Tuesday 1 April 2014

Creating a Setting: Stop the Danged Noise

Stop the damned noise. I am trying to write!

How do you find the appropriate setting for the story, or does it find you?
Typically, the setting just comes to me. I have a very vivid imagination, and when I pictures scenes, the setting is there in full color. Occasionally, I have to create a setting that fits the plot. In my current WIP, my heroine needs to be stranded far away from civilisation after wrecking her car. What better place for that than high in the Alberta mountains in a wee small town?

What is your support system for your writing? Family, friends, other writers?
I am a member of RWA (Romance Writers of America) and the Calgary subgroup (CaRWA). We have monthly meeting, and a great on-line support and encouragement system. I have a writing/editing partner from the group. My family is great too. My husband actively encourages what I do and nags a lot about getting more writing done. My friends are always asking what I am working on and helping me over plot hurdles. Plus, my Mom is my biggest fan. (Though it did creep me out a bit when she said she read my erotica and liked it.)

What is the worst writing advice you ever received and how did you deal with it?
So far, I haven't received any really bad advice. Occasionally people suggest that I should follow in the footsteps of a famous author and do what they did ... my response is usually a quizzical look, a quirked eyebrow and saying "Do I look like Stephen King?" Or Janet Evanovich or who ever.

People often tell me that I should go to Starbucks and write, because it seems like a lot of big name authors do that. Nope, not happening! It is way to loud there. However, I can write at Humpty's without a problem. The constant low level clatter of silverware and buzz of talking is almost like a white noise for me. (Plus the girls bring me boatloads of coffee, and when my cup gets cold, I get a fresh hot one.) At home, I can write while my husband kills thing on the PS3, or hammers away on a wood working project, but not while he watches TV. Yup, my mind is a weird and wonderful place.


'Do you like to read romance novels? Wouldn't you like to know more about your favorite authors? Well you came to the right place! Join the writers of Romance Weekly as we go behind the scenes of our books and tell all..... About our writing of course! Every week we'll answer questions and after you've enjoyed the blog on this site we'll direct you to another. So come back often for a thrilling ride! Tell your friends and feel free to ask us questions in the comment box.'

Want to know how other authors feel about these questions? Hop on over to visit JJ Devine http://definingjjdevine.weebly.com/ramblings-of-a-writer.htm and see what she has to say about it.

Hugs
Katie

13 comments:

  1. It's so weird when your Mom reads the sex

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    1. You have no idea ... it is creepy. Then she says she likes it.
      Eeeeeeew, my mom likes sex? ICKY

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  2. Love your post Katie! I can't do Starbucks either—because of the wifi.

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    1. Wifi doesn't distract me, on occasion a hot guy does. :D It is the sound of the coffee machine ... worse than a landing jet.

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  3. Thanks for the great post! It's great that you have such a positive support system. There is nothing better! And I'm with you! I could NEVER write productively in a Starbucks! I'd be too busy people watching with all the distractions to get anything done!

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    1. After the first half hour, the people watching loses its fascination, though I have to admit to eavesdropping a bit now and then. I've heard some rip-roaring domestic disputes!

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  4. I love your response to people who say you should write like some big name author. LOL - that would be me too - we are who we are because of how we write - you'll be big one day and people will be telling some new author man, you should try to write like Katie OH!

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  5. Good for including the RWA! I forgot to do that :-)

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  6. Katie, I could never write at Starbucks. Too noisy! Plus all those goodies would be too tempting.

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  7. Loved it - Just think, one day there may be a new author who's friends will say, you know!? you should try writing like Katie OH!

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  8. Having such great support is so important in writing :)

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  9. Oh mercy, I can't imagine my mom reading my 'heated' paranormal romances :)

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Hugs
Katie