The Writing Process

One of the ways I get through most of the challenges and difficulties I face in life, is to write. This writing is both therapeutic and also a passion. Whether it be fiction or non. Whether it be in the form of a novel, a short story, a magazine article or a blog post. I have written about experiences throughout my life, (good and bad) the learning process behind trying to understand those experiences, places I've been, legends I've heard about or made up. I've created characters and worlds and heroes.
My work varies from my own Challenging Barriers blog to writing for the Brain Injury Society of Toronto, NeuroConnect, YorkScene.com, my novels and a variety of short stories.

I would like to thank M.J. Moores at http://infinite-pathways.org for including me in on this blog tour that is about a fairly big part of my life. M.J. is an English teacher turned author, editor, and freelance writer, who enjoys connecting and working with authors around the globe.

1) What am I working on?
I am currently working on my book series, "Chronicles of a Girl", A Dramatic/Dystopian Fiction, about the life and journey of a girl learning to survive, overcoming challenges, and trying to set what is wrong... right. It takes place in a once promising land where a war made from greed breaks out separating the population that inhabits it. Barbaric fighting leads to death and chaos, and this once civilized nation is cut off from the rest of the world. As time moves on, some wounds heal and some don't.

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I have always liked the idea of a superhero, a kick ass one, who saves the world and others in it. And while I grew up liking the comic stories of Superman or the X-men as well as being a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer or River Tam from Firefly, I wanted to see more. When I say more I mean that I wanted to see the character flaws that come with heroism, that come from real life. Heroes don't need to be born out of super powers or come from super worlds, heroes can be an average person with a strong mindset to do what is right. And while there is one main character hero in a story, there is never really just One hero. I try to show all of this through my writing.

3) Why do I write what I do?
Like I stated above, I write for an understanding. I write to share and offer inspiration. I write because there is a creative need, something that I think resides in my soul and I cannot confine my imagination. I write in various forms, but in regards to this story, I write because I like the idea of overcoming even the darkest of obstacles to show off the power and beauty of the human spirit.

4) How does my writing process work?
My inspiration comes from many different things, people and places. Stories develop in my mind and I tend to let my imagination run. Eventually I sit down and with pen to paper, I write my notes. I outline crucial points I want to hit and I create a timeline for beginning, middle and end. Then I start writing and while I don't do the majority of editing until I am completely finished, I do make little corrections along the way. I continue noting things of importance as I go and fitting them into my timeline so I can easily recall what happened and when. Notes on my characters are made as well and I also allow them to help guide me through the story, going with feeling and making necessary changes if a character dictates it to. 
I have read and heard a lot about the writing process of different professionals and I guess I've taken certain notes if they make sense for me. While I try to set up a similar process every time I write, because I do believe in routine, I also know that nothing about the creative imagination or the ability to write is molded in stone. I write with the philosophy that just because it worked one way before does not mean it will, or has to, work that way again.

Everything I write I consider to be part of the journey, my journey, and growth of who I am.


I would like to continue this tour by introducing you to: 

Charlotte Ottaway who is a creative non-fiction writer and small business blogger published in Canadian publications such as Zoomer and The Globe and Mail. You can visit her next Monday, March 31st, at http://charlotteswebofwords.ca/