I agree with many answers here, such as Marnee saying it’s your subconscious telling you something is wrong and needs you’re attention. For me, that’s usually a huge plot point which isn’t making sense. And I mean huge – as in how to have a HEA when your hero is a ghost or, as in the first one, how the heroine is going to save the world or kill her father. Little things.
Or the other one that I put off is writing the love scenes. I’ll go back to saving the world over that, which can make you really question your goal to write a romance! Oh, darn it anyway, I do get back to it eventually (which could be a very long eventually). Ultimately though, writers block for me is directly related to what’s happening in my real life. No one will like this answer (I don’t myself) but I suspect the only cure to a SEVERE case of writers block is fixing what’s wrong in real life. Darn it anyway.

How old were you when you discovered you wanted to write?

In my early teens, but I only finished my first complete manuscript oh, twenty-five or so years later!

Do you prefer to write in first person or third?

Definitely third person. I have experimented with writing in first person though as I found that recommended trick does work to stay in POV. Right now though, for the second ms, I’ve found the key not to head hop is writing in the POV of a ghost, who is the hero. That’s really locking me in.

Do you write straight through, or tackle the scenes out of order?

Mostly out of order. For the ghost story, I wrote the first four chapters straight through with no idea how the happily ever after was going to be found. That seemed impossible until – - well, yesterday. Now I’m writing scenes all over the place and plotting to keep up. I really should get that software of Hal’s.

Where do you write?

On a laptop – - currently at the dining room table. Plotting is usually at first hand written anywhere (often on the bus) and on anything I can find to write on. As often as I do this, it would make sense to keep a notebook with me, but that would mean I was planning to write something in it. No, I have to trick my stubborn mind. lol So it’s store receipts usually. Then I have to try and make sense of the notes later. And if I ever have to return something I’m in trouble.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

With very little thought. Currently my hero and heroine are Ben and Beth. Cringe. I know. But I can’t change it now!

Have you ever changed a character’s name in the middle of the story?

Not yet. But I probably will at the end of this one. lol

Name two authors who are your biggest influence as a writer?

Lisa Kleypas and Penelope Williamson

Is there a genre you want to tackle other than the one you are presently writing?

I’ve just switched from a paranormal historical to a paranormal suspense. I think I might actually like to try a stright (no paranormal) story, but not sure if I could stop myself from sneaking it in.

This was fun! Thanks!

You also have some heavy hitters in your inspiration list:)

Thanks for stopping by.

Chance- This is fun! I’ve learned a lot about all of you. A thriller sounds like something that is way too intimating for me, but I love writing evil characters. I don’t writer either, if I could publish emails, I might have something:)

Q- *blushing* I’ve given you a perfect gold star for the full monty:) You put your soul in everything. I can’t wait to read your published work, sirens and all:) And have no doubts you are unique in every way. I am envious that you have never experienced writer’s block. You are blessed my friend!

How old were you when you discovered you wanted to write?
First story at about 7 I think (primary school). I was good at making up stories. *grin*
Only written short stories with any real intent to publish.

Do you prefer to write in first person or third?
Either depending on the story. Its horses for courses.

Do you write straight through, or tackle the scenes out of order?
Varies. It usually resembles a random walk with scotch breaks at regular intervals.

Where do you write?
I have several computers and usually use the machine running computer simulations. That way I can watch the output while my Sirens frolic. Keeps me cool you see!

How do you come up with the names for your characters?
I base them on people I know. My flighty siren is called Tiffita (guess who!) but my favourite more serious siren is Jangalore.

Have you ever changed a character’s name in the middle of the story?
Never. I would rather change the plot to fit the character.

Do you know how a story is going to end when you start it?
I usually have a vague idea, but the plot always evolves….its survival of the fittest with my characters. I have never forgiven myself for killing off that gorgeous siren who couldn’t fit in.

What do you do for writer’s block?
Never experienced it. My head is always swimming with ideas for new siren exploits!

Name two authors who are your biggest influence as a writer?
Can’t think of anyone that I try to emulate. I like to think that I am unique in the world of romance fiction. Sort of Avant Guard *grin*

Is there a genre you want to tackle other than the one you are presently writing?
I’m game for anything. If the characters in my head demand it then I will go for it.

I hope you are going to mark me out of ten Lisa.
I put my soul into that.

How old were you when you discovered you wanted to write?

Six when I entered a poetry contest and won five dollars.

Do you prefer to write in first person or third?

Third.

