Writing Meme Day 29

[erastes]

29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?

I am sure that many other people have posted the same answer here, but in my case I think about writing all the time.  If I’m not consciously thinking about plot or characterisation, or (usually in bed or during commutes) acting out scenes (*cough* yes even those) in my head then there’s kind of a sub-routine running in my brain at all times, picking up dialogue heard on the street, noticing people holding hands, looking at what people have in their supermarket trolleys, listening (as this morning) to a programme on China and wondering how I could fit a story around the building of the Great Wall.

I think I was always an observer. The nosiness about the supermarket trolleys/baskets for example has long been a game of mine—my mother taught me to play it. You watch the basket in front of you and try to assess what kind of person they are, how they live, what their story is. Try it. It’s a lot of fun. Although don’t judge me for the box of wine and six boxes of cat food, will you?

But no, to the second question. I take things from real life and pop them into my historicals – I don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard anything that reminds me of my books, which—knowing some of the characters, even the so-called heroes, is probably just as well.

Got my edits for Tributary. Erk. Noble ask to remove as many “was” words as possible. Goodness there’s a lot of them!  :)  I also  love an editor who ADDS semi-colons. Normally I have one who takes them out!!