with author
Darlene Franklin
#1. How did you become a writer?
I’ve written more or less all my life but I began writing daily in the wake of my divorce in 1991. I began writing full-time nine years ago.
I’ve written more or less all my life but I began writing daily in the wake of my divorce in 1991. I began writing full-time nine years ago.
 | #2. How long does it usually take to finish writing a book? It normally takes me about 23-25 hours to write the rough draft of a novella (tracked in 15 min. increments). But those hours generally take place over 4-6 weeks. I live in a nursing home, my health isn’t good and my time isn’t entirely at my own discretion. The total time from writing it to sending it to the editor depends on the publisher. If I’m writing for my smaller publisher, I have to figure in time for a a professional critiquer publisher before I send it in. |
#3. Are you a 'plotter' or a 'pantser'?
I’ve become a pantser over the years. I just recently wrote a synopsis for the first time in several years. I had to think through it as if I were writing the books. “Then what would happen next . . . oh, yeah! And then . . .” and found the right place the finish the book as I went along.
Having said that,I believe that plotting is important. I didn’t begin pantsing until I had written over twenty books, and I still only do it with novellas. Because I’ve learned what makes good story. Editing takes me almost as long as writing the book.
I’ve become a pantser over the years. I just recently wrote a synopsis for the first time in several years. I had to think through it as if I were writing the books. “Then what would happen next . . . oh, yeah! And then . . .” and found the right place the finish the book as I went along.
Having said that,I believe that plotting is important. I didn’t begin pantsing until I had written over twenty books, and I still only do it with novellas. Because I’ve learned what makes good story. Editing takes me almost as long as writing the book.
#4. What does a typical writing day look like for you?
I have my quiet time first thing in the morning—otherwise, I don’t get to it, and that’s the most important part of what I do, and I have to remind myself. I have a daily writing goal that I try to accomplish by noon. I spend 15-30 min. marketing on Twitter and Facebook. I also try to write a poem a day and I always have something else going. Currently I’m working on several novella proposals in the works.
I have my quiet time first thing in the morning—otherwise, I don’t get to it, and that’s the most important part of what I do, and I have to remind myself. I have a daily writing goal that I try to accomplish by noon. I spend 15-30 min. marketing on Twitter and Facebook. I also try to write a poem a day and I always have something else going. Currently I’m working on several novella proposals in the works.
| #5. What do you do to inspire creativity? I experiment in other creative undertakings, like coloring and poeming. I hear a news story or a historical tidbit or even a TV ad that makes me think “there’s a story there.” If I think I’d like to write about it, I make note of it and store it away for future projects. For instance, a TV ad about a “cowboy counselor” led to this year’s Christmas story, The Christmas Candle Caper. In my current WIP, when I researched ghost stories from the Grand Canyon, I uncovered the perfect climax for my book. I love writing historical! There is so much to draw from! |  |
#6. What would be one thing you readers knew about authors or the writing life?
How eager people are for you to tell their story! So many people have led unusual lives that deserve an audience. But it’s not my story to write (unless you’re willing to pay me to help ghost write it, LOL). It’s yours. Pen in hand (fingers on keyboard?). Start.
How eager people are for you to tell their story! So many people have led unusual lives that deserve an audience. But it’s not my story to write (unless you’re willing to pay me to help ghost write it, LOL). It’s yours. Pen in hand (fingers on keyboard?). Start.
#7. Tell us something funny, sad, embarrassing, whatever, that has happened in your life as writer.
I wrote my first three books writing back and forth to work on the city bus. Longhand by day, type it at night
I wrote my first three books writing back and forth to work on the city bus. Longhand by day, type it at night
 | #8. How do you choose your characters names? I’ve used a variety of ways over the years. I quickly found that using the first ones that popped into my head led to repetitive character names in different books. I write a lot of historical, so adds another layer. I have used a lot of names from “favorite female names for babies in the 1850s,” for instance, or chosen the name of the First Lady at the time. Most recently I’ve been borrowing names from my ancestors! In my current WIP, I named the heroine Frieda (adapted from my grandmother Winifred’s name) Ritchie Dearing. Ritchie was the maiden name of my other grandmother,and Dearing was her married name. The hero is named Anders, adapted from my grandmother’s maiden name (Anderson). |
Bonus. Share with us a thought, Bible verse, whatever is on your mind/heart.
Big thing God is teaching me these past few months: I don’t have to be perfect for God to use me. People say they see God’s light in me. I hear my complaining, (and so do the people here), but what comes through is God’s Spirit in me. That gives me freedom to go for it, to continue working for the Lord, even when I’m not feeling my best (and therefore I assume my work suffers.) God works it out.
Big thing God is teaching me these past few months: I don’t have to be perfect for God to use me. People say they see God’s light in me. I hear my complaining, (and so do the people here), but what comes through is God’s Spirit in me. That gives me freedom to go for it, to continue working for the Lord, even when I’m not feeling my best (and therefore I assume my work suffers.) God works it out.
-Darlene Franklin-
 |  |  |  |
Giveaway Opportunity
I’m very excited about my new website at https://www.darlenefranklinauthor.com.
Stop by, learn more about me and my “wide world of writing,” including a
complete listing of my books and my latestwriting venture, Poetry Just for You.
Stop by, learn more about me and my “wide world of writing,” including a
complete listing of my books and my latestwriting venture, Poetry Just for You.
Check out the daily prizes and grand prizes being offered as part of the month long celebration. Comments left here will be eligible for two daily prizes
and will also be entered in the grand prize drawings.
(comment on my blog for additional entries).
and will also be entered in the grand prize drawings.
(comment on my blog for additional entries).