This month I featured awesome YA Author LEIGH BARDUGO and her equally awesome Tsarpunk fantasy book SHADOW & BONE.
If you haven’t heard of Shadow & Bone, check out my review. And if you want to know more about the fabulous Leigh Bardugo, have a peek at her author interview.
Every Wednesday, I feature a writer and his/her workspace. My aim is to get to know fellow writers better through their workspace and writing habits, and have them share some of their writing wisdom here.
Today, I am most eager to welcome magazine editor and author Katie O’Sullivan.
Katie’s latest book SON OF A MERMAID by Crescent Moon Press is now out in the world and ready for your reading pleasure.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living? What genre do you love to write? What are some of your hobbies or interests? Do you have a hidden talent?
Author Katie O’ Sullivan
I live year-round on Cape Cod with my family and two big dogs, and have a “day job” as the editor of a local online magazine, CapeWomenOnline.com.
We originally bought this house as a summer cottage, and several years back moved in full-time, thinking we’d expand it. (We’re finally getting around to that this year.)
On Workspace
1. Where do you do most of your writing?
As I mentioned, we’ve been planning to renovate the house, so my “temporary” office is in the middle of the living room. For the last four years. Really. Before that, I sat with my laptop at the kitchen counter. Closer to the coffee pot, but not good for my back.
My desk currently sits between the dining room table and the sofa. It works well while the kids are asleep or at school, not so much the rest of the time. Hopefully that all changes this year!
Katie’s Workspace
2. Where did you get your desk? How did you go about arranging your work area?
My desk and chair were Christmas gifts from my husband in 2009, the year I published my first book. The chair is fabulous – a Herman Miller Aeron chair that’s fully and completely adjustable. The desk I chose myself at Staples – it’s made of glass, and my thinking was that it wouldn’t take up too much visual space that way. (The only problem is the dust. And I hate to dust.)
3. What are some important things on your desk? Are there specific things you need to have around you as you work?
Coffee. I need coffee to work. I have a set of Longaberger coffee cups that I love and use on a daily basis
Katie’s must have: Coffee!
4. What do you love most about your workspace? Do you have any favorite objects on your desk, or things you use often?
As much as I hate to dust, I love to have little objects to daydream on – my current favorites are a tiny pewter mermaid, a mermaid crafted from a clothespin, a china swan I’ve had since childhood and a blue glass heart that my son bought for me on a visit to Nantucket last summer.
5. What’s your writing beverage? What do you love to drink while you’re writing?
Coffee. Lots of coffee.
Katie’s puppy: all grown up!
On Writing
1. Who is your favorite author? Who inspired you to write?
I’ve been an avid reader since I was a kid, reading absolutely everything I could get my hands on. The works of Tolkien introduced me to fantasy, and Marion Zimmer Bradley got me hooked on Arthurian legends, but I also read a lot of Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, and Agatha Christie. Good thing I was an English lit major in college, because it gave me a good excuse to indulge in my book fetish!
But I don’t have a “favorite” author, only current favs. One of my current crushes is Erin Morgenstern, author of THE NIGHT CIRCUS. I so love that book!
2. What’s your typical day as a writer like? Do you have any writing related rituals or quirks?
I don’t have a “typical” writing day – I have three busy teens who keep my days pretty atypical. I do like to get up early (before their alarms go off for school) and check my email and such. I can’t settle down into writing or editing (or anything) if I think there’s an email waiting to be opened.
3. Do you write everyday? How many hours a day do you spend writing? What are some of your worst writing distractions?
I do write every day – if only to write blog posts or future columns for CapeWomenOnline. The best days are the ones where I get immersed in a WIP and suddenly the kids are home and where did the day go? I love those days.
As for distractions, did I mention that I share the house with teenagers?
4. Why do you write?
I enjoy telling stories, but I express myself better on the page. Maybe that’s because writing gives me the chance to edit my remarks into something sharper and wittier than I could ever come up with on the spot.
5. Any writing tips or techniques or words of wisdom you want to share with us? How about a favorite writing quote?
One of my favorite sayings is “Writers write.” Someone said it at a writers’ conference, and the phrase stuck with me (even if I can’t remember who said it.)
It reminds me that if I want to be a writer, I need to get my butt into that chair and do the work.
Katie O’Sullivan lives with her family and big dogs next to the ocean on Cape Cod, drinking way too much coffee and inventing new excuses not to dust. She writes YA and romantic suspense, and works as the Editor for CapeWomenOnline.com magazine. Her debut YA novel, SON OF A MERMAID, will be making a splash from Crescent Moon Press in May 2013.
Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of doing a workshop with another writing group in L.A.’s South Bay area. Their organizer Eric, invited me through Monika—one of his members, who also happens to be a part of my own CBW-LA as well.
This was my first ever invitation to do a workshop with another writing group, and naturally I pounced on the opportunity. I wouldn’t be getting paid, but I would have the opportunity to meet new writers, tell them about CBW-LA, promote our upcoming workshops, and even do a bit of self-promotion (which might help when I eventually launch my book).
I was a bit nervous to be speaking outside of my own group, but also ecstatic that I would be meeting new writers. I was afraid, too, that I might forget some parts of my workshop, even with a powerpoint presentation to guide me, but as soon as I stepped in front of the crowd, my Teacher Mode kicked in and words just flowed easily.
I modified the Kickstarting Workshop which I always do at the beginning of the year for my own group, shortening it to fit my allotted 1 hour and 30 minutes. Despite the shorter time I was still able to cover all the topics I had wanted to cover.
I divided my workshop with the Beach Cities Writing Group into 4 parts:
I. REFLECTION: HOW FAR ARE YOU ON THE WRITE PATH?
Before we achieve the kind of future we want, we must take a good look at our past and present.
The first part of the workshop will help you reflect on your writing journey so far, and help you see how far you’ve come along the “write” path. I’ve designed questions which will help you uncover your real motivation for writing, your inspirations for writing, your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, and questions that will help you figure out what kind of writer you’ve set out to be.
II. REFLECTION: WHAT DO WE SEE AT THE END OF THE “WRITE” PATH?
Now that we have an idea of how far along we’ve traveled on our writing journey, we can look ahead into the future.
In this portion of the workshop, we will discuss the power of visualization, and how you can use this in your mental training as a writer. You will also visualize your writing dreams and determine the kind of writing career you want for yourself.
III. REALITY: PUBLISHING 101
In order for us to make our dreams come true, we must first come to terms with the reality around us. Before we even begin to figure out our writing goals, we need to first know what publishing options we have.
In this portion of the workshop, we will talk about Traditional Publishing and Self-Publishing. We’ll learn about how a book is published traditionally, including the 7 processes that transform your manuscript into a published book.
We will also discuss various self-publishing options, as well as the pros and cons for both Traditional Publishing and Self-Publishing.
IV. YOUR WRITING CAREER
The first step to getting published is to make a commitment to writing.
In this final part of the workshop, you will be given a chance to make a commitment to your writing career, by signing a contract between you and your writing dreams.
We will also figure out how to translate the writing dreams you visualized into SMART writing goals.
I mixed in writing inspiration with writing education—encouraging writers to dream big, but also giving them the necessary dose of reality to help turn their dreams into workable goals. I ended the workshop by asking them to sign a writing contract between themselves and their writing dreams and to have fellow writers witness these contracts by signing the page as well.
I love teaching so this workshop was really fun for me. I had a great time meeting new writers and sharing whatever knowledge I had gleaned from my own research and experience. Hopefully, this experience will open more doors and allow me to do more workshops and speaking engagements with other writing organizations.
**My special thanks to Eric and Monica and all the members of Beach Cities Writing Group for giving me this opportunity!**
List the best (movie) remake you’ve ever seen and the worst.
Here are my choices:
BEST
Batman movies have been remade several times, but my all time favorite version would have to be The Dark Knight.
WORST
I haven’t watched too many of the originals to know if the remakes were bad, so I had a hard time thinking about the worst remake.Here’s what I came up with:
It’s not that I thought the movie was bad. I actually love Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. I picked this simply because I liked the original better.
Thanks for hosting this fun blogfest, Alex, Stephen, Livia and Al!
See what movies other bloggers picked for their best and worst:
Every Wednesday, I feature a writer and his/her workspace. My aim is to get to know fellow writers better through their workspace and writing habits, and have them share some of their writing wisdom here.
Today, I am most eager to welcome Rebekah Loper, author of numerous fun blogs. You can find a list of them at blackanddarknight.wordpress.com.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living? What genre do you love to write? What are some of your hobbies or interests? Do you have a hidden talent?
Rebekah Loper
Well, I consider myself a “Jill of All Trades”, but also joke around that I should hire myself out as a “freelance organizer”, because my two most recent jobs have involved organizing offices.
