Monday, June 23, 2014

My Writing Process : A 'Blog Hop' Tour

First and foremost, I’d like to thank P.J. Royal, a most sensitive, talented historical fiction writer whose Humble Musings of a Literary Kind you can enjoy here : http://pjroyal.blogspot.com.  for inviting me to participate in this blog tour.
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What are you currently working on?
I am working on my fourth novel, something like a prose version of Eliot’s Gerontion, if you wish, with all due respect for my favorite poet. An elderly woman looks back on her life, focusing on her relationships with men. The novel explores how parental and societal mandates can affect lives, the impossibility of love unless we accept that we don’t all love in the same way, and the ways in which memory distorts fact as a defense mechanism against excruciating suffering. Perhaps it should be noted that, in the face of the horrible experiences many women have undergone, my protagonist has had quite an ordinary life. However, another aspect of this novel highlights that it’s all about subjective perception, so my main character responds to her perceptions rather than to what she actually experiences.

How does your work differ from others of its genre?
The notion of genre makes me uncomfortable. Many of the works we are now writing and publishing break every single rule of the genre, and we call them ‘novels’ through lack of a better name. In all honesty, it’s not for me to say how my work differs from others. It is true I do not write in borrowed voices, nor have I seen other works dealing with the same subject matters. Other than that, readers are welcome to point to the differences.

Why do you write what you do?
Much of our contemporary literature concerns itself with the horrors and atrocities inflicted by man on his fellow beings. To a large number of people, such horrors are distant. I write about such dark aspects of human nature as could be familiar to practically everyone: suicide, the neglect of the old and helpless, the cultural clash not triggered by the need to escape a war or persecution, lives ruined by wrong choices. My purpose is to provide readers with an image of their own lives or of the lives around them and force them out of their comfort zone. In a way, and from another point of view and with different resources, I do the same in my fiction as I do in my self-help books.

How does your writing process work?
If we talk about non-fiction, there’s a long period of thorough research, comparison and contrast, note-taking, and personal synthesis before the actual writing starts. When we come to fiction, the story, from beginning to end, first develops in my mind. I create a comprehensive biography for all my characters, even though probably very little of it will go into the book. The point is, characters should stay consistent even in their inconsistencies, something that can be achieved as long as the writer knows who they are and where they come from. This can take a really long time. Once this mental process is over, I sit down to write… and this is the hard part :)

I am tagging author Bryan Murphy, someone I very much admire, to continue with this tour. You can read his answers as from Monday, July 30, on  http://www.bryanmurphy.eu

 My Writing Process : A 'Blog Hop' Tour

First and foremost, I’d like to thank P.J. Royal, a most sensitive, talented historical fiction writer whose Humble Musings of a Literary Kind you can enjoy here : http://pjroyal.blogspot.com.  for inviting me to participate in this blog tour.
----------------------------   
What are you currently working on?
I am working on my fourth novel, something like a prose version of Eliot’s Gerontion, if you wish, with all due respect for my favorite poet. An elderly woman looks back on her life, focusing on her relationships with men. The novel explores how parental and societal mandates can affect lives, the impossibility of love unless we accept that we don’t all love in the same way, and the ways in which memory distorts fact as a defense mechanism against excruciating suffering. Perhaps it should be noted that, in the face of the horrible experiences many women have undergone, my protagonist has had quite an ordinary life. However, another aspect of this novel highlights that it’s all about subjective perception, so my main character responds to her perceptions rather than to what she actually experiences.

How does your work differ from others of its genre?
The notion of genre makes me uncomfortable. Many of the works we are now writing and publishing break every single rule of the genre, and we call them ‘novels’ through lack of a better name. In all honesty, it’s not for me to say how my work differs from others. It is true I do not write in borrowed voices, nor have I seen other works dealing with the same subject matters. Other than that, readers are welcome to point to the differences.

Why do you write what you do?
Much of our contemporary literature concerns itself with the horrors and atrocities inflicted by man on his fellow beings. To a large number of people, such horrors are distant. I write about such dark aspects of human nature as could be familiar to practically everyone: suicide, the neglect of the old and helpless, the cultural clash not triggered by the need to escape a war or persecution, lives ruined by wrong choices. My purpose is to provide readers with an image of their own lives or of the lives around them and force them out of their comfort zone. In a way, and from another point of view and with different resources, I do the same in my fiction as I do in my self-help books.

