Questions Answered!

So despite the fact that my laptop is in SERIOUS trouble with me since it caught a virus the week after I did...I'm finally here to answer the questions you guys asked me last week to help me put together my FAQs page!

There were some really great ones that were so fun to answer! So thank you. And here you go!

Magan asked a few questions:

What inspires your writing?

Can I say everything? I get ideas and inspiration from everything around me and everything I do--I have ideas in the shower, the car, walking around the block, watching a movie. But if I had to pull on my two biggest inspirations, I'd say Dreams and Music are at the top. My current novel was inspired by a dream I had, and I get a lot of ideas for plotting and scenes--or at least the tone and emotion of a scene from music.

When will we know about a book release?

Oh man, I WISH I could answer this question. All I can say is stay tuned.

Where did you stay in Branson?
You know, I have no idea! I think its called The Moose Lodge. All I know is Maggie found the place with her awesome google skills, and when we shuttled a bus from the airport to the lodge, they had NO idea where to go--like Saundra Mitchell was there googling maps for the driver and he was still confused--not to mention he got stuck dropping us there and then refused to take us back to the airport--but that's another story. So apparently The Moose Lodge is one of Branson's best kept secrets, because even they don't know it's there.

Amber d* asked about the one genre I wouldn’t write in:

Ooooh! I used to think I'd only ever write fantasy, but a lot of my upcoming projects are actually spread pretty wide across genres. So its hard to say what I won't do because I get unexpectedly cool and exciting ideas in a lot of different genres. But...if I had to guess...I'd say you'll probably never find me writing a horror novel--I scare very easily and I do NOT need to scare myself even further writing an entire book of scary things. Everything else though is fair game.

Karen Akins asked how did you snag your awesome agent?

I have a much longer answer about the approach I took to querying and choosing an agent if you look on my writing page. But the short and honest answer: Slush pile. Which is why I always say, your writing always has to be your strongest selling point--I also worked like a crazy person on my query letter. But it was SO worth it when Agent Laura made the call.

Christine Danek asked two questions:

What is your background?

I have a BA in religious studies from Cornell. I started as a Classics major studying Latin, Greek and classical civilization and mythology (true story--I applied to Cornell because they offered Sanskrit). But after an incredibly brutal semester that involved me nearly dying in Ancient Greek, I left for the religious studies department--where I continued studying classical civilization and mythology and also religious myths and origins. I then spent a semester as a psychology major because I LOVE psychology and also many psychologists like Jung allowed me to study mythology. See a pattern? In the end I returned to the religious studies department with a minor in psych.

I also had a minor senior year crisis when figuring out grad school and my life. I wanted to be a writer but couldn't admit it because I was afraid, and so I spent a ridiculous amount of time filling out applications for MFA programs in writing and NOT applying. Instead, I decided to become a rabbi. No really. So I enrolled in Hebrew and got into a masters program at Columbia for Jewish Studies.

I didn't go.

I spent two years at a nine to five as a social worker, writing and belly dancing at night. Then I returned to school at Arcadia University for an MA in English though I treated it more like an MFA in writing. I met my critique group there The First Novels Club in a Writing for Children Class. Then after graduation I started teaching English, Writing, Psychology and Nutrition at the college level. I also worked as a professional belly dancer, pre-school teacher, and children's librarian for a synagogue (sometimes all at once) in my pursuit to become a writer.

Somehow I think that all makes sense--except the part where I teach nutrition--though I know a lot about veganism.

Does that answer the question?

And what sparked your love of writing?

Hmmmm, I don't know. I just know it was something I ALWAYS wanted to do from day one. I spent a lot of time creating elaborate storylines and soap operas for my barbies to play out before I could write and then I spent a lot of time writing stories down and priding myself on finishing my writing notebooks faster and more often than anyone else in my first grade class! I think the love here was innate. And maybe partially a legacy.

I was named after my maternal grandfather Frank David Millman--also a writer. He wrote mystery and detective short stories and had them published in magazines. So I like to think he passed down more than just his name:-)

Kelly Lyman asked:

Will any of your mcs be into belly dancing?

Haha! I DO have one belly dancer sitting on the shelf hoping I'll write her story. But in the mean time, you'll find that I like to include a lot of dance scenes...

Do you ever get discouraged when you are writing/revising? And if/when that happens, how do you get motivated again?

Yes! All the time! When I'm revising, I'm like a crazy person, totally happy one minute and crying my eyes out the next. The First Novels Club and my friends are all a huge part of helping me stay motivated, or at least lending an ear so I can rant and rave until its out of my system and I can move on. Beyond having a lot of support, the main thing I remember to stay motivated is that I do love what I'm doing. I love writing, I love my story, I love my characters, and so if I need to, I'll take a short break and then think about why I'm excited to be doing this in the first place, even when its hard and I'm discouraged and freaking out.

Joanne Fritz asked where do you get the energy to do all you do?

I think you overestimate how much energy I have. Let's just say that I am on a first name basis with almost every barrista within a 20 mile radius of my house. They all know me, my order and everything happening with my book.


And last, but certainly not least Heather Zundel asked:

What is the most important thing a writer must have/know?

Wow! This is an important question! And tough to answer. My instinct is to say faith--faith in your writing, in your story, your characters, yourself, faith in the industry and in your readers. But then I want to say passion--to feel passion for what you're doing, for your story, for braving the industry. And then in moments when you're discouraged--a great support group--although they are also important for when you have moments to celebrate and when you need to bounce ideas around. So can I answer with three items? Faith, passion and support?

What are you never asked about but dying to answer?

Seriously, NO ONE ever asks me about the fact that I can pick up things with my toes. I don't understand why...


Thanks for the fabulous questions you guys! FAQs pages will be ready soon:-) You all rock!