Why did you start fiction writing
and what genre(s) do you like to write?
I started writing fiction in high
school, encouraged by an English teacher I had for my junior and senior years.
I have to admit his first assignment was daunting at first. He wanted 500 words
on an odor. I'm thinking, Yikes! How could I possibly use up 500 words talking
about something I could smell. I ended up writing about the scent of sheets
dried outside on the line and got an A+. I've been writing both fiction and
non-fiction ever since. My first published work was non-fiction: essays about
my Peace Corps experiences. Now available on my website.
I've since written and published historical romance, contemporary romance,
women's fiction and mainstream.
Why do you write the genres you do? What
attracts you to them?
Generally speaking, what is the
driving force behind your characters? Have any of your characters changed in
dramatic way from what you imagined at the start during the writing process?
Most of my stories have been
character driven, as opposed to carefully plotted. I create rich and detailed
backstories for all my main characters, then set them into the midst of the
inciting incident and let them take it from there. I am often surprised by the
choices they make or the things they say, but in reflecting they are usually
true to the character I've created.
What do you find the most difficult
in finishing a story and approximately how long does it take for you to write a
story?
My Romances took between 30 and 60
days to write the rough draft - mainly because the entire story is the conflict
between the hero and the heroine, with little distraction. But THE CANDIDATE took a lot longer. There
were five point of view characters and a lot of story arcs to keep in mind. My
most recent book, WORRY STONE, which
is nominally romance, could also be mainstream, took me about 3 months to
complete the rough draft. I am noticing that the mystery is taking longer than
any other book, because so many threads have to be woven in as you write to
make the mystery and the solution believable. Then again, it's the first book
I've actually plotted out ahead of writing it.
Are there other types of writing you
do such as non-fiction, or short fiction?
I've written a number of short
stories, some of which are in anthologies and many are available for free on mywebsite. Two are free
on Amazon. And as mentioned before, the essays about my Peace Corps experiences
2002-2004.
Has your writing affected you in any
way and what would you recommend to someone wanting to start writing fiction?
I am now retired from my 9-5 working
life and my writing gives my days focus. Besides I truly enjoy the process of
creating characters, researching the background and the writing process. Until
I can't type any more, I expect I'll be at it until the end. For anyone wanting
to write fiction, my advice is to just start writing, join a writers chapter
somewhere. If it's romance, you're writing, find the closest RWA chapter.
Mainstream and general fiction and non-fiction groups are out there. I live in
Florida and Florida Writers Association is a marvelous group with chapters all
over the state supporting writers of everything from poetry, journalism and
non-fiction, to all genres of fiction. There is Sisters in Crime for mystery
writers as well as other genre specific writers’ groups. And the best thing is
to find other writers, both published and not that you can meet with for
brainstorming and critique.
You can keep up with Skye at:
Skye Taylor on Good Reads
Skye Taylor on Facebook
3 comments:
I enjoyed your interview, Skye. I can see you writing your books all involved with research. A true author. I loved reading your book "THE CANDIDATE" and I plan to head over to Amazon and get more of your books to read. :)
Good interview, Skye. I agree with you when you say you'll write until the end. I often say I'll probably be that old lady in the rest home typing away, and thinking I'm writing the great American novel. But it will probably be gibberish. Keep it up.
Great interview. I've read some of her books. They've all been very well written and interesting.
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