1. Are you a “pantser” or a “plotter”?
A plotter who often pantses. I like knowing how a story is going to end when I begin it, but there are often places in my outline (which are pretty rough to begin with) that say “something happens here to get us there.” I look at my outlines as Point A, Point B, Point C . . . and quite often I won’t know what Point B is, even if I know Point A and Point C down to the last detail.
2. Detailed character sketches or “their character will be revealed to me as I write”?
Detailed character sketches, but I allow characters to surprise me as I go. For instance, in Something Beautiful Stuart reveals he has children, which is something I didn’t know until I wrote it. And that gave me plot for the next novel. La la.
3. Do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing?
I know them before I start, generally—but again, I let them surprise me. Sometimes I know a goal but I don’t have motivations quite figured out until about halfway through.
4. Books on plotting – useful or harmful?
I think they’re invaluable to a beginner, but there comes a point when you’ve learned all you can from other people and have to figure out the rest for yourself.
5. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?
It’s not so much the itch anymore as it is “GAH DEADLINES!!!”
6. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time?
Most days I have to write in short bursts, because I have the day job and sleep and other things that keep me away from the keyboard. But I love it when I can sit and write for hours at a time.
7. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?
Evenings on weekdays, all day on weekends. I get a lot done in the mornings on weekends, if I focus.
8. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?
In high school I used to write during class, and I think that got me used to writing while other things were going on around me. I prefer having a little noise, like a cafe or library or music. If people try to talk to me while I’m writing, I get a bit growly.
9. Computer or longhand? (or typewriter?)
Computer. My hand cramps too fast for me to write in longhand for a useful amount of time. Notes, though, are usually in longhand.
10. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One?
I have a general idea of it, yes. Not always the details of how I’m going to get there, but I know I’ll get there.
11. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?
Not really. It’s more like I’m waiting for the market to be excited about things I’m interested in, not the other way around.
12. Editing – love it or hate it?
I wouldn’t say I love it, but I don’t loathe it. It’s necessary, and quite often it’s as much fun as the original writing because you’re taking your idea and making it better. That’s kind of awesome.
Mirrored from Jenna Jones.com.