Interview With Stjoan
Ali, StJoan, has been a deviant since August, 2004. In this issue of ProsePlease Q&A, this much beloved gallery director and prominent member of the literature community talks with us personally about some of her own prose. She shares with us some issues over writer’s block, editing, and some of her own personal favourites.
How long have you been writing for?
I’ve been seriously writing for about nine years, well, seriously trying to write for that long.
Have you been writing longer than you've been in the DA community?
Oh yes. In fact a few deviants here I’ve known for seven years or longer on other lit websites and zines.
What drew you to post your literature of deviantart?
A friend of mine showed me the site and I fell in love instantly. I’ve been here ever since
What genre of writing do you tend to choose when writing?
I choose fiction and often sci fi (both my novels are sci fi), but I most often produce poetry. However, I never set out to write a poem for pleasure. Ever. I hate it. Truly.
Do you edit your own work?
Yes, and if at all possible I get others to as well. I just miss so much.
What do you find is the hardest thing about editing your own work?
Commas, commas, and more commas. Oh and shifting tenses. Those are two of the main reasons I crave other’s eyes on things. I just miss them!
Do you write an entire piece before editing or do you go back and edit each paragraph as you write it?
A little of both. I have been know to sit down and read and reread and proof when I’m stuck, but quite often if I’m on a roll I want to keep that up.
What first inspired you to start writing?
Oy! You know, I remember for prose it was my Aunt Candy (see dedication in The Betrayer’s Promise)
Where and/or how do you find inspiration?
I talk to myself. No, seriously. I will just get in character and have a conversation and figure out what they would do in a given situation. From there conflicts arise as does character voice. Plus it looks funny.
Do you tend to encounter "writer's block" And if so, how do you get past it?
I get stuck sometimes but I then step back and work through it, and usually proof a little.
Who are some of your favourite authors?
Updike, Hemmingway, Kerouac, Thompson, Rand, Todd.
What about some of your favourite writers here on DA?
`GeneratingHype , `alienhead , *poprocksandcharlotte , =Chillinvillain
Do their works inspire your own writing?
I would say that they encourage me, but their styles are very different from mine
What do you find yourself learning about writing when you read others’ work?
I most often try to analyze the voice and active description in a piece as that is often what I have the most problems with.
Do you consider writing as a possible career for yourself?
I would say no, as I simply work slowly and don’t see that changing any time soon. However, I’ll never stop.
Would you like to see your works published and available for the masses in the future?
Oh, yes, indeed.
Do you have any advice or tips for other writers, especially new writers struggling to find their own ‘voice’?
Read. A lot.
Write even more.
What is the most satisfying thing about being a writer?
Having someone read and comprehend.
Do you encourage people to honestly critique what they write before others do?
Yes, you should always have a look over it before you let others
And last, if you could sum up what being a writer is like for you in one sentence, what would that sentence be?
It’s difficult.
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"Pick up a pen. Set before you, some paper. If you were to die this very instant, what would you regret? Write these thoughts down. Now read what you have written. This is what you must attend to - Now."
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conorschild: overusing commas since '73 seconds ago
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