KidLit Blog Tour, I'd Probably Be a Scullery Maid

The lovely Laurel Garver, author of Never Gone and Muddied-Finger Midnights, tagged me in the KidLit Blog Tour. Thanks, Laurel!

What are you working on right now?

Right now, I’m finishing book three in the Screwing Up Time series. It involves several time travel locations, two in the past and one in the future. And I’m beginning to play with ideas for book four. (But I won’t allow myself to write any new ideas down yet. If I did, it would be too tempting for me, and I’d start traveling to this new place and begin the adventure there. And that would be so unfair to my readers who haven’t gone to any of the places in book three yet.)

How does it differ from other works in its genre?

The majority of YA/NA books (time travel included) are written from a girl’s perspective. But when I started this series, my sons were in their teenage years, and they and their friends were wonderful guys—creative and funny, people I enjoyed being around. I wanted the chance to tell their story. How does a guy see and understand relationships, his own weaknesses, and how do his experiences help him to grow?

Why do you write what you do?

I love YA because it’s one of the most creative genres out there with lots of subgenres (dystopia, zombie, romance, sci fi, etc.). So there’s something for everyone, both readers and writers. Plus, it has tremendous energy with its quick pacing and dynamic characters. How can you not love it?

How does your writing process work?

When I start a book, I usually have a general idea of where/when the book is going and who the new characters are. But how the story is going to get there is a complete surprise. It’s like riding a rollercoaster while wearing a blindfold—and I love it.

Any departing words of wisdom for other authors?

Write because you love it. Make a conscious effort to take joy in the writing journey. You have no control over agents, publishers, sales, etc., but you can choose to let all that go when you write. Fall in love with the characters, the words, and the process, everything else is secondary. (I have to remind myself of this all the time, especially when I’m rewriting a sentence that doesn’t work for the twentieth time.) And I remind myself to be grateful that I live it a time that I can write and share my work. If I’d been born in another time (without a time travel elixir), I’d probably be a scullery maid working 5am to midnight and always getting into trouble for daydreaming about the past.

I'm tagging Anne Riley, Melissa Pearl and Rowenna . I can't wait to read their answers.