#WritersCoffeeClub 12.1 — From where did the inspiration for your current WIP come?
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.26 — Who or what serves as your "rubber duck"?
My girlfriend AKA @aperfectsong. LOL. Since we met, we've always written roleplay stories together, which are just co-written stories, and we often talk through plot points and things like that before or as we're writing together. If I have an issue with one of my novels as well, I can talk things through with her, and I'll usually realize what it is that I need to write or do along the way. We love chats like that.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.27 — How can we as writers support one another?
In the age of growing AI usage, idiocy, book banning, and all the other struggles we face, we have to do these things...
• Love, support, and encourage one another.
• Offer any advice or tips we might have learned along the way or heard in the past.
• Share, buy, and read each other's work.
• Help to boost other authors as well, whether they're published, in the process of publishing, either with a publishing house or self-publishing, or only write for enjoyment and as a hobby and aren't looking to publish. It doesn't matter which.Boost, boost, boost each other! Help your friends and fellow authors. Support them. Show love to the other writers in the world. This community is such a beautiful, helpful, awesome thing. We've built something amazing together. You can do your part in this messy, crazy world, no matter how little you think it might be. Every little bit does count, and each of these things mean a ton to all of us! I can't stress any of that enough.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.27 — How can we as writers support one another?
In the age of growing AI usage, idiocy, book banning, and all the other struggles we face, we have to do these things...
• Love, support, and encourage one another.
• Offer any advice or tips we might have learned along the way or heard in the past.
• Share, buy, and read each other's work.
• Help to boost other authors as well, whether they're published, in the process of publishing, either with a publishing house or self-publishing, or only write for enjoyment and as a hobby and aren't looking to publish. It doesn't matter which.Boost, boost, boost each other! Help your friends and fellow authors. Support them. Show love to the other writers in the world. This community is such a beautiful, helpful, awesome thing. We've built something amazing together. You can do your part in this messy, crazy world, no matter how little you think it might be. Every little bit does count, and each of these things mean a ton to all of us! I can't stress any of that enough.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.28 — How do your prose create and maintain tension?
Pure willpower!
No, but seriously, I have no idea what's even happening in the next sentence. I plan to a T and sometimes things change at the last minute. I just write, write, write, and edit to heart's content, all while hoping it'll come together organically. And honestly, that usually works! I'm pretty lucky.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.28 — How do your prose create and maintain tension?
Pure willpower!
No, but seriously, I have no idea what's even happening in the next sentence. I plan to a T and sometimes things change at the last minute. I just write, write, write, and edit to heart's content, all while hoping it'll come together organically. And honestly, that usually works! I'm pretty lucky.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.29 — How much would writing by another means (by hand, digitally, audio transcription) change your prose?
I actually do a little bit of everything, but I will say that I've done my best writing when I'm in front of a computer. I have Multiple Sclerosis, so writing by hand is rather difficult for me, despite how much I absolutely love it and enjoy doing it whenever I get the chance. I just can't do it for any prolonged periods of time because it hurts too badly. Also, my handwriting is shite these days — but that just means no one can plagiarize anything of mine! Ha!
I'm rather good at "writing" and storytelling by using audio transcription as well. I have a podcast, so speaking with a flow comes rather easily for me these days. It's great for taking notes, or even for getting down my thoughts on a bit of dialogue or description for a scene if I'm too busy to sit down at my computer or I'm half-asleep in bed.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.29 — How much would writing by another means (by hand, digitally, audio transcription) change your prose?
I actually do a little bit of everything, but I will say that I've done my best writing when I'm in front of a computer. I have Multiple Sclerosis, so writing by hand is rather difficult for me, despite how much I absolutely love it and enjoy doing it whenever I get the chance. I just can't do it for any prolonged periods of time because it hurts too badly. Also, my handwriting is shite these days — but that just means no one can plagiarize anything of mine! Ha!
