It’s been a while since I’ve done a sort of “Get to Know Me” post – so I figured now is the perfect time. Also, with work hopefully leveling out, and having started writing/getting inspired to write, I figured that a writer-ly get to know me was overdue. I know I do my writing update posts just about every month, but they’re more of a check in, versus these are my preferences/how I write.

I saw this initially on Twitter in the format of “one like for one question answered” and I just grabbed the screenshot so I could do it over here on my blog. There are quite a few questions – 30 to be exact – so let’s dive in.

This is in no way a tag, but please feel free to answer the questions if you want! Answer them all, or just some – and feel free to tag me in your post if you do answer them! I’d love to read your answers! I don’t know who originally created the questions, but the graphic was floating around on Twitter.

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DO YOU PREFER WRITING WITH PEN & PAPER OR IN AN ONLINE DOCUMENT?

I typically write in Word. I tried Scrivener once upon a time, and just never really stuck with it. Sometimes I write in my Notes app, but that’s more for spur of the moment inspiration stuff. If I’m really stuck on a scene, I’ll grab my notebook and a pen. It forces me to think about what I’m putting on the page, and there’s weirdly something freeing about that.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?

I first attempted writing a story in seventh grade, which would have been 2006/2007? So, a long time lol.

HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY WRITING CLASSES?

I took an Advanced Composition class my Senior Year of High School and then I was an English Lit Major in college and took a few Creative Writing classes.

DO YOU HAVE AN AO3, FANFIC.NET, WATTPAD. ETC?

Once upon a time I had a Wattpad account to read books, but I couldn’t tell you what my login info is. I’ve read 1 fic on AO3, but that was years ago. I’m not active on any of the sites.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE GENRE TO WRITE?

I love YA/NA Science-Fiction. It’s what my passion project is. But I also love to write high fantasy.

DO YOU OFTEN READ BOOKS/OTHER FICS AS REFERENCE?

I try not to read whatever genre I’m writing as to not inadvertently pull from, but I read just about anything in YA – so there is definitely inspiration.

DO YOU WRITE PROFESSIONALLY, OR JUST FOR FUN?

I guess it depends on what sense? Blogging I would consider semi-professionally just because of the sheer amount of time and energy it takes – it’s like having a second full time job minus the pay. Writing stories – is probably more for fun, but that also feels wrong, since the goal is to make it a career.

HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU SPEND WRITING ON AN AVERAGE DAY?

Lol, honestly? None. Again, if we’re talking blogging, maybe an hour? If we’re talking WIPs, then I’m lucky if I can get an hour or two on the weekend, and that’s assuming I’m in the mood. I’m definitely not one of those people who tries to make time in their day. I’m almost always too mentally exhausted to write during the week and too busy on the weekends. It makes it very hard to get writing time in.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT ABOUT YOUR WRITING?

Most of the time, yes. I’m not conceited enough to think I’m this amazing writer, but I know I have talent and skill. Do I ever think my first drafts are perfect? Hell no, lol. But I think I’m pretty good at telling a story and engaging people.

HOW MANY WRITING-RELATED ACCOUNTS DO YOU FOLLOW?

Are we talking craft related? Or author related? Because for the former, probably none? Maybe a few? For the later, I couldn’t tell you. So many.

IS IT OKAY FOR PEOPLE TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR PROCESS?

Yeah, I don’t mind. I don’t know how much of an answer I’ll have, but I strive to put words on a page.

DO YOU KEEP YOUR WRITING PERSONAL, OR DO YOU WRITE THINGS FOR OTHERS?

I don’t really know how to answer this? with blogging, I’ve probably shared more about myself that I probably ever intended too. I’ve never ghost-written, or guest posted for someone, so I don’t really write for others. But in the sense that I want my stories to one day be read by people, I guess I kind of write for others? I don’t try to write what I think will sell, or what I think other’s want to read, I write what I want to read.

DO YOU EVER COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS?

Blogging-wise I’ve done some joint posts, but writing-wise, not really. I tried once to co-write a book with a friend and that lasted all of one writing session. I think it would be fun to co-write a story with someone, but I like control, and idk how it would work.

