And the answer is . . .

Ric over at My Daley Rant was tagged in a question and answer game, and I thought, why not play along. The questions and my answers are:

What's the last thing you wrote?
Well, if we're counting blog posts . . . this. If not, Chapter Seven of the current rough draft project I'm working on right now.

What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
The stunning sequel to . . . sorry, can't mention it, but my first writing effort was a follow up to a massive best selling fantasy series where I wanted to know more about the characters after The End!

Write poetry?
Nope!

Angsty poetry?
Nope!

Favorite genre of writing?
Mainstream literary fiction . . . at least right now. Fantasy was once my genre of choice, and might be again someday.

Most annoying character you've ever created?
I'm not sure if I've achieved this landmark yet.

Best Plot you've ever created?
Well, if I told you that I'd have to send the secret Ninja assassins out to hunt you down.

Coolest Plot twist you've ever created?
Hmmm, do I have those Ninjas on speed dial? Even though the twist occurs very early, I think the twist in the currently titled Wicked Games counts as the coolest plot twist EVER!

How often do you get writer's block?
Every now and then, not very often.

Write fan fiction?
Nope!

Do you type or write by hand?
Both. I used to write every thing out and then type it up. Now the main stuff is typed, and notes, etc. are written out by hand.

Do you save everything you write?
Absolutely.

Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
Yes. Not very often. But Wicked Games is something I wrote many years ago and did a revamp on last Spring. I'm very impressed with how I took this discarded idea and made it into something I'd definitely want to read.

What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
Everything. Okay, I know, I have to choose an answer, so . . . Margarita Nights because it was something I wrote just for me, no audience in mind, and just let the words flow. I had the absolute best time writing the book.

What's everyone else's favorite story that you've written?
Well, according to Jon and Suzi . . . Margarita Nights.


Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
Nope!

What's your favorite setting for your characters?
A galaxy far, far away . . . sorry, couldn't resist. Lately, Nashville, TN - right here, now, where I know the streets and what happens in the dark of the night! Ha!

How many writing projects are you working on right now?
One. There are others lurking in the background, mainly editing and revision projects, but I am working on a rough draft, currently no title, but I do have an outline . . . of sorts. Woo-hoo!

Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Does winning NaNo one year count? If so, yes. If not, no!

What are your five favorite words?
Would you like another margarita?

What character have you created that is most like yourself?
There's something of me in all of my characters, so I'm not sure how to answer this one.

Where do you get ideas for your characters?
From the depths of my depraved imagination . . . and sometimes the world around me. Sometimes.

Do you ever write based on your dreams?
No.

Do you favor happy endings?
Yes and no. I don't think true happy endings exist in this life, so I sort of write a more semi-happy ending, and sometimes, not a happy ending at all.

Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Yes.

Does music help you write?
Yes. Margarita Nights was written completely with me listening to dance music. I often pick a certain type of music for a certain scene. Music is often my Muse.

Quote something you've written. Whatever pops into your head.
Well, great! I mean, half the time I can't remember why I stood up from my desk, and now I'm supposed to pull a quote from the trillion or more words I've written?? Not gonna happen, dear readers, not gonna happen!

So, those are the answers to these writerly questions. I hope you dropped over to Ric's site and read his anwers, and I hope you post your own as well. A little insight into the lives of writers is a nice thing every now and then.

S