I haven’t done one of my “Makers Must” interviews in quite awhile! I’ll break the drought with the awesome Lesley Downie. A talented writer from my hometown, she was one of my very first web design clients, and along with my talented team, we recently did a fun re-vamp of her site. Although I’m a visual artist, I am a great appreciator of a well written phase, and it is fascinating to read about how she works…I’ll bet some of what she experiences as a writer resonates with you!
1. Where are you located globally?
I live with my family in a quaint little town called Redlands in Southern California.
2. Where are you found online?
3. What is your favorite thing to make?
I love to write novels that transport me to another time and place. History has always been a favorite of mine, so when I write I get to experience the past—even if it’s just in my head.
4. When you’re making it…
a. what do you love most about it?
I love how time passes without me realizing it. It is very unlike my 9-5 day job, where I can’t wait for the day to be done. When I write, I’ll look at the clock one moment and then when I check it again, it is somehow hours later. You know you love what you’re doing when that happens. Also, as a story teller, you are never bored. Even if you aren’t physically writing, the stories are taking shape in your head. I liken the writing of a book to cooking—it’s got to “simmer” in your head a long time before it’s ready to be written.
b. is there some part you really can’t stand?
I hate it when life is too busy with responsibilities and I can’t find the time to write daily. As a writer, your craft needs tending and if you don’t work at it daily, you get rusty. Frustration comes when the time isn’t there to fulfill that deeply rooted sense of self actualization that I feel when I write.
5. Do you consider yourself process or product oriented?
I’m definitely process oriented. If I were always focused on finishing the book, it would never be the best it could be. When you think rewrites are done, there is always more that can be done to make the story better. Eventually you have to just give it up so you do have that end product (the book), but the creativity and depth of the novel would be lost if the product was one’s only reason for writing.
Lesley, thanks so much for sharing your process! It’s so neat to read about someone who needs to make, as I do. I can’t wait to read your first “chick” book! 😉
Lesley has already published a book for ‘tweens called “Chaos Cave – A Revolutionary Adventure”, you can read more about it here, she’s included the first 2 chapters to download. And if you need the whole book, there are multiple ways to buy it on her website! 🙂
One Response
That was a very interesting read – thanks!