#WritersCoffeeClub 12.1 — From where did the inspiration for your current WIP come?
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.17 — What’s frustrating you, writing-wise?
At the moment, it's just not having the right amount of time to do it. I'm playing catch-up with doctor's appointments and so is my nana after she broke her foot. It's 90% healed, so that's good news. But for the moment, we're just very busy. I'm still finding time to write, but things will get better as the month goes on, I'm sure.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.19 — Talk about something (even if very small!) from your own life which made it onto the page.
It's not very small but Alistair (in #WingsOfQuietLonging) is also an author, so I guess there's that. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but I'm sure there's loads of stuff I could talk about from other stories, even silly things like a certain type of coffee (meaning a random iced macchiato or latte) or a flavor of coffee syrup used, things like that. I like writing in tiny details that I either fancy or know a good deal about.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.19 — Talk about something (even if very small!) from your own life which made it onto the page.
It's not very small but Alistair (in #WingsOfQuietLonging) is also an author, so I guess there's that. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but I'm sure there's loads of stuff I could talk about from other stories, even silly things like a certain type of coffee (meaning a random iced macchiato or latte) or a flavor of coffee syrup used, things like that. I like writing in tiny details that I either fancy or know a good deal about.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.21 — When writing about unpleasant feelings, how do you avoid alienating the reader entirely?
To be fair, if readers are looking for cozy, carefree stories without ever having *any* unpleasant feelings they won't be picking up my stories from the start. Every synopsis or blurb warns of this. My work features emotion of all kinds, the good *and* the bad. The stories have a range of emotion in them, scenes that won't always be happy-go-lucky and carefree, and that's okay because it's just life. Things can't always be perfect and good, you know? Regardless of all that, this isn't a problem for me. My readers are generally looking for (emotionally) tortured characters who have good recovery journeys after the fact.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.21 — When writing about unpleasant feelings, how do you avoid alienating the reader entirely?
To be fair, if readers are looking for cozy, carefree stories without ever having *any* unpleasant feelings they won't be picking up my stories from the start. Every synopsis or blurb warns of this. My work features emotion of all kinds, the good *and* the bad. The stories have a range of emotion in them, scenes that won't always be happy-go-lucky and carefree, and that's okay because it's just life. Things can't always be perfect and good, you know? Regardless of all that, this isn't a problem for me. My readers are generally looking for (emotionally) tortured characters who have good recovery journeys after the fact.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.25 — What comes first: setting, character, plot? What comes next?
Sometimes it's the plot. More often than not, it's the characters. They'll come to me first. A lot of my characters were created for either the purpose of TTRPG stuff (tabletop roleplaying games) or roleplay stories (which is just collaborative writing that I do with friends or my girlfriend), so I've already written a plethora of stories with these characters. The plots come to me later if I finally decide to knuckle down and write a long serial or just a novel with them. C'est la vie.
Edit: I should add this... It's usually a scene between characters that I've already created, and then I have to write an entire story around said scene. It's funny how that works out sometimes, isn't it?
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.25 — What comes first: setting, character, plot? What comes next?
Sometimes it's the plot. More often than not, it's the characters. They'll come to me first. A lot of my characters were created for either the purpose of TTRPG stuff (tabletop roleplaying games) or roleplay stories (which is just collaborative writing that I do with friends or my girlfriend), so I've already written a plethora of stories with these characters. The plots come to me later if I finally decide to knuckle down and write a long serial or just a novel with them. C'est la vie.
Edit: I should add this... It's usually a scene between characters that I've already created, and then I have to write an entire story around said scene. It's funny how that works out sometimes, isn't it?
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.26 — Do you include things you personally find repellent in your work?
I do, only because the story isn't about me, it's about the characters. Sometimes a story calls for something that I might strongly dislike. It isn't a perfect world, after all. As much as I love *reading* cozy fantasy, it isn't actually the genre that I'm writing within.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.26 — Do you include things you personally find repellent in your work?
I do, only because the story isn't about me, it's about the characters. Sometimes a story calls for something that I might strongly dislike. It isn't a perfect world, after all. As much as I love *reading* cozy fantasy, it isn't actually the genre that I'm writing within.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.27 — What’s a technical skill you think should be more widespread?
