1. What inspires you as a writer?
I’m usually most inspired by the creative work of other people. I love going to plays, art exhibits, and author readings. Whenever I feel stuck or down, these events can light a fire under me. I make sure I am never without a journal or a notebook, so I can write down my impressions. When I cannot get away to see something, I listen to music, podcast interviews with musicians and artists, and read books.
2.When did you have that ah ha moment when you knew you were a writer?
I was in college and my theater professor had asked me to write an article about our May Seminar Abroad. I wrote it on the plane home from London. I noticed that I just loved the process—sketching out ideas, putting them into words, revising and making it sound better. I loved the feeling I got while I was writing.
3.What is your writing process?
I am a very disciplined writer. I try to write every morning. I usually know what I want to write about before I leave my desk in the afternoon. I let my subconscious work on the topic during the evening and in the morning, while I work out at the gym. When I get back home, I have a snack and write. On good days, I am done with my writing assignment before lunch at 11 or 11:30. On less good days, I sometimes come back to the writing in the afternoon. During the afternoon, I spend time on social media, meet with clients, teach, and answer email. If I have an editing project to do, I sometimes will split my writing time in half, and edit in the morning. When I am writing a book, I often spend the evening doing reading or research for the book. But most days, I try to finish working by 5:30 or 6 so that I can spend the evening with my family.
4.Tell us about your favorite character and why you chose to write about them?
My favorite characters are the two girls in my work in progress, a chapter book for young readers. These girls are brave, spunky, and creative. I love watching what they get into! I chose to write about these girls because I have a 10-year-old daughter who is brave, spunky, and creative. I wanted to write about characters she could relate to and look up to.
5.What are you currently working on?
I am editing the series of books that I mentioned in the last question and thinking about writing some more in the series.
6.Any upcoming events?
I am in the middle of a blog tour, so I am writing blog posts and visiting various blogs every day. Readers can check out the events page on my website for information about where they can find me: http://www.writenowcoach.com/write-a-thon/events.html
7.If you could be anyone you like, who would you be?
I have always wanted to be like Madeleine L’Engle, my favorite childhood writer. She was able to blend raising a family and writing her books. She also wrote a combination of fiction books for children and nonfiction books for adults.
8.Do you have any advice for new writers and something that a seasoned vet can learn?
I’d encourage all writers to write and read a lot. Nothing—not technique or trick or tool—can substitute for putting in the time writing and reading. After that I would say, be persistent. Traditional publishing is a tight, crazy market right now. The good news is that you will have to write a stellar piece of work to get accepted. And who doesn’t want to do that?
9. Where can your followers find you?
I am online at writenowcoach.com, where I blog pretty much daily. You can also find me on twitter @writenowcoach
10. Any last words?
Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog. I’d like to encourage your readers to take the plunge and start writing their books! Carve out time in your schedule, even it is just fifteen minutes a day. You owe it to yourself and your future readers!
Thank your stopping by Rochelle! For those aspiring authors this is the book for you.
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