Mary and I first met when we were sitting near each other at the Aussiecon 4 signing tables. At the time, she had a novel out, mine was not out for another three months!(I had to sign bookmarks and sample chapters kindly supplied by my publishers). Mary has appeared on this blog before, interviewing the World Tree on which her novels are set. As Mary's blog isn't doing much at the moment, I offered to host her Writing Process Blog Hop post, so without further ado, here it is!
What are you working on?
I just completed a draft of a manuscript which passed muster with my agents, and is now being sent out to publishers (I hope.) It’s a departure from my past books which were all young adult-centered, epic fantasy. In fact, this new story is about as far from epic as possible, though it contains a magical twist. It is set in the 1970’s on the island of Cyprus where I grew up.
How does your work differ from others in your genre?
I have carried over my usual obsession with myth and legend into what is ostensibly a contemporary-realist tale. If the reader is so inclined, she may pick apart the story and find the original Greek myths on which it is based. But that isn’t necessary for a proper reading of the book – just a fun aside.
Why do you write what you write?
A story takes me firmly by the lapels, sits me down at the computer and requires that I write. There really isn’t much choice in the matter.
How does your writing process work?
While I have a project on the go, I grapple with it in an obsessive manner for as long as those working with me will allow. I do write chapter breakdowns, but if I have the luxury of throwing them out and reworking plot and character arcs on the fly, I will. Generally a manuscript is dragged from my bloody fingers at a certain point in this process. It’s never quite ready, in my opinion.
2 comments:
Fun! Good to hear more re what you're up to, Mary.
Keen to read that story, Mary :)
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