I'm rather good at "writing" and storytelling by using audio transcription as well. I have a podcast, so speaking with a flow comes rather easily for me these days. It's great for taking notes, or even for getting down my thoughts on a bit of dialogue or description for a scene if I'm too busy to sit down at my computer or I'm half-asleep in bed.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.1 — What’s the greatest benefit you get from online writing community?
Support, camaraderie, love, trust in myself, help whenever I need it, etc. More importantly, though, I've made some of my closest friends either through other sites or here on Mastodon, all because of writing and through it. I even met my girlfriend that way over a decade ago. The online writing community is everything for us. We aren't alone, and that's what matters. We've built this community from the ground up.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.1 — What’s the greatest benefit you get from online writing community?
Support, camaraderie, love, trust in myself, help whenever I need it, etc. More importantly, though, I've made some of my closest friends either through other sites or here on Mastodon, all because of writing and through it. I even met my girlfriend that way over a decade ago. The online writing community is everything for us. We aren't alone, and that's what matters. We've built this community from the ground up.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.3 — How do you come up with the titles for your works?
Let's talk about all of my novels and original work. Sometimes it comes from a quote in the book, other times it's from a random thought that pops into my head along the way. Just creativity, I suppose.
When it comes to fanfiction, though, it might also be song lyrics or things like that. It depends on what I'm writing.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.3 — How do you come up with the titles for your works?
Let's talk about all of my novels and original work. Sometimes it comes from a quote in the book, other times it's from a random thought that pops into my head along the way. Just creativity, I suppose.
When it comes to fanfiction, though, it might also be song lyrics or things like that. It depends on what I'm writing.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.4 — Share a tool of your trade.
Daydreaming. It's underrated. I get my best ideas that way, to be fair.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.4 — Share a tool of your trade.
Daydreaming. It's underrated. I get my best ideas that way, to be fair.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.5 — How do you choose the POV for a new story?
I typically write with one of these two POVs...
Third Person Omniscient POV: The narrator has full knowledge of all characters' thoughts, feelings, and the story's past and future, enabling a god-like perspective. While less common in modern novels, it is used in classic literature and genres requiring a broad narrative scope.
Multiple POVs: Involves shifting between different characters' perspectives, often across chapters or scenes. This approach allows for a broader story scope and deeper character development but requires careful structuring to avoid “head-hopping” and maintain reader clarity.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.5 — How do you choose the POV for a new story?
I typically write with one of these two POVs...
Third Person Omniscient POV: The narrator has full knowledge of all characters' thoughts, feelings, and the story's past and future, enabling a god-like perspective. While less common in modern novels, it is used in classic literature and genres requiring a broad narrative scope.
Multiple POVs: Involves shifting between different characters' perspectives, often across chapters or scenes. This approach allows for a broader story scope and deeper character development but requires careful structuring to avoid “head-hopping” and maintain reader clarity.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.6 — Process-wise, what’s improved for you over the years?
My editing process is much easier. It's simpler as well, only because I know what needs to be there and what doesn't when it comes to short stories or chapters. I've gotten rather good at adding in those little "vivid verbs" that enrich our writing for readers as well. For the first round of writing, I just get the words out, and then everything else can be added in later, like those particular verbs, for instance. It's much easier than racking my brain the first time around.
To be honest, though, everything feels easier and better. I suppose that just comes with age and experience.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.6 — Process-wise, what’s improved for you over the years?
My editing process is much easier. It's simpler as well, only because I know what needs to be there and what doesn't when it comes to short stories or chapters. I've gotten rather good at adding in those little "vivid verbs" that enrich our writing for readers as well. For the first round of writing, I just get the words out, and then everything else can be added in later, like those particular verbs, for instance. It's much easier than racking my brain the first time around.
To be honest, though, everything feels easier and better. I suppose that just comes with age and experience.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.9 — What’s your top tip for writing authentic dialogue?
Reading your dialogue (and the entire chapter or short story) aloud. If it sounds and feels natural for the characters and for you as well, as you're reading it, then it should work. Try it sometime.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.9 — What’s your top tip for writing authentic dialogue?
