In the Aftermath

How 'bout a meme that's making the rounds?

1. If you could have any superpower, what would you have? Why?
The ability to communicate with angels. There are some important ones I'd want to keep up with.

2. Who is your style icon?
My friend Marie, in personal appearance and home decorating. She seems just ahead of the curve most of the time, and she's brilliant with both.

Writing-wise, Elizabeth Berg is the author whose (women's fiction) work I remember first identifying with so strongly (it was her novel THE PULL OF THE MOON).

3. What is your favorite quote?
Oh, this is tough, I've been collecting so many. I think I'll share this now:

When you understand yourself, you open yourself to a better understanding of others.

That's my own observation, and I think it's an important one. It is the crux of self-discovery.

4. What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?
That someone has been thankful or proud I'm their friend. Can I share another thought here?

I went out to find a friend and could not find one there. I went out to be a friend, and friends were everywhere. (MLL)

5. What playlist/CD is in your CD player/iPod right now?
I'm sure I'd find Adam Lambert's debut CD in my car's player. I love the song called Aftermath, which has a strong message about being true to yourself, being strong, even if it means going against the grain; that in the end you'll be alright despite having done so. The line I like most is this:

Tell a stranger they're beautiful, so all you feel is love, love...

6. Are you a night owl or a morning person?
I'm awake early for the sake of my kids, but am most productive mid-morning. Like to go to bed by 9 or so of an evening.

7. Do you prefer dogs or cats?
Dogs. It's always been dogs. Nothing against cats, though.

8. What is the meaning behind your blog name?
Back when I first started writing seriously, I wanted to have a name to associate my self-employed freelance work with. My mind kept playing aroung with the phrase murder, she wrote (from the Angela Lansbury show), and I thought, it needs to be something she wrote. But what's the something? Wait, that is it! Something She Wrote. And it carried over to my blog nicely, I thought.

How would you answer these questions?

If you missed the video I posted earlier this week, please check it out. It's so worth watching.

One Word Answers: Easy

I'm not gonna fib. Wednesday's post wasn't so simple. But as involved as the finished product was, I really enjoyed myself through the process of our story, and I thank the participants. You're all pretty cool.

Today, though, I'm taking the easy road. Sharla Scroggs, at a little salty..., gave me a blogger award this week (thank you!), and it included a fun meme. Here's my version. And it's harder than you think for a wordy writer to be so concise!

Your Cell Phone? small
Your Hair? curly
Your Mother? devoted
Your Father? heart
Your Favorite Food? edible
Your Dream Last Night? forgotten
Your Favorite Drink? caffeinated
Your Dream/Goal? books
What Room Are You In? mine
Your Hobby? decorating
Your Fear? spiders
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? grown
Where Were You Last Night? Wal-Mart
Something That You Aren't? athletic
Muffins? chocolate-chip
Wish List Item? chair
Where Did You Grow Up? Kansas City
Last Thing You Did? pottied
What Are You Wearing? casual
Your TV? off
Your Pets? pooch
Friends? fantastic
Your Life? blessed
Your Mood? so-so
Missing Someone? spouse
Vehicle? Jeep
Something You Aren't Wearing? hat
Your Favorite Store? antiques
Your Favorite Color? blues
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? recently
Last Time You Cried? waterlogged
Your Best Friend? awesome
Facebook? duh!
Favorite Place To Eat? out
Favorite Character you've written about? Sherman

What are your one-word answers? Go

Q&A with Qualman

My, but you aren't shy, are you? (And for that, I'm thankful.) I learned of favorite shows, hidden talents, past lives and honest motives. Good on ya!

You guys presented me with so many fun and thought-provoking questions, and I have no choice but to get right to 'em. May be a long post... but remember, you asked for it.

har har

ETA: I forgot one! Nadine brought to my attention that I never addressed her question, so I'm adding it now for everyone to see.

Q: What, if any, food allergies do you have?

A: Up until recently, I had none. But I tried a couple small bites of my sister-in-law's eggplant parmesan a few months ago. Within minutes, my heart kicked into a hyperspeed, and I couldn't breathe. It passed after several minutes, so there was no huge concern, but my husband and I assumed it was an allergy, and I shant eat eggplant again.

