Interview with Amelia Bruce [musestreet] on Whohub

44738 interviews created

What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

I don't remember what I first read. I was reading at the tender age of two years old, so I'm sure it was something very simple, but astounding given my age. The first things I remember reading are Little Golden Books. I began to write by trying to emulate a favorite book (Howliday Inn, by James Howe) when I was about six. My mom was always the first (and often the last) person to read my early works!

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

While I enjoy working with many genres within the definition of speculative fiction (science fiction, horror) and I write some poetry, my mainstay is fantasy. I was encouraged early in life to appreciate and cultivate my imagination, and I have never stopped over the years! I grew up surrounded by text adventures and RPGs, so fantasy was my natural inclination. My introduction to anime (Gundam Wing and Neon Genesis Evangelion in particular) was responsible for my love of sci-fi, and my horror interest is solely owed to the Silent Hill video game series.

If you want to read some of my work, I recommend visiting Ink Raindrops, my new serial fiction blog. I add at least one new chapter on the first of each month, and which stories get updated depend on reader votes. It's a lot of fun; please stop by and make yourself heard! http://abruce.november-fifth.com/

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

At the moment, my writing "process" is about making sure that I do the necessary brainstorming to complete the project I'm working on. My biggest enemies in writing are middles and ends. I am great at starting projects, but getting farther than the third or fourth chapter is a struggle which I almost always lose. The projects I am working on now are meant for me to be a challenge for myself, to see if I can complete a story from start to finish.

As such, it's difficult for me to say what my process is beyond that. I tend to have two modes right now: write like crazy until some problem or dearth of ideas crops up and then pitch the whole mess into the trash, or brainstorm every little detail through the end before I even pick up a pen or keyboard. I feel like having an idea of what is happening at what point in the story is integral for me, and that's what I'm practicing now with my current projects. Let's hope it works!

What type of reading inspires you to write?

Open-ended writing inspires me to write. For example, I have been attracted to some large online games that encourage writing journal-style entries from your character's perspective, set in the worlds from their games. Being able to take what I know about the worlds from those games and put my own stamp on it has appealed to my desire to create quite a bit. I also love things that make me think. If I read a story that allows me to consider my own meanings for the events that happen in it, and look deeper inside myself for answers, then it often inspires me to try to put my own spin on it.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

For me, the most crucial ingredient in any story is the characterization. If a story contains unbelievable characters for any reason, I find it very difficult to continue reading, and I pride myself on writing excellent characters in my own works. People and their interactions with one another fascinate me, and they fascinate me most when they grow to a level of complexity that requires deeper thought than they might appear to on the surface. In a fantasy world more than any other, you ought to be interested in the way that people live their lives, since they can often be so different (and yet, not so different) from reality.

Secondary to characters would be a strong plot. The plot doesn't have to be strong like a punch in the face, but strong like a well-made piece of wicker furniture, where every piece has its place, and weaves together with the others to form a unified whole in which nothing is overlooked or forgotten, no matter how small. Everything that happens to the characters should have some purpose, even if that purpose is not apparent at first.

Complex worlds and magic systems are my third requirement. I like worlds that are complex enough to make me think about how they work, but I don't go for things that are so complex that they require me to conduct a thesis on their inner workings. There is such a thing as being too detailed.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

I'm a fan of first person, if only because I enjoy putting myself in the shoes of other people. There is always some bit of myself in my characters, from the good to the bad, but not so much that I feel that I am just using them as mouthpieces for my own agenda. I like to dream too, you know?

I know that first person is seen as a bit of a novice "mistake" but I beg to differ. If it is done well, I think that first person can invoke a unique sense of being inside the story in a way that third person can't. It upsets me when readers have problems with stories in first-person because they cannot separate themselves from their characters enough to enjoy the story for the story's sake. Imagination should give you the tools you need to recognize that the speaker and the reader are not the same person, no matter what pronoun is used on the page.

What well known writers do you admire most?

I always hate this question, because there are just so many good writers out there, and I can't list them all! I'll just name-drop in alphabetical order so that this doesn't end up longer than the rest of the interview combined. I'll also limit my responses to my favorite top ten. I reserve the right to change these at any time, so I promise to try to keep them updated.

