In the spirit of the theme, I’m handing the reigns over to my mom this week. Please welcome Kita with open arms.

My life living with a writer…hmm…I am Andrea’s mother. So of course my views will be bias. I have watched her grow day by day, year by year in to any aspiring young writer. My husband Alan and I have tried our best over the years to encourage her in every way in regards to her wanting to be a writers. When Andrea first told us that she wanted to be a writer we were like okay go for it!

Knowing my daughter and knowing from experience that she always excels in anything that she has every done, I knew she would excel in this as well. My only concern was that she has not been out of the house in over six years. Now when I say she has not been out of the house, I mean has not been out of my driveway to a store or anywhere in public. My idea of a great writer is a person with whom well draw on their ideas on their everyday lives, right? They draw on things that have happened to them in everyday events, everyday life experiences. Things that they learn, see and feel. Although my one wish for her is to go out in to the everyday world to see the good and bad and maybe one of those days she will do just that for me and herself.

But for now I am just happy to have her here and happy. And Ms. Andrea has really proven me wrong to a certain point once again. When she first started out, she was very guarded about letting me read her stories. One Christmas, as a gift, Andrea gave me one of her stories. To me that was the most precious gift I had received that year to which I still have it tucked away. While reading the story I was amazed at how far she had came in such a short time! Although she is a very quiet and private person her imagination has no bounds. I have no doubt that I may have another Stephen King in the making.

Maybe that is a mother talking but hey I did give birth to her and I have a right to be proud. Andrea has always managed to put a smile on my face when she is around. her attention to detail is one I hope she will keep close to herself. I know one day despite the heartaches of being rejected on many of the times she has submitted story after story I just hope she will never give up no matter what because I have every faith that she will become a great and will known author!

This weeks post comes from the virtual pen of Adrian, Annies partner of 19 years and is part of this weeks series of getting to know the regular writers better.. and from different angles.

Whats it like to live with Annie – the writer?

Not only do I live with a writer but she is a scorpio, a chameleon, changeble on a whim, off on a tangent with passionate abandon; but perhaps these are just feminine qualities?

Annie has always had creative pursuits, from acting and performing, to various craft and sewing projects to drawing and sketching and now writing. She’s always been a bit of a writer as she chronicled our 5 years living and travelling through Europe in fortnightly newsletters, faithfully typed up, photocopied and sent to a variety of friends and family. (this was before the internet and emails)  Even back then people used to say she should put all our adventures into a book as it was always so interesting to read. (still has not happened.. its another project with a low priority)

In your opinion, what makes a writer and how can you tell if some one is a writer?

Gone are the days of the ink stained fingers as the dead giveaway of a writer and you don’t need to be an alcoholic or unsociable to be the next Hemingway, so it’s quite difficult to tell.

I would always suspect someone is a writer if I hear them muttering under breath – “I could use that.”- they are either a writer or a extortionist.

There are all sorts of writers; some people write as a form of self discovery or to find out things about themselves; others write stuff they secretly want to do but can’t in real life; others are just compelled to write stuff down.

The thing that makes a writer is the passion driving their words.

Annie doesn’t have the confidence to paint, so she writes. They go together for her – its her artistic expression which she’s compelled to pursue now through words rather than images.

Since she started writing on a serious note what changes have you seen?

Annie has only been writing really for about 20 months. She was at a real creative cross roads and was encouraged by Jodi to write a short story for Friday Fiction.  She hasn’t looked back. One of the things I have seen is that she talks less – its almost as if she has used up most of her 10000 words women are supposed to need to convey by the time I get home from work. This is a plus as its a quieter house.  She seems calmer when writing. This is a good thing…

Have you read any of her work?

I subscribe to her Friday Fiction and read it each week. I have also followed the Captain Juan series but its so infrequent now I have lost track of the characters and its a bit confusing when that happens.  She has started to continue with several story lines – but with so many projects and worlds – from sci fi to fantasy to historical, its sometimes hard to keep up.  I haven’t read the book which Jodi and Annie wrote last year.

Are there any characters or situations you are concerned about from her writing?

No not really. I find that most of the work is readable and characters are interesting. Though  the multiple projects and stories on the go can be a bit confusing as they come into everyday conversation as real people sometimes. Thankfully Annie doesn’t do the batty old lady writer experience much as she writes late at night when everyone is asleep.

From my experience of her writing that book with Jodi, and of her two NaNo projects, that writing is more painful than birthing – for everyone involved.

