Today, I'm hosting author Danika Dinsmore to talk about her new novel, Brigitta of the White Forest. Welcome Danika!
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Well, I’m a restless creative mutt, how about that? I started my writing career as a poet, earning my poetic license through education, strenuous literary event production, and miles of spoken word performances. Somewhere along the way I decided I had a good idea for a screenplay. I spent a few years at the University of Washington in a screenwriting program and thought I had found my true calling
A few years later I wrote a screenplay for a fantasy adventure that started garnering interest from producers. It dawned on me that it would make a good children’s book. I tried to convince someone to adapt it for me, but alas, she laughed and told me to write it myself. So I did. Lo and behold, I accidentally became a novelist.
2. What was your inspiration for this book? How did the story unfold for you?
It began as an attempt to write something more marketable. I had written a lot of experimental poetry and dark indie dramas . . . all of which I enjoyed with a passion, but none of which were leading to making a living as a writer. I decided that I would have to think bigger and broader and I just let that idea bounce around in my head for a while.
One day I was store-sitting for a friend. Her store was filled with magical items, tarot decks, renaissance wear, and statues of fantastic beings. I found myself surrounded by faeries and suddenly the characters of Brigitta and Himalette popped into my head. The story came shortly thereafter, fully formed, as if I had plucked it from the ether.
This didn’t make the task of writing it down any easier, but writing the screenplay first was a great help. I used it as an outline for the novel. I’ve often thought of teaching people to work this way, as screenplays are necessarily imagistic and are great for story structure.
3. What do you like best writing or revising? Any stories to share about the writing/revision process for Brigitta?
I like them both for different reasons, but what I love most is the surprise of each. The surprise of it appearing, magically, from nowhere, and the surprise of reading it later and discovering that it works! Editing is extremely satisfying, tightening the writing, solving plot issues, delving deeper.
Revision takes a long time and it’s challenging to stay patient for one more round of editing. When I finished the third draft of the novel, I thought I was pretty much done. Little did I know how much better it would be after three more drafts. I am lucky to have several talented writer friends to trade critiques back and forth. We hold no punches with each other.
4. What skills do you have that make you a better writer?
I know not to let my ego get in the way of listening to a solid critique. I know how to take feedback in stride, to really think objectively about what the person is telling me. It is vital that one doesn’t let hurt feelings distract them from becoming a better writer. I ask, “Can this feedback make the story and my writing better?”
I also know when to trust my own instincts. It’s a balancing act.
5. Tell us about any new projects you have in the works.
Other than editing the 2nd book in the White Forest series, I am developing a web series. It’s not for kids, though. This is something I struggle with a little, actually. After one becomes a children’s writer, does one then have to censor themselves Add a Comment