The Writing Meme

I was browsing the internet trying to think of a topic for this week’s post and I came across a writing meme. I remember Janie did one a couple of months ago. Memes are fun to do and allows you to learn a thing or two about a person. Julia from A Piece of My Mind completed this one back in August. I snagged it from her. I hope she doesn’t mind. It’s called The Writing Meme.

1. List one of your writing goals for the upcoming month and how likely you are to accomplish it.

I love the idea of setting goals. It’s suppose to help keep you focused. The problem is I like setting the goals. Just not achieving them. Apparently, I need that kick in the pants all year around. Not just during Nano time. Any volunteers?

I haven’t listed any goals for January much less the year 2009 yet. I hope to edit and submit more. This year I only submitted to magazines/ezines twice. There’s no excuse for that. I’m hoping to improve by the end of next year. No clue if I’ll actually accomplish that.

2. What genre or subject you would like to write about that you aren’t currently?

I wouldn’t want to actually jump in to this genre but I would like to implement more humor in to my writing. I know I have it in me to do. It never comes out right.

3. What is your writing lifestyle, habits? How do you manage the interruptions with your writing? How do you stay positive? Believe in your writing success?

a) I don’t have a lot of writing habits which may or may not be my problem. I always handwrite mostly everything. I do have a writers notebook to jot down notes.

b) I write better with the distractions in the background. So, I’m not bothered by interruptions unless I keep getting interrupted by someone or something constantly. That can be a bit annoying.

c) It’s hard to stay positive especially when others are achieving more progress than you because you can’t get the motivation to even write. Sometimes I need that extra boost from friends or someone. Popeye had his spinach, right?

d) I really want to believe in my success but it’s kind of hard to when they are few and far between. It doesn’t help that I’m nervous everytime I hit the “send” button to submit something and then have to wait sometimes for months for a response. But I think the more I do it, the more hope I have for those acceptance letters. Baby steps…

4. Are you a pantser or plotter?

Before I was a pantser. I liked the idea of letting my story lead me to wherever. Now, I’ve started to get in to plotting.  I used scene cards during Nano and it helped keep me on track. I think both methods have their strong points. I’ve reached to the point of implementing both to my writing.

5. Who are two of your favorite current authors and why?

David Morrell and Dean Koontz

David Morrell created the character Rambo. I don’t like a lot of action anything. When I read his book Creepers, I didn’t think I was going to like it but I did. If it wasn’t for the history element of it, I probably would have moved on to another book. Urban exploration is an interesting topic.

I’ve read several of Dean Koontz’s books but Watchers is my favorite. I relate a lot to one of the main characters Nora. She goes from being an ugly duckling to a confident swan. There are a lot of people who can relate to that. Besides, who wouldn’t want to rescue a sweet smart dog from the big bad government lab. Dean Koontz has a way of developing sympathetic characters.

6. How does your family feel about your writing?

My mom and step-dad are very supportive. My mom is very artistic. I think she gets it. I’m not sure how my dad feels about it. We don’t talk about anything much less about my writing. The rest of my family seems to be okay with it. I’ve been writing most of my life but didn’t reveal it to them until a few years ago.

Now for the last piece of business. I welcome everyone to complete this meme on their own blogs but be sure and leave a link for us to read your responses.