Are there any pluses to having a writer in the house?

It serves as good variety as there are always weird and odd ball questions thrown at  you at all hours of the day and night. I’m often used as a sounding board or to help make decisions on subplots.

Are there any disadvantages to having a writer in the house?

We  seldom go to bed at the same time as night time is her time to write.  On the infrequent times she does agree to come to bed when I do, there is always the call “Just one more sentence and I’ll be there.” and I know it will be hours before she crawls into bed.

What has suffered since she became a writer?

Annie does nothing in half measures. Especially during NaNo – there has been virtually no relationship time or sex life. I hardly saw her – perhaps in the hall at times as a ghost muttering incoherently about word count.

I have learnt to nod wisely when outbursts explode after Annie reads something online or in the newspaper of “This is rubbish or  how can they publish this?” as she carrys on about the lack of plot or character development or the editing, punctuation and structural misgivings of a piece.

Advice to partners

• Like any of the creative arts; be prepared for long period of not existing as they will be absorbed in their project or story.
• Be prepared to be a patron. Its only rare that it is going to pay.
• If the computer breaks down – fix it fast or life is hell.
• In saying that though its fairly benign as a hobby – compared to painting or other artistic hobbies. As an art form its pretty cheap as there aren’t any expensive materials or continuing classes to attend. There is generally no mess with writing. You don’t need to build a special room or a studio or have smelly paint wafting through house.

If Annie wasn’t writing she’d………

……be doing something equally time, energy and soul consuming with over zealous passion.

Summing up

Its like trying to stop the tide or ignoring the moons phases.  Annie will write and we as a family will live with what comes out of it.

What would your other half , room mate or best friends say about you as a writer?

Photo is of Annie and Adrian Evett from a private collection.

My better ½ informed me weeks ago, that I was going to have to write a piece on what it’s like to live with a writer. Dale knew I could never pass up an opportunity to openly bash him in a public forum, so it was no surprise I accepted the task, with eagerness and sheer delight.

When you and your better (or worse) half decide to begin that old familiar dance of co-habitation, it takes time to get used to new noises, new smells, new things and another lump on the sofa. But when that lump takes the form of a writer, you quickly realize that some of your “less than glamorous” moments can possibly turn into story fodder. You will also be asked to become a critic (a biased one, none the less…who is not beneath taking bribes), a sound-board, a gentle (or not so) prodder, and an idea generator.

When I first met Dale, all those eons ago in our 1st period computer class, I had no idea that beneath the nerdy, genius exterior…beat the heart of a wanna-be Edgar Allen Poe. I don’t even think that he knew it then either. Although reading through our yearbook scribblings, you could see the formation of something spectacular. Yes I am biased and I have been bought off with the promise of an afternoon at the spa in the not-so-distant future.

But when, 17 years later, we decided to take our friendship from platonic to uber-mushy, it was then that I realized living with a writer would present a new set of challenges I so was not prepared for.

Take for example, this blog. Yes, you Write Anything. Dale was given Tuesdays for his column, and for many a Monday night I am asked, “What should I write about for tomorrow’s column, honey?” I am not a writer, I’m a historian. So any prompts that I come up with, he looks at me like I’m speaking Swahili. That could be because most of my suggestions invariably have something to do with the Egyptians or the Knights Templar. But just as he’s questioning my sanity, that old familiar look comes across his face as he comes up with yet another sparkling idea to author and I am once again off the hook.

Another example is one of his short stories “Re-Entry”. This has been in the writing stage for YEARS now. I have reminded, I have suggested, I have begged, I have pleaded…for him to finish the damn thing. But alas, it still sits in his TO DO pile…collecting dust.

When we first moved in together, after reading a collection of his writings, I suggested that he begin setting time every day/week to get in some serious writing. He needed to work on his craft, and since he hadn’t been getting the support that I was now providing…it took a while for him to actually DO it. I believe that writing in LA just wasn’t working for him…so I laid off the nagging until we moved to Raleigh. Once here I put the proverbial foot down and insisted that he pencil in a block of time once a week to work on his writing….and possibly finish “Re-Entry”. Wednesday was decided upon and after scoring an amazing desk for him at the local thrift store, it was set. At first, he was diligent. I would take the kids downstairs and keep them preoccupied, I would provide a drink and I would close the door. He began to write, and for a while there he seemed to be making great progress. But it wasn’t long before this too fell by the wayside.

