1. Do you outline?

Briefly. I write notes, brief character sketches, etc. BRIEF is the key.

2. Do you write straight through a book, or do you sometimes tackle the scenes out of order?

I always try to write in order but sometimes by the end I realize I left out some important bits in the beginning, so I have to go back and add those in.

3. Do you prefer writing with a pen or using a computer?

I consider my Mac to be my wife. She takes care of all my needs. (except for the one for a houseboy)

4. Do you prefer writing in first person or third?

Oh, I like both but I really, really enjoy first.

5. Do you listen to music while you write? If so, do you create a playlist, listen randomly, or pick a single song that fits the book?

I usually have a list of current favorites that might not fit the book, but are on the playlist, but I always have a certain few special songs picked out. They can be older, or current songs that just “hit” me. For Broken it was What if You by Joshua Radin. For Tempted it was Everything Changes by Staind. For Second Verse I have a few including the more recent Stolen by Dashboard Confessional and Ocean Size Love by Leigh Nash.

I think one of the songs for the next project is going to be It’s Raining Men. Just because.

6. How do you come up with the perfect names for your characters?

I’ve gotten away from exotic or trendy names in the past few books — though if I’m writing SF or fantasy that’s a bit different. I’ve been going with solid, traditional male names. I try to think of what sort of person the characters are. Sometimes the names are a reflection of something personal — sort of a little secret code, if you will. Bess from Second Verse is a variant of Elizabeth. Which has a personal reflection for me.

7. When you’re writing, do you ever imagine your book as a television show or movie?

Umm…YES.

8. Have you ever had a character insist on doing something you really didn’t want him/her to do?

I love the AHA moments in writing. I don’t ever think my characters run away with anything, but I am constantly amazed at how my brain fits the pieces together.

9. Do you know how a book is going to end when you start it?

Usually I know the start and the end. Sometimes all I have is the end.

10. Where do you write?

At home I use my wife unless she’s being too sassy and distracting me with the prettyshiny of the internet. Then I use my Alphasmart. I write at a coffee shop, too, where they…haha, SERVE ME. Just the way I like it.

11. What do you do when you get writer’s block?

Oy. I don’t. I suffer from lack of motivation to get the words on the page sometimes, but I don’t ever not know what I need to do.

12. What size increments do you write in (either in terms of word count, or as a percentage of the book as a whole)?

My general goal is 20 pages a day which for me is approximately 5000 words. I can do more. I often do less. But that’s my goal.

13. How many different drafts did you write for your last project?

The one I’m working on now is in second draft. I’ve got at least one more on it. Broken took a lot more tweaking.

14. Have you ever changed a character’s name midway through a draft?

Yes. More than once. In Second Verse I had an idea the dude’s name would be Justin but that didn’t ring for me. I then wrote him for awhile using…haha, yes, it’s true, the name TRAVIS. (oy vey!) But then I finally changed it to Nick, and Nick he’s stayed. And a good thing, too!

15. Do you let anyone read your book while you’re working on it, or do you wait until you’ve completed a draft before letting someone else see it?

I might share snips but mostly I finish the second draft — that’s completing the entire book, going through it for consistency, typos, blah blah, then sending it to friends for crit.

16. What do you do to celebrate when you finish a draft?

Play the Sims. Post on my journal. Watch Queer as Folk or Supernatural.

17. One project at a time, or multiple projects at once?

One at a time, but I’m thinking of others all the time.

18. Do your books grow or shrink in revision?

Usually it all evens out. I might have to add scenes, but I cut some, too.

19. Do you have any writing or critique partners?

Yes

20. Do you prefer drafting or revising?

I like revising. It’s where I make it all work and turn into the shiny.