Friday, July 10, 2009

Just For Fun: A Writer's Meme

What was the last thing you wrote?
Something for chapter 10 in my current novel-in-progress.

Was it any good?
Eh. The jury (of one - me) is out.

Write poetry?
Occasionally, but I have no passion for it.

Angsty poetry?
Well, I once was a teenage girl. What's that tell ya?

Favorite genre of writing?
Women's Fiction

Most fun character you ever wrote?
Thus far, a sassy salesclerk named Dom. But it was a minor appearance.

Most annoying character you ever wrote?
Charlotte, a self-absorbed, unpleasant and rude woman, whose character I built using similar people from my own life. Kind of a catharsis, really.

Best plot you ever wrote?
Now, now. I can't give anything specific away. I'll just say, it's in the works and its potential is grand. If I can pull it off.

Coolest plot twist you ever wrote?
An underlying and unexpected connection between two people.

How often do you get writer’s block?
Let's see... it's ten past the hour... right. about. now!

How do you fix it?
Sit down and beg discipline from myself... or do something different until the words start flowing again. Showers always help.

Write fan fiction?
Never once. And I'll be honest, I really don't understand the following. If you're that creative, come up with something entirely new.

Do you type or write by hand?
By choice, always type. If it's by hand, it's because no computer is near. And it's very choppy and messy and small.

Do you save everything you write?
Absolutely. Unless it's a grocery list, you know.

Do you ever go back to an idea long after you abandoned it?
Sure do. Especially if I abandoned it on purpose, to gain fresh perspective.

What’s your favorite thing you have ever written?
I'm partial to a couple short stories, and I really feel something for my current WIP. It may be the best thing I've written to date, whether it sees publication in the end or not.

What’s everyone else’s favorite thing you’ve written?
Maybe you could tell me?

Do you show people your work?
Less and less so. As I said last week, it's becoming important for me to keep things under wraps a bit.

Did you ever write a novel?
One complete, one left hanging... and a new one I haven't spoken about yet...

Have you ever written fantasy, sci-fi, or horror?
Golly, no! And I don't aim to. Not my fortes.

Ever written romance or teen angsty drama?
Yep. Except the teen angsty drama thing.

How many writing projects are you working on right now?
One big project, and it's not uncommon to have several little ones floating around.

Do you want to write for a living?
Pshh! Who doesn't?

Have you ever won an award for writing?
In middle school, for a summer poem about lemonade. *cheesy grin*

Ever written something in script or play format?
No, but wouldn't it be easy? I could tell, tell, tell. ;)

What character you've written most resembles yourself?
My current MC has a very similar nuance and voice. And I love her.

Where do you get the ideas for your characters?
Divine Intervention. And brainstorms.

Do you ever write based on dreams?
Some details come to me that way, for sure.

Do you favor happy endings, sad endings or cliff hangers?
I like things tied up and neat, but I'm learning they don't have to be happily ever after.

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen?
I've been prompted by photos before.

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Shoot, yes. Anal-retentive much?

Ever written anything entirely in chatspeak (How r u)?
Just on my phone. Shh...

Are people surprised and confused when they find out you write well?
I get the gamut of reactions.

Quote something you’ve written. The first thing to pop in your mind.
"Something changed my thinking. Made my thinking change." Brilliant, I know.

Whew! That was fun. How 'bout you?

22 comments:

Terri Tiffany said...

Loved your answers. I made my own in my head as I read yours. That's a hard thing to do!

Lori said...

You can be so natural and funny! It's really admirable.

Jody Hedlund said...

Great interview! I enjoyed learning more about you!

Jessica Nelson said...

Very cute. :-)

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Shoot, yes. Anal-retentive much?

I think that's my favorite line because it describes me too. :) It's fun getting a peek at the behind-the-scenes.

I should do this next week, thanks for the idea!

ChristaCarol Jones said...

Good, interesting stuff here, Janna! Enjoyed reading more about you :)

Anonymous said...

Great answers on the meme. Glad you join in.

Janna Leadbetter said...

I've tried to do that before, too, Terri. :) And thanks!

Lori - You give the best compliments.

Jody - Thanks!

Jessica - Thank you.

Melanie - Two peas. And I'll look forward to it.

Thanks, Christacarol!

Rafael - It was fun!

Debbie said...

Sadly, my grocery lists are probably the only things I write that are worth saving!

JLC said...

That was great. You and I are definitely different writers. I'll post mine next week. :)

Angie Ledbetter said...

Very cool! I've got a gritchy Charlotte character too. :)

Nadine said...

Loved this! And I feel the same way about Fan Fiction!

Spy Scribbler said...

Oh that is cool! Maybe I'll play on the new blog, since I have nothing else to do!

I love how you can remember a line! I don't remember a single line from any of my stories. I'll have to look one up.

Joanne said...

I'll pick a few and answer here along with you ...

"What’s everyone else’s favorite thing you’ve written?"
**I always enjoy your flash fiction, it's very effective.

"How many writing projects are you working on right now?"
**I'm the same way. Currently working on a NF proposal, but always have smaller burners I can turn to for a break.

"Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?"
**Yes, yes. I like my copy to be as clean as possible, always!

"Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen?"
**Yes, twice. Once on a museum glass case of sketches that preceded a painting, and the 2nd time based on artwork of John Lennon I'd seen on exhibit.

These are fun, Janna. Thanks for the little pause in my day!

Jill Kemerer said...

I know what you mean about keeping your work under wraps. Sometimes people give me a blank stare about the "latest great idea" I have for a book, which completely deflates my enthusiasm for it. Sigh.

Tess said...

I love a good meme - it reveals fun things. thanks for sharing this one :D

Janna Leadbetter said...

Debbie - Not true! So not true.

JLC - Can't wait to read it!

Angie - What a great word "gritchy" is!

Nadine - I know, right?

Natasha - You need to do it!

Joanne - I love that you've always been such a supporter of my flash. Thank you! And thanks for answering a few of the questions. Like hearing 'em!

Jill - I think that's it exactly. No one every understands the concept with the enthusiasm I have, and it's a bummer. Not to mention, things progress and change so much as I work on something, that it's best I don't give them one idea and form another.

Tess - Thanks! I enjoying doing these kinds of memes.

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Fun answers, thanks for sharing! Some of those were hard. It'd have to think about them for a bit :)

Janna Leadbetter said...

Cindy - There were a lot of them, too. Almost too many, I thought.

Travis Erwin said...

I posted my answers today.

Deb Shucka said...

It was great to get to know you a bit better here.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Travis - Loved it!

Deb - You should do these.