When did you first start writing?
As a little girl I liked to make up elaborate stories starring all of my classmates but set in the future. For a while a had a few friends begging to read the next little chapter featuring them as adults. The storyline with the twins was quite riveting. Later on I had this bizarre dream of becoming a writer for the afternoon soaps. I envisioned sitting around talking crazy alien abduction plot lines. College and early career meant all of my writing was done in the less fun nonfiction genre. Now, I get to write what I want.
Q: What is your preferred method of writing:
A: It’s a little nutty but here goes. I get an idea about a character and then let that person talk to me. Told you it was a bit wonky. Then I start walking around the neighborhood with a digital recorder and just dictate some sort of opening scene. Once that gets transcribed I have to sit down and do a crazy looking outline of major characters and plot points. I keep walking and talking and eventually have enough rough stuff down to start fleshing out the scenes. My neighbors think I am a loon and I occasionally have to shut up when I am getting to a really hot scene — we have a lot of kids in this ‘hood! The whole method works for me but I still haven’t lost those last ten pounds of what I still refer to as baby weight.
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