Amy Reese from AmyReeseWrites.com asked me to participate in the “blog hop.”
I’m a party pooper when it comes to things like this but — how could you say no to Amy? So I had to answer four questions about my writing process. Here they are:
What am I working on?
I’m working on two stories, one about a woman who hides, the other is a story about a person who doesn’t exist. After that, I’ll reshape my novel and try to get an agent to represent it — yeah!
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My work differs from other work in the same genre because I write through the lens of my special DNA — ha!
Why do I write what I do?
I write because I’m trying to reach out to other people’s spirits, to communicate. I’m saying, I feel this, see this, want this, hate this, etc. Can you relate? What do you feel, hate, etc.? Do you feel me?
How does my writing process work?
This is a cliche, but my process is like sculpting. I write very broadly first, and sometimes it doesn’t make sense, but I trust the process, and come back each day to shape it up until it takes form.
1800ukillme 
Dammit, Sandee, quit writing stories about me! 🙂 I think it’s interesting that you can trace a lot of your problems to the same period in life I do. Junior high is just such an awful time for so many people. I’ve long felt that kids of that age should be segregated from the rest of society, at least until they can demonstrate some kind of mental/emotional stability.
This threw me off a bit since it’s a response to my comment on your blog — hahaha! — But all the same! I came back to edit — I realize you might be talking about the stories I’m working on being about you — hysterical! I’m laughing right now!
But I know we could probably write some of the same story from back then — At least you got through your period back then without substance abuse — geez!
I think about my nephews, 6 and 3, and hope that they get through that period with few scars.
The stories sound intriguing Sandy. Will we get a sneak preview?
I’m glad you find the little snippets intriguing! I plan on sending them to literary journals to try and get published — then I’ll post them on my blog for sure.
The one story about the person who doesn’t exist is finished. I just need to read it again after I have some more distance from it before editing. I’ve only written a couple of pages of the other one — I hope I can make it work. I’m excited about it though — I’m happy with the progress.
Happy writing to you!
I like the way to describe writing as sculpting. I feel very much the same way. When I start a story I have a vague idea of how I see my characters, but it is the act of writing (and rewriting) that helps me to create clearly defined individuals.
I know it’s a common analogy but it’s so apt. I always feel like a sculptor when I’m writing — hahaha!
Cool, Sandee. I’m glad you didn’t say no! I want to read those stories, especially about the person who doesn’t exist. Very intriguing. Thanks for doing this, Auntie.
Aw, you’re welcome Amy!
“I write through the lens of my special DNA”—Best answer to that question EVER.
I hoped it didn’t sound too flip! I was trying to be a little cheeky however.
Not at all. And cheeky is good. 🙂
Howdy Sandee. Well, you’ve inspired me to rummage into my old writing boxes. And I took the leap and I decided I’d finally try my hand at a blog too. It sure takes a lot of work learning the ropes!!! It was your story “Shredding” and also a lecture I saw online with bell hooks, that made me feel being free to express myself in this form again. My work probably demands longer attention spans and I gotta give up the ghost entirely when it comes to what people will even think, but you’re the first one I’m announcing to, if you’re interested:
http://katherinejlegry.wordpress.com
is my new blog (Skinny Neck… where the root is sound…)
I’m looking forward to your short stories! Thank you so much for what you do. I’m glad you’re one of the first blogs I encountered.
Thanks for commenting Katherine — and it’s cool you started a blog — I stopped by but there’s so much to read — I’m afraid I didn’t have time to finish. I must say if it’s longer than a couple of hundred words, I might not have time — I read other blogs and books and newspapers — but keep up the good work. I’ll stop by again…
Oh that’s totally cool. You don’t have to read it all or even at all! But if you ever do embark on the piece, it has to be read in full, maybe even out loud, or else the “rounds” don’t work. And it’s abstract, ambiguous, as much as it is bold and or shocking. Neither is it for the faint hearted. It’s actually excerpted from a larger “book report” sort of brought on by an author named David Foster Wallace who was very wordy and albeit lovable in his own right, a complete and utter wreck. When I read his novel Infinite Jest I thought he hated women and was trying to kill me although he was already dead. And I tortured myself with the book in order to purge myself… of what I don’t even know. (He was an addict who suffered from depression.) Maybe you’ve heard of him. Anyhow I wrote the book report part fiction(s), part non fiction(s), part dedication to David Foster Wallace and part “philosophy” poem stream… so I realize I am asking a lot from my readers. I posted another shorter piece which features the Muppets, and is based on true events, but it too is for mature audiences. Fair warning.
I appreciate you giving a look at the blog in the first place. And Please don’t feel any obligation or pressure. I can also take criticism very well at this point so you could even tell me it sucked if you felt compelled.
My best to you always Sandee! And I hope you keep writing too!
I just followed your blog — and I definitely will visit now, especially since I’ll be notified whenever you’ve written something new — If I recall the second piece is smaller — I can grasp that for now — hahahaha! I have so much going on I barely have time to eat. Firstly, I need to get off the dang computer! Thanks Katherine for your support and kind words!
Thanks you too, Sandee. Go eat!!!
Nice interview! Looking forward to those new stories…
Thanks again Elena! Mucho appreciato! — My fake Spanish 🙂