Blog hop: My writing process
Thanks to Judy Leaver, my longtime friend and former co-worker, for introducing me to this blog hop opportunity. This chain letter of sorts, was a fun and interesting way to delve into some questions about my writing process and share what I am working on. The week of June 9 will be Kelly Hand, Molly Mahoney Matthews and Stacy Juba's turn to blog about their writing process. They’re fantastic writers and I’m sure you’ll find their projects interesting.
Well, on to my questions.
What am I working on?
I have just completed my memoir, The Pornographer’s Daughter (Skyhorse Publishing, September 2014), so right now I’m in between projects and focused on developing publicity and events to promote the book. In the future, I would love to write another book about other people who have parents working in the adult industry and maybe even a cook book featuring the favorite recipes of popular adult stars. I would throw in a few of my own family recipes, too. I’m Italian and we love food!
How does my work differ from others of its genre?
I don’t think my work is that different from other memoirs. What’s unique about The Pornographer’s Daughter is it details a time in pop culture history that my family was personally involved with. As my father faced prosecution by the federal government on obscenity for distributing Deep Throat in the 1970s, my family experienced quite a bit of upheaval. When Deep Throat arrived it changed American attitudes about sex in good and bad ways and my family was caught in the crossfire. But, in all honestly, I am no worse off for it and today I lead a pretty normal life. This memoir doesn’t have the sad ending as I think most people would expect. My family is as happily dysfunctional as any other.
Why do I write what I do?
I write because it’s the easiest way for me to express myself since I am a quiet and reserved person. Also when there is an issue or a story I want to share, and it’s just too good to keep to myself, blogging, and of course deciding to write a book, was just a natural progression for me. Also writing forces me to think through topics and issues. It pushes me to research to better formulate my opinions. I am fascinated by true stories in particular and I’ve never written creative or fiction stories. I don’t think I ever will, but never say never.
How does your writing process work?
I am best first thing in the morning, before the world clutters my brain. I just sit down and write the messiest first draft ever, just to get my ideas down. Then I might put the writing aside for a couple of hours, or a day, depending on my deadline, and then I start the editing process. I also like to seek a second opinion on pieces I write. When you’re very close to your writing sometimes you just get sick of looking at it. An additional viewpoint is helpful. Also it’s hard to be objective when you fall in love with certain sentences. It doesn’t matter how poignant or pretty a phrase is, sometimes you just have to cut it. My husband and my writing group is who I usually hit up for help. They provide great feedback.
Well, that’s all from me, remember the week of June 9, you’ll read writing process posts from the following writers.
Kelly Hand is the author of the novel Au Pair Report, which offers a unique perspective on contemporary debates about women and the competing demands of career and family. This book was inspired by her work as a counselor for au pairs and host families in Washington, DC for six years. Kelly also blogs about reading, writing, and parenting. She has a PhD in English literature and has worked for various educational organizations.
Molly Mahoney Matthews is an entrepreneur, business owner, teacher, and speaker. Her passion is connecting education to employment. She conducts career workshops for new graduates, retirees seeking encore careers, the long-term unemployed or anyone who has ever had a bad day at work and wants to type in “Help” to the search engine. Molly is president and CEO of Job-IQ.com, a workforce training company, and author of Unsinkable: Find a Job, Create a Career, Build a Business.
Stacy Juba loves to write stories about Characters at a Crossroads: individuals who are finding themselves and getting on the right life path after overcoming obstacles. Stacy has written about reality TV contestants targeted by a killer, an obit writer investigating a cold case, teen psychics who control minds, twin high school hockey stars battling on the ice, and teddy bears learning to raise the U.S. flag, and she is finishing up a romantic comedy about a theme park Cinderella. She has made numerous bestseller lists including GalleyCat’s Barnes & Noble Bestsellers and GalleyCat’s Mystery and Thriller Bestsellers.