About Elizabeth Guizzetti:
Much to my chagrin, I discovered I am not a cyborg and growing up to be an otter would be impractical, so began writing stories. I currently live in Seattle with my husband and two dogs. When not writing, I love hiking and birdwatching.
I am the author and illustrator of independent comics: Faminelands, Lure, and Out for Souls& Cookies! My debut novel, Other Systems, was a 2015 Finalist for the Canopus Award. I continue to write science fiction, horror, and fantasy. The Grove is my third novel.
What inspires you to write?
Most of my story ideas, come from news stories or conversations I hear in random places. I write character driven stories which I would like to read. I tend to have an over abundant imagination and a lot of nervous energy, writing and illustrating allows me to focus that. Also I find being creative opens my mind to other ideas that come my way.
Tell us about your writing process.
As I said above, most of my story ideas, come from news stories. Then an important plot point (or if I’m really lucky a fleshed out scene!) springs into my mind. From that I generally feel the protagonists needs and wants. Then I start building a story around that.
I am an outliner, but my outline is loose. I write a quick outline on 3 x 5 cards with such pearls of Wisdom as “Chapter 1, Scene 1: Introduce Protag.”
Then using MS Word and Dragon Dictate, I spend one day writing that scene and whatever research I need to do that including choosing a name, age, profession. The next day I go to Chapter 1, Scene 2. Since I have a background in artwork, I tend to sketch maps, floorplans so I don’t get lost. All that being said, my first drafts are quick and messy. No one sees them. No one wants to. They have huge plot holes.
My second draft my story is tightened and I add more details. Sometimes I change characters all together.
My third draft is normally pretty close to the final story in regards to structure. My fourth draft is a grammar edit and I search for my writing ticks. Then I show two beta readers to find plot holes. (Yes, they find them.)
So then in draft six, I fix the issues that have crept in. Draft 7 is looking for technical or grammar issues.
Finally ten to eighteen months later, it goes to the publisher then on to editing! (Or if I am self publishing it goes to the editor.)
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Always. I listen. I argue with them and take walks to get away from them.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write what you love. Nothing else matters. Fame/Money may or may not come. Success is fickle.
And most importantly any time you feel the creeping bitter, because so-and-so is doing better than you, go do something nice for another writer. Trust me.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I have been published and self published. Much of it had to do with the specific project and my own need to always try new things.
Other Systems and The Light Side of the Moon were both published by the small press, 48Fourteen and I loved working with them and I hope to work with them again.
The Grove and my comics were all self published. Explore all your options!
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
It is an exciting time to be a writer. Self publishing will continue to become more mainstream. Small publishers will continue to grow. And pretty soon, I think these companies will bring forth the next big hits, because they can afford to take chances.
What do you use?: Dictated and got transcribed, Professional Editor, Beta Readers
What genres do you write?: Horror, Science Fiction, Comics
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
https://bookgoodies.com/interview-with-author-elizabeth-guizzetti/ Home Page Link
Link To https://bookgoodies.com/interview-with-author-elizabeth-guizzetti/ Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