HOW LONG DOES AN AVERAGE PIEVE TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE?

Lol, my SFWIP has been a work in progress for a decade, so….

DO YOU WRITE MORE TODAY THAT YOU DID IN THE PAST, OR DO YOU WRITE LESS?

I definitely write less, unfortunately. I just rarely have the time or energy. I envy the people who work full time and publish books. I don’t understand how they do it. I come home from work mentally exhausted. If I do end up having time to sit and write, I end up just staring at my computer screen doing nothing until I give up.

DO YOU THINK YOU’RE JUSTIFIED IN GIVING OTHER PEOPLE WRITING ADVICE?

To some extent yes. Am I the most knowledgeable? Hell no. But I’ve taken classes, I’ve been writing for years, I’ve listened to more knowledgeable people speak on it, and just from experience, I feel like I have enough background to give out some.

WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO CURRENTLY IMPROVE ON?

Putting my ass in a chair and write/edit/revise. Get words on the page.

WHAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING FOR YOU TO WRITE?

Contemporary romance. My brain wants fantastical and magical, so keeping it grounded in the real world can be really hard.

WHAT IS THE EASIEST THING FOR YOU TO WRITE?

I honestly don’t know? I’ve never really thought of it. It’s also been so long since I drafted, where words just flowed seamlessly that I really couldn’t tell you. I do have two characters in this contemporary I’m working on, and their specific relationship just poured out of me.

DO YOU LIKE CHALLENGING YOURSELF?

Yes and no. Obviously challenging yourself improves your craft, but with how limited I am in my time and energy to write, sometimes it’s just not worth the mental gymnastics it takes to challenge myself in my writing.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT YOU’RE IMPROVING STEADILY?

Yes. 100%. You read stuff I wrote back in the beginning and it’s objectively terrible.

DO YOU WRITE MORE FANFICTION, OR MORE ORIGINAL PIECES?

I’ve written fanfic one time in my life, and it was like one handwritten page. I definitely write original pieces. Not knocking fanfic, but I just can’t seem to put my head into working with other people’s characters.

DO YOU FEEL MORE JEALOUS OR INSPIRED READING OTHER PEOPLE’S WORKS?

All the time. Does that sound bad? Like I’ll read amazing books by amazing authors and be simultaneously jealous and inspired. Like, why the hell can’t I write half as good?

DO YOU LIKE TO WRITE IN SILENCE, OR WHILE LISTENING TO MUSIC?

This is a depends on the situation, situation. I usually like kind of white noise – like sitting in a coffee shop/bookstore with the occupational noises. Sometimes I can write to music if I need a certain atmosphere/vibe a song might give off. But typically, I can’t listen to music. Background noise is welcome as long as I’m flowing and not stuck. If I’m stuck, I need quiet to figure out how to get unstuck.

WHAT WORD PROCESSING PROGRAMS/WEBSITES DO YOU USE TO WRITE?

I really only use Word. Whether it’s WIP related, or blog related, everything gets put into Word first. Occasionally I’ll use my Notes app, but I don’t really draft in it for more than quick noting.

DO YOU MKE IN-DEPTH PLANS/OUTLINES FOR FICS, OR DO YOU JUMP RIGHT IN?

This depends. I’m typically a plantser – I have a few key moments outlined, but otherwise I just jump right in and hope and pray it all makes sense in the end. If I do too detailed of an outline, I feel like I’ve already written the book and I lose interest.

DO YOU PREFER TO WRITE ONE-SHOTS OR CHAPTERED FICS?

I have some ideas that are just that, single scene ideas with no real plot. Other times, I have whole plots plans, or you know, enough of a story concept where multiple chapters are in my head. It just depends.

HOW DO YOU USUALLY COME UP WITH IDEAS FOR FICS?

It can honestly be anything. Something I saw, someone I saw, something I read, something someone said, a lyric in song…it can be endless.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU NOT JUST TO WRITE, BUT TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER?

Other writers and seeing what other readers respond to. Like, how can I elicit those same reactions they have, and I have while reading, with my own stories.