`

Q: Stef asked, If you had the attention of every single person on the entire planet, what would you say?

A: It's gonna sound trite, but it's absolutely what I'd say, whether people would listen or not: Love one another. It would solve so much.

Q: Rebecca asked, As a kid who did you most identify with from these '70's shows: Brady Bunch, Charlie's Angels, MASH, Star Trek? (And then she wondered if I was old enough for that decade of television...)

A: I *cough cough* only saw those shows in reruns. The ones I remember loving during my childhood were Eight is Enough, Magnum PI, Knightrider, Our House, The Dukes of Hazzard, Crazy Like a Fox. But Alice. These days I identify with Alice. Always cookin', cleanin', bustling to and fro, stopping in to see Sam at the meat shop...

Q: Kelly asked, If you could sit down with one author or poet (living or dead) for a chat, who would you pick?

A: I'd definitely have a more contemporary bunch. Some of my favorites, who I'd really love to talk with and get to know personally are Jan Karon, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Berg, Garth Stein and, um, Richard Castle (fictitious or not). Definitely Rick Castle.

Q: Terri said, I want to know how far along you are in your WIP??? (And I love her for checking in with me on this.)

A: I'm at about the same place I was last time you asked me. *sour face* And that would be 31,603 words. *sour face* It wouldn't be so bad if I'd actually touched it recently.

*sour face*

Q: Barbara asked, Besides [being published], what's at the top of your list of things you want to accomplish?

A: I want to be the kind of mother my daughters will be thankful to have had, despite imperfections and mistakes.

`

Q: Tamika wondered, Do you indulge in a routine that sounds a bit silly to the rest of the world?

A: What I can think of is my shopping technique. I most often avoid full-priced items, and beeline straight for the clearance and sale sections. I love discount stores, thrift stores, recovered-freight and overstock places. I forage. I dig. I slobber over the hunt. (I may have just spit on myself.) And that's the best way to find the best deals. You can't be afraid to look. Love it!

Q: Tess asked, Cat or dog?

A: Every day of my life I'd have answered dog. Without thinking. But now, I'm thinking. I'm supposing my personality might actually work well with a cat. But I'm also supposing it doesn't really matter, since my husband is allergic to them.

Q: Lynnette's question was, You're making me think before I've finished my coffee? Okay, just kidding. Her more serious question was, When did you know you wanted to be a writer when you grew up?

A: Sometime around the age of twenty, as I was getting married. While I admit I still had much growing up to do, life shifted and new, deeper, more passionate goals rooted. I haven't stopped writing with the idea of publication since.

Q: Melanie. Can you believe the nerve of this one? She asked, Mocha frapp or brownies? *gasp*

A: I actually had this discussion with someone once. And while mood (and possibly hormones) might change the answer occasionally, I'd most often opt for the frapp. Definitely.

Q: Angie asked, If somebody gave you $10,000 right now, what would you do with it?

A: I'd pass it over to my dad, without a blink, for undisclosed reasons.

Q: Barry asked, Do you play an instrument of any kind?

A: I don't, no. As a kid I tried (read: tried) piano lessons. But like many young'uns, I didn't like to practice and my interests moved on. I do sing, though. I get nervous and sick-feeling every time, to the point I sometimes wonder why I do it (a church solo, for example). But they keep asking. And I keep going back. And I'm thankful for that talent.

Q: Natalie said, I'd love to hear about the novel you are writing!

A: This is a good question, Natalie, because I haven't given many (if any) details out about my current WIP. It's women's fiction, and my protagonist is in her eighties. She's lived a fulfilled life, has lived up to that word hidden in her name, Besty, but as the world around her begins to change, she realizes she may have never lived what was true to herself. Here's one of those one-sentence blurby things I'd worked up several weeks ago (and please keep in mind, I'm no good at all with one-sentence blurby things): A woman with neither time nor age on her side discovers it's never too late to find one's true self. The story is rolling and forming something all its own, so I'm not entirely sure what I'll have when it's done, but that's the root idea I began with. I'm about halfway through my first draft.

Q: JLC asked, Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

A: Yes and no. I've plucked items from clearance sales for my girls, tucked them away. But I haven't made lists or done any shopping for other family members.

Q: Joy wanted to know, How many sisters and brothers do you have and do any of them write?

