The Writing Life of Author Vanessa Alexander Johnson

As a writer, I’m often asked various questions about my writing life, i.e., how do I come up with story ideas, where do I get my titles from, are my stories purely fictional or are they based on real life people, do I do character outlines or just write off the cuff, have I ever experienced writer’s block, and many people say they want to write a book and ask where do they start. Well, today, I’m going to try and answer those questions in hopes that they may help reduce the fear that many of these writing quirks for someone who’s contemplating putting pen to paper, or with today’s technologies, fingertips to keyboard.

Many people have frowned, looked at me sideways or backed away from me when I say my characters talk to me. But it’s true for me, as it is for many if not all writers. When a story idea comes to me, the main characters will begin having dialogue in my head. No, I’m not crazy, so don’t call the people at the nut farm yet (LOL) and believe me when I tell you, the characters don’t know anytime about time either. An idea can come to me during the day, but often times they begin their chatter when I’m in bed about to go to sleep, or in the middle of the night if I wake for a bathroom break.

When this has happened at those odd times, I’ve resisted the urge to run to my computer or grab pen and pad, telling myself that I’ll remember it in the morning. Most times, I do remember some of the information, but not exactly as it was transpiring inside my head when the idea was initially sparked.

Where do the ideas from my stories come from, you ask. The answer is it varies. My first novel, Sacrifices In The Name of Love was sparked from a conversation I had with my son while he was in college. The conversation centered around girl groupies waiting for athletes to get their autographs or whatever else the athletes wanted as they left the football field, even from the athletes who didn’t get any playing time, although the sport was changed to basketball in the book instead of football. My second novel, Uncommon Bond that was released on my birthday (07282011) was sparked from an incident similar to the one that Uncommon Bond is based on, although names have been changed and details embellished to make the story more intriguing. My next book, Tempted By Love is purely fictional and is based on two high school sweethearts who split due to an indiscretion, with one keeping a secret and all hell breaking loose at their 30-year class reunion. I love attending my class reunions and I’m always threatening some of my closest high school classmates that I’m going to put them in a book, and so I did..

I’ve ever experienced writer’s block, (Thank God!), but if you do, try doing what I do as I ponder what my next ‘conflict’ in the story will be. I move onto another story as I have many story ideas and incomplete works stored in a file on my computer that I may work on, or I may be inspired to write poetry as my muse might dictate. I don’t force my writing. If you find yourself bored or stuck, back away from the story until you are inspired to get back with this. There aren’t any time restrictions to complete a story unless you place them on yourself.

I don’t do character outlines when I begin to write a story. I write off the cuff and allow the characters to dictate the story, even the conflicts, and this practice hasn’t let me down yet. If I have one pet peeve in writing, it is doing rewrites. I hate doing them but I know they are a vital part of the writing process especially if you want to put your best work out.

When people say they have a story to write and ask where to start, I always say, “Start at the beginning and just write. Don’t worry about things being in the right order or spelling errors. Those things can be corrected later, just write when the must strikes. My first book, When Death Comes a Knockin’ started off as a 7-page article about my journey through the grief process after the loss of my mother and son 33 days apart. I just kept adding to it and the first seven pages were broken up into chapters and thus the end result.

Do I have a regular writing routine? No I don’t, although sometimes I wish I did. I write because I love to, not because I NEED it to sustain my way of life. I write when my writing muse dictates. If only one person ever reads what I write or I’m able to inspire just one person with my writing, I’m okay with that. With my writing I write to Entertain, Inspire and Encourage.

I hope I’ve been able to answer many questions for you or calm whatever fears that holding you back from starting your writing life. The main thing is for YOU believe in YOURSELF and YOUR WRITING.

Thanks for visiting. Have a blessed day.

**One lucky commenter will receive a copy of my latest ebook release, Uncommon Bond.** The winner will be announced on the blog on Sunday night (08072011 at 10 pm. Good Luck!**