Jennifer Castle: How I Write

I’m thrilled to have Jennifer Castle back for a “How I Write” feature! She’s the author of The Beginning of After (click for my review), and she was also one of the first authors I interviewed on my blog. Many thanks to Jennifer for participating!

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

First, I have to say that I love the whole “planner vs. pantser” thing. I used to feel so guilty that I didn’t outline, but when I saw other authors proudly proclaiming themselves “pantsers”, I was like, “Yes! It is totally okay for me to be disorganized!” Of course, I need to have a general idea of what the hell I’m doing, and where I want to end up. But I only plan a few scenes at a time. One of the coolest things about writing a novel is that your characters evolve as you go along, so I like to give them room to do that and not lock us into anything. It does often mean more work during revisions, because that’s when you’re really chiseling out your story. But I actually enjoy that part of the process, even if it means cutting things I love. I’m weird that way.

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

When I’m actively working on a draft or revisions, I aim to write daily, knowing full well that it’s not going to happen. Life gets in the way sometimes, and you can’t beat yourself up about it. My rule is that I can take a day off if I need to for whatever reason, but I have to write again the day after — I don’t allow myself to take two days off in a row. It usually involves me going out early on a Saturday or Sunday morning to write at Starbucks while my kids and husband get to stay home and watch cartoons in their pajamas. I don’t necessarily “feel” inspired every day. But I force myself into it. It’s kind of like working out. Once I’m there, I find what I need to Just Do It.

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

I have to write in the morning. It’s very hard for me to do anything creative after, say, one o’clock. It’s like something in my brain just expires. As a result, I have to be very protective of my mornings and not schedule meetings or appointments that are going to cut into them. Sometimes, I’ll wake up freakishly early, like 4:30am, and just go write for a while. There’s a delicious quality to that time, when the rest of the world is checked out. It’s easier to feel removed from reality and concentrate on your work. Until, of course, you feel like you’re going to pass out from exhaustion. Yay for caffeine.

Do you have any writing quirks?

I can’t write at a desk or table. I have to write with my laptop on my lap. It has to do with feeling as connected as possible to the keyboard, I think. Like maybe the words flow better from my brain through my fingers into the computer that way. Or maybe it’s just something boring having to do with ergonomics and my bad back.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I prefer to write in my office, which is a room on the second floor of my house. It has a big window overlooking the woods and I feel like I see new things every day in those trees. I work on the couch, next to that window, with my feet up on an ottoman. My other must-haves for writing: one or both of my cats curled up near me, and, of course, stretchy pants. All that being said, I do like to mix it up occasionally and write in coffee shops, my local library, or even the commuter train into NYC. Oddly enough, I can’t write outside. Not sure what’s up with that!

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

I used Scrivener for my most recent book and it rocked my world. I’m still learning how to make the most of it, but wow. It changed everything for me. My other big tool is Mac Freedom, which lets me turn off my Internet connection while I’m writing. Because it is way too easy for me to be struggling with a big scene one moment, then, you know, buying a totally cute knitted hat on Etsy the next.

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

“Trust your voice.” I can’t remember who gave me that advice, but I remind myself of it every day. It’s so easy for us to want to write like Amazing Author Y or Literary Idol Z, and while it’s healthy to be inspired by and learn from other writers, this feeling can give us creativity-crushing doubt, or result in something that’s not authentic. When we write, we have to honor ourselves. We have to believe in the strength of what we’re saying and the voice we’re saying it in. That will show on the page, in the end.

Jennifer Castle’s Debut:

More “How I Write” Q&As!