A: I have one of each, neither of whom writes as I do. The oldest is my brother, Dwayne. He recently retired after twenty-plus years of service in our United States Air Force. He's moved to a gorgeous place, found a civilian job and proposed to the woman he loves. I'd wager to say he's never been happier. My sister, Jill, is a computer Wonder Woman. She's a programmer/analyst/software developer, and she loves to read. She is very happily married, and quite well fills the role of step-mom to some awesome kids. Plus, she's a rockin' sister. And then there's me, the baby. You know me.

Q: Deb Shucka asked, Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: Filling even just a little space of the Q shelf at bookstores and libraries. (With books, you know. My butt won't fit there.) And living migraine-free, I hope.

Q: Susan asked, What is your favorite thing to do besides reading and writing?

A: Shopping. I mentioned my technique above, and it's such an adrenaline rush. But I also find it therapuetic, if I've been stressed or need time to myself. I shop. I don't have to buy, though, it's the act of finding the bargain that I like so much.

Q: Cindy wondered, What genre would challenge you the most to write and would you ever try it?

A: Science-fiction or fantasy. Wow, those would be hard genres, I'm just not smart enough. My brain doesn't think that way, making up parallel worlds. I think anyone who's read my stuff, my blog, knows I write from my own truths, and there's nothing to work with when it comes to aliens or hobbits or other worlds or fantastical creations. I think it's best that I not try.

Q: Diane asked, What is your favorite room in your house and why?

A: It's a tie between what I call my writing space and my bedroom. The former because it's all mine: my pretty stuff, my crafty stuff, my laptop and writing things, books and a reading chair. (The only downfall is, it's the balcony, and ALL noise lifts from the house and hovers here.) And the latter because it offers that kind of respite a comfortable bedroom should. And I love its color scheme of navy, sage, golds and creams. I think my kitchen might be pretty fabulous, too, when its remodel is all done. Time will tell, I guess.

`

Q: Analisa asked, What is the worst job you ever had?

A: Would you believe I worked at a video game store? That was okay. I think it's all about who you work with, and I've worked with some great people. There was the front desk at the Hilton. Toys R Us, both at the store as a cashier/associate, and as their mascot Geoffrey Giraffe, at city-wide events and parties. I served at a restaurant, worked at an activity center for developmentally disabled adults, overnights on an adolescent psych unit. Those three shaped me the most. And as an account executive at a publishing company (yearbooks and commercial). I guess I can't say I've had a bad enough job to count as "worst." The one, from all of these, that sticks out the most as having had the least impression on my life and memories, is front desk work at the Hilton. I like people. But hospitality was not for me.

Q: Jill posed this, How would you describe your decorating style?

A: Warm. Cozy. Rustic mixed with contemporary. Old with new. I love splotches of antiques that give character to a room. I loves browns and blues and neutrals splashed with red, green, yellow, in flowers or fabrics.

Q: Deb Strange wanted to know, Any great opportunities from your past that you passed up and now regret missing out on?

A: There's a part of me that wishes I'd had a chance to live independently. I left my parents' home to marry and live with Misterwrites, and I really wish I'd tried to live in an apartment on my own for a while. I think there would have been so much benefit to that.

Q: Karen asked, What did your parents do?

A: My mom retired from corporate work, the last of which was at H&R Block's World Headquarters. (Not accounting, though, so don't ask me to ask her about numbers.) And she made being a working mom look easy. How'd she do it? She was devoted, to everything, but especially her family. That's all I know. In fact, I think that's the best word ever to describe my mom. Devoted.

My dad retired from a plastics company (think two-liters and salad dressing bottles and the like) where he was a go-to man. The title I remember was Master Technician, but he fixed things, supervised people, ordered parts, and I know without a doubt, befriended people, made them feel good about themselves and their day. What sticks out most, though, is all he did at home. If there was a problem, he fixed it. If there was a project, he did it. A silly joke to tell, he told it. Someone to give the shirt off his back to, he gave it. He will forever be The Man Who Does It All.

Q: T. Anne wondered, How many novels do you have awaiting publication?

A: Awaiting publication? None. My first has been shelved, and the one I'm working on now will be my second completed manuscript. I really do want to make it good enough for publication.