Yes, he means well. And I absolutely love it when he refers to himself as a writer (although this recent dry spell of his, has him questioning that title). But I know that one day the Holy Grail of writing, the Great American Novel, will come pouring out of his brain flowing into his fingers and placed in his trusty laptop. I believe this just as much as I believe in Santa Claus (yes, I still believe in the Jolly Old Elf and being a true romantic, I also have belief subscriptions for the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Mother Nature, Father Time, Cupid, and Jack Frost).

There are times that we become the writing fodder. For instance, years ago on Christmas Eve…it was the genius idea of my insane children to attempt TRAPPING SANTA so that they would truly know he existed. I tried to explain to them that he was indeed real and that perhaps trapping him would prevent Christmas from happening to children all over the world. To which they replied that we were in Los Angeles and Santa had already been to all the other places in the world…that we were his last stop. So trapping him would not present any problem. And quick as a jack-rabbit, Dale explained that Hawaii was actually the last stop and Santa needed to get to the island kids, so that they could share in the Christmas Booty. Right about that moment, I could see the floodlights come on in his brain and alas, another story was born.

There have been other instances, where a meaningless day trip morphs into a hilarious weekend nightmare and yet another potential story came to be. Not all of The Zoo’s escapades turned into legitimate anecdotes, although he’s committed most of them to both memory & story diary. Perhaps one day they will see the light of day and perchance inspire maniacal laughter in another family or perhaps pity for our bizarre life. Either way, I have every confidence that the writer bringing our dysfunctional family to the masses will be DC.

At least that’s what I’m saying…as long as there is another spa day in it for me. I hope you’re keeping count Dale.

Dave and I met at the keg (where all good uni romances begin) and it was, almost, love at first sight. I was a statuesque blonde with a seven year plan. He was a scruffy Masters student, trading-in his years as a geologist for something more stable. Both of us were mature-aged students. I loved the fact he could cook, cleaned the toilet and was a fanatic for reading. Within two weeks we were joking of eloping to Las Vegas to be married by a Black Elvis Impersonator at a drive-thru Love Chapel.

Seven and a half years down the track we have a son, a house, Dave is an environmental scientist with six year experience, I’m no longer blonde and my seven year plan is long forgotten. We still joke about Vegas!

When asked by a work colleague two weekends ago at the Company Christmas Party, what genre I wrote in, I hestitated and Dave chimed in with, “Dark weird sh*t”. Oh he know me and my work only too well.

Describe, using three words, what it is like to live with a writer?

Dave: Lonely, frustrating, intriguing

Jodi: The truth hurts – but I am chuffed there was one positive word in there. I feared it would be a triple whammy

When and how did you find out Jodi wanted to be a writer?

Dave: We are both avid readers, so during the first week we were together Jodi showed me some of her early work from school / university and I was amazed at the quality, insight and raw talent of the work, especially considering the age and lack of experience of Jodi when she had written the material.

Jodi: Two and a half years ago I said to Dave, “I finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. Guess what it is?” The first thing he answered was, “Rocket Scientist” (in joke) but he knew all along I wanted to be a writer and encouraged me to pursue my dream. He has never given me a hard time because I earn no money from writing. Dave always tells me that I am his retirement plan. I call him a patron-of-the-arts.

What do you gain from living with a partner who is a writer?

Dave: Jodi has found something to be passionate about, giving her a spark in the eye and almost boundless enthusiasm, especially when a new idea or project pops into her head.

Jodi: This means I’m less of a pain in the butt to live with… it also means I don’t come to him every few months with a new idea for what I want to do, which since we’ve been together has included being a psychologist, a doula, a kinesiologist and returning to uni to ‘do something.’

What are the less salubrious aspects of living with a writer?

Dave : Domestic mayhem is a permanent condition, my spare time is spent with Dylan or domestic chores. There’s never any time for us as a couple any more, and we have to make an effort to ensure there’s time spent together as a family. I feel that perhaps it’s because I’m not a writer that I’ve slipped to about fifth on Jodi’s priorities list (let’s see: writing, Dylan, email, Facebook, twitter, and, until recently, fourth fiction; sorry, make that sixth on the list).

Jodi: You forgot Chinese Whisperings. Combine Twitter and Facebook into the encompassing category “social media” and you climb up a space! In all serious, point taken. Time to revive Date Night and embrace the fact I will have an entire working week next year for writing which means fewer late nights at the computer.

