 | I feel like Dennis Macaraeg's story is the story of many indie-writers: day job by day, writer by night. Macaraeg finished his first novel at 30, and has learned so much about the writing (and editing) process along the way. I appreciated him talking about his schedule with regards to writing, and I loved the 'excuse' he came up with for missing a deadline! Thank you, Dennis, for guest posting on Blondie Marie. |
| Q: What was the most important thing you learned at school? Show up on time and don't piss off the instructor. Oh ... of course pass the course. Q: What is your favorite beverage ("adult" or otherwise) Chocolate milkshake ... sooo good but it's full of sugar. I have to burn the calories by riding my bike. Q: What is the best excuse you've come up with for missing a deadline or arriving late? |  |
I was eating a burger, with a soda cup between my legs while driving to a friend's house. A piece of tomato fell and instinctively, I tried to catch it by slamming my knees together. Guess what happened? I squashed my drink, and my pants were totally wet. I called him right away and explained what had just happened, and I was going to be late. Though my alibi didn't sound convincing, I was telling the truth.
Q: When did you write your first book? How old were you?
Around 1996, when I was 30 years old.
Q: What was a surprising thing you learned in creating your book(s)?
I didn't realize how many revisions it took before my book was finally ready for publication. When I finally finished my final draft, I sent it to my editor. When the corrections came back, I thought it was done. I jumped up an down, joyous, I was on cloud nine. I thought my project was finished. Then there was the book design, interior formatting and a myriad of other things. Gee whiz! I can go on and on with this subject.
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Q: Do you have an interesting writing quirk?
I think most writers have one. Mine is to lie flat on the floor, take deep breaths, close my eyes and think of the scenes I'm going to write. It's much easier to think ahead of what to write before siting in front of the computer. If I'm stuck and can't think of what to write next, I either read a book, watch a movie or walk around the house talking to myself on how to get to the next scene--it's strange but it works. Then my mind is suddenly overflowing with ideas. I rush back into writing.
Q: What is your writing schedule?
Since I work full time and the weekends can get hectic, sticking to a routine is the only way to do it. Since I'm not a morning person, I write at night after dinner between 8:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Yep, that's right--at least three hours during the weekdays. On weekends when I'm free, which is rare, if I get lucky, I keep writing until I get sleepy.
Q: Do you outline before you begin writing? How do you prepare for a book?
I outline but very lightly. I never outline using a spreadsheet or tables. It takes the fun out of writing. If I do an outline, I use it as a treasure map with vague descriptions where the loot is located and not like plugging in an address on a GPS that will give the exact route and time to get to my location. Ever used a GPS to get to a house you've never been to? Twenty minutes later, you're pulling into the driveway versus the direction written on a piece of crumpled napkin? Driving with the GPS guiding you turn by turn will put you to sleep while the chicken scratch directions will keep your attention on the road thus enjoy the scenery and keeps your mind active. Fiction writing is a work of art more than anything. Let me explain. Because of the unpredictability of the flow of idea and the with fluid scenes, the writing process when it's formulaic becomes predictable. It bores the readers.
Q: What's the strangest thing you've done to promote a book?
I had a booth at a street fair. I was handing out postcards with my book information to the people passing by and talking to them. Next time, I'm tempted to stand on a bridge that spans across the freeway and hold up a big banner with my book cover.
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Q: What three resources have helped you the most in your writing/publishing process?
One of the greatest problems facing new authors is self-doubt. Am I good enough Am I this? Am I that? Am I an expert in writing about this topic? There is one way to combat this issue, and that is if you like what you wrote then you have a winner in your hands. If no one likes it, then at least you do Oh, one more thing, sit down and write. Write at least 100 words a day if you are just starting. Describe the kid skateboarding on the sidewalk, the tree swaying in the wind, your old crush in high school, the way your car sounds when you're driving it ... get my drift?