Piers Anthony, Frank Beddor, Orson Scott Card, Robert Jordan, Mercedes Lackey, H. P. Lovecraft, Tamora Pierce, Edgar Allen Poe, Brandon Sanderson, and Gene Wolfe.

I should note that I have a bit of an obsession with Brandon Sanderson. Everything he touches puts me to shame, and yet at the same time, it inspires me to be better than I am. If I can learn to craft endings even a quarter as well as he does, I will be content with my career. The same goes for pacing. Nothing he does lets up until the last five pages. "There's always another secret."

What is required for a character to be believable? How do you create yours?

Asking this question is a bit like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I'll give you a few seconds of snorting and stamping if you want to run away now. Still here? Don't say I didn't warn you.

The best advice I can give for making a character believable is to stop thinking of your characters AS characters. They are not just another block to help you build your castle. They are people, and they have been living out their lives in the world that you created. That world has changed them, shaped them, both elevated and destroyed them, and that should be apparent, just as all of the things that we go through are apparent in our lives. Even the tiniest things in our lives make us who we are. Your characters should be the same.

Don't think they are just names on paper, or random faces in a crowd. They are your link between your readers and your story. People care about people first and foremost. It's born into each and every one of us, whether we like it or not. If your characters do not show us why their world is interesting and compelling, who will? The most fascinating characters are the ones who have desires, goals, secrets, lies, faith, fears, and misunderstandings, not just a family, a job and a handful of hobbies. Even if you're not the sort of person who pries into other people's personal lives, you need to with your characters. As a writer we all have to play God to a certain extent; use that!

If nothing else, sit your characters down in your head. Let them recline on the comfy sofa while you sit back with a clipboard in hand. Start asking them questions about who they are, what they think and why, how they feel and why. Pretend you are interviewing your favorite celebrity; you want to know everything, even the stuff that seems boring or unnecessary. Having reasons for everything is a good place to start. Darth Vader isn't just evil; he used to be a man, and became evil as a result of his pain. Bilbo Baggins isn't just a hero; he suffers under the weight of a destiny he never wanted or planned for, but he does it anyway because he knows he is the only one who can save the world. Don't let your characters be "just" anything. Make sure they have reasons.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

I'm terrible at it. My husband and I once picked up a game called Once Upon A Time. It's a card game designed to encourage oral yarn-spinning parties, where each person has to guide the story between the concepts on the cards they have in their hand. For example, you might have a princess, a frog and a happily-ever-after card. The trick is that another player might have a kiss card, and if you decide that your princess ought to kiss that frog, the player with the kiss card gains control of the game and the story.

I thought it was going to be fun, but then I realized that I just can't manage to be convincing without having time to make things sound respectable, and paper to write it on. I can fashion a story rather well from doing just this, however. I have been known to take a random selection of cards and try to build a story around them. I just write it instead!

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

Myself. I try to be aware of my audience, and of the norms and expectations of my genre, so that I don't alienate people. However, I do think it's integral to be able to give people enough of what they want, but also enough of something else that challenges their expectations. Too much of a good thing is still too much, in my opinion; nothing should last forever. I also don't do very well with "wish-fulfillment" or "fan-service" stories. If you want to dream about your favorite characters, do it, that's great for the imagination, but please don't expect me to write it. I have my own stories to tell; you can tell yours in your own head too.

I have a tendency to try to write to explain things too. While I grew up with parents who loved fantasy, I have several people in my family who just do not understand or appreciate it, and have even discouraged it on religious grounds. I find this very sad, both because I do not like being thought of as morally reprehensible for having an imagination, and because I know what joy a healthy imagination can bring, if it is tempered by reality. My one foolish wish is to bring that joy to people who cannot, or will not, understand. Most fantasies are tales of love, endurance and triumph, no matter how dark the path may get for the heroes at times. This is often lost on people such as these.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

Writing can be a form of personal therapy, but I try not to let my personal irritations at life supersede my ability to create. There are conflicts everywhere we look, and I don't need to limit myself to those that creep up in my daily life! Other people are so much more challenged than I, and when you work in a fantasy setting, there are often unique magical challenges that your characters face.