Do you write straight through, or tackle the scenes out of order?

In order UNLESS a scene comes to me that I absolutely have to write down.

Where do you write?

On the couch w/ the laptop on my lap or on the pull-up coffee table/desk.

How do you come up with the names for your characters?

Either they come to me, or I start looking through lists to see which one jumps out at me. The heroine’s name of the third book was picked and I was like why do I know this name; it dawned on me a couple of days later that the heroine’s name was the same as someone from the Chocolate Mafia. Luckily, she is cool w/ it.

But last names are a big PITA for me.

Have you ever changed a character’s name in the middle of the story?

No. I tried doing so, and it always goes back to the original name.

Do you know how a story is going to end when you start it? With a HEA of course.

Yes. Sort of.

What do you do for writer’s block?

Don’t let myself get there (experienced it in college and boy, painful) and write, even when I don’t want to.

Name *three* authors who are your biggest influence as a writer?

Lisa Kleypas, Eloisa James, and SEP.

Is there a genre you want to tackle other than the one you are presently writing?

Nope. Love straight contemps.

1. I knew I wanted to write in grade school, when assigned to work on the school ‘paper’. Wrote a very bloody, Conan inspired short story. I’m amazed the nuns let me get away with it!

2. I generally write in deep third. I’ve tried first, but I cheat when I write in first. (Pirate!)

3. I start at the beginning and end at the end.

4. I do the bulk of my writing at a noisy table in one of my local Starbucks. Occassionally perched on the edge of my couch with laptop on lap.

5. Names…hmmmm. They pop up out my mind. I will use baby name books to help me out.

6. Ha! All the time! All the time! Never the main character…well, almost never!

7. Nope, seldom know the ending. Not even if it’s going to a HEA or a HFN. I tell myself the story as I move along, baby.

8. Gots to go with the non-PC answer. I don’t write. Well, I’ll work on blogs, spend too much time on the internet, correspond with my sis, go the movies…

9. Charles de Lint, Elizabeth Arthur, Edgar Rice Burroughs… Especially ERB, honestly. Taught me to have fun and go for the adventure side of things.

10. I’d like to tackle a hot RS of thriller. I don’t think I have the convoluted mind necessary, but I do come up with some nifty ways to kill people…which would be fun to wind into a book. Or romantic comedy…that would be cool.

Interesting blog! I’ve learned a lot about the crew today!

3.

This is a lot of fun. Great blog!

1. I’m a late bloomer – didn’t realize I wanted to write until about 2 years ago.

2. 3rd, definitely, as deep as possible. I can’t explain why, but I really struggle to read 1st person. I’ve used it in short stories, but nothing longer.

3. Out of order. I’m all over the place. I have to have special software just to keep me organized.

4. In bed on the laptop, or in the living room. Usually with headphones blaring to drown out all the chaos around me.

5. I use baby name websites, but I usually just go with my gut instead of any real meaning.

6. Never changed a name mid-way, but I did change the spelling of a name. A little girl named Grayson I changed to Gracyn to make it more feminine, since I saddled her with a boy’s name.

7. I write RS, so I have to know how the suspense side ends before I can start. I at least have to know who the bad guy is, and who’s taking him down. The romance side, I’m more comfortable letting it come to me as I write.

8. Writer’s block? Ugh. Usually start gorging myself on books in another genre. I was totally stuck, went on vacation, read 7 Regencies, and came back ready to go on my spy-thriller

9. Sandra Brown and Jodi Piccoult

10. I’d like to do either a Western or a Regency. My first love has always been historicals, and while I think my voice is better suited to contemps, I would love to give it a shot.

Great blog Lisa – this is fun!

And feel free to list all of the authors who have inspired you. I have more than two, but I didn’t get into JE because I get emotional when I think about Ranger and how he taught me to believe in my creativeness:) I didn’t have time for emotions when I wrote this blog, so I did my favorite thing-I blocked it.

Marnee- You sound like me. I write between the kidlet’s activities:) And I think you could write any genre, and do it fabulously.

Irish- I’ve missed you! It seems like forever since we had a cyber meet:) *blows kisses* We always have to have the HEA, although I have to admit I’ve often wanted to pull a Nicholas Sparks a time or two:) And I forgot SEP as one of my inspirations, thanks for reminding me.

Sin- You my dear would write a kickass YA. You could rewrite the phone book and I would read it:) And you write some of the best first person POV I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. So you are an inspiration as well. *batting eyelashes*

I’ll be back, I have a bladder to save….