Writing Process Blog Tour

It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything on this blog and when Barb at Franciscan Mom asked if she could tag me in the Writing Process Blog tour I figured it was as good a time as any to jump back in.

What am I working on?

I actually have several projects going right now. I’m waiting for page proofs for the third book in my Ali Caldwell series, Honestly, Ali. Ali is a character I’ve had a lot of fun working with and I have one more book to go in the series. That’s one of my other projects, I am in the middle of revising book four, in the series, tentatively titled Always Ali. This spring I also finished two rough drafts of completely new books, one has to do with bullies and how things are not always as they seem and the other is something completely different, and I’ll keep the details on that one secret for now.

How does my work differ from others of its genre.

That’s a hard question. My YA books have no vampires. It’s easy to say I’m not like this person or that person in my writing, but there are other people out there who write sweet stories that don’t spend a lot of time dwelling in the dark places. That’s what I write. Scary things happen, but the stories overall have a lighter feel than some contemporary YA.

Why do I Write What I Write?

Because I enjoy it. It’s simple really. I feel comfortable with the kinds of stories I write, and when I have teens tell me that they’ve read WHEN MIKE KISSED EMMA multiple times and it’s their favorite book, then I figure I’m doing something right.

How does my writing process work?

When I start a story I like to have some idea where I’m going with it, but I don’t do a detailed outline. Instead I do a fast rough draft, knowing that I will be filling in details later. Then once I’ve gotten to the end, I let the story sit for awhile before moving on to revisions. Often I’ll read it through first to see what I actually am working with and then figure out which aspects could be cut and which need to be expanded on. And then I revise. Often several times. In between revisions I send the story to my critique partners and beta readers in order to get some feedback other than my own. Eventually I have a story that I’m willing to set free in the world.

The next step in this process is that I’m supposed to tag three people. The people I asked to do it, never said yes or no to me and I don’t want to ambush anyone with the responsibility. So, is you want to participate, just answer these same questions yourself next week, leaving me a comment so I know about it and if the people I originally ask get back to me, I’ll add them in here.