First off, let me wish you all a happy Labor Day! Hope you’re all enjoying this Monday. Can you believe it’s already September? Because, frankly, I can’t. o.O Now then, just recently a new blog for writers was launched by Meghan Gorecki called Every Good Word. If you’re a writer you’re absolutely going to want to check out that place. Trust me, you won’t regret it. I’m a bit late to the party, but over at the site in order to get to know each other they put up a writerly tag for everyone to fill out. I didn’t see it until just a day or two ago (I’ve been a bit behind on reading blogs lately) but I just had to participate, late or not.

1. What was your first-ever piece of writing?
   That would be a story called “Samantha” about a 9 year old girl and her horse Misty. Originally, the girl was me but then I changed her name to Samantha. Yeah, it was bad but that’s what started it all so I’m still fond of that silly little story.
2. How old were you when you first began writing?
   I was 9 (which you probably guessed from the first question). It was during the summer and I would go outside almost every evening to write that little book. I’ve been obsessed with writing ever since, although in the past 3 years I’ve become much more serious about it.
3. Name two writing goals. One short term & one long term.
   My current short term goal is to finish fully editing Secrets of Camelot. My long term goal, as many others have said, is to get a multi-book contract with a publishing company. That is something I very, very much want.
4. Do you write fiction or non-fiction?
   Fiction alllll the way! Unless you count my silly, little blog posts, but even they’re a struggle. I’m just naturally a fiction gal, writing reality is tough for me. Lol.
5. Bouncing off of question 4, what’s your favorite genre to write in?
   Fantasy! I know that’s a surprise. Hee. You guys should know by now fantasy is my life. Then again, I’ve never really tried any other genres until here very recently, but I just can’t seem to stay away from fantasy for too long. And I’m talking epic, medieval fantasy with gleaming swords, chivalrous knights, magic forests, magnificent castles, fair elves, fire-breathing dragons, etc. I just LOVE it!!
6. One writing lesson you’ve learned since 2013 began.
   Goodness, this year has taught me so much with writing! I think the biggest thing I’ve learned this year with writing is to just keep going until you’re finished. Up until the last few years, I never stuck with a project and thus I have far too many unfinished things collecting virtual dust in the dark places of my laptop. But lately I’ve been pushing myself to actually get things done. Set goals, give yourself a time-limit, and just get it done. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.
7. Favorite author, off the top of your head!
   Only one? Boo. Okay, Bryan Davis. He weaves the most fascinating and intricate plots I’ve every read. (Also, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. *cough* No, I didn’t just throw in two more people, shhhh.)
8. Three current favorite books.
   O_O Can I make it 50 favorite books instead? Erm… Dragons in Our Midst/Oracles of Fire Series by Bryan Davis, Lords of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. (Yes, that is sorta kinda 4, but more like 3, different series and not books, but I love series and I have to put them all together instead of choosing individual books.)
9. Biggest influence on your writing {person}:
   That would be my dear, dear friend whom I fondly call Celti (you know who you are, girl). Even though I haven’t known her long, I’d not be nearly as far along right now with my writing if it were not for her constant encouragement and support. I don’t know how I ever got on without her.
10. What’s your go-to writing music?
    Oh my, well, I have an odd taste in music sometimes. For writing it always has to be instrumental, I can’t work with lyrical songs going. Usually I resort to soundtracks, from LotR, to Narnia, to Peter Pan, to Tangled, you name it, I ADORE soundtracks! Also video game music. Yep, odd I know, but there are some amazingly perfect writing songs out there. Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts, and The Legend of Zelda music is the absolute BEST. I also love anything Celtic. Basically anything pretty and instrumental that works with whatever I’m writing at the time.
11. List three to five writing quirks of your’s! Little habits, must-haves as you write, etc.
    – I can’t write with other people around. I just can’t delve into the story unless I’m completely alone (that doesn’t count my little companion Navi the poodle though).
    – I tend to write better at night, though I usually get most of my writing done during the afternoon.
    – I absolutely cannot write unless I have music going that fits with the scene. Silence just doesn’t work.
    – Often I make the facial expression my characters are making. Sometimes it’s on purpose to figure out how to describe the expression, but other times I just do it unintentionally. Something about writing out a facial expression makes my face form into it. It’s odd. (See? There’s a reason I write alone.)
12. What, in three sentences or less, does your writing mean to you?
    To me, writing means experiencing things I never could in real life. It means meeting fascinating people, even if they’re not what most would call “real”. And it means putting my very heart and soul into words and, hopefully, using the ability God has given me to shine His light in the world.

Have a blessed week, friends!