Blog Award Tour

JeanetteOHaganWrites250Fantasy author and science-fiction fan, Jeanette O’Hagan has tagged me for the Blog Award Tour. Jeanette has lived in Australia and Africa; has practiced medicine; taught theology; accumulated a few degrees, including recently completing a Master of Arts (Writing); and is actively engaged in a caring Christian community. She is currently caring for her young children and writing her Akrad Legacy series, while co-editing the Glimpses of Light anthology, which is due for release later this year. Jeanette has had short works published, including contributing to the Tied in Pink a romance anthology supporting breast cancer research. Last month she also donned her ‘cabin coordinator’ hat and dragged me and a bunch of other writers along for a fantastic ‘CampNaNoWriMo’ ride. (Thanks Jeanette and cabin buddies!) In summary, Jeanette is basically superwoman who doesn’t need to wear a cape to prove it!

As part of the Blog Award Tour, Jeanette has asked me to answer four questions for today. She’s also tagged two other fantastic authors: Lynne Stringer (blogged 27th July) and Alison Stegert (blogging 10th August), so make sure you look up their posts. As for me, let’s get ‘touring’!

1. WHAT YOU’RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
Where do I start? Okay, I’ve just (July CampNaNoWriMo ‘just’) finished the first draft of the third book for my YA Integrate trilogy, so I’ll be working through that over the next period – and all the research and revision fun that entails. I’ve just completed final revisions for Replicate, the second book in that same trilogy. (It’s coming at the end of the year, so keep an eye out!) I’m presently undertaking revisions for the Glimpses of Light anthology (in between prepping for some upcoming writing workshops), and am also about to receive my historical fiction ms, A Devil’s Ransom, for final revisions any day now. As you can see I’m not bored. 🙂

2. HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN YOUR GENRE?
CoverIntegrateI write a complex plot, where the characters’ greatest battles are the ones they face within themselves. I feel I write from a fairly unusual combination of experiences, which can make for some fun (and at times peculiar!) story developments. Exploring the scenario of an illegal human GMO made Integrate an interesting and unique work to bring together. The outworking of this premise saw many themes emerge through Blaine’s challenges. Similar themes, including ethics, human value, identity and IP rights continue with a bit more of a crime spin in Replicate. The plot of A Devil’s Ransom also has multiple complicating threads, with a strong redemption theme. The spiritual journey of the main protagonist causes him to face the ultimate question: what kind of man will he choose to be – even if that choice brings fatal repercussions? I guess I don’t like to make things too easy for my protagonists.ADevilsRansom

3. WHY DO YOU WRITE OR CREATE WHAT YOU DO?
I love stories. Life is one big story (with an awesome Master Designer) and we are threads in that incredible fabric. There is something nearly compelling about writing out the stories that come into my head, which is essentially how I started writing novels. Many years ago I had a repetitive dream and started writing it down. It soon grew into a novel length work – and obviously I didn’t think to stop there! (Even though I found I had a lot to learn about writing.) I feel writing brings together the contrasting elements of who I am and in that union there is a purposeful voice that seeks to share those ever expanding journeys; in the right time, in the right season.

4. HOW DOES YOUR WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?
I would like to believe I am more inclined to be plotter, but I am clearly not enough of a disciplinarian to keep my characters in order. In the last two manuscripts I started them out on the story arc and they promptly decided to do their own thing! (So naughty of them.) Usually I get an idea, whether that’s in conjunction with research or even a particular experience or setting, and something usually sparks a strong visual image followed swiftly by a scenario. Soon I know where the story is headed and where it will end. I tend to research and write in turn (with frequent heavenward pleas for creativity and insight). If there are a lot of research elements, I like to get it all in my head and write, otherwise the developing story can take you too far away from the boundaries in which you must create. I know I’ve mentioned this previously, but if I get really stuck I have a very spiritual approach to this – a special prayer that goes something like this. ‘Help! I’ve got no idea what to do with this!’ LOL – though it’s true! (And I say that more often than you might expect.) After completing the first draft I go back and with each revisions add additional layers to the manuscript as I determine the finer details of the storyline. In fact, I’m just starting that process with the sequel to Replicate.

Thanks ‘Super Jeanette’ for inviting me aboard the Blog Award Tour. Now I get the delightful job of tagging the next Blog Award Tour participant. It’s my pleasure to introduce to you the remarkable Rita Stella Galieh.

