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Guest Post & Giveaway with Pam Jenoff, author of Almost Home
March 5th, 2010
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!
The book looks an interesting read. Please count me in.
I follow
mystica123athotmaildotcom
Looks like a great read! I'd love to be able to check it out.
I'm a follower.
baileythebookworm at gmail dot com
Sounds like a winner. Please include me.
I follow
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
I'd love to have this.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
I'm a follower.
fourkidsrgreat(at)gmail.com
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
Great guest post! I'd never really thought about getting to know myself as a writer. Please enter me. milou2ster(at)gmail.com
Please enter me gcarroll at rochester dot rr dot com
Great review Dar…I would love to win this!
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
I'm also a follower.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
Please count me. Thanks for the giveaway.
+2 I am a follower.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
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
Looks so good! Thank you for the giveaway.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
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
Your book is on my wish list so it would be wonderful to win it!
Blog follower.
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
Thank you.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
I follow publicly.
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
tweet; http://twitter.com/fredalicious/status/10033737386
freda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
Great information for anybody who needs to produce creative work.
+1 I am a follower
jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com
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
I would love to win this book!
I am also a follower via google
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290@comcast.net
Please enter me!
I am a follower.
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/squiggles87/status/10047399447
xxsquigglesxx(At)gmail(Dot)Com
I'm a follower, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com
I would love to read this!!
billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
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!!
Sounds like a good read. Please count me in.
gaby317nyc at gmail.com
I follow.
gaby317nyc at gmail.com
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*
This looks like a great read. vivaglampink@yahoo.ca
I'd like to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.
I'm a follower.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
Great post, Darlene. And the book sounds interesting!
I'd love to read this.
I follow.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Would love this book!
would love a copy
copperllama at yahoo dot com
1 follower
copperllama at yahoo dot com
2 follower
copperllama at yahoo dot com
1 tweet
http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/10085305700
copperllama at yahoo dot com
2 tweet
http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/10085305700
copperllama at yahoo dot com
3 tweet
http://twitter.com/Copperllama/status/10085305700
copperllama at yahoo dot com
Great Post!
And I'm a follower thanks.
unforgetable_dreamer_always(at)hotmail.com
I have heard good things about this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I am also a follower
sleepingbette[at]yahoo[dot]com
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.
Count me in please!
melacan at hotmail odt com
I'm a follower
melacan at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the chance! I'm a follower.
sliugarcia@gmail.com
great review and interview!
please count me in – leenbeen2001 (at) yahoo(dot) com
I am a follower
I blogged about your contest here.
joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com
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.
This book sounds terrific!!! Count me in!!!
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
I'm a follower on google friend connect and google reader
mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net
I would love to read this book. Please enter me. Thanks.
mmmtnbike09@yahoo.com
Throwing my name in
jennygirl73(AT)gmail(DOT)com
and I follow, of course
Count me in
RJB
loki304[at]tds[dot]net
+1 I'd love to enter this giveaway. E-mail is wakeupangel at gmail dot com
+2 I'm already a follower.
+3 Tweeted here- http://twitter.com/baniclips/status/10191961518
I'd love to enter! Thanks!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I'd love to enter! Thanks!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/aikchien/status/10216224503
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Please enter me!
Thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
I follow on google reader
dcf_beth at verizon dot net
This sounds great, I would lvoe to read it!
misusedinnocence@aol.com
I follow.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
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
This one looks interesting. Hmmm….. Count me in.
This looks interesting!! Thanks for the chance to win!! I follow!!
areallibrarian[at]gmail[dot]com
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?!
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
Please enter me in the giveaway.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
I am a follower.
I would love to win, read, and then donate this book to my book club book sale. Thanks.
bentzen.linda1943@gmail.com
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/IAmMidnight/status/10345597293
My email:
ihappydance(at)gmail(.dot)com
This sounds like a great read. Count me in, Dar.
florida982002[at]yahoo.com
I'm a follower
florida982002[at]yahoo.com
Please enter me! vvperesk@gmail.com
I follow entry #1 vvperesk@gmail.com
I follow entry #2 vvperesk@gmail.com
Please enter me.
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com
I follow #1
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com
I follow #2
allygotts567 at hotmail dot com
this book sounds so good-please sign me up
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
This sounds like a good book.
Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net
I am a follower on google friends connect.
Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net
http://twitter.com/HtxAstrosFan/status/10827596433
tweet
Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net
Count me in.
dsandyboy@gmail.com
I follow you.
dsandyboy@gmail.com
Please enter me. walkerd@primus.ca
I follow you. walkerd@primus.ca
Sounds interesting. Please include me.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I would love to read this one. Thanks!
This sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Please enter me. Thanks!
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com
I follow through google friend connect.
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com
I read your review & would love to read this book. Please count me in!
Thanks ~ megalon22 at yahoo dot com
GFC follower
megalon22 at yahoo dot com
This book looks great! Please include me.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Follow
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/11122936986
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/11122936986
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
Tweet! Tweet!
http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/11122936986
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#3