Welcome to week twenty-nine of the #WritersQuick5 series - where we learn about writing from fellow writers.

This week brings you insights from Geralyn Hesslau Magrady, a poet, essayist and novelist. Gerayln’s first self-published book LINES, a story of Chicago historical fiction, made Geralyn the winner of the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project, an initiative sponsored by the Illinois Library Association (ILA) and Reaching Across Illinois Library Systems (RAILS). Geralyn is currently in the research and outline phase for a sequel to LINES. 

LINES and her chapbook, ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER are both currently available to purchase on Amazon. When Geralyn isn’t writing, she’s serving in one of the world’s most honorable professions… she’s a teacher! 

Let’s see what Geralyn has to say...

Question #1 - Where do you write and why do you write there?
Hands down, my writing "home" is a coffee house called the Friendly Coffee Lounge (Berwyn, IL).  It's one of three services offered by the Friendly Music Community (the other services are a live-music venue/bar next to the coffee house and a music school upstairs).  I'm proud to be one of the first coffee regulars, spending much of my summers in the back corner.  I write here because it's a place where I can exist in the role of Writer instead of Mom or Teacher.  There's a creative and welcoming vibe at Friendly, unlike sterile spaces I'd visited in the past.  Words and images "happen" here for me, as they do for the local musicians who frequently grab a guitar off the wall and start strumming a tune.  I owe a lot to this community because they support and inspire me every day.  (http://www.friendlymusic.community)

Question #2 - What is unique about writing for your particular genre?
I love Chicago.  Writing Chicago historical fiction allows me to explore the city's past and imagine what life could have been like for my main character, who, by the way, takes her name and background from my great-great grandmother. The real Livia Haas lived during the time periods in which I write, so even though the stories I pen are completely fabricated, I feel a personal connection to her with good reason. 

Question #3 - What are some of your grammar or punctuation pet peeves?
As a high school English teacher, I still use the Oxford comma. 

Question #4 - At what point in your writing process do you start to bring other people in to review your work?
​Late. No one saw my first draft of LINES— until there was a complete story.  Even then, after two or three readers, it took a couple more years and countless revisions before new eyes came in.  However, once the final draft was nearing, I went through three more rounds of readers.  I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this critique stage.  I learned a lot about my story, my style, and my writing habits. (Notice the Oxford comma.)

Question #5 - What advice would you give to a new writer about the writing process?
Be an active, as well as avid, reader. Take notes, ask questions, analyze an author's tone or a character's dialogue.  Highlight a moving passage or clever play on words. Notice detail. It's when I set time aside for reading that I find myself most productive in writing.

Thank you Geralyn for these amazing answers. And I love the advice to be an avid reader. It’s so true. Reading can not only provide great examples for great writing, but can also spark creativity and serve as built in role models for all of us -- if they can do it, so can you! 

PS… the past couple years my friends and I have been doing a mini-competition of trying to each read 52 books a year. The past two years I’ve hit my goal (or gone over). This year I’m way behind. I have to get back to it!

Please be sure to check out Geralyn’s website and books on Amazon. You can also follow her on Facebook and on Twitter. 

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If you would like to be featured as a writer in the #WritersQuick5 series, please just reach out and let me know. I’d love to promote your work as well!

For updates on #WritersQuick5 and other info from me, please follow me on Twitter or check back with this blog for all the latest.

Welcome to week twenty-eight of the #WritersQuick5 series - where we learn about writing from fellow writers.

Today I am pleased to bring you fellow Chicago Writing Association member and indie writer Sue Rovens. Sue writes suspense with slices of horror mixed in for good measure. Be sure to check out her old website, In A Corner Darkly, and her recently launched new website, SueRovens.com to learn all about her appearances, interviews, and availability to speak. All of her books -- Track 9, Badfish, and In A Corner, Darkly -- can be purchased on Amazon (or other places where books are sold) in either paperback or Kindle format. 

Let’s see what Sue has to say… 

Question #1 - Where do you write and why do you write there?
I do most of my writing in our den at our house (that's where the computer is). I do have a laptop, and on occasion I will use it, but I am more comfortable at a desktop computer.

Question #2 - What is unique about writing for your particular genre?
Many people have a preconceived notion about horror, and, to a lesser degree, suspense. It's actually a hindrance and unfortunate that more readers won't give these genres a chance. I think that as soon as someone mentions horror, Stephen King (and all that his name implies) pops into their head. Instantly, a snap judgement is made - the person either loves him or hates him - and they base their feelings on my (or someone else's) suspense/horror book.

So for me, writing in this particular genre is a bit of an uphill battle. As great as Stephen King and Jack Ketchum (just to mention a few) are, the incredible breadth of their work has set up a kind of "standard" or "expectation" when it comes to producing material in the horror genre.

Although I write suspense/horror, my writing would probably come down closer to the side of Weird/Psychological Suspense than straight up horror.

Question #3 - What are some of your grammar or punctuation pet peeves?
I can't really say that I have either grammar or punctuation peeves. However, I don't like it when writers use "he said" or "she said" after every bit of dialogue. I find that very distracting.

