How long have you been writing and what got you started?
I started writing stories when I was about twelve. I read a lot of books, and sometimes I wanted to change the way books ended. I figured if I made stories up, I could get them to end the right way.
Are there any writing resources, such as books or websites, you’d like to recommend?
For naming my characters, I love behindthename.com. It has all kinds of names — different countries, mythological, biblical, etc. Definitions and genders. And behindthesurname.com can give you last names.
What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?
I like all kinds of books. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of audiobooks, and now I have favorite narrators! The ones who handle emotions and different voices add so much sparkle to the listening experience. Two of my current favorite narrators are Sneha Mathan, who has read several of Sujata Massey’s books, and also did a stellar reading of Joan Aiken’s ARABEL’S RAVEN, and Emily Woo Zeller — I just listened to her narrating LOVEBOAT TAIPEI, by Abigail Hing Wen, a very tense, funny YA. I recently listened to a book called IF TODAY BE SWEET by Thrity Umrigar, read by Jeed Saddy, who’s also excellent. I’m excited that my local library lets me check out audiobooks using the Hoopla app.
I love science fiction and fantasy — my favorite recent set of books are THE MURDERBOT DIARIES by Martha Wells, and her Raksura series is also marvelous — and I also love mysteries, cozy and otherwise, romances, and young adult books. And lately, books about historical India.
How do you measure success when it comes to your writing?
I’m successful when I’m working on my writing. Getting to the computer and producing words is successful. Mailing things is successful. It’s great to sell things, too! But I have to succeed at the first two steps first.
Do you favor the traditional route or self-publishing?
I came up through the traditional route, and I appreciate the editors who bought books and stories from me. I’ve also done some self-publishing, and found some books I like in the self-published world. I want to get better at self-publishing!
Are you an outliner or discovery writer? Or somewhere in between?
Mostly I write to find out what happens when I toss a bunch of interesting characters and cool setting details together and stir them up.
Have you attended any conferences or writing retreats? What was the experience like and do you have any to recommend?
I’ve gone to a lot of science fiction conventions, and a few conferences, and a variety of writing retreats — like one where twelve writers go to a mountain resort in New Mexico and critique each other’s stories for a week, which is great, but invitation only.
I’ve presented at some writers conferences —Gold Beach Writers’ Conference, Willamette Writers’ Conference, Write on the Sound, Pacific Northwest Writers Conference and I had a good time at all of them. I got to hear other writers talk about their processes (Rich Steves presented at Write on the Sound, and he was so cool!) and make new friends.
My favorite annual event is the World Fantasy Convention, which moves from place to place each year (Los Angeles last year, Baltimore the year before, Brighton, England one year, etc.). Authors and editors and occasional agents and lots of fans attend. I get to see many friends, and visit new places and explore them with friends, and hear writers I admire talk about writing and the fantasy field. I love it.
How do you deal with rejections?
I say, “Every rejection strengthens me, because I’m doing my job and sending my stories out.” Then I check Duotrope.com to find the next promising market to which to send the story.
Do you participate in any online or in-person critique or writing groups?
I have been a member of a writing group in Eugene, Oregon, that has existed in one form or another since 1986. I’m the last person who has been a member almost since the beginning. The workshop is now called the Eugene Wordos, and we’ve had a lot of wonderful writers in the group who have gone on to other places, and many new writers join. A stalwart group of us still meet on Zoom every Tuesday night. Before Covid-19, we met in the back room of a local bookstore every week.
What books are you reading right now?
Just now I’m listening to COYOTE ALIBI (an intriguing mystery set in Navajo land) by J. and D. Burges, narrated by Renee Dodd, and reading HIGH HEELS ARE MURDER by Elaine Viets.
I just discovered mystery writer Elaine Viets a couple weeks ago and read thirteen books in her Dead End Jobs series, which have a protagonist who gets minimum wage jobs in Fort Lauderdale — pet store clerk, assistant to a hair stylist, telemarketer, clerk at an upscale second hand clothing store, cruise boat worker, cat groomer — all turn out to be interesting, and then people die. I’m now on the second book in her Mystery Shopper series, which also fascinates me — all these jobs I never had!
