I've been tagged....

Matthew Delman over at Free the Princess just tagged me. Wow. How exciting! I'm frozen in place. No! Don't crawl through my legs to undo the nefarious tagging spell! Let me break it myself by answering the following questions:

1. What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
The last thing I wrote (before Product of an Illusion) was a novella called Waggledance. The first thing I wrote, as a child, was a short story called Fireball Island (and of course it had illustrations because everything in second grade needs colorful pictures). When I was twelve I attempted to write a novel called The Time Struck. It was about a mouse named Lettuce Breath who lived in the NYC subway system and one day fell in a puddle that transported him to a parallel universe. 

2. Write poetry?
Not anymore. Used to when I was young- back when I thought all poetry was rhymey and sing songy.

3. Angsty poetry?
When I was in highschool I wrote a poem about a depressed teenager that killed herself (and of course I illustrated it with a picture of a smoking gun).

4. Favorite genre of writing?
When people meet me they usually ask where I go to school. And then I have to tell them I don't go to school. Then comes the predictable displeasing look of shock as they silently call me a drop out or accuse me of  playing hookie.  (I finished grad school in 2006) Most people say I look 18. Although the other day someone did tell me I could pass for 21. So, I have to go with young adult. Specifically fantasy young adult with an intertwined love story. Those are my favs.

5. Most annoying character I've ever created?
John's uncle from Waggledance. John's Uncle is gay and is convinced that John must be too. But John has the hots for the MC Anna. And right when Anna think that John likes her, his Uncle has to go and tell her that John is gay. Poor Anna.

6. Best plot you've created?
I'd have to say the plot of Product of Illusion. The problem is that it's fantabulous in my head, but doesn't quite come out that way on paper.

7. Coolest Plot twist you've ever created?
Definitely in Product of an Illusion. But, sadly I can't tell you, or it would ruin it. Sorry.

8. How often do you get writer's block?
I don't personally suffer from writer's block. It's just life that keeps erecting road blocks preventing me from spending time with my journal or laptop.

9. Write fan fiction?
I don't know what that is and I'm too lazy to wiki it.

10. Do you type or write by hand?
Both. Just depends on my mood. Pen on paper has an artistic, exotic lure.

11.Do you save everything you write?
Uh...yeah. What stinks today maybe gold tomorrow. Hang on to those words.

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you abandon it?
Usually never. If I abandon you don't expect me to come back. Sometimes I'll go back to a short story or a previous novel and pull words/ideas from it. But if the idea and I have a break up, I almost always move on.

13. What's you're favorite thing you've ever written?
I have a terminal illness called self deprication-loathing-itis.
The other day I was talking to my coach. And he was like, "Anita, what's got you so down today?"
"Oh, nothing really. Just the fact that I'm average at everything I do."
So, I really don't have any favorites of anything that I've ever written.


14. What's everyone else's favorite story that you've written?
According to my skating buddies/beta readers it's the first draft of Product of an Illusion.
 
15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
I'm not a romance writer per say. But everything needs a bit o luvin' in it, right? Angsty teen drama? Angsty is such a subjective term.
 
16. What's your favorite setting for your characters?
London Baby!
 
17. How many writing projects are you working on?
Well, there's Product of an Illusion. And then I started dabbling in something called Ice. Just a chapter or two. And then this past weekend (since I was taking a break from Product) I started writing something called Second Chance. It's based a bit on my life intertwined with 13 Going on 30.
 
18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Why would anyone give me an award! Come on people.
 
19. What are your five favorite words?
Reconciliation (it was the first big person I learned to spell when I was a kid)
Trifecta (I love how they use this word in Ocean's 12)
If I named three other words I'd just be lying when I said they were my favorites. Beause two is all I have folks.
 
20. What character have you created that are most like yourself?
Kate Rose from Second Chance and Anna from Waggledance.
 
21. Where do you get ideas for your characters from?
No clue. I just start writing and they show up. It's as if my imagination puts out a casting call and they just show up to audtion.
 
22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?
I usually don't remember what I dream about. And if I do remember, the dreams are so outlandish and crazy that you really couldn't do anything with them on paper.
 
23. Do you favor happy endings?
Definitely. I won't watch things or read things that I know have sad endings. I write/read for an escape, not to get depressed. My cousin told me that Up had a sad ending and I almost didn't watch it. But, then I thought how sad could a Pixar movie be? So I went ahead and watched it. It was wonderful! So creative. And in my opinion, not sad.
 
24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar when you write?
I'll usually let things flow at first and then go back right away and fix the kinks.
 
25. Does music help you write?
If it has lyrics its a distraction. I could do instrumental. But since I haven't created an instrumental play list just for writing time, I don't listent to music when I write.
 
26. Quote something you've written. Whatever pops in your head?
Umm....gee...thanks for putting me on the spot there.
I'm drawing a blank. Sorry. Too many things on my mind right now.
 
Ahhhh....the freezing spell has dissipated. So it's my turn to tag someone.....
You're It:
Marissa Spector, Hilary Wagner, and Thomas Taylor.
Have fun guys! And as always, happy writing!