I write fantasy almost exclusively. I get bored with real-life (or intensely frustrated) and making up worlds is my outlet.
Interests besides writing? Uh…. What else is there? Okay, slightly kidding. I’m a budding urban farmer, and this is smack dab in the middle of planting season in my part of the world. I have chickens living in my backyard, and am planning to convert the front yard into a mini-orchard (eventually). Otherwise, I also read and sew.
And my husband and I also celebrated our fifth anniversary this past January .
Also, I just won an award last weekend! My first big writing award
Rebeka’s OWFI Award Certificate
On Workspace
1. Where do you do most of your writing?
In my house. The exact location within the house varies a couple times a day – I usually rotate between the living room sofa and the bedroom, rarely the dining room table or my actual “writing corner” (see the pink chair with the white cat? That’s my writing corner, and one of the reasons I rarely use it).
Rebekah’s Workspace
2. Where did you get your desk? How did you go about arranging your work area?
I don’t actually have a desk, currently. There’s a couple of reasons for this – the main one being there just hasn’t been money for one yet. The second being that I can’t actually figure out what type of desk I want. There’s so many to choose from! Do I want the tidy containment a secretary’s desk offers, or a traditional writing desk? A computer desk, and if that one, do I want a standing desk since those are so much better for you in the long-run? Decisions, decisions! Gah!
My current work area was arranged by elimination of space. IE: what was leftover to work with after everything that we had to get in the house got in it. So, currently I have a bookshelf with all my writing books and projects scattered all over it. I try to organize it at least once a month. Doesn’t usually happen.
3. What are some important things on your desk? Are there specific things you need to have around you as you work?
Pens, paper, and index cards. I do most of my actual drafting on the computer, but all of my character creation and plotting is done by hand with a pen. Not a pencil. I despise pencils. (I don’t know why, I’ve just never liked them.)
4. What do you love most about your workspace? Do you have any favorite objects on your desk, or things you use often?
I like that it’s in a central part of my house. The only place I can’t easily access everything from is the bedroom, but if I’m in the living or dining room, everything is just a few steps away.
5. What’s your writing beverage? What do you love to drink while you’re writing?
TEA. I love tea. My current favorite is Harney & Son’s ‘Hot Cinnamon Spice’. It’s delicious. I blame The Barenaked Critic (http://barenakedcritic.wordpress.com) for getting me addicted to it.
An unexpected quiet moment at the wedding.
On Writing
1. Who is your favorite author? Who inspired you to write?
I have several favorite authors, in all honesty. I will read just about anything by CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, Kathy Tyers, Dean Koontz, and Terry Goodkind.
Tolkien was who inspired me to write, though, when I realized that (at least for some people) making up complete, complex worlds was absolutely normal.
2. What’s your typical day as a writer like? Do you have any writing related rituals or quirks?
I have no idea. I’m still trying to figure all of these out. It would be easier if I had a ‘typical day’ even without the writing. So I pretty much write when I have the time and am not too exhausted. Rituals and quirks are, sadly, a waste of what little time I do have. I wish I had more time, because I think I’d actually be more productive if I could have a set ritual to get me ready to write. Oh well.
3. Do you write everyday? How many hours a day do you spend writing? What are some of your worst writing distractions?
I attempt to, but this rarely goes as planned. On days that I do write, I can typically spend anywhere from an hour to five hours, depending on what I’m working on, and how many interruptions I have.
Worst writing distractions? The cats. The chickens making odd noises in the backyard. The telephone (that I sadly can’t ignore currently, because of some long-term health issues going on with another family member). Reading.
One of Rebekah’s distractions
4. Why do you write?
Because there are characters and worlds in my head demanding to have their stories told. I rarely create a story completely from scratch – usually the characters dictate to me. Their stories have already happened, and I’m the scribe recording it for ‘history’.
If I don’t write it down, it feels to me like there are hundreds of histories that will be lost. And wouldn’t that be a shame?
5. Any writing tips or techniques or words of wisdom you want to share with us? How about a favorite writing quote?
If you’re going to call yourself a writer, make absolutely sure that you want to be a writer. It’s not glamorous at all. It’s grueling, heart-breaking work at times, interspersed with the most thrilling highs. But if the stories won’t shut up, even if you don’t write them down? Then the work is so very worth it for the few moments of peace you can find.
As for a favorite writing quote, it’s probably overused, but still captures how I feel about writing perfectly:
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
Thanks Rebekah, for giving us a glimpse into your writing life.
