The Writers Tag: Let’s connect!

In my one-and-a-bit years as a blogger, I have come across several reading-related tags, but never one especially for writers. So imagine my excitement to be tagged in the Writers Tag by both Ari Meghlen and M.L. Davis—on the same day!! Thanks guys 😍

The Writers Tag was created by Lorraine Ambers and Ari Meghlen as a “fun” and “quick-fire” way to connect with other writers and help us all get to know each other better. There are 12 key questions to answer, and then there’s more tagging to be done! My responses are below, with nominations and instructions at the bottom. Hope you enjoy!

Name one novel that inspired you to write.

✨

I have been writing for a LONG time (well…considering my current age). If my memory serves me correctly, the first stories I wrote as a girl of six or seven were inspired by Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree series. However, after struggling for several years, my love of writing was sparked anew when I read the Trickster duology by Tamora Pierce. (Sorry, that’s two!)

What’s your favourite genre to write and read?

💕

I enjoy a wide variety of genres (except non-fiction), but when it comes down to it, fantasy—specifically high fantasy—has always been my favourite. There’s nothing better than getting lost in an entirely different world! Having said that, I’ve discovered a new appreciation for contemporary in recent years. Complete opposites, right?

Do you prefer to write stand-alone or series?

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Series, most definitely. My WIP Graceborn is a series of epic proportions (six books planned!) because, when it comes to fantasy, I just can’t seem to do things small. Why put in all that world-building effort for just one book? Holding Up the Sky, my other WIP, is my first attempt at a stand-alone—it’s actually a real challenge!

Use 3 words to describe yourself

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PRAGMATIC ♦ AUTHENTIC ♦ OBSESSIVE

Reveal your WIP aesthetics or an image that represents your MC or setting.

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This is an aesthetic for my YA contemporary WIP Holding Up the Sky and its MC, Carter.

And this is the aesthetic for Asa and Kael O’Dair, the MCs in my WIP epic fantasy series Graceborn (specifically the first book, Blood of Old):

How long did your first MS take to draft?

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I was sixteen when I wrote my first novel-length piece. It was called Legend, the first part of a high fantasy trilogy (of course) called The Willpower, and it took me about 15 months to write. No jokes—it was a good 240,000 words. The next two books in the series, Hero and Saviour, were both 360,000 words and took 12 months each! Crazy, right?

Who is your author idol?

😍

Wait—am I supposed to pick just one?! I could seriously um and ah over this for ages, so I’m just going to put it out there that I greatly admire Patrick Rothfuss. I love epic fantasy, but I also love character-driven stories, which epic fantasy tends not to be. Yet Rothfuss’ Kingkiller Chronicle draws a perfect balance between plot, character development, and stunning prose.

Share a writing memory that made you determined to carry on.

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As a ten-year-old writer, I was on the brink of despair. My head was just BURSTING with story ideas, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to finish any of them. Then my mum signed me up to a workshop, and the facilitator wrote me a personalised letter that completely changed my life. You can read it here!!

Tell us something surprising or unique about yourself.

👩‍🎓

I have now been at school for 19 of my 24 years. I kid you not. I expect to finally graduate mid-2019 and I CANNOT WAIT. I am SO SICK of studying it now takes all my strength to not burn each new assignment to the ground!! Counting down the days until that certificate is in my hand and I can get on with the rest of my life 😂

Share the hardest part about being a writer and how you overcame it.

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The greatest challenge I’ve faced as a writer is committing to—and sticking to—a single idea. I’ve always had a tendency to keep adding things to my plot until it’s so laden down I can no longer move it. I talked about this in depth in my blog series on my writing journey, and it’s something I have to fight to overcome every day. For the most part, rigorous planning does the trick.

What’s your favourite social media and why? Share your link.

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As a writer, I would have to say my favourite social media is Twitter. I’ve found it to be the best platform for communicating with other writers, and the sense of community and support is incredible! As an obsessive bookworm, however, I simply adore Instagram, and have spent countless hours browsing pictures of books!

Share some uplifting wisdom in six words or less.

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Pain is temporary. Glory is forever.

I’m not entirely sure of the origins of this quote. I first heard it in reference to sport, but I find that it’s relevant to so many walks of life—including writing! The “pain” and “suffering” of hard work is short-lived, fleeting, but the “glory” of finally reaching your goals is something that will always stay with you.

I nominate the following writers:

🌟 G.J. Stevens

🌟 Inka York

🌟 Leanne P. French

🌟 Mel @ A Word and a Whisper

🌟 Carin Marais

🌟 Adina Denner @ The Diva’s Notebook

Instructions:

1️⃣ Post the Tag and Image (see above) on your blog.

2️⃣ Thank whoever nominated you and give a link back to their blog.

3️⃣ Mention the creators of the tag and link back to their blogs.

4️⃣ Answer the 12 questions.

5️⃣ Nominate 6+ bloggers and notify your nominees by commenting on their blogs.

What novel(s) inspired YOU to write? Do you have an author idol? What is the greatest challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey?

Rebecca Alasdair