Blog Ring of Power Interview With Beth Barany

Today's Guest is Beth Barany.  Welcome Beth to The Write Time, and we are looking forward to your insights on writing and getting published.

Here is Beth's Schedule for the Blog Ring's interviews:

Part 1 - Monday, March 11th @ Sandra Ulbrich Almazon - http://ulbrichalmazan.blogspot.com/
Part 2 - Tuesday, March 12th @ Dean C. Rich - http://deanswritingtime.blogspot.com/
Part 3 - Wednesday, March 13th @ Terri Bruce – http://www.terribruce.net
Part 4 - Thursday, March 14th @ T.W. Fendley - http://twfendley.com/
Part 5 - Friday, March 15th @ Emily LaBonte - http://emlabonte.blogspot.com/

The Writing Life

1. What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine? Do you use pen and paper or computer? Work at home or at the library/Starbucks, etc.

I love this question because I’m always curious about other people’s process. My novel writing process has evolved over the years. And how I write and approach fiction is different than how I approach and write nonfiction. With nonfiction, I can more easily jump into a first draft. With fiction, I do a lot of short writings before I get to the actual first draft. My current process of fiction writing is first I get an idea and quickly write it down, usually when I’m on a bus, a train, overseas, at a cafe — you get the picture. I don’t often write these first sparks at home. Then if the idea won’t leave me I continue to write notes as they occur to me. I feel into when it’s time to write an overview of the story, and then move from handwritten notes to the computer. Then I’ll outline more, or write a short synopsis, or sometimes just start writing. By this time I'm committed to the story and make a clear and formal commitment to the story by giving myself a deadline to finish the book, and daily word count goals. Currently, for a paranormal romance novella I’m writing, my goal is 500 words a day 4 days a week. I do 90% of my first drafting into Scivener (a recent addition to my life) at neighborhood cafes. Just to spice it up, and because I’m short on time, I’m also dictating a novel, the third in my YA fantasy The Five Kingdoms series. Lastly, I’ve used NaNoWriMo for the last few years to finish novels, using the frenzied collective focus to get it done.

2. How do you balance writing with other aspects of your life?

With difficulty! LOL Actually, I’ve recently gone through a big Aha around this. I love doing multiple things at once (Gemini! Squirrel!) And, or But! I wasn’t getting the most important aspect of my writing done: the deep editing required to get the book out the door. So, balance for me is really about boundaries. I recently moved things around and most importantly said No! to things so that I could make time to get the editing done. For the first drafts, I make time before my work day (I work for myself!) to get in my 500 words. And, on my 9-minute commute to the cafe I dictate that third book in my YA fantasy series. So, balance is really about scheduling and boundaries!

3. How much time per day do you spend on your writing?

On my writing days, which is 4 to 6 days a week, I spend about 30 minutes to 2 hours. Depends on a lot of things: other comittments, mental focus and stamina, inspiration, the weather.

4. What has been the most surprising reaction to something you’ve written?

Ironically, I’m always surprised at my good reviews, especially the ones that say that the reader stayed up all night to finish my book. I’ve worked so hard to create the story trance, and yet am always surprised that I’ve succeeded! LOL

5. How do you deal with rejection and/or negative reviews?

I’m able to either laugh or be puzzled by negative reviews. This is because by the time I’ve gone through the crucible of editing and intense feedback from my critique partners and beta readers, and released the book (I’m self-published so far) I feel removed from the book and pretty much at peace with it — knowing that it’s the best that I could make it at the time, and the book is what it is — take it or leave it.

Here's how you can get in touch with me and learn more about my books.

Contact Information: Beth Barany, Email: beth@bethbarany.com

Blog: http://author.bethbarany.com/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HenriettaTheDragonSlayer

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4169630.Beth_Barany

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beth_barany

Amazon: http://bit.ly/Henrietta-DragonSlayer-Kindle

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/46068

Is your book in print, ebook or both? Both!