Back to the hop this week! Hello to all of those joining me from Sarah Hegger’s blog!
What questions are in store today?
1. Do any characters you’ve written into your books remind you of yourself? Explain which ones and why.
I donβt think so. I do try and stay away from making any character too like me, as I think it would be rather awkward reading through it and finding a character doing and saying everything I would π
2. Was there a teacher or mentor in your life who helped nurture your writing?
Oh, good question. I never really had a teacher or mentor for writing, but I do have to say my best friend has been a big influence in my life and writing. I actually met him on a post-by-post roleplaying forum, so writing was what first connected us π
Over the years I have been inspired by his writing, and he has really helped motivate and give me the confidence in my own work to pursue this career. One of the biggest helps has been the fact heβs so honest, he doesnβt mind telling me when something doesnβt work in my writing or needs improving/changing, and knowing that it wonβt hurt my feelings. He seems to understand my want to improve my craft, so has always pushed me to keep going.
Thank you for that, Aether! π
3. Every author has that moment when they doubt their ability to write. When that happens to you, how do you pull yourself up by the bootstraps and continue? What do you do to inspire YOURSELF?
Ah, the ups and downs of writing. Iβm ashamed to admit that my down moments usually come when I read another authorβs blog and see how theyβve sold hundreds of books, whilst I havenβt.
Sometimes I worry my stories wonβt appeal to anyone but me, that my ideas wonβt affect people the way they do myself.
Then I realise how much I love writing, how much I need to write and get these stories and characters onto paper. That is what motivates and inspires me, the fact that I have such an intense passion for what I do, that I have to keep going, no matter what anyone else is doing.
I am determined to be successful in this career, because I love it too much to fail π
An interesting set of questions to come back to this week π How would you answer them?
Now check out what Katherine has to say about them! Katherine Givens: http://katherinegivens1.wordpress.com/posts/
Don’t forget the Giveaway!
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Progress Report:
Status of Fourth Manuscript: Editing first draft.
Books read: 0/4 (July)
July eBook Review: Writing review.
How lucky to have a best friend that shares your love for writing π Great answers!
I am very lucky. It’s nice to be able to have someone to just be able to chat about writing, because I really can go on and on π
Thank you for reading and commenting π
Lol…oh never mind them and their sales, just keep going. I am sure success will be yours. x
Thank you for the encouraging words π I do feel kind of bad because I always support everyone and feel so great when they are successful, it’s just that pang of envy that always hits!
Thank you for reading and commenting π
Your positive attitude and belief in yourself will help that day come soon – love your post!
I hope so, it’s all about being positive to get you where you want to be! π
Thank you for reading and commenting π
I love your determination. β₯
If I am anything I am determined π I’m hoping that is a good quality trait in the end!
Thank you for reading and commenting π
Your passion comes through in your writing, Harliqueen, darlin’!
I do love it so much π I can’t help but let that come through when I post about it or talk about it!
Thank you so much for reading and commenting π
Your best friend sounds like a great support. And I’m with you on the writing, I can’t not do it!
He really is a major source of support, along with my family. I am a very lucky woman π
Thank you for reading and commenting π
What a fantastic interview. I love how passionate you are about your writing. By the way, I have my down moments as a writer whenever I read something that I believe is flawed, because it always makes me doubt if my own writing is lacking. Great writing, on the other hand, inspires me.
I know that feeling! Sometimes I can over-read and over-think a part of my book to the point I start doubting my writing, but usually the best thing to do is step away from it. Sometimes leaving it be and coming back to look at it later with more perspective can really help. Looking over old work is always an eye-opener! But it can help to show you how much you’ve improved π
Thank you so much for reading and commenting π
Just keep writing and the sales will come.
Yeah, you just got to keep writing and doing what you love. Perseverance will pay off in the end! π
Thank you for reading and commenting π
I find parts of characters remind me of me or people in my life. Self doubt stinks. Hugs. π
I do find sometimes that I’ve pulled a bit of someone I know and added it to a character, usually only tiny bits, but then it helps add realism, right? π
Thank you for reading and commenting π
Always happy to help π I’ll do whatever I can to help make this writing dream come true for you.
And I am always grateful for it π
Thank you! π
These are great questions and answers. I usually have part of myself in my characters π
We all have doubts as writers, but as long as we enjoy the craft it’s all worth it in the end π
You’re totally right, as long as you enjoy what you do then it’s worth keeping going with it π
Thank you for reading and commenting π
I kind of figure I’m so excited to just see my book in e-print, that getting any sales at all is just icing on the top. Comparing sales is definitely worthy of a fudge sundae to fend off the ensuing depression that comes.
Mmmmm… fudge sundae π
But yeah, when I released mine I was so excited to get them out into the world I forgot people might actually want to buy them!
Thank you for reading and commenting π
I never had writing friends until I became a writer. How wonderful it would have been… REMEMBER our own success is not measured by another’s. Keep writing and keep bringing your works to the world!!! Great answers!!!
That’s very true, we can only measure our own success against ourselves!
Thank you for the encouraging comment π
I agree, keep writing. It’s the best thing you can do! Sounds like you have great support–that’s AWESOME π
Having support makes so much of a difference, they really keep me going on those down days π
Thank you for reading and commenting π
Another set of great answers, Mishka and some sound advice. It was a fun read π