Isn't This Fun?

Who-hoo! I've been tagged and won two blog awards all in one day. Thanks Bane for tagging me (I really do love filling these questions out!), thank you Shannon for the honest scrap award (I've received it before, but I'm still very thankful. Here's a link from that post) and thanks to Diana for the One Lovely Blog Award.

I'm feeling the love. Now, for the questions...

1. What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
Last thing: Just finished a scene for my new YA novel--Infinity = Me.
First thing: A short story from my high school creative writing class. The teacher loved it so much that he asked me to autograph a copy. He was (and still is) convinced some day it'll be worth something. Now that's being optimistic.

2. Write poetry?
I wrote a Christmas song for Miss Snark's First Victim contest. (Does that count?) It went like this.

Joy to the world, writer style:

Joy to the world, my first draft’s done!
Let the real work commence;
Let every character, scene and dialogue,
Be edited to it’s core,
Be edited to its core,
Be edited, and edited, to its core!

3. Angsty poetry?
Nope. No angst here.

4. Favorite genre of writing?
YA, cozy mystery, and women's fiction

5. Most annoying character you've ever created?
Jerry from Infinity = Me. He's a cop, aka authorative figure on steriods, who thinks his title comes with a right to be rude. He's also my protagonist's stepdad.

6. Best Plot you've ever created?
Beauty Secrets. No one has yet to discover the killer until the end. I love that.

7. Coolest Plot twist you've ever created?
See above.

8. How often do you get writer's block?
Not a lot. I usually just have to force myself to write. Lately (as in today) I haven't been writing in my usual linear fashion. I've outlined my scenes, so now I'm just picking the ones that I want to write.

9. Write fan fiction?
No, but I did my MA thesis on fan fiction and the development of identity. Sounds fun, huh? AND, I just found out yesterday that it's been accepted for presentation at a Central States Communication conference in April, oh fun!

10. Do you type or write by hand?
I outline by hand, but write on the computer. I'm faster at typing versus writing, and hate having my penmenship slow me down.

11. Do you save everything you write?
Lately, yes.

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
I have a notebook with story ideas that I turn to for inspiration. Before working on my current YA, I had about three others I was thinking of tackling.

13. What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
My first YA novel, Wicked Reality. I wrote it for myself. It has magical realism and some parts are so cheesy, but I LOVE it.

14. What's everyone else's favorite story that you've written?
Beauty Secrets is the only novel thus far I've let family and friends read, so for now, that's it.

15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
Yes. Yes. Yes.

16. What's your favorite setting for your characters?
Not sure. I can say that I like reality versus world building though.

17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?
Two. Querying Beauty Secrets and writing Infinity = Me. I also have a MG novel I'm outlining in my mind.

18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Blogger awards don't count, right? No, not really. But I haven't entered many contests either.

19. What are your five favorite words?
satiate, matriculate, macabre, uakari and sleep :)

What character have you created that is most like yourself?
My novel's are all set from a female perspective, but none of my characters are like me, not exactly.

21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?
While driving, or like Bane said, in the shower.

22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?
Nope. I don't usually remember my dreams.

23. Do you favor happy endings?
Yes, but it has to be realistic. I'm big on believability.

24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Of course. I was an editor before a writer.

25. Does music help you write?
No, make it stop!

26. Quote something you've written. Whatever pops into your head.
Okay, this was from Wicked Reality. It was fun to write...

Sensing death, the chthonic Goddess Hel joined us to the south. The twisted grimace-like smile that her half-skeletal face projected was fitting. I stared at the centerline of her body, the blurred division between beauty and horror. To the left she represented life with a tempting figure and seductress-like smile. The right was death. Macabre flesh hung from blackened bones, decaying in thick bands. I smiled. Her appearance was a blessing, for her darkness would aid in our deception.


*Okay*
Now, I'd like to pass the Q&A on to Wendy, Diana and Jennifer. Have fun!