Take a Break with Em!
I found a list of 101 questions for podcasters to ask authors when they interview them so, let's take a break and answer a few of them, shall we?
First, in case you're new or seeing these for the first time, I am Em Brooks. I have been writing for 35 years but have only been a "published" author on Amazon, B&N.com, and Apple Books for just over a year. I have published 2 series, a duology, and a collection of short stories.
Here are five random questions:
Q: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
A: It would be stopping writing to do other things. I often get "in the zone" and time flies by. I know I have chores I have to do on a daily basis, such as kids to homeschool, animals to feed, meals to cook, and all of the fun stuff that comes with being a full time mom with kids around me 24/7/365. I try to write when the kids are busy playing, then we get what we need to finished, and then I write again once I get the kids powering down for bed time. Sometimes if I'm really on a roll, I'll sneak in writing a few minutes during the day.
Actual writing comes easy to me and I am aware that everything I write won't make it into a published copy -- such as back stories for characters or random events that I get for them. Since my "process" is based on asking "what if?" the sky is the limit.
Q: How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
A: I have written more than the 11 I have published. I likely have around 20 books total. Of those, you likely won't read my early books based on horses and horse racing, except for maybe one that has potential. Of the ones that I have written, there are aspects of each of them that I really like and sometimes this question is like asking which child is my favorite. I enjoy all of my characters and had fun writing them all but I'd have to say that I am really partial to my Portrait of an Unlikely Affair series simply because I have known them the longest. The whole series would be my favorite since they are a complete story together.
Q: Do you model characters after people you know?
A: *laughs* No. I most often use behaviors/characteristics I may see in people but they are not based or modeled after people I have known or do know. I realize I have led a sheltered life because I think "Oh, nobody will ever believe someone in real life would do this!" and then life says, "Hold my drink," and I am floored seeing worse behaviors in someone. I can people watch, I can take notice of people when I am among them, I can randomly watch reels online, and I do actually watch some shows, like my favorite "On Patrol Live" just to see how people act/react in different situations I never want to be placed it. I have always lived by the wisdom of "Learn from others people's mistakes because Life is too short to make them all yourself." From what I've heard from my readers, characterization is one of my strong suits and I accomplish it by being consistent in my characters. I bring them to life, I give them back stories, I write their defining events, and then I give them feelings and thoughts. I don't model their looks off real people, although there are basic body types and descriptions that you can't get away from.
Q: What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
A: Honestly I don't require anything but something to write with. I most often write on my laptop, in a chair or couch, with constant interruptions -- The dog. The kids. The cats. The animals outside. The TV. The husband. I wouldn't know what to do if I had an actual "office" or room to write in where I can lock myself in and tune out the world. I'm a mom -- I don't get "quiet time" and my kids (and the dog) will come find me wherever I am. I have learned if I just relax and let my writing come through, it doesn't matter where I am, what I have around me, or if I'm writing my pen and paper or computer. If my characters wish to "talk" to me, they will "talk" to me no matter what.
Q: Are there any books or authors that inspired you to be a writer?
A: Definitely -- Chris Van Allsburg's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick is the one book I give most credit to. However, my grandmother wrote short stories for us when she would go off with my grandpa for his work trainings so we always looked forward to the various stories she'd bring back for us. Writing was something that could be done to pass the time. I've always written for fun, for me, and being a writer/author is my ultimate "dream job." However, everyone had always said, "You can't make money being a writer unless you are really good." I've always had issues with that mentality and am determined to break through that big wall of "Can't." Writing comes easy to me and I feel as if it is something I am meant to do. It is my calling so I will follow it. I can be among the likes of the big named, well known authors that I've read in my life just as easily as the next up-and-coming author. And I will do it.
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Do you have anything you would like to have answered? Drop me a comment!
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