Reading your dialogue (and the entire chapter or short story) aloud. If it sounds and feels natural for the characters and for you as well, as you're reading it, then it should work. Try it sometime.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.10 — How do you steer a reader’s emotional journey?
That isn't my job, not necessarily. The readers take what they want from the story. Everyone has a different "emotional journey" while reading a book, and I'm helpless to steer something like that for so many different readers. The story will tell itself, and that's that.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.10 — How do you steer a reader’s emotional journey?
That isn't my job, not necessarily. The readers take what they want from the story. Everyone has a different "emotional journey" while reading a book, and I'm helpless to steer something like that for so many different readers. The story will tell itself, and that's that.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.11 — Name a poet who has influenced you.
Hands down, it's Michael Faudet. He's one of my favorite poets. He can be downright filthy (in reference to love) one moment and then heartbreakingly romantic the next. He weaves words so elegantly.
#WritingCommmunity #ReadingCommunity #MichaelFaudet
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.11 — Name a poet who has influenced you.
Hands down, it's Michael Faudet. He's one of my favorite poets. He can be downright filthy (in reference to love) one moment and then heartbreakingly romantic the next. He weaves words so elegantly.
#WritingCommmunity #ReadingCommunity #MichaelFaudet
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.12 — How do you get to know your characters before you start writing?
By doing the writing prompt tags, of course! They honestly help so much with fleshing characters out and truly getting to know them.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.12 — How do you get to know your characters before you start writing?
By doing the writing prompt tags, of course! They honestly help so much with fleshing characters out and truly getting to know them.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.13 — Are you actively building your working vocabulary?
Always. I recently spoke about "vivid verbs" how in love with them I am, so I'm always finding things to add to my arsenal. We continue to learn. It's never ends, and it's a tough but worthwhile journey. I'm enjoying the ride.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.13 — Are you actively building your working vocabulary?
Always. I recently spoke about "vivid verbs" how in love with them I am, so I'm always finding things to add to my arsenal. We continue to learn. It's never ends, and it's a tough but worthwhile journey. I'm enjoying the ride.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.14 — What’s a service or skill you’d like to offer your fellow writers?
Random: I used to be a beta reader. I did it regularly. I'm always open for just reading something and giving my opinions as well. Sometimes we just need a friend to tell us if something stinks or not, you know? It helps. And I'll be honest, whatever you THINK sucks is actually usually fantastic. Imposter syndrome is tough.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.14 — What’s a service or skill you’d like to offer your fellow writers?
Random: I used to be a beta reader. I did it regularly. I'm always open for just reading something and giving my opinions as well. Sometimes we just need a friend to tell us if something stinks or not, you know? It helps. And I'll be honest, whatever you THINK sucks is actually usually fantastic. Imposter syndrome is tough.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.15 — How human are your protagonists? What about your antagonists?
Let me just talk about the story I'm currently working on. This is funny but the only humans/mortals are the servants and residents in the town. The majority of the main cast are vampires and werewolves. As for human characteristics, they're all very similar to mortals. The feelings or emotions, cognitive and emotional traits, social and behavioral traits, most physical traits, and personalities are all very "human," if you know what I mean.
#WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Romantasy #Fantasy #Vampires #Werewolves #Ghosts #Romance #Victorian #Worldbuilding #AmWriting #WritingCommunity
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.15 — How human are your protagonists? What about your antagonists?
Let me just talk about the story I'm currently working on. This is funny but the only humans/mortals are the servants and residents in the town. The majority of the main cast are vampires and werewolves. As for human characteristics, they're all very similar to mortals. The feelings or emotions, cognitive and emotional traits, social and behavioral traits, most physical traits, and personalities are all very "human," if you know what I mean.
#WingsOfQuietLonging #ParanormalRomance #Romantasy #Fantasy #Vampires #Werewolves #Ghosts #Romance #Victorian #Worldbuilding #AmWriting #WritingCommunity
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.17 — What’s frustrating you, writing-wise?
