Liz DeJesus
Author and Poet
MIja Magazine
Twenty Simple Rules A Writer Should Follow by Liz DeJesus
1. Carry your notebook everywhere. This is something people forget to do. Seriously if I could carry my laptop with me
everywhere I would. But a small notebook that you can toss in your bag helps when inspiration strikes in the most unexpected
places. Don't forget your pen. Can't do much without one. I sometimes forget to bring one with me. So I toss a handful of them
in my bag.
2. Stop watching so much TV. It rots the brain. Stops the creative flow. Dulls the senses. I don’t know about you but it makes
me feel like I just wasted an entire day of my life that I will never EVER get back. Besides, you can always catch reruns of The
Hills, Rock of Love 2…etc…etc. the list just goes on and on. Turn the TV off, there's nothing really good on anyway.
3. Go places that inspire creativity. Museums. Art galleries. Bookstores. Listen to music. Or go someplace quiet if that's what
you prefer. Like the beach, or the park. When I can't go to any of these places I open my art books and just look at the different
works of art. My personal favorite is Vincent Van Gogh. His brushstrokes and usage of color are just amazing. Do whatever you
think will work for you.
4. Spend time with people that share the same interests as you. Sure you can meet people over the internet, but sometimes it's
good to connect with people that live close by. Join a writing group or just hang out with a few of your close writing buddies.
Take turns reading chapters of each others work.
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Interview with Crystal
CA: What genre(s) do you write? Why do you write the stories that you write?
Liz: I write fantasy, fiction, erotic romance and I have recently started exploring with horror. I write these genres because I like to explore different aspects of myself through writing and also if I didn’t, I honestly believe that my head would explode. It’s the only way I know how to vent what I can’t express vocally.
CA: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Liz: The first time I read a book and the moment I picked up a pen and realized that I could jot down my thoughts on paper. I think I was 16 when I really started to take it seriously.
CA: Who or what was your inspiration for writing?
Liz: Everything inspires me to write. Dreams, clouds, laughter, women crying, sadness, random conversations (I’m a master eavesdropper *wink*).
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Byzarium Interview with Leigh Dragoon
Q - First off, I have to ask - how did you come up with the idea for Nina?! It's such a wonderful concept, which immediately snagged my attention.
It started by reading about Vincent Van Gogh’s life. I’ve always been fascinated by him and his art. Some people believe that he was schizophrenic and I agree. But the more I read about him the more I wondered…or daydreamed, what if he wasn’t crazy? What if his paintings were talking to him?
Then I got into a whole different set of questions. What is life about? Is it worth living? If so why? What makes us real?
Then I started wondering how I would react if a painting started talking to me. What if I could tell the story of what this painting was seeing? Being moved from place to place, from person to person. What if she wanted to be real? What if she had a year to live life and decide whether or not she wanted to live? Would she choose life? Or seclusion inside a canvas for all eternity?
Q - I've seen you mention that Nina was originally intended to be a short story. At what point did the dawning horror of the realization: "Oh my gawdess, it wants to be NOVEL!" strike you?
At first I was terrified of the idea of turning Nina into a novel, because when I wrote the first twenty-something pages I had no idea where to go from there. The story was supposed to end with the artist committing suicide. But characters have a certain way of talking to you while you’re sleeping. So Nina ‘talked’ to me a lot in my dreams. That’s why in some parts of the book it feels almost as though you’ve stepped into a hazy dream. And that’s basically how Nina turned into a novel.
Q - How long did it take to find a publisher for Nina? Are there any great "ups and downs" stories you could share with our readers?
It took me about a year to find a home for Nina. I received LOTS of rejections, but they were always nice rejection letters, which is kinda funny, because they’re saying ‘No’ with a smile on their face. I did get a lot of good comments about my submissions, which helped encourage me. It let me know I was on the right track. In some instances I got letters with hand written comments from editors and agents. But finally it was Blu Phi’er Publishing that sent me the acceptance email and gave my book the chance it deserved.
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Interview with Fallen Angel Reviews
What was the hardest aspect of writing Nina? How did you overcome it?
I had originally started writing Nina with the intention of it being a short story, roughly ten pages. But no matter what I did the character refused to stay silent (for those of you that are writers you know what I’m talking about). The story continued to grow.