What role do you play in Jodi’s writing adventures?

Dave: I don’t believe I, or any character even loosely based on myself, have ever featured in any of Jodi’s work (that geologist (Shet Harmon) on the moon is female!) I like to think I can give good advice on plot, storyline and ideas, though my opinion doesn’t seem to be sought out as much any more.

Jodi: Dave has not only been a sounding-board for for ideas across the years, but also an editor when called upon. I’m not mentioning the thousands of words owed from uni when I edited and proof read his Master thesis – but you can tell, I’ve haven’t forgotten. It seems as my network of writing associates has broadened I have had to lean less on Dave to get the support I need. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing?

I’d like to point out it was Dave’s enthusiasm which got the idea for Chinese Whisperings as far as Paul – without it, it would have just sunk as another crazy, ‘too hard’ idea. It was also an off the cuff comment 18 months ago from which the grand plans for eMergent Publishing sprang.

Do you regularly read Jodi’s work?

Dave: Not as much as I should (my current to-read list is 54 books long)

Jodi: And the next Lifeline Book Sale is less than a month away! I understand that Dave reads all day at work, on a screen and the last thing he wants to do is stare at a screen when he gets home. Note to self – we also have a printer attached to the computer. I know if I really need him to have a look at something, he will happily read and give feedback.

What is your favourite piece of writing from your partner?

Dave: Her weird post-apocalyptic dystopian sci-fi.

Jodi: Which obviously means everything I write is a favourite! (Or he’s forgotten the name of the story he does like!)

What are you most proud of?

Dave: The freshness and quality of her ideas and the effort made in pursuing them.

Jodi: *blush* Even if the pursuit if those ideas is often dogged, relentless and akin to living with someone who has chronic tunnel vision, no short term memory and is allergic to grocery shopping.

Where do you see your partner in five years time?

Dave: The sky’s the limit! Definitely published.

Jodi: And we’re going there together darling! A bit like that tiny black puppy I dragged across the stage in my first dancing concert…

Any advice for other writing widow/widowers?

Dave: No, because I don’t think I’ve got it right, I think I’m the one who needs advice

Jodi: He lies – he embodies the best advice – patience, understanding, time, space and the occasional tantie to bring the most absorbed writer back down to earth.

A few weeks ago I handed over this column to my wife, to let other NaNo widows know how to cope with the trials and tribulations of November. After last week’s heavy-handed hints for Christmas gifts, this week you get to hear more from the person who takes secret note of gift lists, and provides coffee and back rubs in November…

Image used with kind permission, © 2009 Julia Anderson.

Paul has admitted to not being as well read as people might expect. Is there a book that Paul hasn’t read yet that really surprises you?
Julia: Until 3 weeks ago I would have said Brave New World. (Paul: I finished it at the start of the month) So now it would have to be The Lord of the Rings. He’s read The Hobbit, he loved the movies, but he hasn’t attempted to read the original novels.

Is there any book that Paul has read that really surprises you?
J: The Little Prince. And not just the fact that he’s read it, but how much he loves it as an adult. Even nigel molesworth thinks The Little Prince is “uterly wet and a weed”

Is there anything that you wish Paul would write more about?
J: Me!
P: Even though most characters in my stories suffer horrible misfortune and brutal deaths?

And is there anything that you wish Paul would write less about?
J: Women who aren’t me!
P: Duly noted…

Out of everything you’ve read, what is your favourite story by Paul?
J: The Christmas story he wrote and recorded a couple of years ago about the demon in the church. I’m still freaked out by his story set on the London Underground, so I can’t really call that a favourite!
P: The Long Watch Christmas story is still available as a podcast. The Tube story is currently unavailable, as I’m revising that for future use…

Who is your favourite character from Paul’s stories?
J: It has to be Gideon, because he’s Paul, but Paul with more confidence in himself, a side I’d like to see more of.

And is there a genre you’d like to see Paul tackle?
J: Poetry. For someone so good with words, he has so much trouble expressing himself in things like cards and notes, so I think poetry would challenge him and help him grow.
P: I have made a promise to write a sonnet in time for a certain someone’s birthday in 2010…

And now for some fun. On Julia’s hen night she was challenged to a Mr & Mrs style game to see how well she knew her husband to be. So let’s see how well she knows her writer…

Who is Paul’s favourite writer?
J: Probably HP Lovecraft, with Alexandre Dumas as second, if he ever gets round to actually reading him!
P: As much as I enjoy Lovecraft, and love the Lovecraftian Mythos, Edgar Allan Poe just edges out Lovecraft as my favourite writer. Poe could do it all: mystery, horror, satire, poetry, science, short stories, novellas—he was a genius.