RitaPicRita is an Australian with an English, Scottish and Jewish heritage. She started inventing adventure stories in her childhood with her Grandma, to entertain themselves while her mum worked. With encouragement from her mother, she spent after-school hours writing little poems in the children’s section of the Sunday papers. Not only did this provide pocket money, it also planted the seed for writing. As a student at Sydney’s National Art School, she became a committed follower of Christ, and during this time her family built up a pottery studio where she eventually worked as a ceramic artist. Upon meeting fiery young violinist, George Elias Galieh, they shared ideas and sparks flew! They became singing partners, married and attended the Emmaus Bible College in preparation to follow their desire to use their talents in evangelism for the Lord’s glory. They welcomed a son in the early years of their adventures together.

Rita aims to captivate her readers while remaining faithful to God honouring theology. This fulfils a long held desire to write stories that entertain and inspire – and her stories have all the ingredients to match these expectations for her readers. She gives one hundred percent of herself to her stories and is not afraid to enable her writing to expose raw emotions, which she sees as a pathway to healing when released the ultimate Healer. She has a passion for writing historical romance with both intrigue and adventure, and really enjoys researching the 19th century Victorian Era with all its undercurrents.

To find out more about Rita and her writing, make sure you visit her website and don’t forget to keep an eye out for her ‘Blog Award Tour’ post next week (10th August) at www.ritastellapress.com/author-blog.

10 thoughts on “Blog Award Tour

  1. I got so taken up with finding my tag partner, I almost forgot to comment! I am intrigued with the Award name in the Blog title. Do we all get an award for blogging? 🙂

    BTW, I enjoyed Integrate for a change in my reading. It’s great keeping up with other writers with similar interests. It’s also encouraging. May the Lord bless all your efforts, Adele.

    1. Rita, I did exactly the same thing! I only realised a few days ago that I’d forgotten to leave a comment on Jeanette’s post. (Will have to fix that amidst all the busyness.) An award would be nice, but maybe the award is more like a ‘reward’ in that we get to read about each author’s work-in-progress. 🙂 So pleased you enjoyed Integrate. I was reminded when browsing your author bio that I’ve had intentions of getting my hands on a copy of your work. (Saw I could purchase direct from your website, so nice and easy.) Sounds intriguing, and I do love a good historical fiction. Definitely on my TBR list. Thanks so much for letting me tag you. I had fun discovering more about your adventurous life following after the Father’s heart. Looking forward to your blog on Monday.

  2. Always fun reading these posts. Integrate is on my list. Looking forward to reading it.
    I like your spiritual approach when you get stuck. I need to follow your example more.

    1. Thanks for taking the time to drop by, Adam. And well done again on your CampNaNoWriMo success. It was a lot of fun sharing the journey with our cabin. Not sure how much of an example my approach is, but it’s always a good reminder that even when we’ve got nothing, we have an amazing Creative Director to consult. It might be simple, but so very reliable. 🙂

  3. Thanks so much Adele. It’s great to hear what you do! I love your special and spiritual approach – I confess I have a prayer like that for bad days too. So looking forward to the next book. And the next one. And the next…
    P.S. when do you sleep? eat?

    1. I’m sure there is some sort of theological discussion we could begin around those ‘deep’ prayers, but honestly, desperation can be a great (and very honest) place to start! Thanks for your encouragement. I hope there are many more books, too. But sleeping? What? LOL!

  4. Hi Adele, Thanks for allowing me to tag you 🙂 I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your current projects (looking forward to the release of Replicate) and your writing process. It sounds like you are a bit of a ‘tweener’ like me. And, after reading about all the things on the go, plus family and work – I think your the one that should be wearing the cape. Looking forward to reading Rita’s blog tour next week.

    1. LOL! Don’t know about trading super woman titles with you. I’ve seen how much you do! As for the ‘tweener’ remark, I do try very hard to keep to that story arc, I really do have quite disobedient characters. I’m blaming it on the fact they’ve been teenagers in the most recent manuscripts, but I’m beginning to suspect I may be deluding myself slightly. Interestingly enough, they’re usually right about the storyline and where it should head, though I have been caught a couple of times – once requiring axing of around 5000 words. Waaaahhhh!!! Oh well, at least I knew what wasn’t going to work. 🙂 And yes, I’m also looking forward to Rita’s blog next week. Will be great.

  5. Hi Adele – My head is spinning after hearing about everything you’re doing. Must be hard keeping all of those story balls in the air at the same time. It’s great that you’re able to deal with some important themes in an entertaining way. I think people can really be impacted as they see a protagonist struggling with real issues but overcoming. Looking forward to seeing Replicate and wondering where you’ve taken the story for the sequel-sequel. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    1. My head spins sometimes, too, Nola! Usually for other reasons though, like talking too much or getting hit in the head with a high speed netball pass – and sometimes when I look at my ‘to do’ list. 😉 Appreciate you being a part of the ‘head-spinning’ journey. Have fun whipping your novel into shape this weekend.

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