Banner designed by Twoscoopz
Where Stories Are Made is a new feature here at Book Chick City. It’s where the author takes us on a tour of their writing place, be it an office, coffee shop or park and tells us about their writing day and rituals.
My guest today is Jeanne C. Stein, author of the fab ‘Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles’…
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Hi, my name is Jeanne Stein. I write a series called the Anna Strong Vampire Chronicles. Thanks to BCC for inviting me. I love this feature. I’m as nosy as the next when it comes to the lives of my favorite authors. Especially when it comes to the process of writing—the where, when and how. It’s obviously different for everyone.
So how do I do it?
I started writing about vampires for several reasons—not the least of which is Joss Whedon and the Buffy, Angel saga. I have those characters embedded in my brain. The idea of a vampire who tries to do good may not have originated with him, but he certainly perfected the concept. I keep the entire collection close to hand and watch an episode almost everyday.
I’m an early riser, usually at my desk by 5:30 or 6:00 am, coffee mug in hand. Next to my computers, the coffee pot is probably the most important item in my writer’s tool kit. Need that caffeine to kick-start my brain.
Next, I check email, my calendar, any notes. I set a goal of 2000 words a day—whether I’m writing a book, an article, or a short story. Depending on the day, I work in a trip to the gym, run errands, take care of house stuff either before or after I reach my word count. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have nothing to think about except writing, but I don’t yet have that luxury.
Writing is the best job I’ve ever had—and the most difficult. When I get stuck, I look around at the reminders of how far I’ve come since that first book in 2006—five books published, five short stories is five anthologies, Anna Strong in foreign languages. A few awards, wonderful letters from Anna’s fans, my favorite signed comics.
It’s the culmination of a dream.
Still, there are always distractions. I call them my three “B’s”—Buffy, Birds and Bunnies. Buffy, we’ve already mentioned. The birds are at the feeder outside my window. I love watching them. The one aggravation is this:
A pesky squirrel that is trying his best to figure out how to get to that bird feeder. Anybody know a way to discourage squirrels? BTW, sorry for the fuzzy picture. The little critter wouldn’t let me get close enough to capture him in all his freeloading glory.
The bunnies, on the other hand, just sit around twitching their noses and eating grass. They are so cute!!!
But I digress, which often happens. Except in my writing. Once I’ve plotted a book’s course, it’s pretty much straight ahead. I’ve always wished I could write two or three books at a time, but I get immersed in the work in progress and carry the characters and their stories around with me no matter what I’m doing. Besides, Anna Strong has become like a sister to me. Okay, she’s a figment of my imagination, but she’s also the character with whom I spend most of my waking hours. It’s a good thing I like her.
So, that’s the story. Hope you found it interesting or at least entertaining. Stop by my blog and say hello. Look for the next installment in the Anna Strong Chronicles, Chosen, to be released August 31. And if we’re ever attending a conference together, please introduce yourself. The way I see it, readers, writers, we’re all in this together.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Legacy: Out Now
Retribution: Out Now
Chosen: Aug 2010
You can find out more about this feature HERE
20 Comments
Thanks Jeanne for your wonderful post! I must admit that I love squirrels, we have a resident couple and I just adore watching them. We also have lots of birds and butterflies, but alas no bunnies! I love early mornings too, best time of the day, so quiet – just me, the birds and the sunrise
I am also a HUGE fan of Buffy/Angel – I loved that show and wish it never had to end…
Reply
I wish I had the three B's(plus the little squirrel).
Locked to read about this, your place is very inspiring (Love Buffy!).
Reply
Mothballs in net bag should discourage squirrels. They hate the smell. I put them outside my pool cage and they stopped jumping on the screen. As soon as the mothballs disintegrated, the squirrels were back.
Reply
Wonderful post! Thanks for the invite BCC. And thank you Jeanne.
Reply
Thanks again to BCC for inviting me and for reader comments. Mothballs, huh? I just may have to try that! I'll check back in here so if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask!!
