The Writing Meme

Got this one from Emily.

What’s the last thing you wrote?
Not counting blog posts, emails, and work-related documents -- a letter to Zoe. I keep a journal of letters to her that was started at my baby shower. All my friends and family wrote letters to Zoe before she was born. I try to write 3 or 4 times a year.

Was it any good?
I think so. It might not be high quality writing, but it is honest and loving and I hope it will be something that she will like having when she is an adult.

What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?
There is so much I don't have. I have a tendency to throw things away so the oldest thing I have is an essay I wrote in graduate school on Dr. Faustus. It is good and I love to look it over now and again and remember that I used to be able to think and write like that.

Write poetry?
Yes. I used to write a lot of it and even had a few poems published in some obscure poetry journals. I don't write poetry much these days because it requires a combination and coordination of inspiration and time that I find difficult to come by these days. I hope to get back to poetry at some point in the future.

Angsty poetry?
But of course. And some humorous.

Favourite genre of writing?
These days it has to be blogging, but overall it is short stories.

Most fun character you’ve ever created?
Zoë. Not my daughter Zoë, but that is how I first fell in love with the name. Way back in the day before blogs circa 1999 I used to write for a now defunct website called Grrl Talk. I had a series of articles called "My Inner Sixteen-Year-Old." In the articles I called my inner sixteen-year-old Zoe and she was the fun, silly, daring side of life. I was really sad when that site became a victim of the dot com bust.

Most annoying character you’ve ever created?
Mark. Fashioned after and ex-boyfriend who was equally annoying in reality.

Best plot you’ve ever created?
I guess it has to be the plot of one of my favorite short stories which is called Taxi Ride. In the story a NYC cab driver gives a young woman a free ride.

Coolest plot twist you’ve ever created?
I'm not so big on twists, but the closest I've come is with the ending of the story mentioned above. It more just not obvious than any kind of real twist.

How often do you get writer’s block?
When I was really writing, it didn't happen often. I could move on to something else. The fact that I don't write much these days has more to do with time and energy and a lack of focusing on myself than it is a block.

Write fan fiction?
Nope. Never even considered it.

Do you save everything you write?
Nope. I wish I did.

Do you ever go back to an idea after you’ve abandoned it?
Yes. That can be great for me -- especially when I was writing poetry. I kept pages and pages of ideas that I would frequently go back to.

What’s your favourite thing you’ve written?
It is a tie between that same short story, Taxi Ride that I mentioned above and the poem I wrote for my brother's wedding.

What’s everyone else’s favourite story that you’ve written?
I would have to let people read more than one to know that.

Do you ever show people your work?
Occasionally and mostly through this blog.

Did you ever write a novel?
Nope. I would like to.

Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?No romance, but definitely some angsty teen drama short stories, poetry and plays.

What’s your favourite setting for your characters?

New York City.

How many writing projects are you working on right now?

Two not including the blog.

Do you want to write for a living?

Sometimes.

Have you ever won an award for your writing?

No, but I've never submitted my work for any awards either.

Ever written anything in script or play format?

Yes, I have written a few plays.

What are your five favourite words?

I find that really difficult to answer. I like lots and lots of words, but I don't know that I could narrow things down that much.

Do you ever write based on yourself?

Constantly.

What character have you created that is most like yourself?

A lot of my characters are strong representations of me in a particular time.

Where do you get ideas for your characters?

My life.

Do you ever write based on your dreams?

No, I rarely remember my dreams.

Do you favour happy endings, sad endings or cliff-hangers?

I prefer to read happy endings, but often end up writing sad endings.

Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen?

Nope, but that is an interesting idea.

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

Yes -- especially spelling.

Ever write anything in chatspeak (how r u?)

Only when on IM.

Entirely in L337?

Definitely not.

Was that question appalling and unwriterly?

No, just not for me.

Does music help you write?

Yes. Music helps me do almost everything -- drive, work, sleep, etc. It helps me to focus by covering over all the other background noises.

Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.

"Life often imitates art."