How I Write: Erica O’Rourke (Dissonance Series)

Please give a warm welcome to Erica O’Rourke, author of the Dissonance series! She’s stopping by today for a How I Write feature in celebration of RESONANCE’s (Dissonance #2) release. Check out my Q & A with Erica below.

About Erica O’Rourke

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Are you a planner (outline, etc.) or do you “pants” it?

I’m totally a planner. I use a giant artist’s sketchbook to brainstorm and then outline each plotline and character arc in a story. Working on a big page allows my ideas to flow more freely; I can cross out or add information without worrying I’ll run out of space. But to be honest…I rarely stick to the outline. It’s a writerly security blanket – knowing I have a plan gives me the confidence to move forward, even if the story goes in a totally different direction.

Do you write daily or sporadically when you’re inspired?

When I’m on deadline, I write every day – I work well under pressure. When I’m not on some sort of deadline, self-imposed or otherwise, I’m much less productive. I’m also a creature of habit, so writing daily allows my brain to slip into creative mode much more easily. 

What time of day do you find you write best? Or you enjoy more?

For a long time, I was a late-night writer, and when I’m really crunched for time, I prefer staying up till the wee hours instead of waking early. These days, however, I prefer to write while my kids are at school. The house is quiet, and I can focus on my work without breaking up eleventy billion fights over…everything.

What kind of mood are you typically in when you write (happy, sad, etc.)?

It depends on what I’m writing. I hate first drafts, so if that’s the stage I’m at, I’m in a terrible mood, all grim and determined and irritable. I’m a delight during first drafts.

However, I love revision, so I’m usually pretty eager to get to work. The problem with revision is that I spend all my non-writing time mulling over the story, so I’m even more distracted and forgetful. It’s very easy to get lost in my own head.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I can’t write if someone can see my screen. It completely ruins my concentration, so I always write with my back to a wall (literally) or with the door closed. My stomach gets queasy just thinking about it, actually.

What tool(s) do you use to write? Microsoft Word, Pages, Scrivener, typewriter, pen and paper, and/or napkins/toilet paper?

I’m a big fan of using the proper tool for any job, so depending on where I’m at in my process, the tools vary:

Outlining: Coffee, giant sketchpad, #2 pencil (preferably Ticonderoga, VERY VERY SHARP), Pink Pearl eraser

Drafting: Coffee, Scrivener, MacFreedom (for shutting off the internet while I work)

Revising: Coffee, printed manuscript, YELLOW legal pad, many, many, MANY red Pentel EnerGel pens.

How do you stay motivated?

Scrivener has a great feature – if you set a deadline and a target wordcount, they’ll show you a progress bar that turns from red to green as you approach your daily word goal. It’s so simple, but watching that bar turn green is incredibly motivating. I also give myself a reward when I finish a project. Sometimes it’s small – a DVD or coffee with a friend – and sometimes it’s big, like when I finished my first trilogy and bought an iPad. It’s bribery, but I am totally okay with that.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received for writing?

“You can’t fix a blank page.” I first heard Nora Roberts say it, though I’ve heard it attributed elsewhere. And it’s the truest thing I’ve ever heard. You can always improve your writing – but first, you have to write. All the advice in the world won’t help you if you don’t put in the work of getting your words on paper.

What are your thoughts on traditional publishing vs. self-publishing?

I believe there are many roads to Oz. Both indie and traditional publishing have their drawbacks and benefits, so the key is to learn as much as you can about ALL the options, and then decide which path best fits your goals.

What do you use as inspiration while writing? (Music, pictures, etc.)

I like to make playlists for each project, and I listen to them pretty much constantly. It helps me quickly slide into the mindset of the book. That being said, listening to the same songs on repeat for months at a time…is not my family’s favorite thing. But that’s why they have headphones, right?

Resonance (Dissonance #2)

by Erica O’Rourke
Simon & Schuster BFYR
Publication Date: July 22, 2015