"Subtlety and modest are appropriate for nuns and therapists, but if you're in business, you'd better learn to speak up and announce your significant accomplishments to the world -- nobody else will." -- Donald Trump, How to Get Rich
-
NO BEGRUDGING HERE
Continuing our Q&A with novelist Deeanne Gist, author of the CBA best-seller A Bride Most Begrudging (Bethany House Publishers), the #1 book at Christianbook.com. Find our more about the novel here.
She also continues her "virtual book tour," hosted by the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.
Now, the second part of our three-part Q&A, in which Deeanne tells us her writing habits, a favorite memory from childhood, and when she knew she had "made it." ...
-
How many books do you read a month?
I'm assuming you are talking about pleasure reading and not research reading. If it is reading for pleasure, it depends on the month. If I'm close to deadline, none. If I'm at the beginning of a new writing cycle, two or three per month.
How many emails do you answer a day?
Way too many to count.
What are your writing habits?
I work eight hours a day. I write, plot, critique, research, edit, answer emails, promote, maintain my non-fiction product, visit blogs and loops that pertain to my profession and keep me "in the know," compose presentations for the speaking circuit, return phone calls, write some more, print out what I've written, revise it and write it again. And again. And again.
Until, a year later, the next book is finished and it's time to start the whole process over again.
Are you an "outline" writer or a "make it up as you go" writer?
I outline the plot points, then make up as I go how my characters get from point A to point B. Point B to point C. Etc.
What is a favorite memory from your childhood?
Performing musicals (that my sister wrote and directed) for our babysitters.
Are you a full-time novelist?
Yes. I also have a non-fiction product I devote some of that time to.
How many books did you have to write before you were able to go full-time? (When did you know you had "made it"?) I started writing full time when I sold my first book (Bride).
-
Come back tomorrow for the conclusion of our Q&A. Find Deeanne online at her official site and follow regular updates at her blog. Keep track of her blog tour at the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.
