#WritersCoffeeClub 12.1 — From where did the inspiration for your current WIP come?
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.8 — How does your work compare to the earliest work in your genre?
Horribly, actually. I've changed as a writer, as have we all, I'm sure. My style has evolved over the years. I've come a long way, I think. (And hope.)
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.10 — Is it ethical to base characters on real people? What is the limit?
It's fine, as long as you don't overdo it. The writers here in this community understand that.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.10 — Is it ethical to base characters on real people? What is the limit?
It's fine, as long as you don't overdo it. The writers here in this community understand that.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.11 — How do you keep track of plots and subplots?
Oh, gosh. I track *everything* I do, although I'm sometimes known to be a pantser as well. I'm a bit of both.
"Pantsers are writers who creates their work without a detailed outline, often writing 'by the seat of their pants.' This approach allows them to develop their story organically, relying on their ideas, themes, or characters as they write, rather than following a pre-planned structure. In contrast, a 'plotter' is someone who outlines their work before writing."
I'm a bit of both, but I *always* track everything I write, even if the outline isn't so detailed, and if an idea randomly comes to me, I try to write everything down for it (although it might be after the fact).
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.11 — How do you keep track of plots and subplots?
Oh, gosh. I track *everything* I do, although I'm sometimes known to be a pantser as well. I'm a bit of both.
"Pantsers are writers who creates their work without a detailed outline, often writing 'by the seat of their pants.' This approach allows them to develop their story organically, relying on their ideas, themes, or characters as they write, rather than following a pre-planned structure. In contrast, a 'plotter' is someone who outlines their work before writing."
I'm a bit of both, but I *always* track everything I write, even if the outline isn't so detailed, and if an idea randomly comes to me, I try to write everything down for it (although it might be after the fact).
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.12 — Who is a writer whose life inspires you?
So many people inspire me. Tolkien is at the top of the list for me, though, hands down. What a kind man with a good heart, and such a family man as well. It's very inspirational.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.12 — Who is a writer whose life inspires you?
So many people inspire me. Tolkien is at the top of the list for me, though, hands down. What a kind man with a good heart, and such a family man as well. It's very inspirational.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.13 — What have you written for another writer?
I've done this many times, actually. For friends. I've done a lot of little projects for my friends, and I've also helped them wherever or however I can. That's what friends do, I suppose, and we're always very private about it.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.13 — What have you written for another writer?
I've done this many times, actually. For friends. I've done a lot of little projects for my friends, and I've also helped them wherever or however I can. That's what friends do, I suppose, and we're always very private about it.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.14 — Share how you tackle a first round of revisions.
1. Stare at the screen.
2. Contemplate making tea, then do it.
3. Finally get to work.
4. Some hair pulling is involved.
5. The old gods are summoned.
6. The spirits of my ancestors are brought forward.
7. Take a few deep breaths.
8. Do some more rewriting, then take a break.
9. Voilà, it's half-finished.
10. Do it all over again the following day. -
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.14 — Share how you tackle a first round of revisions.
1. Stare at the screen.
2. Contemplate making tea, then do it.
3. Finally get to work.
4. Some hair pulling is involved.
5. The old gods are summoned.
6. The spirits of my ancestors are brought forward.
7. Take a few deep breaths.
8. Do some more rewriting, then take a break.
9. Voilà, it's half-finished.
10. Do it all over again the following day.#WritersCoffeeClub 12.15 — What’s a non-literary artistic tradition which inspires you?
• Video games.
• TTRPG stuff or DnD (although I'm the dungeon/game master, so I do the storytelling and writing myself).
• LEGO stuff. -
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.15 — What’s a non-literary artistic tradition which inspires you?
• Video games.
• TTRPG stuff or DnD (although I'm the dungeon/game master, so I do the storytelling and writing myself).
• LEGO stuff.#WritersCoffeeClub 12.16 — Do you have one format you write in, or many?
