Tagged By M. Gray. Thanks!

On to you, G.G. Vandagriff, Carla Parsons, and Norma Rudolph.

1. What's the last thing you wrote? What's the first thing you wrote that you still have?
I have been editing two books: Remnant, and The Inn. But writing writing? The last pages of Grace and Chocolate were done a few weeks ago.
I have a bunch of poetry and essays I kept from high school and college. Funny (to laugh at), heart-wrenching, dramatic stuff.

2. Write poetry?
Yes. Not as much lately. It really has to hit me and I'll write it down.

3. Angsty poetry?
"Ode To A Punker's Sister, 4/22/86 For Laurel Banner, may she survive being raised by the book." Awesome 80's angst.

4. Favorite genre of writing?
I have to say romance (real, deep, true stuff, not that other kind), though I love fantasy, suspense and some historical fiction.

5. Most annoying character you've ever created?
Cush, a two-faced Nephite traitor who wouldn't shut up and chewed with his mouth open. Ugh.

6. Best Plot you've ever created?
Hmm. So little of my stuff has been read... I love The Lake. I can't wait to get The Orchard and The Inn out so I can get to The Lake. Too soon to tell, I guess. I need more feedback.

7. Coolest Plot twist you've ever created?
Grace and Chocolate. I didn't even see it coming.

8. How often do you get writer's block?
Apparently every Thanksgiving through Christmas. Or is that just busy?

9. Write fan fiction?
I guess I have to say yes. The Orchard is a modern take on Jane Austen's Persuasion. The first half of Orchard gets us to the point where Austen's Persuasion begins, and that storyline is woven into the second half of the book. Although I really appreciated having a story like that as a guide to my first novel, I don't think I will need to do it again.

10. Do you type or write by hand?
I used to write furiously by hand, but most everything is on the computer now.

11. Do you save everything you write?
Yes. Thank heavens for jump drives.

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you've abandoned it?
I'll save edits I think are great, in case I need them for something else, tweaked to fit.

13. What's your favorite thing you've ever written?
That's hard. I love writing emotion. There was a scene in The Lake... it was 2 am and I was sobbing, just bawling, getting this written (and I'm really pretty reserved emotionally). But there are some suspenseful scenes in Remnant so different from what I'd written before, loved that, too.

14. What's everyone else's favorite story that you've written?
You mean my mom's? Ha ha. I haven't had enough read to know. We'll say The Orchard, because it will be my first publication.

15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?
Romance. Even Remnant, a post Book of Mormon speculative... couldn't stay away from it. It happens. The Lake spans 7 years of the mc's life, starting at age 15, so there was some fun teen stuff in there.

16. What's your favorite setting for your characters?
Loved the setting for Orchard and Lake.  "Currant Lake" is a fictional lake in Flathead Valley, MT based on a real one where we vacation.

17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?
Ready to get Remnant out to readers, Grace and Chocolate is being read, editing The Inn for submission.

18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?
No.

19. What are your five favorite words?
A few are wretched, caught, hush, ferocious, and squeegee.

20. What character have you created that is most like yourself?
Kirianah, in Remnant. I didn't mean to, but my husband caught it (hey, that's a favorite word) two chapters in.

21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?
Most of them come on their own, some I need help with, mostly minor characters based loosely on family members.

22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?
No, but I have woken up inspired, and The Inn explores dreams and their purposes.

23. Do you favor happy endings?
Yes. I threw The Mill On The Floss, by George Eliot, across the room when I finished it. Unless it's a series. There has to be hope.

24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
Yes. I edit as I go and it drives me crazy. I've tried not to. It's better that I just let my mental editor free, and no one gets hurt.

25. Does music help you write?
It's too distracting to the movie in my head. I listen to music at almost any other time, though, and put together soundtracks to my novels when I am near completion.

26. Quote something you've written. Whatever pops into your head.
Are we supposed to remember what we've written? Um, since I mentioned Cush earlier... The soaking, slop-eating blood-traitor who soiled himself at the sight of a bloated floater stood before him with his hands on his hips. See, the Lamanites don't like him, either.