I had no outline, the only thing that I had was an ending. I had to do everything possible in order to get Nina to that point. It didn’t always make sense but for some unknown reason it worked. But basically all I did for nine months was write this story. I wrote at work. I would then come home and put all my notes in the computer. Seriously, I would even write in my sleep sometimes.
From what do you derive the most inspiration for your writing?
Dreams. Questions. Songs. Shapes in clouds. Sighs. Things people say. Laughter. Facial expressions. Catching a person crying when they think no one is watching. Life. Anything can trigger an idea for a story. I pay attention to my surroundings and I never EVER go anywhere without my notebook and a good pen.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like notebooks and gel pens. Especially new pens, I don’t know why. For some reason I like to believe that each pen is filled with inspiration and new ideas.
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Lady Tairn Gire asks about Nina
I bought a book about Van Gogh's paintings and read his biography. I was fascinated by him. Some people think he was schizophrenic. I agree. As I continued reading the story of his life, I started wondering... or better yet...daydreaming. What if he didn't have mental problems? What if his own paintings were talking to him? What if you could put your heart and soul into something you love so much that you can make it come to life? Make it real? What makes something real? What makes life worthwhile? What makes it worth living? Then I started wondering how I would react if a painting started talking to me. What if I could tell the story of what this painting was seeing? Being moved from place to place, from person to person. What if she wanted to be real? What if she had a year to live life and decide whether or not she wanted to live? Would she choose life? Or seclusion inside a canvas for all eternity? With Nina there's this whole Velveteen Rabbit thing going on. How can she become real? Some people that have read it also mention Pygmalion and existentialism. Which is flattering since I know nothing about philosophy. But Nina started out as a series of ‘What if’ questions.
What compelled you to write this story?
I originally wrote this novel with the intentions of it being a short story. Every time I promised myself that this would be the last page but I could always find something else to add. Nina in word document is approximately 200 pages. A short novel. The first draft took me 9 months to write. The rewrites...are never finished because there's always something to fix always something to add. So that's how it all began in a nutshell. I love this book. I can't wait for some of you to hold this beautiful story in your hands and loose yourself within its pages.
Is any of it based on real life or personal experiences?
Some of it is based on real life, but not necessarily my own. Some of it is made up and other things were taken from things that happened to my friends and family.
What surprised you about the novel?
How the story evolved and became more complex as I continued writing.
Did it turn out the way you expected?
Nina has definitely exceeded my expectations. I never imagined that I could write such a complicated story, with such wonderful and endearing characters. But of course with everything there are always things you can add or change in a story. As a writer you have to learn when to let go of your stories and say good bye to your characters. I know I get attached to my characters. I have a hard time letting go. I actually started crying when I finished writing Nina I felt like I had given so much of myself to that story. It took me about three months to start writing again.
How did you develop the characters? How do you feel about them?
With Nina I wanted to create a character that was both innocent and wise at the same time. Nina is innocent in the sense that she doesn’t really know how the world works. The wisdom she does possess comes from her soul, her spirit. She comes into the world knowing the names of things, but she has never seen them. So it was definitely a challenge to write scenes and imagine what it would be like to see something for the very first time. With Rachel (tragic artist that commits suicide at the beginning of the book) I wanted to create despair embodied in a woman. For me there is nothing more horrifying than the thought of not being able to have a child. Anna is Rachel’s best friend. She ends up buying the canvas Nina is in. Anna… is the more social, extroverted version of me. And Andrea is the introverted, mysterious, hidden and darker side of me. I love all of these characters. They are all amazing women.
What was different about this story from your other stories?
All the main characters in Nina are women. I even went as far as having a romance between Nina and Andrea. The reason I did this was because I wanted Nina to experience love in a pure way. I didn’t want anyone to touch her. I didn’t want her to have a sexual relationship. Life isn’t about that.
What have you learned from writing Nina?
Writing this novel taught me so much about the art of writing and what I am capable of creatively. I learned that there is no limit to what you can create. NO LIMITS. Rules can be broken.
What is so special about Nina?
Nina is a beautiful story about life and hope in a time filled with fear, hate and war. I wanted to write a story that showed people a different perspective on life and be able to entertain them at the same time.
