This week may kill me. The week before finals is horrendous, the feeling a lobster has just before being dropped in the boiling pot of water. Seriously, what idiot assigns all these ridiculous projects and tests to my students?
Right…
So I’m quite thrilled that A Girl With One Eye has tagged me. Just that visual alone is enough to make me giggle in my sleep deprived state. I’m seriously wondering if drool will short out my laptop right now. And I’m tagging Matt, Amalia, and L.T. for this so the next time they need a blog post they’ll have an easy out. Man, I’m so nice!
1. What’s the last thing you wrote? What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?
I’m writing RELUCTANT QUEEN, but my last finished piece is HATSHEPSUT. I have my first grade journal where I wrote that I wanted to be a paleontologist. And I spelled it correctly. Yeah, ’cause I’m that awesome.
2. Write poetry?
Not so much.
3. Angsty poetry?
Negative, Ghostrider.
4. Favorite genre of writing?
Historical fiction. Duh. ๐
5. Most annoying character you’ve ever created?
Thutmosis, Hatshepsut’s brother-husband. He’s a royal pain in the butt. (Tehehe… get it? Royal? ‘Cause he’s the Pharaoh! I really need some sleep.)
6. Best Plot you’ve ever created?
Well, I think the overarching plot for HATSHEPSUT is pretty good. But I borrowed from Sophocles, Shakespeare, and the Bible so I can’t really take credit for it.
7. Coolest Plot twist you’ve ever created?
Ummm… I can’t really say. It would give away one of the best scenes of the book. I’ll just say it should make you cry. It makes me cry and I’ve read the sucker a gazillion times!
8. How often do you get writer’s block?
I force myself to write every day, but every few months I struggle to get more than a page a day. But this week I’m taking a break to read. I need it.
9. Write fan fiction?
Not anymore. I used to at Panhistoria.
10. Do you type or write by hand?
Type. Unless I’m revising. Then I like to alternate so I can “grade.” The teacher in me is trained to write with red ink.
11. Do you save everything you write?
Inadvertently. I’m OCD about saving my drafts and I have all of them. It’s not to save what I cut, but just to make sure I don’t lose anything if my computer crashes.
12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you’ve abandoned it?
Not yet.
13. What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever written?
HATSHEPSUT. I have to admit that after this last revision I’m pretty proud of it. I hope this latest round of beta readers likes it! *crosses fingers*
14. What’s everyone else’s favorite story that you’ve written?
Not sure yet!
15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
Nope. I’ll leave that to Stephenie Meyer.
16. What’s your favorite setting for your characters?
Egypt. As if you couldn’t guess that.
17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?
Two- revising HATSHEPSUT and pounding out the first draft of RELUCTANT QUEEN. Pounding in slow motion, that is.
18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Not a real one.
19. What are your five favorite words?
Lackadaisical, plethora, myriad, frenetic, tempest
What character have you created that is most like yourself?
There are pieces of me in all my characters. Hatshepsut is very responsible and has a temper. She can also be sarcastic- some of my finer traits. And Nitokerty, my latest protagonist has traces of me at 21. That’s a lot of fun! And a little scary too.
21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?
History. Herodotus. Non-fiction books.
22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?
Nope. My dreams are weird. Like the heffalump scene from Dumbo. If I ever have a character on PCP I’ll know where to go for inspiration.
23. Do you favor happy endings?
No. I like my stories to have hope at the end, but they’re not happy. I remember tragic scenes the most- Romeo & Juliet, Hamlet, The Kite Runner, The Secret Life of Bees. Life isn’t always pretty- a novel that can wrench your guts is a powerful one.
24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Heck yeah! And I hate finding typos. They remind me that I’m not perfect. Grrr…
25. Does music help you write?
Sometimes. I like to listen to Yo-Yo Ma. He rocks!
26. Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.
As they continued down the palace corridors to the main hall where the wedding would take place, Senenmutโs mind wandered to Thutmosis. Revulsion poured over him at the thought of such a hippo bellying up to Hatshepsut in their marriage bed tonight. The dolt deserved some simpering peasant girl who would fawn over the spoiled prince and his royal blood. Instead, Thutmosis was going to receive one of the most intelligent women in all of Egypt, trussed up and served to him on a golden platter.
Glad I could give you an easy out for a blog. I love the confidence that shines through your answers. I have not doubt your betas will devour your work and ask for seconds.
Girl With One Eye- You have no idea how perfect your timing was. I was thinking of skipping a post tonight because my brain is mush. And I hope you're right about my betas!
I agree with GWOE you do sound confident. Hooked by #26.
I hate tests! Urg!
How fun getting to learn more about you, I loved the excerpt you included from Hatshepsut!
Thanks for a smile this early in the morning. I love #5 (very cute!) and I love your excerpt. I can't wait to buy your book, Steph! ๐
okay, I'll admit that I'm grateful to get tagged so I can post this for Friday. Whew! Mostly because this week is getting away from me–but I don't have the excuse of finals…
Yes! You gave me tomorrow's post. Thank you muchly, Madam Stephanie!
Love the quote — only a few chapters in, I'm definitely appreciating your lyrical phraseology
Ooooh thank you! I did have a post today, but I'm pushing it off till tomorrow now.
Your answers were really interesting, and I'm even more excited now!
Yes, that's possible, haha.
I love these. They share so much of what makes writers like you tick!
Very cool.
Maybe one day I'll get tagged.
Cool post, love the last question's answer!
Ha, I like plethora too. I don't use it in writing, but I say it a lot…probably too much!
Great Excerpt! I love reading about writers, what makes them do what they do and how they go about doing it. And writing everyday, way to go!
I have an award for you at my blog!
Amalia, Matt, & L.T.- I'm glad to help out with the tag! I was worried it would be the opposite, but I'm glad it wasn't.
Bethany- Thanks so much for the award! I'm all about Honest Scrap. ๐
Angela- I realized I had used plethora 3 or 4 times in Hatshepsut. It seemed like overkill so I chopped it down to 1, I think. But it's such a good word!
jdcoughlin- I'm glad you enjoyed it! I love reading about writers' processes too. Everyone has their own techniques for everything.
Voidwalker- I saw you got tagged too. Hurray!
Bane- I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Shannon- Thanks! I can't wait for you to be able to buy my book too! ๐
Mary & Tamika- Thanks! I couldn't think of anything to quote off the top of my head so I went with an excerpt I kind of like.
Awesome stuff, Steph. I agree with everyone else here… your confidence shines through.