Q: Linda said, I would like to know what you dream of doing five years from now. (I do look at this a bit differently from Deb's question.)

A: I want to be living it all. A balanced life, with family, home, writing. I'd like to be published, of course, but it's more than that. I want my words to touch people, I want - more than to be listed on a writer's list - to have a following who cares about my stories. And I want to help my girls grow, learn, love. Continue with this marriage I've worked so hard at. And by golly, this whole-house remodel we've been at for three-and-a-half years better be done.

`

Q: Kathy's question was, What's your favorite day of the week?

A: I like Saturday. There's no work, no school, and most often we have no other reason to get up and out. I like to have a day in with my family. But I also like Sunday, because we go to church, and we love our congregation and its people. There are special friends and family, too, and I can't say I mind eating out after the service.

`

Q: Stephenie asked, Do people really ask what your favorite color is?

A: It's been known to happen. (Periwinkle or cornflower blue, to be specific.) Then again, I live with two little girls who think about that kind of thing often.

`

Q: Tricia asked, What super hero would you want to be and why?

A: Elastagirl, from The Incredibles. Did you see her? She was an incredible (pun intended) mother and wife, a woman realistic about her aging looks (and growing butt), and she could save people. I think that's the whole package, right there.

`

Q: Kelly asked, What is your favorite idiom?

A: I had to look up idiom at Merriam-Webster Online. And I'm still confused. How 'bout I just say, I believe in the phrase Everything happens for a reason. It doesn't mean I'm passive, or that I just let things be. I do my best to be proactive. It's just I believe there's a Higher Power at work, and He trumps all.

`

Q: Jen asked, Do you have any pets? What are their names?

A: I have this husband named... Just kidding. Really. We have a sweet dog, Lucy. She's been around longer than my oldest, and she's a character. Spastic, nervous, but smart and loyal.

`

Wow! Gosh. I think that's it (including those questions that came in this morning - thanks for those). What a lively conversation we've had. I know it's time for you to go, but please take a sweet along with you. Something to have later, and remember our visit by.

`

Hope you have a great weekend. And thanks, as always, for coming over. I love having you here.

Let's Chat

Come on in, I've saved you a seat. This one here's my favorite; try it out. Cushy, huh? There's a throw in case you grow chilly. But no pillow. I won't have you falling asleep on me.

I'm glad you're here.

I thought we could have a snack, too, while we talk. You won't be surprised I've baked brownies. But then I've got muffins, as well, cinnamon struesel (but from a box, nothing fancy). And banana walnut bread. (Misterwrites asked us to save him a slab.) You're welcome to your choice of drink, too. We have coffee, chai, the requisite milk, juice and water, or, um, kool-aid. The purple stuff.

Are you comfortable? Excellent.

So you may be wondering about my reason for having you here. Really, it's because I want to get to know you better, that's all. That's why I'm having you over.

This is pleasant, right? Just, uh, don't mind the toys I've pushed to the corner. Or the shelves I haven't dusted in... a long while. I did vacuum, but listen to me, that's beside the point.

Why don't you tell me something about yourself? Something I don't already know? I'm very curious, would like to know you better.

Would you care for another brownie, while you think?

***

Please, do. Tell me in the comments section, something I may not know. Or - if you're a follower who's never commented - tell me something, anything. I'm curious about you, too.

And then you're welcome to ask something of me. I can feel them, some of the questions I know you'll ask, so I'll just cut to those answers: Blue. Mexican. Reading. And only when I sleep with my mouth open. *wink*

I'll dedicate Friday's post to answering your questions.

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?

YOU tell ME

Well. I, uh, hmm...

I had hoped to post today with the link for something I submitted to Type-A Mom, but it hasn't been published yet. I'll have to get back to you on that.

And then there's the flash I submitted to Flash Me Magazine, and it's in the running out of almost 300 entries (!), but final voting won't be done 'til next month. (Check out details here - you can still submit! - on their blog.) So I don't have any concrete news on that.

Or! I could mention I'm still plugging away on the WIP, but my new widget thing attests to that. (I don't truly expect you to keep a close eye on it, by the way.)

So that leaves talk about... hmm...

I know! How 'bout you tell me? Is there a topic you'd like me to cover? A question you'd like me to answer?