When Paul was 11, he wrote a story for a school assignment about a ninja fighting what?
(a) Pirates
(b) Demons
J: He went to a Catholic school, so demons would be more his thing.
P: Then, as now, I am a little obsessional about the dark things of the night. The story was about a ninja with a magical sword, who had to travel into the underworld to reclaim the jewel that should be on the hilt of the sword, fighting demons along the way. It was, as you might imagine, awful…

Which Doctor Who episode left Paul breathless and wishing he could have written something that good?
J: Blink. Definitely Blink. It left me behind the sofa!
P: Stephen Moffat’s incredible standalone episode Blink. One of the genuinely terrifying episodes of the new Doctor Who series, and still in my opinion the best.

Welcome to the December 2009 Creative Carnival edition!

What is this? It’s a chance to compile some great articles around the blog-o-sphere showcasing all sorts of writing. If you need to know more, or would like to submit an article for the next Creative Carnival, read this.

So, without further ado, grab a cup o’ hot chocolate, put your Snuggie on and sit a spell, there’s lots of interesting reading just a click away.

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Essays

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Contending With Time posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

C. J. Stegall-Evans presents A Little Imagination Goes… posted at Writing as a Sacred Art.

Greg Laden presents An Interview with Jason Page, Film Maker, about White Man’s World posted at Greg Laden’s Blog.

Sarah Clark presents The Mother Load: I know where all the time has gone… posted at The Mother Load.

Walter J. Shumate presents DeBloWriMo Day 3 – A Little Bit Fruity posted at WalterShumate.net, saying, “This is a humorous piece on why I like fruitcake.”

AngelJane01 presents Live..Love..Laugh..Listen & Learn.. posted at AngelJanes World .

Fiction

JMH presents Recycling posted at The Good Word of Sprout.

Snake Eyes presents When Zombies Attack (Steps To Survive): 11/08/09 posted at When Zombies Attack (Steps To Survive), saying, “This blog is a how to guide on how to survive a zombie apocalypse. I cover this topic from a military perspective. I Hope you enjoy.”

Jaime Teele presents beauty and the beast… posted at not your granny’s fairy tale, saying, “A rework of beauty and the beast…not for children”

Mike Floyd presents BITTEN: Bloggings of a Vampyre – November 23, 2009 posted at BITTEN, saying, “One entry from the fictional blog of a newly made vampire. In this entry he recounts the night he almost lost control and spilled human blood.”

Manfred Hexter presents Truly a Great Bottle posted at Daddy Never Hugged Me.

Jennifer Cresap presents Concussed in California posted at Jennifer Cresap.

Karen presents Waiting for Santa posted at Fiction Fix saying, “Just a little fluff piece about children and the excitement of Christmas.”

Nonfiction

Dragos Roua presents 100 Ways To Screw Up Your Life posted at Dragos Roua – The Choice Of A Personal Path.

Gracie Turner presents 100 Great Gift Ideas for the Book Lover in Your Life posted at Online Courses.org.

Rose King presents 10 Great Thinkers Who Carried a Moleskine posted at Online Classes.org.

Barbara Williams presents 100 Amazing Writing Tools You Never Knew You Needed posted at Online Degree Programs.org.

Rod presents How to Write Poems posted at Creative Writing Course, saying, “We discuss some technical aspects of writing poetry – style, form, meter, rhythm and layout.”

David presents Effortless Writing: How To Overcome Writer’s Block, Let Your Words Flow and Rekindle Your Love of the Craft posted at David Turnbull.

Susan Howe presents 10 Lies About Vampires You Learned from Movies posted at Star Costumes Blog.

Poetry

NONE

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This concludes the December 2009 edition of the Creative Carnival. THANK YOU for submitting your links! If you would like to see your work showcased in the January 2010 edition, please submit your links here. (Please, one link per blog. If you submit more than one link per blog, I will only use the first link submitted.)

If you submitted your link and don’t see it here, that probably means I received it after the deadline.

Thanks for visiting the carnival participants and don’t forget to check back January 9th for the next Creative Carnival.