How does your writing process work?
If we talk about non-fiction, there’s a long period of thorough research, comparison and contrast, note-taking, and personal synthesis before the actual writing starts. When we come to fiction, the story, from beginning to end, first develops in my mind. I create a comprehensive biography for all my characters, even though probably very little of it will go into the book. The point is, characters should stay consistent even in their inconsistencies, something that can be achieved as long as the writer knows who they are and where they come from. This can take a really long time. Once this mental process is over, I sit down to write… and this is the hard part :)

I am tagging author Bryan Murphy, someone I very much admire, to continue with this tour. You can read his answers as from Monday, July 30, on  http://www.bryanmurphy.eu




Bio:

Bryan Murphy is an Anglo-Irish globetrotter. He recently retired from a job within the United Nations system and now divides his time among England, Italy, the wider world and cyberspace. His e-books include Murder By SuicideHeresyLinehan’s Trip and Goodbye, Padania. You can find them here:http://amazon.com/author/bryanmurphy … and at other major retailers.
Bryan welcomes visitors at: http://www.bryanmurphy.eu

Bio:

Bryan Murphy is an Anglo-Irish globetrotter. He recently retired from a job within the United Nations system and now divides his time among England, Italy, the wider world and cyberspace. His e-books include Murder By SuicideHeresyLinehan’s Trip and Goodbye, Padania. You can find them here:http://amazon.com/author/bryanmurphy … and at other major retailers.
Bryan welcomes visitors at: http://www.bryanmurphy.eu







17 comments:

  1. This is a lovely interview. And I think your point on how character's should be consistent even with their inconsistencies is such a vital part in the story-telling process.

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    1. Malka, it's a pleasure to have you here. Character building may be tantalizing and fascinating at once!

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  2. There are writers and then there are excellent writers like Marta, the author interviewed here. I enjoyed her responses to the questions here: direct, honest, and informative.

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    1. Thank you, Sal! Sometimes it's difficult not to become repetitive, so I'm glad to have managed to provide some new information about my views on writing.

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  3. I love stories that explore human emotions and motivations. I can't wait to read it.

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    1. Coming soon, Trish! You're excellent at such explorations, so let's hope these won't disappoint you.

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  4. I'm excited about this book, Marta. If it's anywhere as good as Just Toss the Ashes, I will be happy. I like the factthat you do not allow your writinmg to be dictated by 'genre' writng and neither do I. I strive for what you achieve--writing literature.

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    1. Micki, your literature is as genuine as it is outstanding. Just Toss the Ashes, although an opera prima, has proved a hard standard against which to measure the rest of my fiction. Let's hope the new novel lives up to your expectations ;)

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  5. Posting for Yvonne Mahlape Maserumule *blush*

    One of the most gifted, seasoned writers I've had the pleasure of getting to meet online. Marta, I don't only look up to you as a creative, but as a kind and generous soul due to your persistent efforts to promote the work of others the best you can. You are truly awesome! You're a SHINING STAR!

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    1. Dear Yvonne, thank you so much for your kind words. I very much believe in helping others to the best of my ability, thus belying the widespread notion that creators are selfish and self-centered. There are many like me, bless them!

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  6. Marvelous, dear Marta! Your upcoming work sounds utterly intriguing - I just love the notion of forward action compelled and motivated by an internal monologue, or personal deductions that may have little or no relation to the actuality (if there can be said to be such!) that transpires around her. Fascinating! I so loved Just Toss the Ashes, and am singularly enthralled already at the prospect of this one!

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    1. My dear PJ, the more expectancy this novel arouses, the more my fears. I find actuality -or reality- frankly elusive in terms of the self, so my literary facts are constructs dictated by my characters' circumstances, more often than not utterly subjective, but well away from authorial subjectivity.

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  7. Evening Marta, Finally caught up with your plans for your current book and this certainly sounds like a challenging and ambitious piece you've taken on. And instinct tells me there is likely to be quite a bit of your good self woven into this tapestry... You write very cogently about your process as a writer and I especially respect the way, as an artist, you are consistently prepared to risk looking under all the stones on the often painful journey of life, in search of answers and enlightenment. A fascinating read awaits, that's for sure dear Marta... With Best Wishes and admiration too Scott www.scotthastie.com

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    1. Dear Scott, bits of my not so good self are always woven into the tapestry of my fiction. The challenge lies in telling the me from the not-me. Sometimes the weft is so tight that I cannot distinguish them myself! Thank you for your kind words from your Number 1 fan.

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  8. You are so entertaining and instructive, Marta, that you are a very hard act to follow. However, I shall be trying to do so tomorrow. The direct link to my blog at Goodreads is http://bit.ly/1cq1yus though visitors are always welcome to my website (www.bryanmurphy.eu). Thank you for your generous invitation and kind words, too, Marta.

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    1. Bryan, I'd like to believe I'm just an average person who happens to write.
      I'm honored that you accepted my invitation to disclose your thoughts on your process. Very much like what you share with us on your blog.

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  9. Dear Martha, finally I am writing in your site. I read the last one interview, very excited. Congratulations for your next book. So, the words that you explained about the process about create are very clear. The other hand, the genre's literature is an abstract theme, now a days many writers forget it that, I think is much better you know?, even when criticism is obstinated for the comfortable to sort out. hugs!

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