The floor is yours.

Tell Me Why

I've mentioned in past posts that I'm reading Donald Maass's Writing the Breakout Novel. (Yeah, still. I'm slow with non-fiction.) In it he poses some great questions, and I'd like to share them with you. They're important for any fiction writer to consider.

Why tell your story?

What does your story offer? What would one gain by reading your book?

Conversely, what would happen if you didn't write the book?

Maass says the answers to these questions may go a long way in telling us if we're on the right path with our writing. And if you can't answer them at all... well then, you may need some clearer direction.

How would you answer these questions? Feel free to do so in the comments for this post, or just mull them over on your own.

Barbara's Questions

Barbara, from The Serenity Gate, offered several thought-provoking sentence prompts on Tuesday. I think taking the time to finish them is a great way to tune in to the day around us. And they may also serve to boost a little creativity.

Here are my answers:

Outside my window... dusk falls over the beautiful, 60+ degree day we had.

I am thinking... I'd like to have a glass of iced water.

I am thankful for... my daughters. My love for them feels deeper of late.

From the kitchen... comes a chocolatey dessert's call. Janna, Janna! I'm in here!

I am wearing... my glasses, because my right contact lens continues to irritate me.

I am creating... a better me.

I am going... to get that luscious chocolatey dessert and settle in with my book.

I am reading... Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. I'm really enjoying her writing, and I wonder at the fact that I never picked up any of her titles before.

I am hoping... I can keep the headaches at bay.

I am hearing... talk between my three-year-old and husband, as they discuss a tv show together.

Around the house... is comfort.

One of my favorite things... is a good laugh with someone special.

Plans for [the weekend]... include going to a vintage market and antiques expo. I can't wait!

How would you complete these questions?

And The Answer Is...

So in response to this entry from Sunday, 9 people (click on their names for their links) asked really great questions. (Although, one really wasn't a question per se. Janet.) Here they are, in the order they were posted, with my answers.

And my sincere apologies for the length of this post. My husband would say that, as always, I could have been much tidier and more efficient with my explanations. But that’s a writer for you, eh?

Travis Erwin: I believe you've mentioned living on or near a lake. How's the fishing, and what kind of fish are predominately sought?

We live at a 600+ acre lake in the Midwest, alongside peace and beauty. My husband fishes occasionally, not for sport but for recreation. We have the same fish as you do in Texas: bass, carp, crappie, bluegill, and catfish (our lake paper just reported a couple caught a 39 lb. flathead, though I'm not sure what the record is). We're also far enough north to have walleye, which I hear fishermen in these parts talk about often.

Janet: Questions with Qualman? This is queer. I quail at the thought, I quiver in fear. Will you quibble with my queries, quell my questions of quotidian quirks? What a quandary. Shall it cause quarrels? I lay down my quaking quill. I am not qualified.

Quite.

Joshua: well....since you answered my rash question lol… Do you find it hard balancing writing, being a wife, being a mother, and making brownies?

Absolutely, it’s difficult. Being a stay-at-home-mom is the greatest of my blessings and priorities, but I don’t want that to be all I do. I don’t want to lose sight of who I am aside from Mommy and what my desires are. So, balance is crucial to me, though I often feel I fall short of attaining it. It seems like something’s always got to give. I’d like to devote equal parts of time and energy to all aspects of my life, but there are most certainly days where my focus skews. My daughters always get that one part of me; the part that fixes their meals, guides their activities, hugs and snuggles, helps them in the bathroom, answers their questions, reads books, etc... But “extras,” like sitting down at the computer to play a game together, or going to the park, or doing a craft, are traded off with the other parts of my life. Some days, because of tasks and demands, I spend a lot of time on homemaker things. Other days, dishes and laundry fall to the wayside and I focus on whatever writing project has my interest and drive. And somewhere in there is physical and emotional support for my husband. Some falls under my homemaking role, like keeping his work clothes clean (he’s working 6 days a week, 12 hrs+, and can’t possibly do it himself) and fulfilling his desire for all things baked. The emotional support is easiest, because we talk several times a day, and I’m always ready with an ear and (usually) a back rub (when he's actually home). I know I’ll be able to strike a better balance once both girls are in school and I have several uninterrupted hours a day, but until then I have to try to juggle it all through the course of each week.