Sequel?
Unfortunately, no sequel. Although I did write an epilogue, but I decided to take that out.
What are you working on now?
Well…I just submitted The Jackets to Blu Phi’er Publishing. I’m currently working on my first horror novel. It’s about a female werewolf and Elizabeth Bathory. So far I’m having an awesome time writing this novel. I’m also working on a few children’s books. There’s much more to come.
Thank you
ladytairngire for asking me such awesome questions. Random questions asked by Lady Tairn Gire
What traits do you admire in other people?
I love a person who is artistic and a little weird. That's my favorite type of person.
What traits do you really detest?
I hate stupid, ignorant people, and what's worse is the type that refuses to learn when they have the chance to.
What is the meaning of life?
42. LOL Just kidding. Wow. That is the ultimate question isn't it? I don't think I'm qualified to even answer that. But I do have a theory. I think this world is a school for our spirits, and some of us are here to learn certain lessons and some of us are here to be teachers. Some people learn and graduate, others keep coming back until they learn what they're suppose to learn. Which explains my theory on reincarnation.
What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book?
I don't have a favorite Dr. Seuss book. But I love Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree.
Who are your favorite artists?
I love Dali, Monet, Picasso (before he got weird with the whole cubism thing), Mucha and Munne.
Where were you when the WTC fell?
I was at Del Tech in a Math class. When someone came in told the teacher what happened and we were dismissed. After that I went to Borders and the ladies in the cafe told me what happened.
What is your earliest memory?
I think it's a sunset or a sunrise I'm not really sure. Another memory that pops into my mind is watching my parents talking in the car and mixing watercolors.
What is on your “To-Do” List?
Buy a box of popsicles, go to the movies to watch Hot Fuzz and finish rewriting The Jackets.
What music is in your player?
Oh my God. I have so much music it's ridiculous.
Imogen Heap, Evanescence, Gwen Stefani, The Beatles, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mozart, Vanessa Mae, Butterfly Boucher, Linkin Park, Mika, Dido, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, Bif Naked, Third Eye Blind, Alanis, etc...the list goes on and on.
What movie and/or book do you think is highly overrated?
Lost in Translation...I just didn't get it.
What movie and/or book do you think is sadly underrated?
Dude Where's My Car, I don't care who you are that was just funny.
If you were in a pageant, what would be your talent?
I would sing or recite a poem.
In what way do people underestimate you?
I think some people assume that just because I'm Puerto Rican that I'm illiterate or something. They seemed very surprised when I tell them I'm a writer.
In what way do people overestimate you?
My family calls me up every single time they have a problem and ask for my advice, even the adults in my family call. They seem upset when I don't have an answer.
What’s your favorite vegetable?
Tomato
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Cherry
What’s your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas, I love decorating the tree and buying gifts for the people I love.
If you are ever rendered brain-dead, do you want to be unplugged?
Absolutely. I don't want to burden anyone by keeping me alive in a coma.
Boxers or briefs?
Boxers.
What’s your favorite sport?
None.
If your life were a Disney movie, what kind of animated comic-relief sidekick would you have?
A character like Crush from Finding Nemo.
What was the first movie you saw in the theater?
I don't remember, I think it was The Little Mermaid.
What was the first CD you ever owned?
The first cassette tape I owned was Laura Pausini's Amores Extran~os. The first CD I ever owned was No Doubt Tragic Kingdom.
What five things do you want to do before you die?
Own a VW Beetle, have kids, raise them to be good people, have family and friends who love me, and keep writing.
How would you like to be described to your great-grandchildren?
I want to be described as a kind, intelligent and slightly eccentric woman who loved to laugh.
If you had a band, what kind of music would you play and what would you be called?
Alternative, a mix between Evanescence and Imogen Heap. I have no idea what name I would want the band to be called. Something cool though.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Project Runway and
What TV show can you NOT miss?
Project Runway.
What TV show do you wish they’d bring back on the air?
Firefly and Dead Like Me
If you were a superhero, what would your power be and what would be your superhero name?
Super strength, I like the name Katina.
If you wanted a list of funky questions to put up in your livejournal, who would you ask?
I'd ask my totally awesome friend