My guest today on the blog is author Nancy Scrofano, discussing how she writes.
My Writing Process
So many things spark creativity. I like to explore the dynamics in relationships, friendships, and families. I take note of my own experiences and experiences of those around me to see if I can fictionalize them into a compelling story. I’m always inspired by music, and I look up lyrics all the time to see if the emotion and meaning of the song can somehow be conveyed into something more. I’m always wondering, “What if…?” because that’s how a story begins.
The story idea comes to me first, and then I see if I can create characters for that particular storyline. If the characters I come up with don’t quite fit the story, then I set it aside and move on to something else. I take notes and keep files of all the story ideas I think of, but the story and characters have to fit together and develop together for me to continue working on it. It might seem like a writer could definitely come up with characters for any story, but I’ve found that I can’t force characters into a story. They have to be there for a reason. It’s possible that someday I’ll come up with the right characters for all the story ideas I have, but I’ve learned that the process has to happen naturally.
Before writing my debut novel, True Love Way, I wrote down the basic plot followed by a longer synopsis. Then, I worked on character development and wrote an outline for the whole book, chapter-by-chapter and scene-by-scene. I went through the same process before starting to write my second book.
I don’t really have a specific writing ritual. I write when I’m inspired, but I do try to force myself to write every day, even when I feel like I have nothing to say. I give myself deadlines, so if I’m trying to meet a deadline, then I have to write, even if I end up deleting/rewriting most of it. I usually listen to music on iTunes while I write. Upbeat songs for the humorous scenes and love songs for the romantic scenes. But if I’m writing a pivotal scene that takes intense concentration or if I’ve been working on a scene for a long time and I’m trying to get it the way I want it, then I need total silence. I write a lot more at night than I do during the day. I’m a night owl.
I love to write, and I need to write. Those are the two things that keep me going.
About the book
Marlo Spencer relishes all things retro. Old TV shows, classic movies, and even the collectible lunch boxes to go with them. In fact, she’s quite cozy in her Malibu apartment, surrounded by her treasured knick-knacks and vintage memorabilia. It’s her best friend, Nik, who doesn’t get her fascination with all that “old junk,” as he calls it. He especially doesn’t understand why she’s so keen to get back to their hometown of Napa when her high school sweetheart, Josh, suddenly returns after twelve years in Paris and nary a single phone call, eager to reunite with her. So, when Marlo heads up north to wine country to rekindle her relationship with Josh, Nik tags along, claiming he was already planning to visit his sister, Savannah, Marlo’s gal pal. Once they reach Napa, however, dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered as old secrets and past betrayals are revealed, leaving an unsuspecting Marlo to pick up the pieces. Can she forgive and forget, or will true love find a different path to her heart?
Author Biography
Nancy Scrofano grew up watching classic television shows, classic movies, and listening to oldies, all of which she still adores today. Nancy has a penchant for the fifties, mostly because of her favorite show, I Love Lucy. She has seen every episode countless times and will happily share the trivia she knows with anyone who will listen. Nancy worked as an editor and a journalist for her college newspaper, then went on to develop sociology textbooks for an academic publisher. She has a master’s degree in media psychology, as well as undergraduate degrees in communication, radio and television, and liberal arts. Nancy currently writes book reviews for a prestigious book review magazine. Additionally, she is the founder and managing editor of The Chick Lit Bee, a book blog that promotes and celebrates women’s fiction, and Good Humor Girl, a women's entertainment blog. Nancy lives in southern California where she is at work on her next novel.
Great post, Lindsay! Nancy seems lovely and wrote a great guest post! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Laura. I enjoyed this post too, I find it interesting reading about the process that other writers use to go about their work.
DeleteGreat post Lins. Hope you're storing away all these processes :) x
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Shaz. I am, and it means more to me now that I've started thinking about it seriously. x
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