For this post, I interviewed American author Trudy Myers. She writes in different genres and has some great insights into the writing life.

• Where are you from and where do you live?

I grew up in the midwest of the US, mainly in Nebraska and Colorado. When my husband and I retired, we moved to our current home in Groveland, Florida. That’s just an hour’s drive from the theme parks of Orlando.

• When did you start writing and when did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

I started putting stories down on paper in the fourth grade, about age 10. I’ve been writing pretty nonstop since, but it was only after I retired from my day job that I started getting published by other small presses.

• What do you write?

Mostly novels. Short stories are difficult for me, because I keep wanting to introduce complications, and before I know it, it’s not a short story anymore. As for what genres I do write, it’s really whatever strikes my fancy. My first two stories published were paranormal, then a fantasy. Then I wrote two romances, and now I’m working on a soap opera romantic science fiction series.

I write under two different names; my own (Trudy V Myers) and a pen name I use for romances (Linda NMI Joy).

• Let’s talk about your latest book. What’s it about? What inspired it?

The science fiction series I just mentioned was inspired by Star Trek, the original series. I loved the idea of a spaceship traveling around, having adventures. But with people being people, I was sure there would be some kind of drama between crew members as well. So I introduced a new communications officer on a well-established ship.

She came from a heavy world, so she was stronger than most of the other crew women, and she also had a lot of unusual beliefs about men, due to her father’s heavy-handed upbringing. The crew does have adventures, but she has her own internal adventures trying to fit in with the crew.

• Do you have tips for writers who struggle with finding ideas or getting unstuck during certain places in their stories?

I usually start with a character. I give them characteristics that make them ‘different’, and then I start building a world around them. That usually introduces another character or two, and possibly a problem that needs to be solved. If no problem presents itself, I have to complicate the world to create a problem.

As for getting stuck at some point, I’ll try different methods. I’ll re-read the last chapter or two, looking for a place where I can turn the story in a new direction. I’ll wonder if I’ve got the characters acting true to themselves. If I’ve got a hot-headed warrior woman, she wouldn’t suddenly turn tail and run. You have to let the characters be themselves.

• And then there’s editing and marketing. Do you have a specific process and/or tips you’d like to share with authors?

I generally put my rough drafts through 3 edits. In the first one, I concentrate on finding inconsistencies and plot holes and fixing them. In the second edit, I study each scene to make sure it’s necessary. A long rambling scene that only introduces one or two facts that are important will be eliminated and those important facts moved to other scenes.

In the third edit, I check my grammar, my punctuation, spelling, word use, etc. It sounds like I’m doing a lot in my third edit, but I’m lucky that I have a pretty strong understanding of grammar and punctuation.

As for marketing, I’m still trying to figure out what works. There are lots of people out there with good ideas. You have to decide what you can do, and ultimately, what will work for you.

• Who are your favorite authors? And why?

Robert Asprin, Connie Willis, Esther Friesner

I love some comedy in my reading. I grew up reading for enjoyment, and comedy really appeals to me.

 

• Where can we find your books and writing?

My books that are published by MoonPhaze are on Smashwords.com, which offers several ebook formats. If you are looking for a physical book, rather than an ebook, try MoonPhaze.com. On both of these websites, try both names for me, Trudy V Myers and Linda NMI Joy.

I also have a weekly blog at TrudysUniverse.blogspot.com. It is an eclectic assortment of whatever subject I researched that week. When I retired, I started thinking of writing science fiction and realized my science knowledge was woefully out of date. So I subscribed to 3 different science magazines to try to catch up.

Sometimes I do a little more research on a particular subject and report on it in my blog. Lately, I have been reporting on various animals from the last ice age.

• Can you share some non-writing facts about yourself?

I also have hobbies, such as making ‘bumpy foreheads’ for those who want to try being an alien warrior from Star Trek. My husband got me into this, as he wanted to be one, and didn’t know where to get a forehead. It’s a lot of fun, but can be a lot of work.

I also crochet, knit, sew, and do leatherwork, when I can find the time.

I like cats. Dogs are okay, but I’m a cat person. Unfortunately, allergies keep me from having one.

• Where can we find you online?

On Facebook, look for Trudy Myers.

I also handle Twitter posts for MoonPhaze, @MoonPhazePub

• Any parting words?

Thank you for having me. It was fun to answer your questions. (A couple of them made me stop and think, always difficult early on a weekend morning.)