When I was younger I wrote poetry about my boyfriends (I think every girl does) both bad and good, but these days I insist on a little more creativity than just pouring my feelings out about how sorry I think the state of affairs in my life may be. I think that this can be a great motivator though, as long as you are mature and responsible enough to recognize when you are keeping a diary page rather than creating a compelling story meant for others to read.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Absolutely! I can't imagine why the answer to this question would ever be "no." It is true that I may not take every suggestion and thought from my readers and put it into motion, but I do value opinions and desires and thoughts from others. It is important to have a sense of validation that what I am doing is getting where it needs to go and having the intended effect. Only readers can give that! It's also interesting to see what people may be thinking that I hadn't counted on, or that I hadn't seen or thought of myself. As a writer, I'm never going to see all of my mistakes or subliminal suggestions until someone points them out to me.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

I don't participate in competitions, though not for lack of interest. I'm just usually too busy working on my own stuff, in the black hole that is my writing desk, that I'm not aware of competitions when they happen. (Or, if I am aware of them, I'm too busy with what I am doing to expend the effort.) I'm sure that the exposure and practice would be a great benefit to me though, if I were to take the time to consider them on a more regular basis. I have not received any awards either. I'll wait until I have something worth giving awards to before I worry, thanks!

I am, however, participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) this year, if that counts. It is more a competition with myself than with anyone else!

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

My husband is always my first reader, and I couldn't be more honored to have his input, though I may have a funny way of showing it at times! As he is aware of my "usual" flaws more than most, he can tell me whether I've once again managed to blunder into the same walls and pitfalls or not, and that's the first step in the right direction for me.

He's never afraid to speak his mind when things don't make sense, and as much as it hurts to hear, it's necessary to hear. I would rather hear it from someone I love in the privacy of my own home, than in a famous editor's office someday when I think I've got a best-seller...! I try to make sure he knows how invaluable his help is to me, but any opportunity is a good one to remind him - thank you, my angel. And I'll consider not making you sleep on the floor the next time you point out a problem!

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

I believe that I have a distinct and unique voice that shows itself when I write, even if I don't always intend for it to show. Various attempts to disguise myself online have ended in failure due to this I'm afraid! However, I do not believe that a person's voice is like their fingerprints, impossible to change no matter what might be done over time. A person's voice should change and evolve as they do, even if there will always be elements that do not change, for the discerning reader to discover for himself and debate at large with his fellow readers over the course of the person's lifetime and bibliography!

What discipline do you impose on yourself regarding schedules, goals, etc.?

I know I need more discipline. Does that count? I try very hard to at least look at or think about writing on a daily basis, even just a little. With the advent of Ink Raindrops, I have forced myself into something of a schedule: three weeks to plan a story chapter, followed by a week of writing and editing. This seems to be working well for me, though I will have to take a hiatus from this schedule for the next couple of months due to travel and holiday plans. I would offer myself more of an even schedule (two weeks planning, two weeks writing) if I could, but I feel like a longer voting period is more important given the nature of the beast. It also makes sure that I cannot procrastinate after the 20th of each month!

For NaNoWriMo, I'm planning to focus on doing a couple thousand words a day. I am going to have less time than the full 30 days because of my anniversary travel plans in early November, so I can't really afford to procrastinate there either. It's only 2500 words a day if I'm down to 20 days...

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

Concentrate? What is this term you speak of? My concentration is dependent first and foremost on not having anything to distract me. This is difficult with such distractions as cats wanting laps to sit in, games needing to be played, housework to be done, and friends and family to keep in touch with being ever present. If I'm in the middle of writing something that I love, or I'm having one of those moments of inspiration that we writers consider better than sex, I am impossible to distract no matter what you do to me! If I'm brainstorming against a brick wall, however, distractions are a force to be reckoned with, and more often than not, they win. I'm ashamed to admit that, but it's the truth.

I am a big music fan as well, and this can greatly improve or disturb my concentration depending on what I'm trying to do. Listening to Enya, Loreena McKennitt or some other Celtic-style music while writing travel or town scenes are great, but the same music playing while I'm writing a battle scene is fatal. Dance music for a fight scene is great, but in the middle of writing a character's disillusionment and death it is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I have been distracted more often than not by trying to find an appropriate song for what I'm working on. If only there were a way to have the right music playing at all the right times without having to spare my attention to do it...

