Writer's World Blog Tour

Hey all! I'd like to introduce you to a couple of wonderful writers I know.
 
First up is Scott Abel. He's one of my amazing critique partners.

In addition to several short stories, he's the author of the YA paranormal romance and supernatural suspense novel, Sunrise, for which he's currently seeking publication. Works in progress include a sequel to Sunrise entitled False Light, and a commercial fiction novel for adults entitled, The Promise Keeper.
Scott is a former high school football coach and collegiate athletics administrator. Law school graduate--even though he doesn't practice law, it was definitely worth it since law school is where he met his wife. He's a football fanatic, but has a passion for all things sports-related. Grew up a PK--his dad is a retired United Methodist minister. He lives in the suburbs of Austin with his wife and two daughters who enthusiastically assist him in his search for the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

You can learn more about Scott and his writing at his blog. http://abelstories.wordpress.com/
 
Fun thing about this blog is that I get to answer a few questions about my writing. I was asked to answer four questions:

1. What are you working on?
I'm currently working on book two for my recently contracted novel Children of the Blood Moon. Book one is about a dagger-wielding orphan who has to save the race of people known as the Feravolk. But there's no way she's going to help them; they killed her family.
 
2. How does your work differ from others in its genre?
This YA fantasy is set in a medieval setting, which I'm not seeing a lot of today. My characters who were born with special talents that may or may not be useful for fighting the sorceress queen they must go up against--talents like detecting storms or reading people's emotions. Book one is about a young woman who's afraid to love because the loss of loved ones made her feel helpless before. And she never wants to be helpless again. 
 
3. Why do you write what you do?
I love fantasy. All of it. I'm also writing a ghost story right now, and a superhero story, oh and a story about Phoenixes. I also love YA. I remember what it's like to escape into a story and I want teens (and adults who want to stay young, like me) to be able to escape into the stories I write.
 
4. How does your writing process work? 
I get an idea and write it down. Then I make a rough outline of the important points like the end, the turning point, and the beginning, of course. And then I get to know my characters. What are they like? What do they do? What are their hopes and dreams? What do they want most in life, and why can't they have it?

Once I know them, and I know how my story starts and ends, I start writing. My characters have a way of making choices I didn't see coming that develops the plot as the story progresses. Once that's all down on paper, I get to revise everything--add new twists and turns and take out the scenes that just weren't working--and then I edit. I find editing fun because I get to pick and choose the right words and tighten up all my sentences so the words disappear and we're left with just the reader and the story. And maybe a bowl of popcorn, or hardtack if it's medieval.

So now that you know a little bit about me and my story, it's time to introduce the next writer on this tour. The lovely Lisa Godfrees.


Former forensic scientist turned seminary student turned stay-at-home mom turned writer, Lisa Godfrees is living the dream. A native Texan, Lisa knows there are only two real seasons: summer and sprall (spring/fall). Lisa enjoys digging into the Bible to learn more about God (she calls it "theology) and is passionate about writing and reading young adult speculative fiction.
Her goal is to put a new spin on Bible stories that get people, especially youth, interested in reading the Bible.

http://lisagodfrees.com