
This post is a part of the #mywritingprocess blog tour. I was tagged by writing buddy Susan Uhlig. I met Susan when we were both regional advisors for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Susan is one of the most remarkably diverse authors I know wring picture books as well as readers and for religous and trade magazines. You can find out all about her published work here.
Current Project
As many of you know, I tend to work on two or three things at a time. When I get stuck on one piece, I move to another, unless a deadline approaches. When that happens, amazingly, I write on one project and only one project. Right now (other than blogging), I am writing a book on the Ancient Maya for Red Line. It is due May 26 so, although I may break away for a bit of this or that, I am devoting my energy to this one project.
How Does My Work Differ
While I usually strive to be unique and let my individual way of looking at the world shine through, the Maya book is for a series. That means that I am having to make sure it fits with the other books in voice, reading level and tone. While a lot of writers find this suffocating, for me it is a puzzle. What can I do to make it just so?
Why Do I Write What I Do?
Some people seem surprised that I actually chose this culture. Yep. They gave me a whole list, and I picked the Maya. In part, I chose them because I know a little something about them but that’s because they facinate me. They built such huge, magnificent cities and then POOF! I’m all about puzzles and mysteries and this one is huge.
How Does My Writing Process Work?
That’s a tough one. I noodle things over and then I write. It seems pretty straightforward to me but I’m not sure that’s actually true. My first drafts vary from pretty solid to frightening. Then I rewrite. While I do some rewriting on screen, I do at least one draft on paper. Old fashioned but dependable in that I always catch a few things on paper that I’ve consistently missed on-screen.
Sue, great insight into your process. I, too, use paper and usually pencil to scratch out some portion of each manuscript. Keep up the good work!
Thank you! Maya paper edits commence tomorrow.