Q&A with Lori J. Schiele discussion

This topic covers any writing questions you may have about my writing techniques, my ideas, my research, or just about anything else that you can think of.

How do you not go bald pulling all your hair out editting? it makes me crazy!! Any advice?

Paige, yes, editing can be quite a challenge. (Fortunately I have long hair)
One of the biggest mistakes new authors often make (myself included) is to actually *over*-edit. Over-editing can remove the "magic" from your writing, leaving it flat and dull.
A suggestion that was made to me once was to put your completed work (book or story) away for at least a few months and forget about it. Move on to something else. Then, after the time has passed, look at it again. It is amazing some of the things you will discover once you see it with fresh eyes. It makes the editing process easier. Thanks for the question. Hope that helps.

It does...and I'm happy you have long hair. I did too before this!! You're a peach...thanks for the great advice!!

Where do you find inspiration for your characters? Is it more of a real life influence or strictly your imagination? Maybe a combo? Do tell ;-)

Lori wrote: "Paige, yes, editing can be quite a challenge. (Fortunately I have long hair)
One of the biggest mistakes new authors often make (myself included) is to actually *over*-edit. Over-editing can remo..."

I also put away my fiction for a couple of months, sometimes even years, before I edit them and prepare them for publishing. The interesting thing is I also found myself falling in love with a story all over again.

Awww...that's a really nice way to look at it Damaria ;-) Thanks for the perspective!

Damaria, you've got it right. Sometimes you *do* end up falling in love all over again. Sometimes you'll read something awesome and think "Did I really write that? Wow!"

Paige, without adding spoilers to my answer, and speaking specifically about "Wiccan Shadows", the three main female characters are all pieces of me. Alex is the most like me in personality and appearance; Jen is the vet tech with the triquetra tattoo on her neck; and Robyn is the "teenage me" (altho my wardrobe was a bit more denim and flannel).

Other stories and novels I have written may have bits of me in them, but are often pure imagination. In fact, a book I hope to get published sometime in the future has a man as the main character. It surprised me how well I was able to see and think from a man's perspective. Only time will tell(if/when it's ever published) if my readers agree.
Thanks for the great question!

Lori - do you have aquota of words you write/want to write per day / per week? Or do you just go with the flow with varying output?

Although most professional authors treat writing as a full-time job and issue themselves a quota of pages or hours per day, I have never been able to be that disciplined. I have tried it and the writing comes out beyond awful.
Instead, I have discovered that, although it often takes longer, if I wait for my muse to strike, the words tend to flow effortlessly and require much less editing.

Lori wrote: "Paige, without adding spoilers to my answer, and speaking specifically about "Wiccan Shadows", the three main female characters are all pieces of me. Alex is the most like me in personality and app..."

That is awesome! I thought maybe I was a nutter because my protaginist also has lots of my bits!! Mine is also a male and I found it fun to challenge myself. Thank you for being willing to share some of your thoughts...it's always fun to know what inspires other writers!

I have a writing question...or more of an "excerpt" question. I clicked the link to read your excerpt (killer BTW) and noticed you had to click a "yes I'm 18" button. I didn't notice anything particularly objectionable. As a writer who hasn't released an excerpt yet, how do I know if I need that Button? Should I just put one to be safe? Help me O-B-1...you're my only hope!

Did the idea of doing a book series as opposed to a single book ever intimidate you? It seems like quite a commitment to one universe and its characters (i.e. True Blood, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones are all quite long series).

Paige, thanks for the question about the excerpt. I used the "Content caution" button because there are readers of all ages on this site and, although I don't believe the prologue of "Wiccan Shadows" to be particularly violent or objectionable, I felt it safer to make readers aware that it doesn't contain all roses and sunshine, if you know what I mean.
Yes, it might turn some readers away, but I would prefer to caution them *before* they read it rather than apologizing after traumatizing a younger reader who has already read it.
I hope that helps, my young Jedi. :-)

Kori, thank you for the great question!! Actually, no, doing a book series never intimidated me. At least not with the Wiccan Sisterhood series because I fell in love with the characters and their development and the stories they have to tell. I currently have a 3-book contract, but have plot ideas and bits of dialogue and storyline already worked out for up to books 5 or 6. (Hopefully the series will make it that far!)
There are other novels that I have written, however, that I don't believe could be made into a series. The characters had one story to tell and that was it. Anything further would have been forced.
So, I believe, the answer to your question is that it really depends upon the series. I was fortunate enough to create a series with characters that, I believe, have a lot to offer and some wonderful stories to tell.
Thanks for the question, Kori!

Lori wrote: "Paige, thanks for the question about the excerpt. I used the "Content caution" button because there are readers of all ages on this site and, although I don't believe the prologue of "Wiccan Shadow..."

It does. Now I just need to determine if mine needs that too. I'm just not sure. Mine is a super sappy romance (I think) on one hand, but does contain a bit of violence and sex...Oh My! It might be safer for me to put it on there. My only worry is that it will give a false sense of something darker than there is. I don't want the reader thinking it's all dark and demented and finding a fluffy white kitten instead, if you catch my drift! That might be a let down. My genre and even my book is a bit out there...not quite a fit for any mold. Thank you for letting me pick at your brain space. You are always apreciated ;-)

Glad I could help, Paige, or at least I hope that I did. You're always welcome to "pick at my brain space" (not sure how much you'll find in there! LOL!) I don't think romance is an issue as much as sexual situations are. And some violence I would think should be okay. If you're not certain, ask your editor, or another author, what their feelings are. After all, "Wiccan Shadows" has humor and fluffy kittens (not white ones though) in it, but it also has some things that isn't appropriate for all ages.

Again, if you're not certain, I would get the opinion of someone else - your editor or another author.