This week: How a writer’s life influences characters…

Thanks to Kate Robbins for this week’s questions, and if you arrived here via my Lyrical sister, Gemma Brocato and author of Hearts in Harmony, thanks for continuing the hop.

How much of yourself do you write into your characters? Or do you write characters completely opposite to you? My heroines have some of my faults and attributes, plus characteristics I wish I could claim. In some ways, writing is a way to live a dual life.

Has your writing helped you see events in your own life clearer? I actually believe my introspective nature led me to write. Writing is enjoyable but can also be a purging; a means of controlling a world when mine sometimes feels out of control.

Have you written a character with more of your personal characteristics than any other? What are they? Not with intent, but my character Jo is close to me in a lot of ways. She’s socially insecure, but wears a hard edge to cover. She’s no nonsense and commands undying loyalty. Both of us have been sorely disappointed in that area. I wrote her with thoughts as to what I might have achieved if I’d ventured from my suburban world.

Please see what the amazingly witty Kim Handysides has to share.

This week: Strange habits of writers and feeding our muse…

Thanks to Carolyn Spear for this week’s questions, and if you landed here via Katherine Givens, thanks for continuing through the RW circuit.

If someone observed you writing without you knowing, what strange practices might they catch you doing?

Besides numerous trips to the kitchen scavenging for food, I have an awful habit of chewing my cuticles…while my crystal ball comes into focus.

Other than a creative outlet, how does writing benefit you?

Last week, I expounded on the therapeutic benefits writing provides me. In addition, my spelling has improved as well as my keyboarding speed. I pay more attention to plotting and and such with movies and books, but the down side is I tend to dissect them which sometimes robs the joy.

How do you feed your muse?

You mean other than chocolate! Thus far, my stories have been inspired by a character or an impression from a book, TV or movie. After years of watching Rescue Me, I wanted to write a klutzy heroine on her way to becoming a firefighter. Jo didn’t turn out that way in Hot as Blazes, but her academy mate, Tami became a comedic sidekick earning the title, Black Widow.

Relaxing on the beach or by the pool frees my muse to explore story ideas. I’ve found walking is the best way to exercise story problems. Last but not least, the almighty shower can be Zen.

Please visit the lovely and talented Collette Cameron to see how she feeds her muse.