A week ago, author Roberta Dolan invited me to accompany her on a Blog Tour. I had never heard of such a journey, but I know Roberta through her soon-to-be published book: Say it Out Loud: Revealing and Healing the Scars of Sexual Abuse. I trusted Roberta, even though my insides were beginning to twist and turn--another project?
My reservations quickly melted as Roberta explained the steps: respond to four questions about my process and introduce a couple more writers. Though I've never been self-reflective about how or why I write, answering the questions brought some unexpected clarity.
THE FOUR QUESTIONS:
1. What Am I Working On? Having just published my book (June 3), I'm busy with social media, my blog and a few special events (i.e., radio interviews). I'm beginning to think about a second book, but only very preliminarily. Non fiction is a natural genre for me, but I'm ready to try fiction. We'll see.....
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? My book is a blend of genres. It is non-fiction, and like many memoirs, it takes the reader on a journey across time and circumstances. Unlike this genre, however, my book attempts to offer guidance similar to self-help books. Because it also includes elements of a spiritual quest, it could be considered "religious."
3. How does my writing process work? When I am inspired, I write--that is the long and the short of it. I awaken in the very early morn, before the sun has peeked over the mountains near, before the birds have begun to sing, before my husband has stirred. In the darkness, I wrestle with sleep, until the sound of ideas draws me into an irresistible magical world of times past and times present. Sometimes pages run through my mind, and try as I do to run after these break-of-day visions, I catch only glimpses--but it is these pieces of possibility that prompt my writing.
My early mornings musings are always unexpected. I don't think about writing as much as I am compelled to write. Maya Angelou is often quoted as having stated, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." I know the agony of which she speaks, for the story ultimately is not mine. I simply hold it--temporarily.
4. Why do I write what I do? I "write what I do" for all the reasons mentioned above, and because writing is a way for me to better understand life. I process events, situations, and travails through the mechanics of wordsmithing. It is a meditation of sorts; the silence within the play of words opens doors and offers light. Sometimes I can express in writing what I may have difficulty voicing. And, so it is that I share the stories running through my heart, because I hope we meet sometime--between the lines of scribble and the mysteries of life.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
It's my privilege to introduce an author who will carry the torch of this Blog Tour: Fran Kramer. She is a talented writer and a wonderful person. I hope you visit her blog and/or website and take time to enjoy her books--the summer beckons good reads!
My reservations quickly melted as Roberta explained the steps: respond to four questions about my process and introduce a couple more writers. Though I've never been self-reflective about how or why I write, answering the questions brought some unexpected clarity.
THE FOUR QUESTIONS:
1. What Am I Working On? Having just published my book (June 3), I'm busy with social media, my blog and a few special events (i.e., radio interviews). I'm beginning to think about a second book, but only very preliminarily. Non fiction is a natural genre for me, but I'm ready to try fiction. We'll see.....
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre? My book is a blend of genres. It is non-fiction, and like many memoirs, it takes the reader on a journey across time and circumstances. Unlike this genre, however, my book attempts to offer guidance similar to self-help books. Because it also includes elements of a spiritual quest, it could be considered "religious."
3. How does my writing process work? When I am inspired, I write--that is the long and the short of it. I awaken in the very early morn, before the sun has peeked over the mountains near, before the birds have begun to sing, before my husband has stirred. In the darkness, I wrestle with sleep, until the sound of ideas draws me into an irresistible magical world of times past and times present. Sometimes pages run through my mind, and try as I do to run after these break-of-day visions, I catch only glimpses--but it is these pieces of possibility that prompt my writing.
My early mornings musings are always unexpected. I don't think about writing as much as I am compelled to write. Maya Angelou is often quoted as having stated, "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." I know the agony of which she speaks, for the story ultimately is not mine. I simply hold it--temporarily.
4. Why do I write what I do? I "write what I do" for all the reasons mentioned above, and because writing is a way for me to better understand life. I process events, situations, and travails through the mechanics of wordsmithing. It is a meditation of sorts; the silence within the play of words opens doors and offers light. Sometimes I can express in writing what I may have difficulty voicing. And, so it is that I share the stories running through my heart, because I hope we meet sometime--between the lines of scribble and the mysteries of life.
~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~
It's my privilege to introduce an author who will carry the torch of this Blog Tour: Fran Kramer. She is a talented writer and a wonderful person. I hope you visit her blog and/or website and take time to enjoy her books--the summer beckons good reads!
Fran Kramer was born into an army family and spent her childhood in Hawaii and Japan. She attributes her life-long love of Asia and cross-cultural influences to these early years. Fran is now a life coach, writer, educator and artist whose passion is using dreams and intuition to heal, problem solve, and create. She is currently writing her second mystery story, a sequel to Dead Men Do Tell Tales, about an intuitive teen who uses real dreamwork methods to solve crimes. She lives in Hawai'i – a real garden of healing.
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