Author Sherry Gammon : Author Donna Weaver

Day Three: Donna Weaver

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? I’m a Navy brat who joined the Army. Didn’t start karate until I was 50, but I’m a finisher—got my black belt. Guess it makes sense that I didn’t start writing until I was a grandmother.

2. What do you do when you are not writing? Hubby and I are gamers. We love Star Craft and League of Legends, especially when our sons are online, and we can all play together. That’s my perfect idea of how to party on New Year’s Eve. J

3. What is your favorite smell? Carnations

4. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book? I used to try to write short stories when I was in college but gave it up because I couldn’t seem to write anything longer. When I started writing in 2010, my first test was to see if I finally do better. Wrote 80,000 words in 30 days.

5. If you had 24 hours to live, excluding spending time with your family, what would you do? Is there anything besides spending time with my family at a time like that? It’s not long enough to go somewhere. Now give me six months, and I could provide a list.

6. Do you ever experience writer’s block? I suppose. It’s usually best then for me to read books, watch movies, or just do something no writing related.

7. Do you work with an outline, or just write? My first draft (usually done in a NaNo-type experience) is my outline. Though I am, at this moment, learning to get some outlining in advance.

8. What is your favorite kind of cheese? I like milder cheeses, and I think Munster is my fave.

9. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you growing up or as an adult? Anne McCaffrey

10. Would I find anything growing in your refrigerator right now? Maybe, but it would be stuff my hubby forgot was in there.

11. How would you describe yourself in three words? Persistent, Creative, Nice

12. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination? My books are definitely a part of me, but they’re more inspired than based upon. Like in Torn Canvas, something happened to the main character Jori when he was fifteen that impacted (ruined) his life for years. I know someone who had something like that happen to. But that even (and the questions it made me ask) is the only thing the two men have in common.

13. Who is your favorite author? Since most of you will probably say me ;) please tell me then, who is your second favorite author? Brandon Sanderson, if I have to make a choice.

14. What was your favorite part of writing and why? I love the process of writing new words and getting things out of my head and onto paper where I can then edit and expand on them. I love watching them take form.

15. Chocolate or Brussels sprouts? Duh. Chocolate. Dark.

16. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? I have learned to look forward to critiques because I’ve learned so much there. I try to stay away from reviews.

17. What has been the best compliment given to you as an author? That my story made a reader cry.

18. What is your least favorite smell? Dirty diapers

19. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers? Keep growing. Your writing will mature the more you write and study about writing. Be open to suggestions but don’t let others be your voice.

20. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers? I appreciate them coming on this amazing journey with me.