I write a few things: Novels, short stories (with just a few chapters), and standalone stories. But that's about it.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.16 — Do you have one format you write in, or many?
I write a few things: Novels, short stories (with just a few chapters), and standalone stories. But that's about it.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.17 — Give a shout-out to a resource or site you think more writers should know.
Here's a great site! You can enter a word, phrase, description, or pattern to find synonyms, related words, and more. I'd be lost without the OneLook Thesaurus.
OneLook Thesaurus
A powerful English thesaurus and brainstorming tool that lets you describe what you're looking for in plain terms. It gives you hundreds of related words to choose from and lets you narrow down the list with several advanced features.
(onelook.com)
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.17 — Give a shout-out to a resource or site you think more writers should know.
Here's a great site! You can enter a word, phrase, description, or pattern to find synonyms, related words, and more. I'd be lost without the OneLook Thesaurus.
OneLook Thesaurus
A powerful English thesaurus and brainstorming tool that lets you describe what you're looking for in plain terms. It gives you hundreds of related words to choose from and lets you narrow down the list with several advanced features.
(onelook.com)
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.18 — Are there writing 'traditions' which ought to be preserved?
Maybe I'm "old-fashioned" for saying this, but I think writing your thoughts and ideas down in a notebook is such a simple, beautiful ritual. It's great to have technology but let's not change *everything,* if you know what I'm saying.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.18 — Are there writing 'traditions' which ought to be preserved?
Maybe I'm "old-fashioned" for saying this, but I think writing your thoughts and ideas down in a notebook is such a simple, beautiful ritual. It's great to have technology but let's not change *everything,* if you know what I'm saying.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.19 — If you were to teach a writing course, what would be the most important lesson?
Oh, gosh. Okay, let me think about this.
Lesson: That creativity has value, and AI will be the end of creativity and hard work. Stay on course. Remain hardworking and forever use your superpower — because that's exactly what creativity is, and we all have it.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.19 — If you were to teach a writing course, what would be the most important lesson?
Oh, gosh. Okay, let me think about this.
Lesson: That creativity has value, and AI will be the end of creativity and hard work. Stay on course. Remain hardworking and forever use your superpower — because that's exactly what creativity is, and we all have it.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.20 — If you write installments (issues, chapters, etc), then what’s the average length of one installment?
Right, so, let me explain a bit before I answer this prompt. I'm a serial author. I post things in chapter or installment segments. In general, and for *most* of my stories, I try to keep my chapters between 2000 to 3000 words, unless there's a particularly slower one (like the first few ones from Wings of Quiet Longing) that are just barely 2000 words.
I have exceptions, as do we all, but that's just the majority of my current stories. People like the length and say that it's a quicker read and it's easier to digest that way. People like my style. I'm glad it works for everyone, and the feedback helps a lot. I always want to write what or how people genuinely enjoy reading.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.20 — If you write installments (issues, chapters, etc), then what’s the average length of one installment?
Right, so, let me explain a bit before I answer this prompt. I'm a serial author. I post things in chapter or installment segments. In general, and for *most* of my stories, I try to keep my chapters between 2000 to 3000 words, unless there's a particularly slower one (like the first few ones from Wings of Quiet Longing) that are just barely 2000 words.
I have exceptions, as do we all, but that's just the majority of my current stories. People like the length and say that it's a quicker read and it's easier to digest that way. People like my style. I'm glad it works for everyone, and the feedback helps a lot. I always want to write what or how people genuinely enjoy reading.
#WritersCoffeeClub 12.21 — Do your story ideas come fully formed, or do you have to develop them?
Most of the time, it's actually the characters who come to me first and then the story follows. The plot (usually) develops as I'm writing the tale.
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#WritersCoffeeClub 12.21 — Do your story ideas come fully formed, or do you have to develop them?
Most of the time, it's actually the characters who come to me first and then the story follows. The plot (usually) develops as I'm writing the tale.
#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.
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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.