Still, I feel like I’m able to get quite a bit of writing done, which I’ll get into more down in Melanie’s question.

Oh, and there’s always time for brownie making… ;)

Joanne: You've mentioned writing a column. Can you give us some details on that ... how often, subject, topics you've covered, things like that? I think that's a nice facet of a writing career.

Great question, Joanne! I created and write a column called Every Mom’s Column. It’s a humor piece appearing quarterly, based on my life as a mom, and I write it in the vein of Erma Bombeck’s style. (I love her writing.) My goal is to share anecdotes and experiences in a relatable way, one that will leave moms laughing and feeling good about motherhood. Every Mom’s Column is put out in our county’s health department newspaper, which is printed by the local publisher. Having first proposed the article to the publisher himself and getting no response (at all), I approached the health department (who holds creative control) directly, who thought it a great idea and signed me on. I’d put time and energy into seeking syndication with the column (or a larger pub) if I wasn’t trying to make something of myself as a novelist. Still, the kinds of writing that appear in my column (which I’ll give examples of below in Terri’s question) are a passion of mine.

Angie Ledbetter: I've got a long research list of possible women's fiction agents if ya wanna copy! How's the hunt going?

Thanks, Angie! AgentQuery.com has become my best friend, it seems. I’ve found many who might be a good match, though none (yet) who seem to feel the same. My women’s fiction currently has a dozen rejections, and I have quite a few more out… several of which enough time has passed and I expect to hear nothing. So it’s with wavering confidence and strengthening anxiety that I continue. I did decide last night to take anothe swipe at my query letter, make some new changes. Will be working on that...

WendyCinNYC: How's your daughter liking school so far? How did you meet misterwrites?

She’s loving it! Her little friends and the daily routine fill her with excitement, and she’s experiencing so much. She’s also learning that not every experience is perfect, because one of the teachers rubs her the wrong way. I’m using it as a opportunity to teach her that we’ll always have disagreeable people in our lives; people who aren’t nice no matter the circumstance, and all you can do is smile and go on about your day.

A close friend of mine in high school (still a dear friend today) had a block of college classes with misterwrites freshman year. One day she said, “Janna, I know a guy, and you’d be perfect for each other.” So she told me about him, and him about me. Soon we had a blind date… A month later we knew we were serious. Got married almost two years later. And our 9th wedding anniversary is in two weeks. :)

Terri Tiffany: I can't wait to read all the answers!! I wondered about your column too--can we read some?

Since it’s printed in a small publication it's not available online. But I once posted my introductory installment on AW, here, and posted one here on Blogger several weeks ago. Let me know what you think. :)

colbymarshall: If you could name yourself anything other than Janna, what would your name be?

What if I told you I always liked the name Hortense Bolivia? *snicker* I teased my husband with that name for both our daughters. In the end, we chose more traditional names. Anyway, to properly answer your question… I like the name Valerie. And maybe that’s because I was thisclose to being a Valerie. It was just a few weeks before I was born that close friends of my parents' had their girl and stole the name. So I became Janna.

Melanie Avila: Phew! I'm getting in just under the wire. Friday my cousin and I were discussing you over lunch (all good, I swear). As we watched her boys run laps around the table, screaming, she said she can't figure out how you manage to write as much as you do with two little ones. She thought perhaps the fact that they are girls means they aren't QUITE as rowdy, so I'm curious what you have to say about that.

I would also like to know your favorite place to buy clothes. Not your dream place, but where most of them come from. (In the states I'm a Limited/Gap kind of girl.)

Sometimes I have no idea how I manage. My girls are, I think, just as rowdy as the next kids, especially my five-year-old. I guess it’s pertinent to say I rarely have thoughts that aren’t interrupted, and I’m forever having to take a break from my writing and get back to it later. [In example, when I wrote this post yesterday, it took stolen snatches of time over a five-hour period, between lunch, laundry, dishes, phone calls, running to school, talking with the contractor, helping my three-year-old in the bathroom A LOT, changing said three-year-old's clothes A LOT (because she wants to be a princess! no, no, she wants to be a Cheetah Girl!), checking in on Blogger, Facebook and MySpace, and vacuuming up crickets (it’s a part-time job).] Small snippets come to me throughout the day, so it seems I’m often hopping up and down from my desk to get them down. It’s horribly sporadic. (It does help, depending on how you look at it, that my computer is right off our family room, where we spend a large amount of our time. All of that will change once our remodeling is done.) But when one daughter is gone and the other is napping, or they’re engrossed in a favorite movie or game, or they’ve gone to bed and I’ve caught my second wind, that’s when I fill in the larger chunks of my writing. I so wish I had more time like that, but it’s such a hard thing when they’re little. I try not to wish away time, or dream too much about my days when they’re both in school, but a fairly big part of me does look forward to it.