At the moment, it's just not having the right amount of time to do it. I'm playing catch-up with doctor's appointments and so is my nana after she broke her foot. It's 90% healed, so that's good news. But for the moment, we're just very busy. I'm still finding time to write, but things will get better as the month goes on, I'm sure.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.17 — What’s frustrating you, writing-wise?
At the moment, it's just not having the right amount of time to do it. I'm playing catch-up with doctor's appointments and so is my nana after she broke her foot. It's 90% healed, so that's good news. But for the moment, we're just very busy. I'm still finding time to write, but things will get better as the month goes on, I'm sure.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.19 — Talk about something (even if very small!) from your own life which made it onto the page.
It's not very small but Alistair (in #WingsOfQuietLonging) is also an author, so I guess there's that. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but I'm sure there's loads of stuff I could talk about from other stories, even silly things like a certain type of coffee (meaning a random iced macchiato or latte) or a flavor of coffee syrup used, things like that. I like writing in tiny details that I either fancy or know a good deal about.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.19 — Talk about something (even if very small!) from your own life which made it onto the page.
It's not very small but Alistair (in #WingsOfQuietLonging) is also an author, so I guess there's that. I can't think of anything else at the moment, but I'm sure there's loads of stuff I could talk about from other stories, even silly things like a certain type of coffee (meaning a random iced macchiato or latte) or a flavor of coffee syrup used, things like that. I like writing in tiny details that I either fancy or know a good deal about.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.21 — When writing about unpleasant feelings, how do you avoid alienating the reader entirely?
To be fair, if readers are looking for cozy, carefree stories without ever having *any* unpleasant feelings they won't be picking up my stories from the start. Every synopsis or blurb warns of this. My work features emotion of all kinds, the good *and* the bad. The stories have a range of emotion in them, scenes that won't always be happy-go-lucky and carefree, and that's okay because it's just life. Things can't always be perfect and good, you know? Regardless of all that, this isn't a problem for me. My readers are generally looking for (emotionally) tortured characters who have good recovery journeys after the fact.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.21 — When writing about unpleasant feelings, how do you avoid alienating the reader entirely?
To be fair, if readers are looking for cozy, carefree stories without ever having *any* unpleasant feelings they won't be picking up my stories from the start. Every synopsis or blurb warns of this. My work features emotion of all kinds, the good *and* the bad. The stories have a range of emotion in them, scenes that won't always be happy-go-lucky and carefree, and that's okay because it's just life. Things can't always be perfect and good, you know? Regardless of all that, this isn't a problem for me. My readers are generally looking for (emotionally) tortured characters who have good recovery journeys after the fact.
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.25 — What comes first: setting, character, plot? What comes next?
Sometimes it's the plot. More often than not, it's the characters. They'll come to me first. A lot of my characters were created for either the purpose of TTRPG stuff (tabletop roleplaying games) or roleplay stories (which is just collaborative writing that I do with friends or my girlfriend), so I've already written a plethora of stories with these characters. The plots come to me later if I finally decide to knuckle down and write a long serial or just a novel with them. C'est la vie.
Edit: I should add this... It's usually a scene between characters that I've already created, and then I have to write an entire story around said scene. It's funny how that works out sometimes, isn't it?
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#WritersCoffeeClub 1.25 — What comes first: setting, character, plot? What comes next?
Sometimes it's the plot. More often than not, it's the characters. They'll come to me first. A lot of my characters were created for either the purpose of TTRPG stuff (tabletop roleplaying games) or roleplay stories (which is just collaborative writing that I do with friends or my girlfriend), so I've already written a plethora of stories with these characters. The plots come to me later if I finally decide to knuckle down and write a long serial or just a novel with them. C'est la vie.
Edit: I should add this... It's usually a scene between characters that I've already created, and then I have to write an entire story around said scene. It's funny how that works out sometimes, isn't it?
#WritersCoffeeClub 1.26 — Do you include things you personally find repellent in your work?
I do, only because the story isn't about me, it's about the characters. Sometimes a story calls for something that I might strongly dislike. It isn't a perfect world, after all. As much as I love *reading* cozy fantasy, it isn't actually the genre that I'm writing within.
