Thank you, Loraine Kemp, for inviting me to take part in the "My Writing Process Blog Tour." Loraine Kemp (www.LoraineKemp.com) is an award-winning middle grade/YA writer who is represented by Karen Ball of The Steve Laube Agency. She is also an artist and has illustrated Lyn Hancock's children's book Tabasco the Saucy Raccoon. Her YA fantasy novel, Orion's Sword, is currently being considered by Zondervan and it is her dream to be published by them and to also illustrate the book. (www.facebook.com/lorainekempartist)
Now, it's my turn to answer some questions about my writing process.
What are you working on?
I'm working on several projects. My friend, Kim Sponaugle, and I are collaborating on a picture book series, Willoughby and the Fairies. Kim is an illustrator and we've published together before. Our agent has sent out proposals and we're in waiting mode.
I've revised a fantasy novel, Fairyeater, and my agent will be sending out proposals soon.
While I'm waiting, I've started a new fantasy novel, Fairystone. It's the prequel to Fairyeater.
I also blog for parents of special needs children and Christians who write fantasy.
How does your work differ from others in its genre?
Willoughby and the Fairies is different because fantasy characters live out Bible concepts. For example, in Willoughby's Itch, the concept is "two are better than one ... if one falls down, his friend can help him up." Willoughby has an itch on his back that he can't scratch, and he meets some friends who are willing to help, even though they're small and he's big.
Fairyeater has just that - a witch who destroys her enemies, the fairies, by eating them.
Why do you write what you do?
I've always loved fantasy. The possibilities are endless! And I believe great truths can be told through a story. Most of us read to escape. I know I do, and when I read, I want to be engaged and entertained. I don't have a lot of spare time, so I want to make the time I have count. So, it's my goal to do that for my readers. I want to share truth in an interesting, engaging way that leaves the reader content and pondering.
How does your writing process go?
This is a tough one. Because I babysit my grandchildren two days a week and have an adult special needs daughter, I can't always write on a consistent basis. But here's what I try to accomplish: in the beginning, I write out the idea, concept and characters, making as many notes as I can. I come up with names, personalities, descriptions and relationships. For a novel, I've learned to make a timeline, so I can keep track of what happens when. I work on a loose synopsis. That way, I can keep track of what I really want to include, but also leave room for the unexpected. I work hard on the first three chapters, revising and editing them until I'm satisfied, because I'll need them for a proposal. Then I write one chapter at a time before stopping to revise. I highlight the things I've written on my loose outline as I go so I can see what I've included. Sometimes, when I'm into the story, some of the things I've put in the outline don't work, but that's okay. And there's always a character who wants to pop in and be part of the story. Then I have to stop and figure out who they are.
I couldn't do any of it without the support of my writers group, The Crue. We've been together for 12 years and meet once a year, although we keep in touch via email and regularly pray for each other.
And now, I'd like to introduce the next participant in the blog tour.
Dr. MaryAnn Diorio writes compelling fiction that deals with the deepest issues of the human heart. She is Online Adjunct Professor of Fiction Writing at Regent University and the author of A CHRISTMAS HOMECOMING. She is married, the mom of two wonderful daughters, and grandmother to precious 17-month-old granddaughter Annamarie Joy.
Thanks for being here with me today! I'll get back to fantasy writing stuff next week.
COVER REVEAL ~ The Invisible Files
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8/21/2024
INTERVIEW with Illustrator Kim Sponaugle
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6/12/2024
So Many New Worlds Giveaway
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1/20/2024
DRAGONS AND DRINKS
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9/12/2023
COVER REVEAL ~ Water's Break
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8/3/2023
RELEASE DAY for Perchance to Dream!
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5/1/2023
COVER REVEAL - Winter of the Bees
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1/17/2023
BLOG TOUR ~ A Superhero for Christmas
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11/2/2022
COVER REVEAL ~ The Island Siege
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10/25/2022
Who's the Monster?
