Hey guys! There’s a writer’s blog-hop going on right now about the writing process. I was tagged by YA fantasy author Kathy Palm who kindly shared the current state of her writing and the process. By popular demand, (Kathy asked, I said sure) Here’s mine:

1. What are you working on?

I’ve been revising a kinda heavy YA Male POV contemporary for what feels like forever. But in all honesty, it’s only been a few months and during that time I was also revising another novel. I can’t say much about it except that it’s a story about loss, grief, consequences, and the obnoxious codependency that can sometimes take place at the end of first love. Also, the MC is kind of that guy you might’ve loved in high school but he was a little closed off and you were hoping you might be the one to change him. (“Oh my god you guys, he’s not a jerk, he’s got issues, okay?”) I’m crossing my fingers just like the love interest(s) in the book are, that he will change.

2. How does your work differ from others in your genre?

By no means am I breaking crazy new ground or anything like that, but my two most recent novels are dark, funny, and romancey. Sometimes, the mixing of the dark and the light might not work for people. However, I know there are plenty of other contemporary authors with writing that encompasses all of these things, so I know it’s do-able. In terms of getting published, I hope my writing and the passion I have to create and collaborate will set me apart so my books will one day be able to resonate with readers the way so many have with me.

3. Why do you write what you write?

I write what feels pressing. I write because I have these stories and emotions in my head and need/want to get them down on paper (or screen). I write things as a purge, as an escape, and I hope if you read it, you’ll feel something too.

4. How does your writing process work?

If something is burning a hole in my brain, I will find a way to get it down on paper, computer, a napkin, old receipt ASAP. If I wake with an idea or a crazy dream-to-novel idea, I’ll type it onto my phone as a note. No process needed.

I’m usually writing during my toddler’s nap time or after the kids are in bed. Usually I do this in bed. I love my bed, it’s a super cozy mattress and soft velvet tufted headboard that makes me feel like I’m a fancy writer lounging on Don and Betty Draper’s old bed. (Sure that is a little creepy, but creepy can be inspiring right?) However, since moving to NJ, I’m most productive when I schedule writing time out of the house. There is no comfy Starbucks nearby so I usually take a 20-25 minute drive to my nearest B&N cafe. Venti Peppermint mocha with soy, half the pumps, please.

Plotter or Pantser? First completed novel and everything else (short stories, poetry, mini magazine parodies for my 7th grade BFF to read, love notes, an unfinished screenplay, etc): Pantser. Current WIP: Plantser. I tried the whole plotting thing and it was somewhat beneficial but based on the way I write, I don’t think I could ever be an all-out plotter unless I woke one morning with a whole story inside my head and I had to get it written down lest I forget. I prefer to write from start to finish but have occasionally had a sentence or scene pop in my head. For that type of thing, I use my notes quite a bit. If something for my story comes to me out of order, I’ll write it out in my notes and then copy and paste when I get to that scene. I also rely heavily on notes to remember character back story, objectives, and physical description. Right now because of timeframe and chapters, I am also using a calendar for my current ms.

As for editing and revising, I use two hardcore CPs, and a handful of beta-readers. This process is a bit more intricate and “from the get-go” with my current WIP so I’m hoping that once I’m finished, it will be miles ahead in terms of where my first ms was when I “thought I was done.” For instance, I used 2 CPs and a beta for my first fifty pages of my WIP and I believe it saved me hours of blood, sweat, and tears later on. HELPFUL HINT MUST: If you are aiming for an agent and publication, use CPs and Beta-readers.

So, that’s it. Nothing super fancy or incredibly structured, but that’s just me. All writers are different and what works for some would be a junk hoard of words for others. If you’re interested in more writer’s processes or writer’s blogs, please check these:

Adrienne Russel: Midwestern writer with Southern roots, who’s currently working on a YA contemporary with magical realism. Fun to follow on twitter and one pretty cool reason is because she live tweets episodes of Jem. I mean, come on. Instant follow, right? Check her out on the @writersrepublic handle.

Emily Mead aka @theloonytuney on Twitter: She’s a quirky and well read YA contemporary author. She loves Harry Potter, lives in Australia, and has an awesome blog that has loads of book reviews. The coolest thing is that she’s also a YA so if you follow her blog or twitter handle, you’re getting an authentic teen perspective.

B.A. Wilson is a Middle School librarian who writes YA but likes to mix it up genre-wise. She’s currently finishing a YA Space Fantasy/Sci-Fi that sounds incredible and blockbuster worthy: war, teenage boys, an all-female planet that includes a great bro-mance and LGBT themes as well. Find out more about her books and writing process on B.A.’s blog. You can also find her on twitter for book recs, writing advice/support, and good times as @BAWilsonWrites.

I also am tagging my two fantastic CPs, who can also be found and Twitter stalked: Sarah Marsh and Teresa Yea. Sarah is the author of all kinds of YA, from high fantasy to horror. The settings and characters she spins are words and worlds bottled like red wine: rich, full bodied, and intoxicating. Find out more about the lovely Sarah Marsh on her blog.  Teresa is a fun, dark, and twisty YA author that writes like the wind, if the wind wore steel-toe combat boots, vintage lace and was on probation. Find out more about the incomparable Teresa Yea on her blog.

P.S. So far, my favorite kind of writing is vacation in a tropical setting writing. XOXO. That is all.

Thanks for stopping by!

Love, Ami