I’m in a bit of a “meme” mood lately. I got this one from Yoga Gumbo. I am officially tagging SQT, Carraka, and Imelda. Anyone else who wants to do this is welcome to.
The Writing Meme:
What’s the last thing you wrote?
A blog post that will go up before this post regarding my worldbuilding endeavor for WB Month. It’s a fun post, I think.
Was it any good?
Umm, I think so. I enjoyed it. It’s about worldbuilding. Isn’t that good in its own right?
What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?
A book about a hedgehog who goes on a pointless adventure to nowhere. It was actually bound and published through the school I was at, which was cool. It’s a kid’s book with illustrations. I also still have a little illustrated book about a strange creatures called Eggbert, which was slightly Dr. Seuss in style (also bound and published through a school). Cool, eh? Oh, and I was fortunate at that time. I doubt there are any middle schools or any schools whatsoever pushing for such things. It’s sad really. Shouldn’t we be pushing the arts and creativity? Yeah, I think so too!
Write poetry?
I do on occasion. I don’t do it often. I have a couple epics in the works, but mostly I don’t write poetry unless I’m in the mood, which is rare. Poetry is hard.
Angsty poetry?
Not so much anymore. It’s sort of annoying. It’s good to write it to get something off your chest, but it’s not something to share with others. Maybe when I’m dead someone will find several books of crappy poetry and publish it thinking it is the greatest thing ever. But I’ll be dead, so that doesn’t matter much.
Favourite genre of writing?
Science fiction with fantasy at a close second. However, right now I’m liking fantasy a lot more because it’s coming easier for me than SF. I don’t write anything else because I get bored way too easily with other genres. It needs something fantastic about it to keep my attentions.
Most fun character you’ve ever created?
Fun? Define fun. Probably Pea (which stands for Pantifilus the Extraordinarily Abnormal), although if we want to define fun as exciting, then Marx Ignatia fits that bill. She’s badass. Pea is just quirky, small, and silly.
Most annoying character you’ve ever created?
Possibly Asher…but I don’t really know.
Best plot you’ve ever created?
Hmm, I’m particularly fond of the plot for “Artemis”, to be honest. It’s dark, involves children, and there are mean controlling types in the background doing evil things with children. Anything involving screwing up children is pretty much fascinating to me, cause…yeah…and I don’t mean that in a perverted way, I just mean that the best way to screw up someone in the head is to do horrible things to them when they’re children (and again, not being perverted…psychological damage from exposing them to near-death experiences or crazy people…that works wonders for character development).
Coolest plot twist you’ve ever created?
Hrmm…I like the twist in “Death By Poking” where the wife of the semi-Mafia-like corporation in space is actually responsible for the death of the main character’s sister and for attempting to murder another character. Tis cool.
How often do you get writer’s block?
All the time, cause it doesn’t exist.
Write fan fiction?
Did when I was fifteen, then started writing my own stuff and will never go back to fan fiction again. I like my own work better.
Do you type or write by hand?
A little of both, but mostly typing because it’s faster.
Do you save everything you write?
Yup, even the garbage…sometimes that garbage turns out to be good, just not right for whatever I was working on at the time.
Do you ever go back to an idea after you’ve abandoned it?
Yes. I do it rarely, but that’s where the idea for one of my novels came from.
What’s your favourite thing you’ve written?
“Artemis”. One of my favorite shorts and the one that a lot of folks seem to like a lot.
What’s everyone else’s favourite story that you’ve written?
“Artemis” or “Irlgem”, with honorable mentions to “Interstellar Realty” and “King of the Holo”.
Do you ever show people your work?
Yup. My girlfriend sees it, rips it to pieces, and gives it back. Then I fix it and give it to editors for them to scoff at and send me rejections, which results in my being mostly numb and generally unenthusiastic about the mail for a few days.
Did you ever write a novel?
Yup, it’s on this blog actually: The World in the Satin Bag.
Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
No…never…ugh.
What’s your favourite setting for your characters?
Something in space or on a war torn or destroyed Earth. A semi-regular occurrence is some sort of space station.
How many writing projects are you working on right now?
About twenty…
Do you want to write for a living?
Don’t I wish…I write because I like it. If I can make a living at it, then I’ll be most fortunate to have a job doing what I love. Otherwise I’m just writing cause I love it.
Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Honorable Mention for a short story from the Writers of the Future Contest. That’s the only legit recognition (i.e. something I can put on my resume) that I have received.
Ever written anything in script or play format?
Once…hated it.
What are your five favourite words?
Jackassification (just learned it’s a real word), wonderrifical (not a real word, but good), acquiesce (thanks to Pirates of the Caribbean!), fiddlesticks (cause it’s fun), and snuggle (cause that’s what my girlfriend and I do and it makes me happy).
Do you ever write based on yourself?
Not intentionally…I tried once and it was horrible and boring and lame. I don’t like writing about real life.
What character have you created that is most like yourself?
James from WISB, maybe. I have the same sort of apprehension and fear of the unknown.
Where do you get ideas for your characters?
Everywhere. Books, the world, news, my girlfriend, my pants, the floor, the sky, TV, and random stuff on the Internet.
Do you ever write based on your dreams?
I know I have, I just don’t remember doing so.
Do you favour happy endings, sad endings or cliff-hangers?
Happy or sad, just as long as it is a proper ending.
Have you ever written based on an artwork you’ve seen?
I know I have, I just don’t remember it…maybe a long time ago.
Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
A little. I worry about having proper sentences, but I don’t criticize every single word. I make mistakes, but I only intentionally fix the obvious ones.
Ever write anything in chatspeak (how r u?)
I did once and punished myself for a week.
Entirely in L337?
Same as the above.
Was that question appalling and unwriterly?
Yes…
Does music help you write?
Sometimes. Never anything with words though. I can’t listen to stuff with words. It drives me mad.
Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.
“I wonder what will happen if I pull its wings off,” Ragnon said.
And that’s about it from me!