Jeanne
Reply
I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who is fascinated by Buffy and Bunnys all at the same time. I'm not like Anya who is scared by bunnies, but for some reason for about 4 months out of hte year every time I step outside I see a bunny.
Reply
Such a way to make the morning, coffee, 2k words, bunnys, birds, err squirrels??, Love it thanks to Jeanne, to take the time and share, and to Book Chick City, as always your blog ROCKS!!
RoseCBR
Reply
Jeanne,
Thanks so much for sharing! I love your three B's. I have three B's myself: Buffy, Books and Bed (because I love to sleep).
Your days sound fun and busy. I think it is great that you can seek inspiration in all that you have accomplished. It is a lot to be proud of.
And of course you are awesome for this: "The way I see it, readers, writers, we’re all in this together."
I couldn't agree more! Thanks again.
Reply
Very fun post! I love these books.
My parents went a little nuts when my dad retired and they tore out half of their backyard to put in flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. No bunnies or squirrels though. My dad now spends half the day filling bird feeders and the other half sitting under their maple tree reading. My mother then comes home and pulls out her super fancy camera to take pictures of the birds.
Reply
Great Post Jeanne!!! I LOVE your Anna Strong series! It was one of the first I read and I am dying for Chosen to come out!!!
Best,
Larissa
Reply
I'm still working through Buffy DVDs. Angel just came back from Hell. You got me hooked. but I had to take time out for the Firefly series, which I might love even more (sorry). See you in Denver in Sept.
Reply
Jeanne Stein has great taste!
Reply
Thank you so much for sharing your daily writing habits! I love peeking at how other authors work.
The rabbit is so cute (and I have to admit, so is that squirrel, even if it is a pain!). I agree that a hearty dose of caffeine is the best way to start an early morning – I don't know what I'd do without coffee.
Reply
It is nice to see so many like-minded folks here at BCC– truth be told, I put out food for the squirrels, too. I put it on the other side of the yard, but when they finish their own meal, they come snooping for more. I swear, they are insatiable!!!
Thanks for the kind words regarding the books. It means a lot.
Reply
I have one of the B's at my house all year around. Birds. We have some squirrels occasionally because we live in a wooded area but they are not out too much now because of the high heat. Jeanne it was very nice of you to give us the "tour". I like coming and finding out the "behind the scenes info" when BCC presents these particular posts and it was fun getting just a "glimpse" into "Where Your Stories Are Made"!{I too am a Buffy fan but more on Spike's fan base than Angel's…}
Caroline thanks for the invite and Jeanne thanks for the interesting look into your writing and everyday world…
jackie ^_^
Reply
Jeanne: Hey there! CHOSEN is up in the B&N shopping cart or with Cynthia at High Crimes, whichever order goes first to pre-order. Cannot wait!
You know we share our diggin' of Spike, I have the boxed set of Buffy and watch Angel on TNT every morning at 0400 when I make myself get up to work out.
For the squirrel deal, I think so long as there isn't a fence or tree for Mr Fluff to jump from, the birdfeeders should be okay. You can also put a shield cone thingee on the pole, cone down, to keep the critter from trying to climb.
Thanks for the peek into your office area, that was pretty nifty.
Reply
Thank you for letting us check out your private author world!
Reply
Bwahahaha!!! That pesky squirrel– leave the birdies alone!!
LOL!
Aloha Jeanne!=) your post is delightful! Thank you for sharing!
I have your novels TBR'd and cant wait to get to them.
Here's to continued success! Mahalo!
Reply
Bunnies!!! The tot loves bunnies. (The hubby is allergic). We have squirrels in our backyard. They eat our strawberries. But no bunnies. Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Thanks to BCC, too, for posting the new cover. And glad so many like it!!
J.
PS I'm in San Diego right now for ComicCon–I haven't seen James Marster's name on the guest list this year, though, so I guess I'll have to stalk Joss Whedon!!
Reply