BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE // author edition

How many years have you been writing? When did you officially consider yourself a ‘writer’?

I've been writing for nearly 11 years now. I wrote my first short story at the age of six and then could never put down the pen after that. It was like something in my brain clicked and I knew I wanted to be a writer. I didn't really start calling myself a writer until I completed a short story in 10th grade and submitted it to be published. It was published in February of 2013, and although I don't feel like it's very good, it made me feel like this rocky adventure called "writing" could be achievable!

How/why did you start writing?

I started writing as a school assignment in the 1st grade. I've been home schooled all my life and as a part of my English assignments given by my mom each day I was required to write a short story on a certain topic. That really jump started my love for writing, honestly.

What’s your favorite part of writing?

I love the feelings and emotions you can evoke through words. It's hard work, definitely, but the fact that you can stir up to much emotion and love and fear and hate in a person through your words is powerful.

What’s your biggest writing struggle?

Actually starting a project is tough for me. I love planning, preparing, picking out the perfect look-a-likes, and even creating an outline, but putting the ink to the page is just so hard (ironic, huh?)! It takes such dedication and love for a story from me to begin it (which is probably why I have so many unfinished manuscripts on my laptop right now).

Do you write best at night or day?

Both! I feel like my brain works the best immediately in the morning and right before going to bed. I write every morning and night from 9:30 to 10:30, usually saving the morning hours for planning and prepping blog posts and the evening hours for working on my current manuscript.

What does your writing space look like? (Feel free to show us pictures!)

I have so many photos of my space, but here are just a few:

My space is typically pretty neat save the few loose-leaf papers I have flying around here and there. I like to keep live plants on my desk, and I love how my desk faces the window so I can always look out into our green garden (although, right now, it's pretty brown from the cold weather we have been getting).

How long does it typically take you to write a complete draft?

Hm, well, considering the fact that I haven't even completed a first draft yet, I'd say a pretty long time. I am, however, working on a Robin Hood retelling that will be completed before I graduate high school.

How many projects do you work on at once?

I try to work on one at a time, but with so many ideas floating through my head, I'm currently trying to keep my main attention on one manuscript only! I typically put a manuscript on standby while I work on another until I grow tired of it, and then repeat the same process. I am vowing to finish this one straight through, though!

Do you prefer writing happy endings, sad ones, or somewhere in between?

I think it really depends on the story. With the Divergent series, I was content with the ending (maybe because I was annoyed with Tris by the end), and that was a devastating ending. I think books need to be realistic in the sense that not everyone gets a happy ending, but I also believe books should have some measure of fiction in them in the sense that most readers pick up the book to escape their own lives for a while. I think it depends on the reader and the story.

List a few authors who’ve influenced your writing journey.

J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Francine Rivers, and Christopher Paolini. I love Tolkien and Lewis because of their eloquent way of incorporating their faith into their fantasy stories, and I love Rivers for being so blunt and honest in her writing, and I adore Paolini because he was only 15 when he wrote Eragon! 

Do you let people read your writing? Why or why not?

Eh, not really. I let them read it when it's all finished and I'm satisfied with it. I never let my parents read my short story that was published until after I finished it (don't worry, I didn't submit it for publishing and then let them read it) just because I kind of get embarrassed being put on the spotlight. My parents are my biggest encouragement, but even with them I'm afraid to make a mistake or have something cheesy or too childish or too amateur in my writing, so I always perfect it and then let them read it. I also never let friends or other family read it until my parents say "Hey, did you know Sam had her short story published?" just because it's so unnerving for me to talk about myself (honestly, I swear I'm Mr. Darcy to a T with my mannerisms and awkwardness).

What’s your ultimate writing goal or dream?

Oh, this is a big one. I'd love to say "be rich and famous and be on the best-selling list every single week and have loads of fans and a beautifully designed website", but that really isn't it. If I could just touch one person with my writing, just one person, I would be content. I want all my writing to always point to Jesus, so if I could direct one person towards God, I would feel like I used my talents well. I'm more concerned about hearing "Well done, my good and faithful servant" and using my gifts and talents to further God's Kingdom than attending huge book releases with J. K. Rowling and George R. R. Martin.

If you didn’t write, what would you want to do?

I don't even want to think about what I would do if I didn't write. I probably would be somewhere with a goat farm in Hawaii (my friend's cousin actually did that one time) or living my life as a beach bum. 

Okay, not really, but my life would be totally different. I wouldn't pick up little quirks about people, I wouldn't be able to read people as easily, nor would I be able to appreciate life as much as I do were it not for writing. With writing, I'm forced to pay attention to details and to learn as much as I can. I couldn't imagine my life without that.

Do you have a book you’d like to write one day but don’t feel you’re ready to attempt it yet?

Oh, yes. I really want to write my own fantasy series, but I don't feel like I'm skilled enough to attempt something as big as that yet. I think I'm doing pretty good just attempting a standalone novel as of now.
Which story has your heart and won’t let go?

The story of Alexander.

xo,

Sam