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lisalemonjello's writer's même
Mar. 31st, 2004 06:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbc1. Do you call yourself a Writer (capital W) and, if so, when and how did the transformation from being someone who writes to becoming a Writer occur?
Rarely. I think of myself as a Communicator, and writing is an integral part of that. But mostly I’m Person.
2. Do you write in more than one form (i.e. short fiction, poetry, essay, novel) and, if so, how is the process different one to another?
I started with short fiction, then opinion pieces, and now mostly it’s research-related non-fiction (journal articles, essays). I think that one can get away wiht non-fiction being less craft-worthy: content seems good enough for a lot of publishers/publications. So my effort to create engaging, substantive and readable non-fiction is fulfilling to me, as a writer.
3. What Writers have been the biggest influence on you?
Camus for economy, Foucault for complexity, Carol Shields for heart. When I grow up I wanna be Carol Shields.
4. Would you rather be commercially famous or admired by other writers?
My own satisfaction with the work is most important. So I’ll take the cash, so I can work on my own terms. In the Cook Islands.
5. What is your successful image of a Writer. If you become successful what will (or does) that look like to you?
Being able to accept the compliments and critiques appropriately.
6. Does it matter to you if people interpret your work in ways you never intended?
Somewhat. The world is full of phreaks who have an unique twist on everything. And genuinely innovative people often bring unique perspectives.
7. How honestly do you critique the writing of others?
When asked, I tell them I will be honest--and don’t ask me if you don’t want that. I ask the same of those who read my work.
8. Do you worry about plagiarism when you write creatively on-line?
No, I shall hunt them down and kill them. They should be worried.
9. Can writing be taught? How important is a formal education to making the writer?
Yes, but voice can’t. Perhaps the greatest gift of my high school education was a couple of teachers who taught the mechanics of reading and writing critically--and one who was a grammar Nazi (90% to pass). Totally changed my world--for the better.
10. Writing Workshops: What is your opinion of them? Have you ever been to one?
Never done one. No plans. I learn by doing.
11. Inspiration or perspiration?
Perspiration for the craft; inspiration for the launching part. That goes for research as well.
12. What form(s) do you prefer - past, present, future, genre, time period, style?
Past and present.
13. When writing, do you outline first or just begin and see where it takes you?
Outline first, though the final work often looks wholly different from the outline.
14. How do you develop your characters? Settings? Plot?
No set way.
15. How much do you take from real life and does a writer have the right to tell the stories of people they know?
The kernels are real-life. Their presentation and form become something not real life.
16. What kind of research do you do for your writing?
Cursory at best for fiction--memory is the source of my detailing.
17. Do you have a process for re-writing?
Long time between revisions until a critical mass is found. Then I set a hard deadline, and stick to it.
18. What is your writing schedule?
I can’t write on schedule, if I want to write well.
19. What are your writing weaknesses and strengths?
Strengths: animation, dialogue, description. Weaknesses: laziness--a couple of more edits are often in order, but I let go of it to avoid dissection.
20. Who, if anyone, do you let edit your work?
My pal Noel (she’s a great writer who never writes). My PhD supervisor, who’s one of Canada pre-eminent historians (Jean Barman). And any generic, intelligent person for a “friendly eyes” edit (surface errors, logic flaws) before sent out.
21. Are there any writing taboos for you (for instance, swearing or graphic sex)?
Nope.
22. How do you avoid stereotypes in your writing and do you feel you are able to capture the truth in characters who are of a different gender or ethnicity?
I stick to my peoples: queer, Irish, Canadian, American, Catholic, male. So far.
23. Are there stories that are so close to you or others near you that you won’t write them? If so, why won’t you?
No.
24. How has your writing improved with time?
it improves with the effort. Clearly.
25. Do you feel that you have found your voice?
Yes, several.
26. What is the most important advice you can give to other writers in 5 words or less?
Do it. And again. Again
27. Would you keep writing if you knew that no one else would ever read what you wrote?
Dunno . . .
28. Is there a question that wasn’t asked that you’d like to be asked about your writing, writing in general, or writers?