As a game or dungeon master for many TTRPGs (including DnD), I'll say this... It's drawing your own maps and things. Not enough people do it anymore. Draw stuff! Even if it's bad, *especially* if it's bad, do the thing! It's more fun that way, I promise. It's become a lost art these days, no pun intended.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.27 — What’s a technical skill you think should be more widespread?
As a game or dungeon master for many TTRPGs (including DnD), I'll say this... It's drawing your own maps and things. Not enough people do it anymore. Draw stuff! Even if it's bad, *especially* if it's bad, do the thing! It's more fun that way, I promise. It's become a lost art these days, no pun intended.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.28 — What resource (book, podcast, tool, conversation) unexpectedly helped your writing this month?
I read a (big) handful of books this month, too many to list, and they've all helped me in some way. If you're ever feeling unmotivated or your muse is low, read. Just READ. It always inspires me, and it does the same for so many other writers.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.28 — What resource (book, podcast, tool, conversation) unexpectedly helped your writing this month?
I read a (big) handful of books this month, too many to list, and they've all helped me in some way. If you're ever feeling unmotivated or your muse is low, read. Just READ. It always inspires me, and it does the same for so many other writers.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.29 — Which phrase, paragraph, or page are you most proud of writing this month?
I'll share a snippet with everyone. 🤍
#WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Romantasy #Fantasy #Vampires #Werewolves #Ghosts #Romance #Victorian #Worldbuilding #AmWriting #WritingCommunity
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.29 — Which phrase, paragraph, or page are you most proud of writing this month?
I'll share a snippet with everyone. 🤍
#WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Romantasy #Fantasy #Vampires #Werewolves #Ghosts #Romance #Victorian #Worldbuilding #AmWriting #WritingCommunity
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.30 — This month, how did you successfully navigate a challenge or a sticky point in your writing?
Patience. Patience is honestly the key, and that's what helps me through the sticky stuff. If I'm stuck, the issue always resolves itself. I just need to take my time and be patient with myself. The muse always returns if it's disappeared for a while.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.30 — This month, how did you successfully navigate a challenge or a sticky point in your writing?
Patience. Patience is honestly the key, and that's what helps me through the sticky stuff. If I'm stuck, the issue always resolves itself. I just need to take my time and be patient with myself. The muse always returns if it's disappeared for a while.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.1 — How satisfied are you with your current writerly 'voice'?
I rather think I *should* be satisfied with things by now. But I'm happy with the way I write, though. We all do our best as writers.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.1 — How satisfied are you with your current writerly 'voice'?
I rather think I *should* be satisfied with things by now. But I'm happy with the way I write, though. We all do our best as writers.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.2 — How satisfied are you with the rhythm of your works?
We have a tendency never to be satisfied by *anything* of ours as writers. I'm trying to change that. I'm happy with my work. I'm trying to *enjoy* the process of writing, of creating something, and not to stress over it. So, yes, I'm satisfied.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.2 — How satisfied are you with the rhythm of your works?
We have a tendency never to be satisfied by *anything* of ours as writers. I'm trying to change that. I'm happy with my work. I'm trying to *enjoy* the process of writing, of creating something, and not to stress over it. So, yes, I'm satisfied.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.4 — How much detail do you use to describe your settings?
As much as I possibly can without overdoing things. I never used to describe things to the level that I wanted, for imagination, and I'm trying to change that. I'm trying to go into detail about the surroundings and settings that my characters are dropped into, but by being subtle about it. There's nothing pushy about my descriptions. I hope so, anyway. That was the old me, years and years ago, but writing is always a work-in-progress journey.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.4 — How much detail do you use to describe your settings?
As much as I possibly can without overdoing things. I never used to describe things to the level that I wanted, for imagination, and I'm trying to change that. I'm trying to go into detail about the surroundings and settings that my characters are dropped into, but by being subtle about it. There's nothing pushy about my descriptions. I hope so, anyway. That was the old me, years and years ago, but writing is always a work-in-progress journey.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.5 — What's a trait of other written works you admire, but don't seek to incorporate in your own works?
