5 Writing Questions

For those who are curious!

1. How long have you been writing?

I always say I have been writing since I was 13 (for context, I’m 34), but that was actually when I decided I wanted to be a full-time author. Prior to that, I loved writing about anything—my day, my love of trees (I’m not kidding, I wrote a whole essay on the bus about why I loved trees), I even wrote and “illustrated” (lol) a picture book about two twin princesses who got to eat pie for breakfast. I carried that “book” around everywhere I went and eventually lost it. I hope whoever found it enjoyed it, LMAO. 

2. Have you taken classes or received instruction for creative writing? Do you have to take classes to become an author? 

I didn’t major in Creative Writing in college, I chose English Writing instead which just means I was on the “writing” track as opposed to the “literature” track, and it is basically a degree focusing on critical analysis (which is probably why I write the way I do). Anyway, I chose that track because I didn’t want to major in Creative Writing since those degrees usually focus on writing literary works. Honestly, though, I felt like learning about other types of writing might improve my prose, so I took a ton of poetry classes. I even took autobiographical writing. I went on to get a master’s in Library Science and Information Studies (at the time, it was because I loved books, lol) but this degree actually influenced how I would later market my books. 

Outside of college, I attended a lot of local writing conferences. In Oklahoma, we had OWFI, SCBWI, and Oklahoma City Writers, Inc. These organizations provided the opportunity to meet other authors and also connect with agents and industry professionals. I would usually purchase sessions with agents to get feedback on my query or the first 10 pages of my novel. Certain conferences would offer critique group sessions and I would always participate and my co-workers and I also created our own critique group at the library. I was also pretty active in the writer/blogging space and connected with a couple people whose writing I really loved and they became my critique partners. Their feedback was invaluable. 

I think the lesson here is that you don’t need any kind of formal class or instruction. Honestly, you never know what parts of your life will teach or influence how you write or publish. The key to learning in any setting is to calm that part of you that bristles when someone gives you feedback. Recognize it for what it is–an opinion you can either learn from or not. Part of writing, in my opinion, is intuitive. Learn to listen to yourself. If something feels right, it is. If something feels wrong, it is. If you feel that sense of dread because you know you have to change something, do it. 

3. What are some of your favorite writing reference books?

If you are a newbie writer, I suggest either Anatomy of Story or Save the Cat. Chances are, you’ll prefer one over the other. I favor Anatomy of Story, probably because it was really the first craft book I read, but it is very technical. The key here is to not lose your voice while you are learning the basic rules of story. 

Another book with a lot of tools I still use is The Magic Words by Cheryl B. Klein. She has a plot checklist I adapted for quite a few of my novels, though now this method is so internalized, I don’t actually have to use the sheet. She also describes a method of plotting I call Decision and Consequence (idk what she calls it but it is the same principle). Basically I just write out a list of decisions and consequences for my character until I get to the end of the book and–voila!—you have a plot. The other suggestion I use from her book is the “20 Possibilities” method which…idk if that’s what it’s called in the book, but it’s where you list at least twenty possible things that can happen to your character in the book. It’s basically just brainstorming, but what I like about the exercise is that it gives you a goal (20 ideas) AND it lets you create. These twenty things can be anything so you aren’t limited by the rules of your world yet. When the list is done, you can choose which things work best in your novel. 

Another book I would recommend that isn’t exactly craft-related but is super inspiring is Girl on Fire by Cara Alwill Leyba. This novel is centered around self-publishing and encourages women especially to take back their power and stories. Honestly, it just spoke to my Taurus heart. By the time I read it, I’d already published A Touch of Darkness, but for me, it reinforced that I had made the right decision. This book also encourages you to celebrate every victory which is a mantra I live by. If you need some motivation, I definitely recommend it! 

4. What do you think is the biggest problem you need help with in your writing?

I’ve done a lot of work on language, but sometimes I just feel like I don’t have the words to express what I see in my head. Sometimes, I feel like my writing is very basic and that it ebbs and flows between mechanical and poetic. I see each new book as an opportunity to improve and to practice, and I think my readers are able to see that, too. 

5. What are your writing goals for the next 12 months? What are your ultimate goals for your writing career?

My writing goals are to finish this new book (which you will hear more about on 9/12), write Born of Flame and Sacrifice (KBB novella), and write Kingdom of Spirit and Shadow (KBB #3). By this time next year, I should be finished with all three, but that’s a lot of words! 

My ultimate goal for my writing career is honestly to never disconnect from my roots. I want to continue to take time to celebrate victories no matter how small or how great. I want to continue to connect with my readers on a personal level. I want people to start reading again because they read one of my books. These things are the pillars of my career and they are what I value most.

If you have any questions for me about writing, feel free to ask! Much love,

Scarlett