Ask the Author: M. Weidenbenner
Answered Questions (5)
M. Weidenbenner
Hi Celia - I rarely hang out at Goodreads, so I just saw your questions today. Sorry for this late response. Thank you for your questions!
Kelly types with a mouth stick since she's a quadriplegic. Her fingers can't type, which is why I helped her. She and I communicated by voice-to-text through emails and phones. I asked her many, many questions--some of them were bizarre and unrelated to her 'story.' Those questions (like - tell me a time about a popsicle) helped bring the story out. Kelly's mother is my husband's sister--so Kelly and I are niece/aunt.
ESPN interviews happened because Kelly was dating an NBA hopeful when the accident happened. She was connected to the sport's world through him.
The positive experience - learning about Kelly's faith and finding strength through her. She's strong.
The negative experience - it was difficult to get her to open up. She didn't want to relive the trauma in her life. I hated seeing her that way and pressing her for details.
Thanks again. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Kelly types with a mouth stick since she's a quadriplegic. Her fingers can't type, which is why I helped her. She and I communicated by voice-to-text through emails and phones. I asked her many, many questions--some of them were bizarre and unrelated to her 'story.' Those questions (like - tell me a time about a popsicle) helped bring the story out. Kelly's mother is my husband's sister--so Kelly and I are niece/aunt.
ESPN interviews happened because Kelly was dating an NBA hopeful when the accident happened. She was connected to the sport's world through him.
The positive experience - learning about Kelly's faith and finding strength through her. She's strong.
The negative experience - it was difficult to get her to open up. She didn't want to relive the trauma in her life. I hated seeing her that way and pressing her for details.
Thanks again. Let me know if you have any other questions.
M. Weidenbenner
I lived in Dearborn for a while...worked at Ford Motor Company and was married in Dearborn. A long time ago. I have cousins who still live there. Great place. Nice to meet you!
M. Weidenbenner
I read, but typically I simply show up at my computer every day like it's a job. Whether I'm inspired or not, I write. It doesn't feel like a job. It's fun, and something I look forward to every day. I give myself permission to write crap and hide it from everyone until it's ready for publication.
M. Weidenbenner
Read in the genre you want to be published in. Analyze the books you love. Why do you enjoy them? What makes them page-burners? The more you read what you love the more instinctively you'll know how to write. Spend more time writing than reading. Write crap. I give you permission. It's practice. Edit later and not until the story is written. Don't publish your novel until it's developmentally and line-edited. Have fun!
M. Weidenbenner
I've written several blogs about this topic with the help of Jim Denney. I also have a power point presentation that I do at speaking engagements. Here's the link to a few helpful suggestions. http://randomwritingrants.com/2012/10...
There are ways to get around the problems. The trick is to keep writing.
There are ways to get around the problems. The trick is to keep writing.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more