A Natural Woman

Okay, this Friday instead of having a Hairday at Curl Up and Write I’m going to post my very first interview with friend to the blog Lori Johnson. Lori’s new book, A Natural Woman, (2009 Kensington/Dafina) hits stores in November but if you can’t wait until then, stop by Lori’s website and read an excerpt.

Now off with the interview!

What is your writing schedule like?

When I’m actively engaged in a project, my writing schedule can be a fairly intense, 7 day a week sort of thing. I prefer writing in 2-3 hour blocks of time, for instance 9 am-12 noon or 10 pm-1 am. Seems like I’m most creative late at night when my loved ones are asleep and the house is quiet. I prefer re-writing during the day light hours. However, I’ve taught myself to write whenever time avails itself and the mood hits–in the tub, at the dentist office, while I’m waiting to pick up my son up from baseball practice, even during commercials when I’m watching TV with the family.

As a writer, what is hardest for you to tackle? Plot? Dialogue? What’s the easiest?

I don’t know if any of it is hard. Some of  it I enjoy more and I know I’m better at certain aspects than others. Dialogue comes somewhat easy to me. Typically, I hear my characters before I see them or even know what they’re going to do.

How do you choose the names for your characters?

When it comes to the main characters, I generally allow them to tell me who they are. What I mean by that is–I don’t actively search for a name, it just sort of comes to me. For minor characters, sometimes I’ll systematically go through the alphabet until a letter strikes me. Or, I’ll thumb through a book containing a list of baby names and their meanings until I find one that fits.

What’s your favorite thing about the writing process? Your least?

I like that feeling of being in the zone, when the words are flowing and I’ve become so engrossed that I’m totally oblivious to time, outside distractions and the physical world around me in general.  I enjoy the process of breathing life into characters and being the creator of a fictional world.

What I least enjoy is the time commitment. Being that I am a slow writer, I often feel the need to plan out my day(s) ahead of time. Quite often on the weekends, I’m forced or feel compelled to miss out on fun activities with friends and family members because I have writing to do.

How has your life changed since being published?

Outwardly, not much. Inwardly, I’ve become more keenly aware that I’m no longer writing for myself, not only in terms of deadlines, but also in terms of expectations. Before my work even makes it to a reading audience, it has to pass the scrutiny of my agent and editor.

What’s one thing you wished you knew as a debut author?

That marketing would be twice as difficult as I initially thought. That publishing is most definitely a business and in as much, pettiness, cliques and over-blown egos come with the territory.

As far as promotion goes, what have you found that works? What doesn’t work for you?

I tend to view “promotion” as a means of building a relationship and hopefully, an on-going one. I prefer interacting one-on-one with readers–via book signings and teleconferences and even over the internet via email or social networking sites like Goodreads and Facebook. Given a choice, I’d much rather participate in a group discussion or a one-on-one conversation, than give a speech or make a presentation. I think I’m much better at the former than the latter and thus, more myself, which I think is important–being yourself and doing what comes natural.

While I’ve certainly done presentations, radio, TV, and print interviews, I’ve found it difficult to determine what effect those sorts of things have had. Overall, I think the more you can and are willing to do, the better.

What’s the best writing advice you ever recieved? What advice would you give other writers?

Write what scares or frightens you. Be willing to go there, emotionally. My advice to other writers would be the same. In addition, I always advise aspiring authors to do the following: 1) Read–and not just anything, read and study the work of those who write better than you. 2) Write–everyday, when possible. 3) Learn to take criticism and accept rejection–because it comes with the territory and 4) Make a librarian your friend–Not only can librarians assist you in finding books/information/resources or helping you locate critique groups or workshops in your area, if you’ve built a relationship with them when you do finally land a book deal, they’ll probably be more open to carrying your work and assisting you with library-based programs and presentations.

What are you working on now? The next project is one I’d prefer to keep under wraps for the moment.

We can’t skip the hair at Curl Up and Write! How do you wear/maintain your hair?

Typically, in its natural state–meaning unstraightened and unrelaxed. Twists, twists outs, braids or an all-out ‘fro. However, I have been known to flat-iron my hair every now and again…

Thanks Lori for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by Curl Up and Write. Everybody go directly to Amazon and pre-order a copy of Natural Woman–you won’t regret it!