Me on my Writing Process and a really vague video full of excitement.

First, I want to say Heyyyy <-- a big shout out to Justine Winter, the author that tagged me in this writing blog hop. You can check out her site (and books) here. And you should. She rocks! (and not just because she writes about hottie wolves!)

Now. For my turn and this--
A convoluted intro for ya:

So, a couple of weeks ago I was approached to do this "My Writing Process – Blog Tour" thing by an author friend and I was like "yeah" and then I read the questions I was supposed to answer and I had to change it to "oh, noooo." *sad face*

Then I was asked again a few days later, and I was like, "Hmmm. Maybe. Lemme check." 
I mean, I wanted to. I really love sharing with you guys what I'm working on all the time. But there's this THING. It's a big, fat, GIANT thing, actually, and I can't talk about it just yet. 
Which is killing me!!!!!! .... but also comes down to: I wasn't sure if I could answer question 1.
So I said maybe.
Then I checked. 
SO, the answer is this: I can't tell you what I'm working on YET but I can tell you it's huge (and vague) and stellar (and mysterious) and worth waiting for (and still not happening yet). 
Does that clear it up?
Okay, I agree, it doesn't, BUT to make up for my vagueness, I made a video:

So yeah. I hope that's consolation enough. 

NOW on to the questions!


1)     What am I working on? Um. Yeah. See video above. 
2)     How does my work differ from others of its genre? well, one, I'm obviously good at being vague and excited at the same time. Okay, seriously though, my work has the common thread of hope and first love woven into ALL of my stories. and I sort of like that. I hope you do too. I'm a hopeful kind of person.
3)     Why do I write what I do? Again, I'm a hopeful kind of person. and I like kissing. a lot. and bad boys with snarky attitudes. =) 
4)     How does your writing process work? I come up with a concept and then I usually story board, where my ideas look a lot like this:

Except, maybe a little more specific. Hopefully.
And then I sit down and write a draft. In silence. 
The boyfriend jokes me/can't believe it. I don't listen to music. I don't watch TV. I write mostly while the minions are away at school or in bed. I just like the sound of the story playing in my head. It's more real that way, like a movie on my own private screen. And my characters are much easier to hear when they don't have to talk over anyone. It's just what I do. 
Silence. It's golden, yo.

Okay, so the final piece to this writer hop pie is that I'm going to tell you who is next in the tagging. So. Next Monday, you'll get a bloggy treat from the following authors who are made of awesome:

Amanda Aksel. She's basically my sister from another mister. Everyone says we look like it and I think we're starting to act like it the more time we spend together. Her new book, The Man Test, is like Sex in the City meets Bridesmaids. Too funny. Characters to love and heels to die for. You gotta check her out. Amanda's also one of my partners in crime in my new publishing company, Elephantine Publishing! #jointheherd

Desiree Williams. She's sort of like a modern-day Superwoman--but funnier. Seriously, she juggles so much between a hubs, a daughter, a job, a church family, AND writing, I am in awe of All The Things. And her first book, Heart Song, will be out end of May so check it out! Killer cover! and even BETTER story inside! (I may have gotten to read this one early, so HA!)

Fun Friday: A Supernatural This or That with Liz Long!

This week is another Fun Friday post brought to you by the amazingness that is the Society of YA Storytellers!

This week is "host a storyteller" which is most awesome because it means I got to hang with the talented and gorgeous Liz Long! Liz is cool because, among other things, she writes about a supernatural circus. 

And since we both adore the paranormal, for our topic, we decided to do a "Supernatural This or That!"

Check out Liz's answers below AND if you want to know MY answers, you'll have to read her blog here.

1. The one you choose lives. The one you don't is stuck with Elana forever: Stefan or Damon? Oh I definitely choose Damon!! 

2. You have to pick one meal for the rest of your life: Blood-sucking or face-eating? Blood-sucking. Eyeballs are probably full of empty calories. 

3. Flying or mind-reading? Flying - no one needs to hear the awful things people can think! 

4. Do you want to attack Mordor (Lord of the Rings) or take on an entire army of Death Eaters? Death Eaters, mostly because that means I'm not being chased by Orcs. 

5. You're in Wonderland and you have to choose: would you eat the cake or drink the juice? Cake, of course! 

6. Let's say you're thrown into the Hunger Games - what weapon do you go for, bow and arrow or big sword? Big sword, cause I'd probably run out of arrows before I hit a real target.

7. The Winchester brothers take you on a hunt and decide to split up - go with Dean or Sam? Dean. Always, for anything at all, Dean. (The question doesn't really matter. Dean.) 

8. Out of all the Deathly Hallows, which one would you keep: Cloak, Wand, or Stone? Cloak of Invisibility

9. The power to wield and control fire or ability to transport anywhere at your will? Transporter - Firestarters are cool and all, but I like my house in once piece. Also, think of the money you'd say not needing to buy plane tickets!

10. Witchy powers or ability to help ghosts move on to their next life?  Witchy powers for sure!

And if you want to check out Liz's circus book. Gifted, you can get it here on Amazon for just .99!

Still want more about Liz? Okay, okay. Here it is. 

My name is Liz Long and I’m a writer, photographer, dreamer, and Twitter stalker (you can also put “nerdy” in front of all those things). Whether you’re looking for a new fantasy read, need marketing and social media tips, or want some writing advice from an indie author, I promise to provide in the best way possible.

I am lucky enough to have my dream job as the Social Media & PR Strategist at LeisureMedia360, where I run the social sites (blogs, website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) for our publications: The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country, and bridebook. I also write articles for print issues, though my focus is online content. You can a more in-depth profile at my portfolio on the Career Writing page.

I also lead social media workshops such as the 2014 Roanoke Writers Conference and Roanoke Wedding Network sessions. I was an editor and writer at Bella Magazine, as well as a marketing associate at a small book publishing firm in Nashville, TN. I’ve also worked in radio as a DJ and promotions assistant.

Questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at lizclong[at]gmail[dot]com!