The first week of NaNoWriMo is coming to a close, and my brain is slowly working its way into first-draft-mush stage.
First-draft-mush stage is that wonderful place where my mind swirls with the words I have written and those that are waiting to be typed. I dream of my characters, often in bizarre and scary ways, and find myself talking in the voice of my narrator instead of my own voice. Simply put, first-draft-mush stage is pre-insanity.
The Turds and Critter are left unfed, the dishes left unwashed, and the bed left unmade. I am very lucky that Bubba is so darn supportive; he takes care of all this stuff as I slowly leave sanity behind.
This is the first time I have done a one-month novel since launching my website. It is a little different writing so much on my book every day and also trying to keep up with my blog (really, the blog is a great distraction from the novel–go figure). It is harder to juggle both, and so I am enlisting your help, readers!
Tell me: what do YOU want to know from ME, dear readers? Put your questions* in the comments**, and I will set to work answering them next week. You can ask anything from “what is your favorite color?” (green) to “what is your writing schedule like?” (crazy and during times it shouldn’t be) to “why does my neck hurt to move when I wake up sometimes?” (meniscoid entrapment) to “what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?” (African or European?).
Ask away, readers. Ask away.
*Really, leave questions. Ask as many as you want. Putting up a post asking readers for questions and then not getting any is kind of like getting picked last in gym class. Nobody likes getting picked last in gym class. Nobody.
**I know this is a little odd for my less blog-savvy subscribers (*cough*mom*cough*), but if you are getting this via email, just click through to the actual post. There is a handy, dandy little comment form at the bottom. Utilize it. 
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Hey, which translation of Crime and Punishment is your most preferred, and why?
What habits help you the most to trudge through a first draft?
What kinds of lists do you make (if any) to keep your story straight?
Do you frequently rewrite during the first draft, or save it for round 2?
Who would win in a fight between a taco and a grilled cheese sandwich?
Okay, I figured this out, now I don’t know what to ask. I guess I’ll ask if you found the *cough* item at Target that we were e-mailing about yesterday
1.) What is your prep process before you begin a novel? (Scene-by-scene plotting, character backstories, ensuring you have a month’s supply of popcorn, etc.) If there have been more than one process, did one seem more efficient for you? And if so which one?
2.) Movies and other books are constantly inspiring my stories and characters. Do you have such inspirations? And if so, what are they? (Also, please explain what has been the biggest inspiration for a story you have written or plan to write. – just for curiosity’s sake)
3.) What is your biggest struggle you experience when writing a novel? (Making sure you keep up the Y! conversations to your crazy best friend at the same time you write is excluded.)
4.) When beginning another novel is it difficult to shift to a different character’s perspective after you have spent so much time on another’s?
5.) What is your preferred POV to write and why?
Bonus ?s:
6.) What has been your biggest challenge you have faced since deciding you want to become a writer?
7.) What was/is your favorite Muppet?
Ya know, having me answer this post really wasn’t fair – I’m a writer!
I have only one question for you:
HOW COULD YOU??
And with Roger? You disgust me.
Topic: Friends and Writing
Do you find it difficult to be in a situation where your best friend is a writer as well? What are the pros, cons, joys, frustrations? What are the most challenging aspects of the situation? The most rewarding? What are your thoughts on the topic?
**note to other readers: In case you haven’t already guessed – I am the best friend (next to Bubba, of course). I do not ask these questions to pick a fight. I am merely giving our good friend here the brain-picking feedback she loves so much.
This has to be one of the most basic ?s ever but I can’t remember if you’ve ever talked about it before:
Who are your most read and awaited authors and why?
Philosophical Question:
Exactly what is it about new/fresh notebooks and pens that make a writer’s toes curl?
(Just for the record, I do already know the answer to this.)
What are your thoughts and opinions on ‘ghost writing’?
If you could write a collaboration w anyone, who would it be and why?
What do you think are the top five obstacles a writer faces when first getting published?
What are your personal publishing goals?
What will you be looking for in an editor?
What will you be looking for in an agent?
Do you have a plan of action for your querying? Do you think you will send out a few letters at first and see if you get any nibbles? Or do you think you’ll mail out a bunch at a time?
Who is your favorite literary character and why?
How does research play into your writing process? Do you have a lot of historical aspects in your stories? Do you find yourself needing to research a lot?
What have you learned from your writing?
What do you hope others learn from your writing?
What is the most rewarding aspect of your writing?
Hehe. I already know this one, but lets let your readers know how you feel:
Rach, how do you feel about the current Pride & Prejudice craze?