Interview with Tess Taylor [taylorresources] on Whohub

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

As a child, I had a very inquisitive mind so I was reading everything I could get my hands on. From the beloved Louisa May Alcott "Little Women" series to Madeleine L'Engle and her amazing "Wrinkle in Time" novels, I would read everything, including the family encyclopedias, from cover to cover, all the while imagining a life far away from my parents' humble country home in upstate New York. From the first time I learned how to draw and write, I can remember drawing pictures and writing little stories about them. Then later as an anguished teenager, I spent hours writing in my journals. That was my secret world. I'm sure the first person to read my writing was my Mother, who encouraged me to be creative. Then my little sister, Kimmy, who snooped in my journals until I learned to write backwards so she couldn't read them! My biggest supporter and reader of my work now is my dear husband, Jehiel, who encourages me everyday to write and share this love with others.

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?

My favorite genre of writing is non-fiction. I tend to write in reality and about the world as it is. Of course, with a 15 year background in business and human resources, I also like to write about careers and other issues relating to the world of work.

For more information about my writing and services, please feel free to visit my website here:

http://www.TaylorResourcesWriting.com

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

Since I consider myself to be a bit on the ADD side of things, I have to get myself very focused to write. This comes from having a lot of distractions around me, like music playing and the TV on. Believe it or not, this helps me to get in my "zone" and I do some of my best writing this way.

I imagine a lot of creative people think this way. They need to quiet certain parts of their over-active brains before they can get their creative juices flowing in a controlled direction.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

I read mostly true stories or case studies which gives me a great deal of inspiration to do my own writing.

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

To be honest, I can write in both voices, but prefer the personal touch that first person offers.

What well known writers do you admire most?

Louisa May Alcott
Madeleine L'Engle
Anne Eliot Crompton
Sue Monk Kidd
Alice Walker
Iyanla Vanzant
Nicholas Sparks

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

If ghost stories count, then yes I am the queen of telling stories in my family!

Actually, there is a tradition with the females in my family being the one's to pass down the oral history and stories of our ancestors. I learned this from my mother, who is the oldest of her female siblings and have taken on that role with my sisters as I am the eldest of four girls. I thank my grandmothers for starting this tradition as it's the best way to share the lives and love of my family.

The truth is always better than fiction.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

I write for all the people out there who are seeking encouragement and inspiration in this crazy world, especially those who can still see how beautiful the world and people really are.

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

Yes, everytime I write I am offered the opportunity to express myself, which can be very therapeutic. Someday, I plan to write about my life's experience which I hope will have an impact on others.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Feed back is always a good thing. I enjoy hearing what others have to say about my work and hope that it makes me a better writer.

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

I often "torture" my husband by reading drafts to him since he responds with constructive feedback and suggestions.

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

I've always had my voice, but it's continually evolving into something with a higher purpose.

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

I am actually somewhat of a work-a-holic. When I started writing freelance, I was still working a very demanding full time career as a Human Resource Manager in the manufacturing industry. Now that I am working full time as a Writer, I have a schedule set for myself to complete projects and do my own writing daily. I pretty much work every day of the week and do everything else around my writing!

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

My home office is a very cozy place in a seperate room of my house. It's shared with my husband who is an Art Teacher. I have my laptops, all of my writing supplies and office equipment within an arms reach. I have lots of bookshelves filled with books, including many resources about writing. And I have a nice big window so I can look out on the world and not feel like a mushroom.

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

I have two Dell Laptops and a Mac i-Book that I work on. I have a printer and mostly use that for the business side of writing or to print out resources or interesting articles I come across in regards to freelancing.

My process includes writing as much as I can, then going back to edit and spell check. I find that this is the most efficient way to write.

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

Wow, there are so many writing websites out there. Some of my favorites are listed on my website:

http://www.TaylorResourcesWriting.com

What are you working on now?

I am working on a corporate writing project presently that involves writing reviews of over 1,000 companies who are offering work from home careers. It's very encouraging and keeps me very busy!

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