I Am a Wellspring of Infinite Answers

Part Three: The Sleep-Deprived and Slightly Crazed Edition

(Scroll down to see parts one and two of answers to your questions. I dare you!)

Marsha Sigman asks, If I converted to Mormonism and started drinking Dr Pepper, could I join the MoMos? Ya'll are on fire!

We have had a string of rather good luck lately, haven't we?

And while I would say that both Mormonism and Dr Pepper are wonderful things, you shouldn't have to a) join a new religion or b) get hooked on caffeinated soda to find a good writers' group. I don't think any of us have room for new critique partners, but you should look around--find people you connect with through blogging, join writing chat groups, etc. As I mentioned yesterday but am too lazy to link to, I found all of my critiquing partners online. I've no doubt you can, too!

Natalie Murphy asks, What's your favorite movie?

It changes. In high school I went on a kick where I watched Princess Bride at least once a month. I've also gone on Pride and Prejudice binges (the Keira Knightly version, as the BBC version's length required more dedication and obsession than I could muster), forced my husband to endure Penelope repeat viewings, and Hot Stuff and I were jointly obsessed with Lord of the Rings when we were engaged and first married.

So all time favorite? Don't have one. I'm just fickle like that. In spite of what that list implies, I actually prefer action, martial arts, and even comic book movies over insipid romantic comedies.

What inspires you? (Weather, music, paintings, etc...)

I love rainy, stormy days. Of course, I also live in San Diego, so that's not exactly a regular source of inspiration.

Rather than paintings, a really good movie will make me want to write. The elevator fight in Quantum of Solace inspired an entire book (with no elevator fights), good kissing in any movie makes me want to write more kissing, etc.

And music. Ah, yes, music. Every book I've written has its own Pandora station. Just listening to that specific station makes me want to get back into the world of the associated book. And then there are albums I listen to (like Snow Patrol's 100 Million Suns) that make me want to come up with a new book just to fit the theme and sound of the music.

What I like most about listening to music as I write is that it lets me disconnect from my life. I write on the couch or in the kitchen, in the middle of everything, so it provides a degree of separation.

Anne Elodea asks, Has knowing your book is going to be published made you start doodling imagined covers in margins?

Actually, no. (Although I will admit to maybe sometimes once or twice practicing my signature...but only because it was horribly ugly before. Really.) I've never had a very firm idea of what I want for my cover, which is kind of nice since authors really don't have much say anyway.

That being said, anything along the lines of the Wicked Lovely, Wings, or Twilight covers would make me deliriously happy. I love the simple, iconic images. Really though, I think HarperTeen covers are always good, so I'm not worried about it.

Ah, crap, look at the time. More after the kindergarten hustle! I'll make a mad-dash sprint for the end.