hope is to sit down, butt in chair, and start writing. When you are ready to think about things like critique partners, story arcs, the Hero’s Journey and publication, then it’s time to join your national writer’s organization (I belong to SCBWI, the Society for Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators) and start talking to people, reading forum threads, check out your online resources and hopefully attend a conference or two. That’s when the magic starts to pop! You are not alone and your community is there to help you. Writers are an amazing group of passionate, creative people!
What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write?
Oh, there are so many… Neil Gaiman, Spider Robinson, William Gibson, Neal Stephenson, Joan D. Vinge, Mercedes Lackey, Terry Pratchett, Jim Henson, Joss Whedon and Connie Willis to name a few early influences. Now I’m also a rabid fan of folks like Holly Black, Laini Taylor, Maggie Stiefvater, Brenna Yovanoff, Nova Ren Suma, Steve Brezenoff, Rainbow Rowell and Audrey Niffenegger. I look to these folks for inspiration and the push to write better, bigger & braver.
Are you working on anything now?
Yes. I’m awaiting edits for Book 3 of the Twixt series while outlining Book 4, which is the next book up to bat…if not for the 3 ideas I have toodling around my brain including a near-alt-future book about gender, a murder mystery involving Jewish mysticism and a (*gasp*) contemporary story about being honest versus being nice. And I can’t stop thinking about my Dr. Who for middle graders…

It never ends, really. The ideas keep coming and there’s only so much time to write

Welcome Dawn!

Welcome:)

Welcome Dawn! Indelible was one of my favorite reads last year and I can't wait to read Invisible. How did you come up with the idea of the world of the Twixt?

Also, can you share with us any quotes or snippets from Invisible?