No, 28 was plenty!
Rarely. I think of myself as a Communicator, and writing is an integral part of that. But mostly I’m Person.
2. Do you write in more than one form (i.e. short fiction, poetry, essay, novel) and, if so, how is the process different one to another?
I started with short fiction, then opinion pieces, and now mostly it’s research-related non-fiction (journal articles, essays). I think that one can get away wiht non-fiction being less craft-worthy: content seems good enough for a lot of publishers/publications. So my effort to create engaging, substantive and readable non-fiction is fulfilling to me, as a writer.
3. What Writers have been the biggest influence on you?
Camus for economy, Foucault for complexity, Carol Shields for heart. When I grow up I wanna be Carol Shields.
4. Would you rather be commercially famous or admired by other writers?
My own satisfaction with the work is most important. So I’ll take the cash, so I can work on my own terms. In the Cook Islands.
5. What is your successful image of a Writer. If you become successful what will (or does) that look like to you?
Being able to accept the compliments and critiques appropriately.
6. Does it matter to you if people interpret your work in ways you never intended?
Somewhat. The world is full of phreaks who have an unique twist on everything. And genuinely innovative people often bring unique perspectives.
7. How honestly do you critique the writing of others?
When asked, I tell them I will be honest--and don’t ask me if you don’t want that. I ask the same of those who read my work.
8. Do you worry about plagiarism when you write creatively on-line?
No, I shall hunt them down and kill them. They should be worried.
9. Can writing be taught? How important is a formal education to making the writer?
Yes, but voice can’t. Perhaps the greatest gift of my high school education was a couple of teachers who taught the mechanics of reading and writing critically--and one who was a grammar Nazi (90% to pass). Totally changed my world--for the better.
10. Writing Workshops: What is your opinion of them? Have you ever been to one?
Never done one. No plans. I learn by doing.
11. Inspiration or perspiration?
Perspiration for the craft; inspiration for the launching part. That goes for research as well.
12. What form(s) do you prefer - past, present, future, genre, time period, style?
Past and present.
13. When writing, do you outline first or just begin and see where it takes you?
Outline first, though the final work often looks wholly different from the outline.
14. How do you develop your characters? Settings? Plot?
No set way.
15. How much do you take from real life and does a writer have the right to tell the stories of people they know?
The kernels are real-life. Their presentation and form become something not real life.
16. What kind of research do you do for your writing?
Cursory at best for fiction--memory is the source of my detailing.
17. Do you have a process for re-writing?
Long time between revisions until a critical mass is found. Then I set a hard deadline, and stick to it.
18. What is your writing schedule?
I can’t write on schedule, if I want to write well.
19. What are your writing weaknesses and strengths?
Strengths: animation, dialogue, description. Weaknesses: laziness--a couple of more edits are often in order, but I let go of it to avoid dissection.
20. Who, if anyone, do you let edit your work?
My pal Noel (she’s a great writer who never writes). My PhD supervisor, who’s one of Canada pre-eminent historians (Jean Barman). And any generic, intelligent person for a “friendly eyes” edit (surface errors, logic flaws) before sent out.
21. Are there any writing taboos for you (for instance, swearing or graphic sex)?
Nope.
22. How do you avoid stereotypes in your writing and do you feel you are able to capture the truth in characters who are of a different gender or ethnicity?
I stick to my peoples: queer, Irish, Canadian, American, Catholic, male. So far.
23. Are there stories that are so close to you or others near you that you won’t write them? If so, why won’t you?
No.
24. How has your writing improved with time?
it improves with the effort. Clearly.
25. Do you feel that you have found your voice?
Yes, several.
26. What is the most important advice you can give to other writers in 5 words or less?
Do it. And again. Again
27. Would you keep writing if you knew that no one else would ever read what you wrote?
Dunno . . .
28. Is there a question that wasn’t asked that you’d like to be asked about your writing, writing in general, or writers?
No, 28 was plenty!
no subject
Date: 2004-03-31 03:36 pm (UTC)