Brittany Maresh

writer

It seems to me that deadlines are one of the worst things an author can face. I’m a faithful lurker on Justine Larbalestier’s blog and she’s approaching a deadline. It’s terrifying, apparently, and rant-inducing. More so than the topic of muses, even.  A lot of other authors seem to have the same fear.  It’s kind of thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

Speaking of terrifying, I hear the second scariest thing in the world is critiques. I agree that it’s terrifying to figure out if someone enjoys reading your work, but critiques are so fun. I love seeing what people think. What can be improved. What my little issues are and how to fix them. I want to know what makes my plot thin, what makes my characters unlikable, which grammar bits I have the most issues with. I’m delighted to be critiqued and love feedback. Really. Actually, I need it. Feedback is my life. My love. My passion.

Speaking of passion, to create a trend, I’ve ventured into the land of dystopias. Actually, I ventured that way a few months ago with a short story I submitted to a contest and I’m merely revisiting. But whether it’s a fresh visit or a return trip, I am knee-deep in dystopia and enjoying it.

I admit that I am not trying to warn of the evils of our society or discuss a serious social issue. I am just trying to play with a particular character that happens to live in a dystopia and happens to have strong feelings about a serious social issue.

Some days (in fact, all days), I love being a writer, unpaid and otherwise.

-Brittany Maresh