I've been stewing about this one, and I really don't think I have an answer for it. If one comes to me later on, I'll edit my post. There are so many things I admire about other writers, genres, or stories. I've written a little bit of everything, so this is tough for me to answer.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.5 — What's a trait of other written works you admire, but don't seek to incorporate in your own works?
I've been stewing about this one, and I really don't think I have an answer for it. If one comes to me later on, I'll edit my post. There are so many things I admire about other writers, genres, or stories. I've written a little bit of everything, so this is tough for me to answer.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.6 — From start to finish, how much time elapses in your current WIP?
Well, I can't give away any spoilers to my readers here. I suppose you'll just have to wait and see. But I will say this, that it's a sizable chunk of time, at least.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.6 — From start to finish, how much time elapses in your current WIP?
Well, I can't give away any spoilers to my readers here. I suppose you'll just have to wait and see. But I will say this, that it's a sizable chunk of time, at least.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.8 — How imperfect is your pacing? Do you consider imperfection a sign of your humanity?
These questions are rather thought-provoking. Maybe that *is* a sign of our humanity, and mine, of course. No one can be the perfect writer. I don't mind my pacing, though.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.8 — How imperfect is your pacing? Do you consider imperfection a sign of your humanity?
These questions are rather thought-provoking. Maybe that *is* a sign of our humanity, and mine, of course. No one can be the perfect writer. I don't mind my pacing, though.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.9 — Do you subscribe to 'show, don't tell?' Why, or why not?
Not really. I never overdo the "telling" part, though, but maybe that's just because my writing style is a bit different. You can do both in moderation without giving away too much. As an author, we're "telling" the story.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.9 — Do you subscribe to 'show, don't tell?' Why, or why not?
Not really. I never overdo the "telling" part, though, but maybe that's just because my writing style is a bit different. You can do both in moderation without giving away too much. As an author, we're "telling" the story.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.10 — Talk about a work which subverted your expectations, in a good way.
This one's giving me a tough time of things. I do one of two things, either go into a book without expectations, or I'm drawn to something that everyone's talking about (and they seem to adore) and I genuinely end up loving it as well. So, that doesn't help. In general, I try not to get my hopes up or to have expectations.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.10 — Talk about a work which subverted your expectations, in a good way.
This one's giving me a tough time of things. I do one of two things, either go into a book without expectations, or I'm drawn to something that everyone's talking about (and they seem to adore) and I genuinely end up loving it as well. So, that doesn't help. In general, I try not to get my hopes up or to have expectations.
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.11 — What time of day is most productive for you? Why?
Nighttime. I'm a little night owl. It's when I have my peace and quiet, when I'm all alone and can be left to my own devices (which is sometimes dangerous).
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.11 — What time of day is most productive for you? Why?
Nighttime. I'm a little night owl. It's when I have my peace and quiet, when I'm all alone and can be left to my own devices (which is sometimes dangerous).
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.12 — How unique is the setting of your current WIP?
The year is 1890, and this story takes place in Moray, Scotland. It's the perfect spot in Scotland for a paranormal romance to take place. How could I *not* choose it? It's such a beautiful area. Sprinkle in supernatural/paranormal creatures, of course, and that's the premise.
#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Victorian #Gothic #Vampires #Werewolves
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R AodeRelay shared this topic
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#WritersCoffeeClub 2.12 — How unique is the setting of your current WIP?
The year is 1890, and this story takes place in Moray, Scotland. It's the perfect spot in Scotland for a paranormal romance to take place. How could I *not* choose it? It's such a beautiful area. Sprinkle in supernatural/paranormal creatures, of course, and that's the premise.
#WritingCommunity #WritersOfMastodon #WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Fantasy #Victorian #Gothic #Vampires #Werewolves
#WritersCoffeeClub 2.13 — Do you use maps as reference materials as you write?
Coming from my background of a game master for TTRPGs, yes, I usually do. Visuals often help me as I build a story and begin writing. They're good for references later on as well.