Wednesday Writer’s Workspace is an ongoing series, and if you’re interested in being featured here, simply leave me a message in the comment box, and I’ll be sure to email you.
I’ve been busy these past few months, that’s for sure.
My normal list of activities include:
- Working a 9am -6pm job
- Making time for family and friends
- Running my non-profit writing group CBW-LA (www.cbw-la.org)
- Fulfilling my duties for SCBWI
- Blogging
- Preparing for next month’s martial art belt test (going from my Brown belt)
I’m also currently preparing from my first ever speaking engagement outside of my CBWLA group. One of the writing groups in our area had heard about my Kickstarting Your Writing Career workshop last January, so they invited me to give a similar talk to their group this coming week. I love teaching so I’m really looking forward to this event.
When do I have time for writing? It’s hard, let me tell you that. But it’s definitely doable if you love it enough. I’m happy to report that I’ve been writing almost every day for the past two months.
And I’m two chapters away from finishing rewriting URTH, the novel I wrote two years ago. Wohoo! I’m hoping to finish today.
I’ll have to set it aside and let it marinade before I dive into revisions. And while I’m gaining distance from my manuscript, I’ll be catching up on critiques for my critique partners and continuing my self-publishing research/planning.
Yup, I’m one of those people who like to do a lot of research before they jump into any new venture. And since I’ve been thinking about self-publishing, I’ve been reading up on the subject.
So far, I’ve finished the following books:
APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur by Guy Kawasaki and Scott Welch
Make a Killing on Kindle: The Guerilla Marketer’s Guide to Selling Your Ebooks on Amazon by Michael Alvear
The Complete Guide to Self Publishing by Marilyn Ross and Sue Collier
The Self-Publishing Manual Volume 1 by Dan Poynter
The Self-Publishing Manual Volume 2 by Dan Poynter
Although most of these books say the same things, each of them still have nuggets information that are unique and equally valuable. I’ve learned a lot about self-publishing, that’s for sure, but I still have at least five other books/ebooks that I plan to finish reading (because I’m a nerd). J
Well those are my updates so far. It’s a bit overwhelming when I list it all down like this, but I still do find time to sleep and watch a few favorite shows here and there.
So what about you? What have you been working oh these past few months? What’s keeping you busy these days?
I’m juggling so many things right now I don’t know when I’ll find time for everything. Still, I think it’s important to squeeze in a little time to watch shows or movies. It’s a good way to relax, stretch the imagination and hopefully gain more story ideas.
Here’s a list of the movies I’m looking forward to seeing (at some point):
Already out:
Iron Man 3
May 10, 2013
The Great Gatsby
May 17, 2013
Star Trek: Into Darkness
May 24, 2013
EPIC
May 31, 2013
After Earth
Now You See Me
June 14, 2013
Man of Steel
June 21, 2013
Monsters University
World War Z
June 28, 2013
The Heat
July 3, 2013
Despicable Me 2
Lone Ranger
July 17, 2013
Turbo
July 19, 2013
R.I.P.D.
July 26, 2013
The Wolverine
July 31, 2013
The Smurfs 2
August 2, 2013
300: Rise of An Empire
August 7, 2013
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters
August 9, 2013
Elysium
August 16, 2013
Kick Ass 2
August 23, 2013
Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
The Grandmaster
What movies are you looking forward to watching this summer?
Every Wednesday, I feature a writer and his/her workspace. My aim is to get to know fellow writers better through their workspace and writing habits, and have them share some of their writing wisdom here.
Today, I am most eager to welcome Stephen Tremp, blogger extraordinaire at
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you do for a living? What genre do you love to write? What are some of your hobbies or interests? Do you have a hidden talent?
Author Stephen Tremp
I was in banking and finance (recreation business; boats and RVs) for many years. I managed various departments, was Keeper of the Documents for a $7 billion portfolio, and was involved with various projects including conversion and deconversion projects that came with mergers and acquisitions, and compliance projects like Sarbanes-Oxley.
Then came the financial collapse and I took a voluntary layoff. I took the time off to write some books and never looked back. I still do part-time work in the travel industry to help keep the lights on and the water running. I love the travel industry as people are generally in vacation ode and in good moods.
On Workspace
1. Where do you do most of your writing?
I lost my manly-man space last year to my kids as we walled off the loft and gave it to them and I moved into a spare bedroom. Then, just last month, I lost that as the kids now need their own separate bedrooms. Sigh. So I now use my laptop to write wherever the house is quietest.