Question #4 - At what point in your writing process do you start to bring other people in to review your work?
​After the second complete draft. I need to finish the entire manuscript/short story before I even entertain the idea of other people eyeballing it. The second pass is when I revise passages and/or take out entire sections. I don't want anyone reading anything that's really "in process" because so much of it could change. I have to be somewhat satisfied with what's on the page before asking anyone else to like it/hate it/comment on it.

Question #5 - What advice would you give to a new writer about the writing process?
Aside from the usual - practice writing, read everything you can, go to classes and/or conferences about writing - I'm going to add a couple other pieces of advice.

1. Don't force it. Some people can write every day, but if that's not you, that's okay. Unless there is a deadline looming or you have a boss/editor/publisher who needs something immediately, don't pressure yourself to be creative. The whole idea of writing (for most folks) is to express yourself through your chosen words. Let it be a natural progression, not an obligatory penance.

2. Write about what interests you and not what you think will sell. Once again, unless you are writing as a job for a paycheck, I would suggest that new writers focus on what they enjoy. No one can predict what readers will want in 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years from now. So, if you are writing to the "current trend", by the time you actually get your book out there, the initial interest could have long passed.


Thank you Sue for these great answers! They are actually very timely too. I need to hear the “don’t force it” message. I have found that the busier I am with work and as a mom, the more the writing does seem forced - and that’s NOT when my best writing happens. Focusing on what you enjoy is part of why we keep writing! 

Please be sure to check out Sue’s website and her books! 

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If you would like to be featured as a writer in the #WritersQuick5 series, please just reach out and let me know. I’d love to promote your work as well!

For updates on #WritersQuick5 and other info from me, please follow me on Twitter or check back with this blog for all the latest.

Welcome to week twenty-seven of the #WritersQuick5 series - where we learn about writing from fellow writers.

This week it is my utter delight to bring you insights from Laura Alsum, without whom I would not be where I am today. In a rare treat, I’m going to start this intro with a pre-question… Laura, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

“I received an MFA in film/screenwriting from UCLA, so writing for film and television is my main passion, although I've also collaborated on works for the stage and am currently writing my first novel. Editing is something I'm becoming increasingly interested in, too, and I've been pleased to work as an editor for the lovely and talented Kelly Weiss (ahem). If anyone is looking for an editor, I'd love to hear from you!”

YES! Please do use Laura! She’s amazing. If you’d like to reach out to Laura or know more about her services, please use the contact form on my website for an introduction. I cannot speak highly enough about her work - thoughtful, detailed, spot on. She’s the best.

She’s also incredibly humble and did not say that she has won awards for her screenwriting and is quite accomplished in the field.  

Let’s see what Laura has to say… 

Question #1 - Where do you write and why do you write there?
My cozy office is set up so that I can write in a recliner, because if I'm not 100% comfortable, nothing gets accomplished. I've also attempted to create a sort of (what I imagine to be) 19th century gentlemen's club/world traveler's den type of atmosphere complete with old maps, terrariums, glass bottles, and chess sets. I'd like to say this decor helps my creativity in some way, and maybe it does, but mostly I just think it's fun.

Question #2 - What is unique about writing for your particular genre?
Screenwriting is a whole different monster from novel writing. You use the present tense, you can't explain what people are thinking or feeling since film is ultimately a visual medium, and because the format is exact and precise, most people use particular software programs to make the job easier.

Question #3 - What are some of your grammar or punctuation pet peeves?
There are so (so) many, but number one for me is using an apostrophe s when trying to make something plural. This problem seems to be increasing at an alarming rate -- to the point I'm concerned for our society. "Try our delicious crepe's!" "The Smith's invite you to their 50th anniversary party!" Rumor has it this bothers me so much that I've taken it upon myself to cross out misused apostrophes on store signs.

Question #4 - At what point in your writing process do you start to bring other people in to review your work?
​It depends on the project. For something larger or more complicated, I like to start right away, either in the outlining process or with the first act/first few chapters. If something central to my plot doesn't work, I want to know immediately.

Question #5 - What advice would you give to a new writer about the writing process?
Don't write in a cave. You may think you have written the most brilliant, beautiful thing ever, but for all you know, the story already exists somewhere, or you might need major help in restructuring your sentences. Conversely, if you're afraid to share your work with someone, you might never know how talented you are or how important it is to get your story out into the world.

Thank you so much for these great answers. Readers, isn’t she the best? I love the last bit… “if you're afraid to share your work with someone, you might never know how talented you are or how important it is to get your story out into the world.” She’s been my cheerleader for years… take her advice and let her be yours too! Share. Your. Work. If you think it’s interesting, someone else will too. 

Please reach out if you’d like to get in touch with Laura and you can learn more about her on my collaborators page. There you can find links to several articles about her screenwriting and some of the awards that she has won. 

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If you would like to be featured as a writer in the #WritersQuick5 series, please just reach out and let me know. I’d love to promote your work as well!

For updates on #WritersQuick5 and other info from me, please follow me on Twitter or check back with this blog for all the latest.