Write on Wednesday on Friday

"I want to escape the unrest, to shut out the voices around me and within me, and so I write." - Franz Kafka

Found this at Anno's place -- Write on Wednesday:

1. Do you write fiction or non-fiction? Or both?

Fiction, absolutely. Unless you count my blog posts! LOL...

2. Do you keep a journal or a writing notebook?

Nope. Unless you count my blog posts! (Wonder if every answer is going to end this way?)

3. If you write fiction, do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing? Do you find books on plotting useful or harmful?

I tend to do character interviews prior to writing -- BUT... the characters will typically reveal more of themselves as I write. This is one reason I also like to do random scenes that have nothing to do with the story (my character in the shower, or grocery shopping, or grooming the dog), because it can give you some insight into what they are like.

4. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?

That depends. I always want to write, but I don't always write. I tend to work best with a deadline and under pressure, which is why I love NaNoWriMo so very much. I wish they'd do it four times a year! I'd be very productive.

5. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time?

I need long periods of time to write -- unless I'm doing timed writing with a friend. But, it takes me a bit to sink back into the story, so writing in five or ten minute blocks just doesn't work for me.

6. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?

Morning, for certain! I get wicked sleepy in the afternoon, and have to be physical then: weeding, cleaning house, etc., or I'll just drop off. And at night? Totally brain dead.

7. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?

Be vewy, vewy qwiet... we're hunting plotlines.

Seriously, I can't write with music, because I'll end up typing the lyrics. And if I have things going on around me? I'll pay attention to that. I need quiet and solitude to do my best work.

8. Computer or longhand?

Both. Longhand is for free writing, just vomiting out whatever is in my head. Computer work is the real deal.

9. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One? Or do you let the story evolve as you write?

I nearly always know the ending. In fact, I typically write the ending either first, or when I'm only a few chapters in. It helps to know where you're going if you want to get there.

10. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?

No. I wish I COULD write to the market. I have a story now that I can't figure out where it fits. It's not enough of some things, and too much of others to squeeze into a particular line. Frustrating.

11. Editing/Revision - love it or hate it?

Despise it. Loathe it. Dread it. Would do without it if I could. It is absolutely the thing I hate most about writing. Ugh.

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What Your Bed Says About You

Outward appearances are very important to you. You do your best to look good and have an attractive home. You try to be an organized person, but you often fall behind. Certain parts of your life tend to fall into chaos. You are not very high maintenance in general, but you are high maintenance about a few things. In relationships, you tend to kick back and let the other person be in charge. You tend to be a down to earth, practical person. You think in terms of what is actual. You are a bit of a homebody, but you can also make yourself at home anywhere.

What Does Your Bed Say About You?

This is surprisingly close... I'd say it's about 90% correct. Huh. Who knew?

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