2. Where did you get your desk? How did you go about arranging your work area?
Staples for $99.00. I laugh as a kid I thought I would have this huge office with mahogany walls and a fireplace with books lining the walls.
Now, I’m temporarily in the kitchen (thanks kids!!!). But it throws off how a kitchen should look and wife is not happy. I’ll lose the desk in a couple weeks and use my laptop to write on the kitchen table, couch, Starbucks, or wherever. My PC is pretty much obsolete now.
3. What are some important things on your desk? Are there specific things you need to have around you as you work?
Stuff my kids made for me. Like a LEGO man sitting at a desk typing away. Classic!
4. What do you love most about your workspace? Do you have any favorite objects on your desk, or things you use often?
Workspace? What workspace? Offices and desks … who needs them? Just give me a comfy place to sit, a cup of coffee or wine (depending on the time of day), and my laptop.
Three things on my desk:
Daughter number one made me out of Lego pieces sitting at my PC.
Daughter number two bought me the buck.
Wifey gave me Father of the Year trophy.
5. What’s your writing beverage? What do you love to drink while you’re writing?
See above comment.
Stephen’s favorite coffee cup, Stitch from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch.
On Writing
1. Who is your favorite author? Who inspired you to write?
I was inspired to write a book as soon as I finished Relic from Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Dean Koonz is also an inspiration. I met him at a book signing and shook his hand and took a pic with him. He’s a very affable guy. But overall, I glean inspiration from a wide range of authors.
2. What’s your typical day as a writer like? Do you have any writing related rituals or quirks?
I like to write in my sweats, PJs, something loose, soft, and comfortable. In the hot summer months it’s my boxer shorts. TMI, I know.
3. Do you write everyday? How many hours a day do you spend writing? What are some of your worst writing distractions?
I don’t write every day. I take breaks. But when I do write, I make up for lost time. I just sit down and rock and roll regardless if it’s quiet or noisy and knock out massive amounts of a WIP.
4. Why do you write?
Writing is my passion. It’s what I love doing and I can’t imagine doing anything else. Except marketing and promoting, which I really like to do too!
5. Any writing tips or techniques or words of wisdom you want to share with us? How about a favorite writing quote?
I can write ten pages a day easily. The fewer the revisions the better. Stephen King claims to make fewer than five revisions per novel in his book Am Writing and that’s what I’m working toward.
I’d like to write one book every six months and with Stephen King’s advice and my editor’s help, I can do it!
Thanks for giving us a glimpse into your writing life, Stephen!
Wednesday Writer’s Workspace is an ongoing series, and if you’re interested in being featured here, simply leave me a message in the comment box, and I’ll be sure to email you.
Time does fly. I’m glad I made the decision to start blogging three years ago. I’ve certainly learned a lot of things about blogging, writing and social media in general. Most importantly, I’ve met so many amazing people on the blogosphere and made such awesome friends. (Yes, I’m talking about you)
To celebrate this unbelievable (as in I can’t believe I’ve been blogging this long) milestone, I’ve decided to host another wonderful giveaway (on top of my already fabulous Shadow & Bone Giveaway).
I’m giving away SIGNED copies of the following fantasy books:
TROUBLETWISTERS by Garth Nix & Sean Williams
Michael Scott’s THE ENCHANTRESS, Book 6 of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicolas Flamel Series
And finally, a SIGNED FIRST EDITION of Cassandra Clare’s CLOCKWORK PRINCESS, Book Three of the Infernal Devices Series.
This contest will run until May 29, 2013.
To join, simply fill out the rafflecopter form below.
It’s the end of another Spotlight Week, which means it’s time for another awesome giveaway.
Today, I’m giving away a SIGNED COPY of SHADOW & BONE, Book One of the Grisha Trilogy!
To win, just Leave a comment below and tell me why you’d like a copy of the book.
I’ll put all your names in my magical drawing box and pick the winner.
I love encouraging people to unleash their imaginative and creative sides, so the more creative your answers are, the more chances you have of winning. If your comment/answer tickles my fancy, I’ll add another slip of paper (or two) with your name on it to my drawing box.
Also, if you tweet about this giveaway, or share it on Facebook, I’ll add more slips of papers with your name on it.
A writer and nothing else: a man alone in a room with the English language, trying to get human feelings right. ~John K. Hutchens, New York Herald Tribune, 10 September 1961
Filed Under : 
May.24,2013
.
