Tag! You're It!

Martha W., who writes Just Me & You, tagged me. Normally, I would not play, but I have a blog topic now so I'm glad she caught me. And if you get a chance, I hope you swing by her blog and read it. She has a lot of interesting, ongoing topics. She's even going through the WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL manual and posts her lessons on Monday (brave brave woman).

So this game of 26-question “meme” tag goes like this: answer the 26 questions then tag those who have to do it too… *wink* Here goes – (promptly post at the bottom)
1. What’s the last thing you wrote? What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?

Last thing: THE FANTASY CONTRACT-a very spicy story about a female shock jock being threatened for her controversial viewpoints and her divine protector, a criminal profiler who knows all her fantasies and helps her bring them to life.

First thing: I still have the notes and story ideas for a paranormal/fantasy epic novel with all kinds of cool aura elements. Every time I go to clean out my files, that one stays. There's a reason.

2. Write poetry?

Not anymore. But used to write a lot of poetry.

3. Angsty poetry?

Yup. Used to write all kinds of weird poetry. I still have the poems. I might use them if I can stop writing sexy, fun romances.

4. Favorite genre of writing?

I am a book slut. Pretty much read them all. I have even read westerns (remember Louis Lamour --not sure if I have the name sp. right). Favorite has to be Contemporary Romances, Women's Fiction and YA.

5. Most annoying character you’ve ever created?

I wrote a mother I thought was fabulous, but my CPs thought she was mean. But compared to my own mother, she was a dream. I no longer try to write nice mothers. I cut her out of my MS.

6. Best plot you’ve ever created?

Not sure. I think the best plot is still waiting to be written. I always think the "next book" will be so much better and easier to write than the current POS I'm trying to revise.

7. Coolest plot twist you’ve ever created?

I'm not telling, but it's in my third MS and it's fun.

8. How often do you get writer’s block?

I've never had a block where I didn't have a scene I could work on. However, I recently did have a scare when all my peeps abandoned ship. Current peeps, past peeps and future peeps went to Tahiti for vacation because I wasn't honoring the core of the story. Took me three days of wrestling and a CP's gentle prodding to help me recover them. That was scary.

9. Write fan fiction?

Nope. Too many other people running around in my head to add those of other writers…

10. Do you type or write by hand?

Both. I do switch back and forth, but for different parts of writing. I like to write my notecards, my story poster board (hang it on the closet door), and my notes for the WIP by hand. I edit and revise on the computer, but I print out all versions, and read through hard copy with a pencil between each revision. I like paper clipping my scenes together.

11. Do you save everything you write?

*gasp* I've tossed earlier hard copy versions of MS's, but never the computer versions. I have it all saved on the computer, on a huge back up disk, on iDisk and on a memory stick.

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you’ve abandoned it?

There's a core in all of them that can be used.

13. What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever written?

I don't have any favorite things. Perhaps the words "The End?" Haha...

14. What’s everyone else’s favorite story that you’ve written?

So far everyone has enjoyed the third complete MS. I'm hoping they'll enjoy the 4th one even more. I'd like to think my writing is getting stronger with each book.

15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?

Romance – oh yeah!

Angsty Teen Drama – when I was a teen I had plenty of those in my head. But I lived a true angsty teen life, so I don't really want to write about it as an adult. Way too depressing.

16. What’s your favorite setting for your characters?

Wherever I live--I hate doing research--but eventually I must.

17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?

Current WIP, this blog, newsletter articles

18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?

2008 Touch of Magic, Third Place; 2009 MAGGIE Finalist for SWEET SENSATIONS

19. What are your five favorite words?

I truly loathe coming up with words on the spot. I don't really have any "favorites." Perhaps a favorite life word: perseverance

20. What character have you created that is most like yourself?

I think all my characters have bits of me in them. But probably my current heroine is  most like me personality wise. I can't write wimpy women. The biggest problem I have is writing a sympathetic heroine cause she's usually pretty tough on the outside.

21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?

All over. I'm a people watcher and listener and I use everything. Nothing is sacred. Also, lots of people believe that I'm not paying attention cause I talk a lot (my verbal fog deflects their attention haha), but I'm actually picking up nuances all the time.

22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?

My dreams? No. But early morning musings? Yes. And daydreams? Yes. I tend to daydream a lot when I am doing mundane things. The shower brings a lot of plot/story solutions to me. Once I had a character bug me to give him time with his woman while I was washing my hair (haha--only other writers could truly understand that statement).

23. Do you favor happy endings?

Always. HEA or bust.

24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

No. Not in first draft or when I'm laying down the story for revisions--the final polishing of a truly completed manuscript is where I work out those naughty problems.

25. Does music help you write?

Yes, I have a play list for my current WIP-I don't play it when I am working on major revisions, but I like it for first draft and quick rewriting of work. I love rock. Plus if I wear my earphones, I can tune out the house. Very helpful.

26. Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.

"The last time she checked, the government wasn't bailing out cake caterers."

All right, Martha W., thanks for my blog idea for the day. Now I am tagging Gwen, Ellen, Zoe and Hawk. No fair hiding behind trees.

Tag!