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10/10/2022
AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Kaylena Radcliff
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9/30/2022
Tales From the Tower
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6/7/2022
COVER REVEAL ~ Tales From the Tower
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4/2/2022
COVER REVEAL - A Matter of Blood
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3/22/2022
COVER REVEAL - Son of the Shield
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3/8/2022
COVER REVEAL - Quell the Nightingale
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7/29/2021
Blog Tour for AZRIEL
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6/15/2021
COVER REVEAL - The King's Spell
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6/10/2021
Blog Tour for TRAITOR
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4/20/2021
COVER REVEAL - Seaspoken
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3/30/2021
I'M DOING SOMETHING NEW
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3/16/2021
Blog Tour for LAMENT
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1/29/2021
COVER REVEAL - Lament
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9/24/2020
COVER REVEAL - The Soda Pop Wars
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8/3/2020
COVER REVEAL - Azriel
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7/8/2020
Blog Tour for BURN
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5/21/2020
COVER REVEAL - Burn
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4/9/2020
BLOG TOUR - Shadow Light
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4/6/2020
COVER REVEAL - Shadow Light
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3/24/2020
New and Fun Things!
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1/15/2020
Christmas Specials!
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12/12/2019
Blog Tour - DEAR AUTHOR
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12/9/2019
The Great - a truly unique picture book
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12/2/2019
COVER REVEAL - Dear Author
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11/4/2019
FAIRYEATER Birthday Prizes
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10/26/2019
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FAIRYEATER!
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10/25/2019
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day Four
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10/24/2019
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day Three
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10/23/2019
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day Two
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10/22/2019
FAIRYEATER Birthday Week - Day One
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10/21/2019
SECOND BONUS POST for the Children's Book Scavenger Hunt
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9/15/2019
FIRST BONUS Post for the Children’s Book Scavenger Hunt
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9/14/2019
Children’s Book Scavenger Hunt: Stop #8
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9/12/2019
BLOG TOUR - World Building in Curse Bound
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7/10/2019
BLOG TOUR - KEEN
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7/4/2019
COVER REVEAL - Keen
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6/6/2019
COVER REVEAL - Heart of the Curiosity
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5/24/2019
Interview With Spencer Meadow Press
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5/17/2019
Happy Half Birthday, Fairyeater!
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4/25/2019
ENCIRCLED Blog Tour
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4/10/2019
Blog Tour - FLARE
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3/5/2019
February is Fairyeating Month!
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2/6/2019
The INSPY Awards
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1/29/2019
Cover Reveal - FLARE
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1/18/2019
Rothana Blog Tour - Mythology
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11/27/2018
Black Friday/Christmas Sale!
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11/23/2018
Cover Reveal - Rothana
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11/6/2018
Release Day for Fairyeater!
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10/25/2018
Blog Tour for Fairyeater Starts Today!
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10/22/2018
Blog Tour - Paws, Claws, and Magic Tales
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10/1/2018
Blog Tour - Kill the Beast
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9/17/2018
COVER REVEAL DAY!!
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8/31/2018
Almost Cover Reveal Time!
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8/24/2018
Willoughby's New Bling!
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8/2/2018
The Realm Awards Finalists' FB Party!
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6/15/2018
Mechanical Animals, Mechanical Animials, Mechanical Animals
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6/5/2018
Book Review - SINKING
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4/23/2018
Author Spotlight - Imani Ariana Grant
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4/16/2018
Blog Tour - Exordia
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4/10/2018
Willoughby Wednesday - The Realm Awards!
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4/4/2018
Willoughby Wednesday - Cover Reveal!
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3/28/2018
Blog Tour MYTHICAL DOORWAYS
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3/27/2018
Willoughby Wednesday Sneak Peek!
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2/28/2018
Blog Tour COMMON by Laurie Lucking
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2/5/2018
Manuscript Monday - a new beginning
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1/22/2018
Realm Makers, here I come!
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7/25/2017
Katie Morford and her amazing Author's Toolkit!
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6/26/2017
Willoughby In New York!
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5/31/2017
Willoughby's Illustrator is Having a Map Drawer Clean Out!
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5/25/2017
Blog Tour - Jill Hackman
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5/24/2017
Willoughby Wednesday 5-17-17
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5/17/2017
Manuscript Monday, May 15, 2017
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5/15/2017
Fantasy Fhoto Friday 5-12-17
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5/12/2017
Manuscript Monday May 8th
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5/8/2017
Blog Tour - Rachel Lopez
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5/4/2017
New Schedule!
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5/1/2017
Willoughby's Dragon Party
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4/2/2017
Willoughby Loves to go Visiting!
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3/24/2017
Fun Facts about Willoughby
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3/16/2017
Willoughby's Facebook Party!
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3/14/2017
Cover Reveal Day!
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3/6/2017
Willoughby's Coming!
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2/27/2017
Those pesky revisions
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10/2/2014
Contract signed!
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8/16/2014
My Writing Process Blog Tour
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5/26/2014
New Location
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5/19/2014