Welcome to my contribution to the My Writing Process Blog Hop. I was tagged by J. Rose Allister. Click her name to see her post.
Now on to me and my writing process:
1) What am I working on?
Currently I’m working on finishing the second story in my Daily Grind Series [Contemporary Erotica]. I have the last part of the final chapter and the Epilogue left and then it’ll be off to my editor.
2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I write several genres. The central theme in the majority of my work is an interracial relationship (usually black heroine with a hero of different race/nationality). When I’m writing paranormal creatures or aliens, I like to write the paranormal aspect (vampirism, therianthropy, et al) as just another trait, like skin color. It’s something that shaped the character’s personality but doesn’t rule the plot of the story. My characters aren’t always in mortal peril from a legion of monsters who want to destroy the chosen one. Most of the time my characters have enough drama just learning to cope with each other.
3) Why do I write what I do?
I started writing because I wanted to read about a black heroine in all the same situations where I had seen a white heroine up until now. I couldn’t find it. As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. Lacking what I wanted, I decided to write my own. I also adore fantastical worlds and building them.
4) How does my writing process work?
My process (if it can be called that) is all over the place. Most times I start with a character I want to find a home and a partner. The character has some trait(s) I like and I want to see them in a story. From there, I would fill in a story around them. Other times I’ll come up with an interesting plot idea and have to populate it. Still other times I someone will be talking about something that will spark a story. And others are dreams I managed to retain long enough to get them written.
In the case of all, I will play devil’s advocate with myself and hash out everything I can about the plot while writing it all down at the same time. I’m a pantser. I write the story as it comes to me. That means jumping from scene to scene and writing the middle before the beginning. Even if I try to write down a quick note about how I want the plot to flow, that will change. I go with that flow. The story will go where it wants to go and most of the time I’m in the dark of the destination until I get there. That’s what I love about writing.
The speed at which I write is dependent on the story and whether I have a deadline. I have several stories going at the same time. The characters talking the loudest get the most attention if there isn’t a deadline looming. Writing is my full-time job and I am a binge writer. I will sit at my computer and write as much as I can until hunger and fatigue pull me away.
I usually can get 5-12K words in one sitting, depending on when I start and how long I’m left to write. I don’t always get to write everyday but on the days I do I tend to write as much as possible. I edit as I write and then do one final read-through, self-edit once everything is finished before I hand it off to my editor.
That’s it from me. Be sure to check out J. Rose Allister’s post for more hop stops and catch three more authors next Monday.
** Cheryl Dragon **
Bio: A lover of unusual things, Cheryl Dragon enjoys writing unique stories with sinfully hot erotic romance. Cheryl lives in the Chicagoland area with her deaf albino cat.
Blog: http://cheryldragon.blogspot.com/
** TJ Michaels **
Bio: TJ is an award-winning author of several romance genres, including paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi and urban fantasy romance. Writing like a madman, TJ hasn’t lost steam. Her mind? Yep, that’s gone, but steam there is a-plenty. A true Taurus, TJ isn’t slowing down and she’s definitely too stubborn to stop when she sees the fence!
No matter the genre TJ is penning, her favorite thing to do is build worlds and transport you to a place where you can close your eyes and slip into your fantasy…
Blog: http://www.tjmichaels.com/the-scoop
** J.S. Wayne **
Bio: J.S. Wayne describes himself as a male romance writer, WITHOUT apologies. He has a resume that could kindly be described as “eclectic.” Currently he resides in Southern Utah, where he attends Southern Utah University as an undergraduate and is heavily involved in the artistic community. He enjoys corresponding with fans through his blog or on Twitter, and invites you to drop him a line!
Blog: http://jswayne.wordpress.com/
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