Where do I shop most? Hmm. That’s tough because I frequent so many discount stores, and a lot of my clothing comes from them. (By “discount” I don’t mean Wal-Mart – though they get a large amount of our money – but places who receive overstocks and misplaced freight, of which they then seriously reduce the prices.) But as for retail, probably Target and Kohls most often. And I love Old Navy.

Wow, that's a horribly long blog. Tell me honestly, did you read it all or skim? Perhaps I should make up for it with very short, very simple posts for the next few days...

Thanks for participating! I had fun!

It's All About the Writing

I read a blog post by Travis Erwin the other day, who gave a sort of what's what about his writing. I thought I might borrow the format he used, and give clear answers as to my own. After all, what's a blog about writing if no one knows the kind of writing you do? (I recently posted a sample of my fiction.) Oh, I've mentioned snippets of my projects and interests here and there, but this is a nice run-down of all my writerly workings. And, 'cause you know, if an agent happens by my blog, they'll see at a glance who I am as a writer. ;)

What is/are your genre(s)? Contemporary fiction. I also have an interest in humorous narrative non-fiction. But unrelated to novels, I write a humor column based on motherhood, as well as essays and articles on varying topics.

How many books are you working on now? Three: The women's fiction I've written and am actively querying, the contemporary fiction of which I began writing the first draft a couple months ago, and then the narrative non-fiction I've been planning and proposing.

Are you a linear or chunk writer? Most often I fall into the linear category. But when I stalled two-thirds of the way through my women's fiction, I jumped ahead to the ending. Since I'd known all along how I wanted the story to conclude, I decided I might reach that end better if it was laid out before me. And it worked!

What POV are you partial to? I started with first person point-of-view, but it just wasn't working. So I switched and, for me, third person is so much smoother. The story seems to unfold better, whereas it seemed stunted and jolty in first. I think I've found my niche with third person POV.

What tense do you use? Past. It's the only one that seems natural for my style of writing.

What theme keeps cropping into your books? For fiction, it's the main characters' ultimate search for happiness. In non-fic, motherhood.

How many days a week do you write? I usually write some form of something, even if just a blog post, each of a week's seven days. As a mom of two young girls, though, only one of which is in school, I've found it hard to line out a standard routine. So I'm relegated to doing true writing (on a larger scale project) during stolen snatches, when they've occupied themselves or after they've gone to bed.

What time of day do you get your writing done? There's no one answer for this. Sometimes it's while Dora the Explorer plays in the background, sometimes it's when my husband takes the girls out (or I escape on my own) and I'm left alone with my thoughts, and yet other times it's late at night, after I've had more than one iced mocha, and the caffeine and adrenaline and inspiration won't let me rest. There seems no rhyme nor reason.

Who are your mentors? This is tough for me to answer, because I have no true coach or tutor when it comes to writing. But I've found what I'd guess to be an equivalent amount of support and encouragement among other writers, who understand the passion, the hard work, the discipline, etc.; those I've found on AW and here on Blogger.

Who are your favorite authors to read? Those authors I read with any regularity are Jan Karon, Beverly Lewis, Barbara Delinsky, Nicholas Sparks, and James Patterson (I like the pscyh thrillers, but even moreso the contemporary fiction he's been delving into as of late). But, plain and simple, I love contemporary fiction (especially in the sub-genre of women's fiction). I've yet to sit down with a Jodi Picoult book, but I really look forward to reading her novels. And though I've only read one of Anne Lamott's books thus far (Bird By Bird - I highly recommend it!), I plan to check out others of her titles, both fic and non-fic.

And that's it for me. How would you answer these questions?