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

I've gone through phases. When I was younger, I loved to print out my scads of story fragments on paper and read them over and over. There was nothing like the feeling of warm printed paper with my words and ideas all over it! I would always mark these up with the nearest pen if I found anything wrong. These days, a printer is not something I have easy access to, so I do most of my work (writing and editing) on my computer. A printout of my work is something I reserve for times when nothing else will do. The first and only time in recent memory when this occurred was allowing my technophobic grandmother to read a story I wrote. (She loved it and that was the important thing, of course!)

For writing, my best friend is a Mac program called WriteRoom. It dispenses with all the traditional editing, word processing and styling stuff that comes with most word processing programs, and gives you little more than a blank full-screen page for you to write on at will. There's nothing I hate worse than a blank page, so sitting there with zero distractions, staring at it, is enough to demand heroics from even my worst writer's-blocked brain! As long as something, anything, ends up on that page, my work is done. If you're interested, you can check out WriteRoom at http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/products/writeroom.

What sites do you frequent on-line to share experiences or information?

I don't visit a lot of writing sites. I know that sounds strange, but I'm not the kind of writer that enjoys commiserating about the process of writing. I know how to write, and I've known for years how to write, so I do it. The only thing that others could do to help me would be to offer feedback, and I know there are countless writing groups out there that would be glad to have me, should I ever feel like casting my net into the pool.

I feel like most of the writing sites out there right now tend to say the same things over and over again (it's good advice, there's no need for more) and I can't benefit any longer from hearing it; I need to do it! A good two-thirds of the battle for writing a novel is writing, not a lack of knowing what to do or how to do it. There are plenty of excuses to keep us from doing it, and our job is to learn to push them aside. After all, we do love writing, don't we?

What has been your experience with publishers?

I have been published only once outside of school publications, by a place that I now understand to be nothing more than a "poetry mill." I won't mention names. My experience, therefore, was not what I would expect should I ever meet with a "real" publisher someday. To be honest, I am terrified about the prospect, as I already cannot handle the stress of being in the room while someone is reading my work. Granted, by the time I get this far, someone has already read it and is trying to market it to others, but the fear is still there anyway.

I fear having unintentional strings attached, and demands made of me that I may not be prepared for in the long run. I do this because I love to write and I can do so at my own pace, not because I expect to make money off of the fifteen things I've written, and thus I am at odds with what any publisher hoping to stay afloat hopes for! I guess I will have to see what happens, once I have something completed and ready for possible publication. That time is not now.

What are you working on now?

As of my last update (October 22nd, 2009) I have decided to break down the barrier of fear I have erected around myself in regard to showing my work to the general public. I have concocted a bit of an experiment: a serial blog that updates once a month. There are multiple stories on the site, but which story gets updated each month is determined by reader votes. I am hoping that somehow this will catch on, but even if it does not, it's fun for me and keeps me in the chair writing at least once a month, if not more. If you are interested, you can visit Ink Raindrops at http://abruce.november-fifth.com/.

I have also chosen to participate in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, for 2009. I think it's a great project and one that I very much would like to support, even if the concept of "winning" terrifies me on many levels! I'm excited to see what I can produce, and I think that I might even surprise myself.

In my free time from those things, I am working on a number of independent game ideas that my husband and I are trying to create. I am trying to craft the story for an epic yet fun and kid-friendly RPG (role-playing game) that we have had in the works for some time. Project Bear, as we call it, has taken a back seat to much of my other writing and his own job right now, but rest assured that it is still alive and still on our minds! I won't mention the other ideas since they are far less fleshed out, and thus less likely to bear fruit in the short term.

You can find me on Twitter (@musestreet) or on Facebook as well, should you care to get to know me on a more personal level. Comments about writing and what I'm up to do happen, though the rest of my updates are liable to be about anything and everything that you probably don't care about.

What do you recommend I do with all those things I wrote years ago but have never been able to bring myself to show anyone?

Keep them around. I can't tell you how many times I have been tempted to just toss them in the garbage, but every time I have lost a document, no matter how old or awful, I have regretted it and continue to do so. There will come a day when you remember some old idea you've had, and you know just the place to put it, but it won't be there and your memory will fail you just enough to make recovering the idea impossible. Even complete and utter scrap that embarrasses you worse than being caught naked will help you, if you hold on to it. You may be laughing at it now, but that moment of "Aha!" is just too precious. Don't let yourself throw away the chance to enjoy it. Ideas are never a waste.

Ask me a question, make a comment, or request my opinion on something: