I have yet to do the writers survey because I am a lazy piece of crap

Lol...just kidding.

But I have neglected it...

So...without further ado:

1.Why do you write?

What....do....I....write? Gah! That's a tough one! No wonder I've neglected this for so long! Basically, what do I not write? Seriously. My writing's funny in a sense that I don't always necessarily write about things that I know. Sometimes I write something about something I've never experienced before. And for some reason, people tend to compliment those pieces a lot. I remember my first published short story, "A Bad Trip." It's essentially about a bad acid trip (with underlying main character development lessons of course) and I've never done acid in my life. Nor have I ever witnessed a bad acid trip. I've known people who've had them but they've never really talked to me about them. I don't know. I tend to just get a line or two of dialogue that just jumps into my head and then the next thing you know there's a story.

My poems? Those are about 85% based on real experiences. It's funny...when I'm single is when I write the most of my lovey-dovey pieces. Maybe it's a longing thing... *shrugs* A lot of times my poems are a product of people-watching.

My blogs are usually full of thoughts on things going on around me or in the news, etc. Or funny things that really did happen.

And last but not least...I do current event articles, famous women profile, and band and cd reviews.



2.When did you realize that writing was what you wanted to do for a living?

I was six. Seriously. I wrote a story about two squirrels fighting in my front yard and then I was hooked. I turned it in to my teacher and she gave me extra points toward my grade. I started doing that all through elementary school. In third grade my teacher told me I was going to be a novelist. Then in fifth grade I was given an old typewriter as a gift and I was beyond ecstatic. I used to put "Do Not Disturb, Writer at Work" signs on my bedroom door. Every "What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up" essay was about being a writer. Even my high school senior project.

3.Do you write full time?

Do I get paid to write full time? No. Do I do it full time? Yeah. I'm always writing something even if it's just in my head. It'll get to paper and/or screen eventually. I always see something that sparks some creative candle within me and then the next thing I know a story or poem or something is written. It's like a writing demon possesses me, lol. Then sometimes he goes away and I get depressed because then I'm blocked. I do have a couple of freelance gigs that pay me a little bit though.

4.If you could spend a week with any writer (living or dead) who would it be and why?

So hard!

I'm going to do both though.

I really would like to spend a week with Brad Listi (alive) because come on...he's a witty guy. I'd want to totally smoke a bowl with him and just listen to his diatribe...about well, everything. He'd have me laughing the whole week and I love laughing. It's my favorite.

Dead: Hunter S. Thompson of course. Mainly because of all the drugs he'd have me try. (Kidding!) No, seriously. He's just so out there! Even if you don't write....you'd still want to have at least met him once in your life.


5.Where does your inspiration come from?

*currently wearing a tee shirt that reads "Find Inspiration Everywhere"*

And it's true. There's no specific thing really.


6.Do you have a writing ritual? If so… what is it?

Not really. Whenever it hits, it hits. I usually put music on if it's just a blog or article. For stories or poems though I need to turn the tunes off. I don't know why, I just do. I might have a drink or some "herbal inspiration" if I'm sitting down specifically to write and I do most of it on my computer. However, if I'm out and about and I have my notebook, I'm constantly jotting things down.

7.What is the best writing advice you have ever been given?

"If you want to know if you're really a writer, try doing something else."

Brad Listi told me this on a blogtalkradio show that I called into one time when he was the guest. He stole the quote from someone else but I can't remember who she was. He also told me what a "cocktail party writer" was and that the best thing to do is just work at writing. ("Cocktail party writer": People who say they're writers at social gatherings but don't really have anything substantial to rest their foundation on. Like...when you go to their "office" they're never there. Get it?) So, ever since then...I've seriously worked at putting myself out there and it's starting to pay off!


8.What genre or genres do you write?

I generally write coming of age type stuff. Always some deep dialogue driven story where something really crazy happens but everyone comes out ok in the end...if there's an ending at all. I like to leave readers wondering.

I also love writing inspirational stories and poems. It means something to give back some inspiration to someone else.


9.What is the greatest obstacle you face as a writer?

Right now a huge obstacle is that I need to still pay my electric bill. I can't focus on writing as much as I want to because right now I'm not getting paid enough to do it. I have to work a "job" to live, ya know? I manage my time pretty well but I haven't seriously done any freelance searching or submitting in a long time. I'm getting things done I just need to send them off ya know? So, money, or lack there of is a huge obstacle for me right now.

10. Do you have a “writing” website?

Umm...it's not a "writing" website persay. But I do have my own personal blogsite called Conversations with Jenn. (www.conversationswithjenn.com) and I even have my own BlogTalkRadio show with the same name!

Be sure and check them out!

I post all of my "writing stuff" here on The Table.



Well, that was fun and made me think about things a little. I never really thought too much on the things that I write. I just sort of...write them?

Believe it or not doing this survey gave me a little bit of motivation.

So, for that I thank Robert for posting it again!

Happy creating everyone!