The T-Spot Welcomes Denise Golinowski!

The T-Spot is back!!!

Grab your beverage of choice (Mimosas for me, of course!), roll up to or flip open a screen and let some talented writers talk to you about their writing process.

This week: Denise Golinowski is in the spotlight!

Denise is the author of stories of romance and fantasy. She lives in Central Virginia with her “uber-supportive husband and one less-than-interested cat.” So let me get out of the way and cede the stage, stool and microphone to Denise:

1. Have you always written stories?

I’ve been a scribbler for as long as I can remember. Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women made a huge impression on me, especially Jo March. Not only her independent personality, but her determination to become a writer, scribbling away in the attic every night. I’m an avid reader and I yearned to create my own worlds populating them with characters great and small.

2. When did you decide to write professionally?

I made the decision to write professionally in 2000. I’d set aside my aspirations to publication after a teacher’s “tough love” critique crushed my fragile ego in high school. In 2000, I looked at my scribbles and decided that if I wanted to make a go of it, it was now or never. I found two fantastic critique groups and with their guidance, I began to learn the craft of writing.

3. What made you decide to go the route you chose (eg. traditional, e-pub, indie)?

I had dreams of traditional publishing, but the reality of my writing is that it’s too short. I write novella length, roughly 40,000 words, give or take. That’s far too short for print books and far too long for magazine publications. I despaired until I heard that e-publishers accepted novella length stories and that The Wild Rose Press in particular was seeking novellas.

4. What is your writing process (hrs/day, days/wk)?

I’m a night owl by nature and I have a day job, so writing at night is my gig. I try to spend at least two hours a night on the keyboard, pretty much every night. I’ve just gotten the Scrivener program and I’m discovering the joys and freedom of writing in scenes as opposed to one long document like I did in Word. With the help of the corkboard feature, I’ve actually done some plotting for my newest piece something I have shied away from in the past.

5. How do you write (crappy first draft then revise or revise as you go)? Why?

Because I like to take full advantage of my critique groups, I end up revising as I go. The process is that I start a new project and then before submitting pages to the group, I edit/revise as much as possible. I keep writing ahead on the first draft. When they give me their feedback on the pages, I backfill small things, make notes of big things to be changed, and keep on truckin’.

6. Do you get writer’s block? If so, how do you handle it?

At first, I throw a tantrum then I drink copiously. I’m kidding! Well, maybe I do a little of the first part. When I feel blocked, I’m stubborn enough to keep beating myself against that wall for a while. Then, if it doesn’t surrender, I back off and do some reading. Something about enjoying a good book will get me back in the swing, maybe it’s that competitive thing. After enjoying a good book, after applauding the author’s work, I say to myself, “I can do that!” and off I go.

7. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

World-building. With fantasy, I create worlds to fit my characters. Even contemporary fantasy offers some wiggle room and I love seeing how much I can shove into those nooks and crannies. With more traditional fantasy, I adore being able to pick and choose the pieces and parts of different cultures, mythologies, and infrastructure. With my first enovella, The Festival of the Flowers: The Courtesan and The Scholar, I build a Renaissance/Enlightenment type culture with some feudal and Regency tidbits thrown in for good measure. Then I settled it all in a city based on Venice, but without the canals. My newest novella, Collector’s Item, is contemporary being based in New York City, but in a world where shapeshifters are living opening in society.

8. Where were you when you got “The Call?”

For The Festival of the Flowers, I was at my desk at my day job and checking my email almost hourly since submitting to The Wild Rose Press. When I got the email, I sat in my chair trying to stifle sounds unbecoming to a woman of a certain age behind my hands and bouncing up in down in my chair. When I regained some semblance of control, I began emailing everyone I knew. For Collector’s Item, I was at home at my desk and while it was my second novella sale, I made the same inappropriate sounds before rushing to tell my husband and the world. I suspect this will be a pattern for all sales.

9. If you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing you have since learned about the business of writing, what would you tell them (you)?

Don’t take that teacher’s critique so personally. Remember that though he is the “authority,” he is only offering his opinion and there is a very appropriate, but not socially acceptable saying about opinions ending with “everybody has one.” Try to pick out the salient points, integrate them into your writing, and keep going! After all, remember how you felt about his writing – it was definitely not something you’d have read, so why would you assume he’s the “end all/be all” authority about what you write. This is advice that I’ve learned to practice in all my writing – get critiques from people you respect, listen to what they say, use what makes sense, and keep writing!

Fun Topics:

10. Wine, liquor or beer? What’s your favorite of the spirit you chose?

These days it’s liquor–vodka in particular and I’ve recently been introduced to Firefly Sweet Tea vodka. This brand holds many selling points for me. #1 the brand name is one of my favorite SciFi series. #2 I’m a southern gal and I love my sweet tea

11. What author(s) are on your automatic buy list?

I’m an Urban Fantasy gal right now – Patricia Briggs, Carrie Vaughn, Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Rachel Caine, Lilith Saintcrow, Darynda Jones, Gail Carriger, Laura Anne Gilman. Is that enough? Yeah, I know Gail is actually more Gaslight, but she’s on the automatic buy list anyway.

12. What TV shows are you watching?

Oh, gracious, I’ve been trying to wean myself off TV so I’d have more time for writing, but I just can’t give up. Thank the Goddess for the DVR. I’m currently following: Castle, Bones, Revenge, Smash, Lost Girl, Once Upon A Time, Elementary, Haven. Well, I guess I’m not doing a very good job, am I?

13. Who is your celebrity crush and why?

Colin Firth – the Quinessential Mr. Darcy. I don’t know what it is about him, but he just does it for me. *sigh*

{Tracey’s Note: Interesting. Nathan Fillion-2, Colin Firth-1. Colin’s not willing to relinquish his crown as the thinking woman’s sex symbol!! LOL}

Thank you so much for the interview, Denise! You can find more info at her website: http://denisegolinowski.blogspot.com/.  You can also connect with her on Facebook at DeniseGolinowski/Author. Her latest release, Collector’s Item, from The Wild Rose Press, is available NOW!!!

What advice would you give your younger self? And what are you reading right now? Tell us what you think and make sure you check back next week to see which fabulous author is hanging out at the T-Spot.