Lérowen's Challenge - Days 4, 5, 6, and 7

Sorry, Lérowen, that I'm getting so ahead of the game! I won't be home tomorrow, and I don't blog on Sundays.


Day 4: A novel or author that has inspired something in your writing style.

My weakness as a writer is setting and description.  Some writers glory in taking a page or two to describe a sunset, but me? It would be easier for me to stare at a blank page for an hour.  I've grown to appreciate description more, and I'm trying to use it more in my writing, but the book that jumpstarted that was:

Just from the beautiful cover, you can tell that this is one flowery book.  But the description was actually interesting to read, which was a first for me.  I was won over, and after I finished reading the book, I spent some time working on description in my notebook, vowing to become more like Patricia McKillip.    

You can read the first line of the book, along with my review, here.

Day 5: The least favorite character you have written.

I've thought about this question for a day or so already, and I have still not come up with the decided answer.  

It might be Queen Livia from Torn Heart, because she seems like a cliche antagonist.

But I did have trouble with Perrus from Hearts Unbroken.  For those who don't know, Hearts Unbroken is a story (temporary title) I am co-writing with my friend Whisper.  Co-writing is fun, but also difficult at times.  At first, neither of us really knew what Perrus's personality was.  And then, we both started writing him different ways, which is bad.  I was writing him as a flirting, rather foolish young ladies' man, because has lots of younger sisters. But Whisper made him much more responsible (seeing as he has all those younger sisters), a family man.  While still having a touch of a flirt to his personality, he is much more serious and admirable than he was before.  I love you very much now, Perrus.

Day 6: One thing on your bucket list that has to do with writing.

Get traditionally published and go on a book tour.  I have a feeling this won't happen until I'm older and can travel around by myself... my whole family is made up of homebodies.  Besides, I wouldn't want to be separated from them for that long, and it would be too expensive to take everybody.  

Day 7: Your favorite genre to write.

Fantasy without a lot of confusing magic.  But....lately, I've found myself wanting to experiment with steampunk / alternate history.  And I've been reading a lot of realistic fiction.  Could I be...heaven forbid...changing?

'Til Monday, friends!

Ellyn