Wandering Thoughtstream
Where do YOUR thoughts take you?
About Sara
Sara is a creative young woman with a passion for writing. She has written over 200 poems, over 200 short stories, three complete novel manuscripts-with a fourth one in the works. A three-time National Novel Writing Month winner, and 2008-09 winner for February Album Writing Month, National Novel Editing Month and ScriptFrenzy. She enjoys writing fiction in all genres and has successfully completed the tenth anniversary of NaNoWriMo (2008), and plans to edit the manuscript for publishing. Sara is also an Apprentice graduate of the Christian Writer's Guild, under the mentorship of Stephen and Janet Bly. Her talent shines in fantasy writing, sci-fi stories and fantasy novels. In her spare time, she enjoys vegetarian cooking, dark chocolate, reading mystery books and working on her latest writing project. She has one cat named Snowflake, affectionately called her "Mewse". She was also a featured author at www.faithreaders.com in July 2008.
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Special Interview
When did you first decide to become a writer?
Well, that's kind of hard to pinpoint. But I think it was around second grade. I was probably 8 or 9 and I remember having these exciting homework assignments in my english book. They had something to do with "Writing" like, "What would you do if you discovered you were a..." and lots of story sequels, articles and I always had a ton of fun writing them. One day I noticed a kid that was just sitting down and writing like crazy in this notebook, so I go over, you know, and ask what they're doing. The kid looks at me and says "Writing a book." and I go "Really? Can I write one too?" And the answer that came back was "No way!" That made me mad. I went home. Sat down with a piece of paper, a blue ballpoint pen and wrote my first story. I've been writing ever since and I don't think I'll stop any time soon.
What's your favorite thing to write?
Now that's a little tricky. But I'll be smart and say fiction. I love to write fiction. I can do pretty good in Non-fiction, but my imagination won't let me stay there for too long. Specifically though, I love to write mysteries and sci-fi/fantasy pieces.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Just about anywhere, I guess. I don't really have a specific thing. I just sort of look at life differently and things will jump out and me and I go "ooh! Gotta write that down" And then maybe it turns into a 'novel idea' or it just flops over and stays in my notebook until it catches my fancy again. I would say God inspires me and everyday life. Sometimes music, or a picture, or just daydreaming. Oh, and Snowflake, my calico. She's just too funny sometimes. It's amazing when you're laughing your heart out, the ideas that will just pop into your head. Sometimes I do just get STUCK. I pray. And I wait. The answers that come write themselves in the forms of stories that still give me goosebumps when I read them over. That's real writing!
How do you create such vibrant characters?
Vibrant. Wow. That's easy for me to do and hard to explain. I always listen for a voice. The images, descriptions, even a name, will come later, depending on how 'urgent' the voice of one particular character is. I've started out with an MC in mind at times only to find that the best friend, sister or a stranger was the real MC. I want to know who it is that's speaking to me, I want to know everything about them, who they are, what they do, what makes them melt or tick. I want my readers to connect and realate to them on a personal level, in spite of the roller-coaster events I throw at them.
Do you have a favorite character?
Ouch. You're making me chose sides here, but yes. I do have a favorite.
Who is it?
My favorite is Scarlet Fury. She is my best and most famous character ever. I just adore her. She always takes on a life of her own and is so much fun to write.
When you write, are you more of a planner, or just-off-the-top-of-your-head?
A little of both. An outline can be helpful and stifling at the same time. I guess I just go with whatever sort of 'clicks' with what I'm writing.
You say you're a Christian. How does this affect your writing? Style and content-wise. Do you think religon should play a part in fiction? Indirect or not?
Wow. That's quite a question. I'll start with the first bit. Yes, I am a Christian. And I would certainly think that it does affect my writing. Style-wise, I'm kind of set in that, content-as a Christian, I think it's natural that it will influence my words, action and message. I think to some degree that religon should play a part in fiction. It's a very powerful topic, when addressed and written properly, from both sides. I guess I would say I take an indirect approach when writing, but there is no doubt when I'm finished, where I stand and where that story is going to take you.
How do you promote yourself?
Through word of mouth from my readers and fans, my new website and my blogs.
You blog?
Yes. I have several, though it is a headache keeping up with all of them. There is one for my writing system, two for ongoing ficition stories, one for updates on my website and things like that.
How many fiction blogs do you have right now? And what are their stories?
I have two right now. They have not been updated in months though, I've just been too busy. I haven't forgotten the stories, but I just haven't gotten the chance to jot it all down. The first one is "Asheena's Adventures" it's a blogstream and it's about a girl who discovers she has the power of earth. She can manipulate it at will and it will protect her of its own accord. It's a pretty interesting story.
The second one is "An Unevenly Matched Couple". It's a story in a typical Scarlet Fury setting, with two characters who are about to discover that they can bring out the best and the worst in each other. They both have powers and the twist on this one is the famous master she's seeking....well, I'll let you read to find out.
What's your current project?
Current project, wow, that sounds so official when all I'm seeing is a jumble of notes to myself and a storyboard that telling me I've got a ton of writing to do. I have a novel in the works, fiction of course, I'm working on revising my current manuscript, and of course I participated in NaNoWriMo last year (2006) and I'm still trying to finish that. It just keeps running and running. In between, there's lots of short stories that are sneaking out and characters screaming for attention, but apart from that, it's all energy towards the novel, which currently doesn't have a title yet.
We've heard about your "Writing System" how is that coming along?
It is at a standstill right now. I just can't squeeze the necessary time out for it, but the system is pretty much complete on it's own.
What is it about?
It's a basic "how to start writing" mini-course for beginning writers. It's very contemporary, you push yourself, you get as much out of it as you put in, etc. It's very basic, anyone could follow it. Since I've been busy lately, I've taken off my links for it. Anyone wanting to know more can e-mail me and I'll take it from there.
Who are some of your favorite authors/writers? Who's had the most influence on you?
I would say that's a never ending list, but I'll give it a shot. Mildred A. Wirt-Benson, Nancy Rue, Dee Henderson, Frances Hodgeson Burnett, Jerry B. Jenkins, Stephen and Janet Bly, Mindy Starns Clark, Laura Childs, Laurie R. King, Lori Wick. There's a few others, but those are really my favorites. I would say Dee Henderson and Lori Wick have had the most impact on my writing. I read their books and go "Wow, I wanna write something like that." It makes you laugh, cry and live out loud. They are amazing writers.
Do you have any advice for the aspiring or beginning writer?
Oh yes! Plenty! First off, don't get discouraged! Good writing takes a lot of time. Great writing takes even more and sometimes it takes more from you than you think you have or more than you want to give. It's a thing that doesn't let you off the hook. I would encourage them to keep writing and reading. Above all, keep reading! The more you read, the more you'll learn about what you want to write. And get involved! Join an online writing community, find a mentor, get someone other than your best friend and family to read what you're writing. And grow as thick as skin as you can. After that, all I can say is the rest is truly up to you.
We love your site-where did you get the name and what does it stand for?
First off, thanks for visiting my site-I have to smile at this question-but the answer is pretty easy for me. Whenever I am writing something, my thoughts are fairly random, enabling bursts of extreme creativity in a short time. However, since the thoughts are almost always revolving, changing and meshing together, I end up with a variety of new ideas and excerpts for up to a half-dozen pieces at a time. Hence-my 'Wandering Thoughtstream'.