Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Guest Post & Giveaway with Pam Jenoff, author of Almost Home

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I’m really pleased to welcome Pam Jenoff, author of the novel Almost Home, to Peeking Between the Pages today. I reviewed Almost Home yesterday and I quite enjoyed this book. It’s one of those books that managed to surprise me and I like that! (see my review). Pam has very graciously joined us today with a guest post on Knowing Yourself as A Writer so let’s sit back, relax, and enjoy…

One of the things I most frequently tell aspiring novel writers (as well as the law students to whom I teach legal writing) is that it is vitally important to know yourself as a writer. This statement often generates puzzled expressions or looks that seem to convey that I am stating the obvious. But I don’t think that’s the case. As novelists, we spend a great deal of time getting to know our characters by interviewing them. But we seldom take the time to do the same for ourselves.

Why does it matter? Because most novelists, myself included, are very busy people. I’ve got a one-year old at home, a day job teaching, my job as a writer, etc, etc. You get the idea. So I absolutely must leverage my writing time in order to get the most out of it. And the best way to do this is to understand myself as a writer, both in terms of procedural and substantive issues.

The easiest way to do this is with a self-assessment. I suggest asking oneself the following questions:

What times of day do I most like to write? This is key. You have to find your most productive work time and guard it zealously. For me, I am a morning writer; it has to happen before noon in order to get done.

What kinds of things can I do to be productive during other, non-writing time blocks? For example, I may not be at my best for writing, but I can edit or work on publicity in the afternoon or evening.

Am I a short or long burst writer? Good to know for scheduling. I like to write in shorter blocks, about 40-45 minutes at a clip, and then let myself take a break until the next hour starts. Other people take longer to get going and prefer to write for several hours at a time.

Do I prefer to write longhand or on a computer? Desktop or laptop? I like to brainstorm and problem-solve with pen and pencil, but actually write the manuscript on a computer. Laptop is best for the actual writing and desktop with a big screen for editing and restructuring. It isn’t always possible to accommodate these preferences but it is helpful for knowing when to try to put myself in a particular space.

How about noise? I can’t work with music or anything else. Quiet is a must. Sometimes if I am in an uncrowded coffee shop and trying to work, I will even as (nicely and with a good tip) for them to turn down the music.

What kinds of things help get me in the best state of mind for writing? Sleep if possible, coffee if not.

These are just examples of the types of question an author should ask him or herself. By creating an atmosphere most conducive to your work style, you can maximize your productivity.

But it doesn’t stop there. Once you’ve assessed the atmospherics, you need to think about substantive writing issues. Do you prefer to outline first, or write stream of conscious and then bring structure in later? What are your strongest writing skills (plot, etc)? What weaknesses do you need to be most conscious of and how can you improve them? For me, I know that I enjoy writing dialogue, but I need to be attuned to scenic detail and inner monologue. So I utilize a host of resources, such as checklists, books on writing, and peer feedback to make sure I am paying enough attention to those.

And this type of self-audit also works well when assessing your needs for other types of work projects as well. Armed with this information you can create goals and a timeline for completion that will put you one step closer to realizing your dreams.
__________

Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful guest post with us Pam. I wish you all the best in the future and I can’t wait to read the sequel to Almost Home to find out what happens next! Be sure to check out Pam Jenoff’s website as well!
__________

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 paperback copy of Almost Home by Pam Jenoff to share with one of my readers courtesy of the author! To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway.

This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only. The book will be sent to the winner directly from the author. I will draw for the winner on Saturday, March 27, 2010. Good luck everyone!

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Comments

  1. The book looks an interesting read. Please count me in.

    I follow

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

  2. Looks like a great read! I'd love to be able to check it out.

    I'm a follower.

    baileythebookworm at gmail dot com

  6. I loved "The Kommandant's Girl" and "The Diplomat's Wife" — so I can't wait to read this one! Please enter me in the contest — I'm a follower.

    LIS859@gmail.com

  7. Great guest post! I'd never really thought about getting to know myself as a writer. Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com

  11. Please count me. Thanks for the giveaway.

    +2 I am a follower.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

  12. I liked your review–the book looks very intriguing. Pam's comments today were very thoughtful. Please count me in!

    +2 follower

    Thanks.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  14. I tho't when I read your review that this book sounded very intriguing. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow through Google Reader.

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  17. I really enjoyed your review of this book.
    Pam's guest post was really interesting. As she said, it could be applied to other types of projects as well.
    Thanks Dar for the giveaway!

    cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  21. Great information for anybody who needs to produce creative work.

    +1 I am a follower 🙂

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  22. Thanks for the post, Pam. And the book sounds very interesting. I'd love to read it.

    I'm a follower.

    forwhlz at gmail dot com

  27. I would love to get my hands on this book! Enter me in the contest please.

    I am a follower.

    emily DOT wittenberg @ gmail.com

    THANKS!!

  30. This book looks lovely and I would love to win a copy.

    I am a follower: Both in google friend connect and with google reader.

    kimmery4(at)yahoo(dot)com

    *smiles*

  32. I'd like to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
    I'm a follower.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  44. I have heard good things about this book. Thanks for the giveaway!

    I am also a follower

    sleepingbette[at]yahoo[dot]com

  45. What a great guest post! Very informative and such good advice. Thank you to Pam and Dar for hosting the author.

    Please do not enter me in the giveaway. I already have a copy of the book.

  49. great review and interview!

    please count me in – leenbeen2001 (at) yahoo(dot) com

    I am a follower

  51. What a great author post. No need to enter me Dar…I am over booked so to speak. I just wanted to comment on the guest post. It is nice. While I am not out writing a novel, I do find that I can use a lot of her tips as a blog author! Thanks for posting.

  53. I'm a follower on google friend connect and google reader

    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

  65. This was a really interesting interview and the self assessment sounds very helpful! I would love to be entered in the giveaway, the book looks great!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  67. This looks interesting!! Thanks for the chance to win!! I follow!!

    areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com

  68. No need to enter me, since I've read and reviewed the book and have my own giveaway going. LOL

    I just wanted to say this is great advice and something I should consider, though I wonder how I can gauge what areas of writing I'm best at given that traditionally I'm a poet and not a fiction writer…and I'm trying a new genre?!

  91. This sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Please enter me. Thanks!

    lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

  93. I read your review & would love to read this book. Please count me in!

    Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com