The talented Kathryn Apel has tagged me to take part in the Author Process Blog Hop (sharing four questions about my current W.I.P. - work in progress).
Kat was born and bred a farm girl – but she’s still scared of cows! Kat lives amongst the gum trees, kangaroos and cattle, on a grazing property in Queensland. Her chapter book, ‘Fencing with Fear’ is part of the Aussie! Read! series, and her rural rhyming picture book, ‘This is the Mud!’ has been read by Justine on ABC PlaySchool. Kat’s verse novel for younger readers, ‘Bully on the Bus’ will be released in July, with UQP. Prior to publication it won the published author’s manuscript section of the 2012 CYA Competition.
Kathryn co-ordinates Month of Poetry each January, and has had poetry published in magazines and on CD in Australia and New Zealand.
You can read more about her work at katswhiskers.wordpress.com .
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What am I working on?
I'm in the middle of a final edit of The Guardian, my first young adult novel (supernatural suspense). It's been a slow process - plenty of gaps when life has got in the way - but I'm hoping the time taken will make it better in the long run. Maybe more full-bodied like a good wine, or even cheese (but less stinky!).
How does my work differ from others in its genre?
Here's a one-sentence synopsis:
When tragedy takes her first love, Indiana feels an evil darkness closing in - until a mysterious stranger comes to her rescue.
Most YA paranormal novels are very dark, which is understandable, considering the genre and various storylines. The Guardian also depicts the struggle between good and evil - which can be quite intense - but I specifically chose to focus on the 'good/light' supernatural side, instead of the 'evil/darkness'.
Why do I write what I write?
I love a plot with plenty of action and suspense - with a good dash of romance - so naturally I enjoy writing these sorts of stories as well.
I've noticed that many YA novels can be quite depressing, leaving the reader with little sense of hope. My wish is that my stories will provide readers with both absorbing escapism and an optimistic anticipation for the future.
How does my writing process work?
If there's a phrase to describe my writing process, it would be 'stops-and-starts'. Once I'm on a roll things progress quite quickly, but there are too many big gaps in the middle!
I'm a 'plotter' by nature, so all my scenes are planned out before I write them. Since I take so long to write a manuscript, though, sometimes the various plots and subplots can get a little tangled! So my editing process involves trying to make sure everything is all neatly tied up at the end - I couldn't bear to leave my readers hanging!
Now it's over to the below wonderful writers to keep this 'blog chain' ball rolling:
Kat was born and bred a farm girl – but she’s still scared of cows! Kat lives amongst the gum trees, kangaroos and cattle, on a grazing property in Queensland. Her chapter book, ‘Fencing with Fear’ is part of the Aussie! Read! series, and her rural rhyming picture book, ‘This is the Mud!’ has been read by Justine on ABC PlaySchool. Kat’s verse novel for younger readers, ‘Bully on the Bus’ will be released in July, with UQP. Prior to publication it won the published author’s manuscript section of the 2012 CYA Competition.
Kathryn co-ordinates Month of Poetry each January, and has had poetry published in magazines and on CD in Australia and New Zealand.
You can read more about her work at katswhiskers.wordpress.com .
_______________________________________________________
What am I working on?
I'm in the middle of a final edit of The Guardian, my first young adult novel (supernatural suspense). It's been a slow process - plenty of gaps when life has got in the way - but I'm hoping the time taken will make it better in the long run. Maybe more full-bodied like a good wine, or even cheese (but less stinky!).
How does my work differ from others in its genre?
Here's a one-sentence synopsis:
When tragedy takes her first love, Indiana feels an evil darkness closing in - until a mysterious stranger comes to her rescue.
Most YA paranormal novels are very dark, which is understandable, considering the genre and various storylines. The Guardian also depicts the struggle between good and evil - which can be quite intense - but I specifically chose to focus on the 'good/light' supernatural side, instead of the 'evil/darkness'.
Why do I write what I write?
I love a plot with plenty of action and suspense - with a good dash of romance - so naturally I enjoy writing these sorts of stories as well.
I've noticed that many YA novels can be quite depressing, leaving the reader with little sense of hope. My wish is that my stories will provide readers with both absorbing escapism and an optimistic anticipation for the future.
How does my writing process work?
If there's a phrase to describe my writing process, it would be 'stops-and-starts'. Once I'm on a roll things progress quite quickly, but there are too many big gaps in the middle!
I'm a 'plotter' by nature, so all my scenes are planned out before I write them. Since I take so long to write a manuscript, though, sometimes the various plots and subplots can get a little tangled! So my editing process involves trying to make sure everything is all neatly tied up at the end - I couldn't bear to leave my readers hanging!
Now it's over to the below wonderful writers to keep this 'blog chain' ball rolling:
Andrea Grigg is a fellow Queensland author who I've had the pleasure of spending time with at several writers' conferences.
Andrea grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, but has lived more than half her life in Australia.
Her debut novel, A Simple Mistake, is a contemporary romance, and was a finalist in the CALEB Awards 2012. She is currently putting the finishing touches to her second novel, Too Pretty, to be released in August 2014 by Rhiza Press.
Andrea lives with her husband on Queensland’s Gold Coast, where they have raised their three adult children – two daughters and a son.
Recently retired from teaching ten-year-olds, if she isn't being a domestic executive or socialising, Andrea can be found in her cave, writing stories.
Look out for Andrea's link in the blog chain a fortnight from now on Monday 31st March: www.andreagrigg@live.com
Andrea grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, but has lived more than half her life in Australia.
Her debut novel, A Simple Mistake, is a contemporary romance, and was a finalist in the CALEB Awards 2012. She is currently putting the finishing touches to her second novel, Too Pretty, to be released in August 2014 by Rhiza Press.
Andrea lives with her husband on Queensland’s Gold Coast, where they have raised their three adult children – two daughters and a son.
Recently retired from teaching ten-year-olds, if she isn't being a domestic executive or socialising, Andrea can be found in her cave, writing stories.
Look out for Andrea's link in the blog chain a fortnight from now on Monday 31st March: www.andreagrigg@live.com
Michelle Dennis Evans is another wonderful Queensland author. She writes picture books, chapter books, young adult contemporary novels and also enjoys dabbling in free verse poetry.
Her debut novel, Spiralling Out of Control, and her poetry collection, Life Inspired, both reached #1 in sub-categories on Amazon in their first week of release.
Michelle lives in the Gold Coast hinterland of Australia with her husband and four super active, super fun and super time consuming children.
For Michelle's answers to the Author Process blog chain questions, check out her blog a month from now (on Monday 7th April): www.michelledevans.blogspot.com.au .
Her debut novel, Spiralling Out of Control, and her poetry collection, Life Inspired, both reached #1 in sub-categories on Amazon in their first week of release.
Michelle lives in the Gold Coast hinterland of Australia with her husband and four super active, super fun and super time consuming children.
For Michelle's answers to the Author Process blog chain questions, check out her blog a month from now (on Monday 7th April): www.michelledevans.blogspot.com.au .
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