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Fiction Corner

Alison Hawke

Interview with Kate Orman

How do you write a book with someone without killing them?

Jon and I had a lot of conflict while writing Unnatural History, and I hope we learned from it. Usually, our fights arose from misunderstandings--for instance, we thought we had agreed on how a certain concept would work, when in fact we had two totally different ideas in mind! I also lazily made Jon keep track of the plot, with the result that I often lost track of how the story fit together.

I'd suggest co-authors write everything down. Make sure you've talked through everything and see eye-to-eye on it. Don't assume you agree -- about a plot point, about a character's name, about who's going to write Chapter Four -- but really make an agreement. And stay involved--don't dump the work onto the other person!

Does it take longer to write with someone than alone?

Surprisingly, it takes longer, at least for us -- every idea, every scene has to be handled twice. Disagreements slow things down -- when it's just you, you just write what comes to you. (On the other hand, it does reduce the amount of utter nonsense you produce.)

Do you plot the whole story out in advance, or just a broad outline?

When I write a synopsis, I know the major events for each chapter, but I usually don't go into more detail than that. Jon likes to work things out to a more detailed, scene-by-scene level.

How does the story evolve as it's being written?

Sometimes the story evolves quite a bit. The Room With No Doors started out as All That Glitters Is Not God, and didn't have the Room of the title in it. Whole subplots involving wizards, ninjas, a computerised baby and a robot rock star fell out of that one!

Do people you know end up in your characters?

I'm more likely to base a character on a particular actor's performance, mentally imagining their performance in the role.

How much of your own beliefs and personality end up in your characters?

It's a hazard for me -- if I don't take care, my characters all end sounding and acting the way I might!

Computer word processor or hand-written notepad? Why?

Notepad for notes, research, doodles. Word processor for prose, because it's fast and efficient, both for the first draft and the revisions.

What one thing would you say to an aspiring writer?

Write! Write! Write!

How did you get into writing?
How did you get into writing Dr. Who?

Two questions with one answer: I'd been writing fan fiction for years when I heard that Virgin Books were accepting unsolicited submissions for the New Adventures, their line of original "Doctor Who" novels. What an opportunity! I got myself a how-to-write book which explained the process of publication, a copy of the guidelines, and started sending in novels. My third one, "The Left-Handed Hummingbird", was accepted and published in 1993.

Drabble of the Month

Thanks to all who sent in drabbles about obscurity. This month's winners are Kate Staron and William James.

The Man in the Shadows by Kate Staron I stare at the large man cloaked in shadow. I know him, but from where? The shadows jump across his face obscuring my vision. Enough of this charade! I will know who that man is. I walk to him slowly, purposefully. His greasy hair falls over his face. Still I can't see his features. I get closer, closer than I would ever dare. He looks down studying the small printed pages of paper. His head pops up. I fall back startled by his sudden candor. "Hi I'm Bob, you need your windshields cleaned, ma'am?" he says, putting down the classifieds. Obscure by William James He stood in the doorway. A cold sweat covering every inch of his exhausted frame. Not knowing which way to turn to free himself of the predicament he was in. Moving ahead meant a chaotic maelstrom without direction or known survival in a violent world . To turn back to the darkness behind him would mean surrendering to his fears, lost in obscure indecision. His mind raced to survey the inventory he carried upon himself, whether it was sufficient to protect him as he considered the carnage that loomed before him. But it was Monday, time to go to work.

The theme for November is "when?" (due October 10th), suggested by Judy Skapik, December's theme is unpredictable (due November 10th), suggested by Judy Bagshaw, and the theme for January is "in the dark" (due December 10th). If you have any ideas for drabble themes, please email me.

Before sending your entry:

1. Read the drabble submission guidelines
2. Make sure your drabble is EXACTLY one hundred words long
3. Use your spell checker
4. State which month the drabble is for

Only one entry per person per month.

Email your drabbles and themes to me at alison@4-writers.com.