To plot or panster? Whether it is nobler in the mind to self-edit or not? -Allison Bruning

All writers have their own writing process; whether we make big charts and long sheets before we start write, or whether upon the birth of an idea we just sit and tap away at the keys letting the story carry us wherever it wants; we all write in our own way with our own process. Some of us call ourselves plotters; some of us, the ones who write by the seat of their pants, call ourselves pansters, and some of are a hybrid of the two types.
Today our guest Allison Bruning tells us which one she is and gives us a peek into her writing process.

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To plot or panster? Whether it is nobler in the mind to self-edit or not? Those are the questions running in my mind?

               Alright so I took some liberties with William Shakespeare. This week on the Tasha Turner Virtual Blog Tour we were asked to write about our writing process. With so many characters in my head fighting for my attention it can be hard at times to organize my own writing process. I have to admit. I am a pantser. If there were a group called Panster Anonymous I would be their leader. Can you see it now, “Hello, my name is Allison Bruning. I drive writing professors nuts. I am a writer who flies by the seat of her pants then sits down to organize her characters, plots and what ever else needs structure. I am a pantser.” Yeah that’s me. I’m well known to write three copies of the same novel then merge them together into one storyline. I’m also known to start a story, research while writing it then incorporate the research into the storyline. I’ll edit chapter by chapter as I go, inserting information here and there. With Calico, I really didn’t have the interesting details about Hunting Bear until around my third draft. He just wasn’t speaking to me about his motivations until the story was almost completed. I knew he wanted to hurt Calico and I knew it was somehow connected to Alexander but that didn’t come to my story until much later. I had to discover the character of the Demon Bride before Hunting Bear told me why he wanted to hurt Calico. Once the Demon Bride storyline was open up to me, I went back into my story and added the missing chapters and details that were not only vital but missing from my storyline.

After I have finished writing my first draft it’s time for me to edit. I will be the first to tell you I suck at editing my own work. Actually, I’m not the only author that can say this too. You will find most authors have a hard time doing this. We are just too close to our work. So what is the answer to this dilemma? I used to use my husband. I would write the storyline then read it out to him. But now that he is going school for two BA’s that is hard for him to do. He works fulltime and goes to school fulltime.

              Enter the beta readers! What is a beta reader? I was asking that question a few months ago when my publisher introduced me to the concept. A beta reader is someone who reads the first draft of an author’s work looking to see if the story flows and if there are mistakes with characterization, grammar, etc. These people are a godsend, let me tell you! They can find the mistakes and offer suggestions that I would have never been able to see for myself. After I receive the suggestions back from the beta reader, I incorporate them into my story. I go chapter by chapter afterwards making certain everything runs smoothly, listening to my characters to tell if the story is complete or not. I can’t explain it but you will just know when it is ready to be submitted. Then I send my masterpiece to my social media coach, another godsend for any author to have in her backpocket, and together we tighten everything up for submission to a publishing house.

Most people think writers just sit and write all day. As you can see, writing is work. As I say over and over again, it takes a team of creative and dedicated people to publish a book. Thank heavens there are beta readers and social media coaches out there to help the ever wandering voices in my head. 

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• About the Author

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  The Executive Director of the Kentucky Young Writers Connection, a non-profit agency of writers who promote young authors throughout the state of Kentucky. Allison originally hails from Marion, Ohio. Her father, Roland Irving Bruning, was the son of German immigrants who came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Her mother's family had been in the United States since the 17th century. Allison is a member of the Peter Foree Chapter of the  Daughters of American Revolution. Her linage traces to Private Reuben Messenger of Connecticut. Her educational background includes a BA in Theater Arts with a minor in Anthropology and a Texas Elementary Teaching certificate. Both acquired at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Allison received National Honor Society memberships in both Theater Arts and Communication. Allison was also honored her sophomore year with admission into the All American Scholars register. She holds graduate hours in Cultural Anthropology and Education. In 2007 she was named Who's Who Among America's Educators. She is also the recipient of the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards.

  
   

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  Allison lives with her husband in Kentucky.  Calico is book one from the series, Children of the Shawnee. It is available at http://amzn.to/JSNRpm. She is currently working on the sequel, Rose.  She is also working on another series, The Secret Heritage, which traces the life of her great great grandmother at the turn of the 20th century in Ohio. Allison's interest includes Ohio Valley history, anthropology, travel, culture, history, camping, hiking, backpacking, spending time with her family and genealogy. Her genres include historical fiction, paranormal, romance, and suspense.

  
  You can reach her at:

  Facebook: http://on.fb.me/xxJ249

  Facebook Fan Page http://on.fb.me/plvkxJ

  Twitter: @emeraldkell

  
  Blog: http://bit.ly/whteQI

  
  Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5164664.Allison_Bruning

Allison Bruning's favourite book and author; Mary called Magdalene by Margaret George

Wouldnt you agree that all writers and authors have been inspired at some time in their life by another author, whether their work was famous or not? Isnt there an author or a book that touched your life somehow; inspired you in some way; gave birth to a dream; helped you find your genre, or in some cases took you on journeys to places you could only dream about?

This week I welcome Allison Bruning as my guest blogger as she blogs about the author and the book that moved her.

She was a woman surrounded in mystery, intrigue, and controversy. Mary called Magdalene by Margaret George traces the life of Mary Magdalene from her childhood in the remote fishing village of Magdala to her death. Margaret George asks her readers to imagine life with Jesus through a woman’s eyes. This controversial approach seeks the reader to have an open mind while journeying through first century
Israel. Mary called Magdalene was the second book I read from Margaret George. The first novel read being the Memoirs of Cleopatra. I had fallen in love with the strong female perspective written within an accurately detailed historical setting. Once again, Margaret George did not disappoint with Mary called Magdalene. As a historical fiction author, I love strong female leads that push my readers to think about historical events through the unheard voices of that time. I admire Margaret George’s ability to do this well. It is a hard skill to master in that it often times pushes an author to write about things they may not believe.

Mary called Magdalene is a richly detailed novel that could have only been written after an intense level of research. To understand Mary, Margaret first had to understand the life and times of a woman during that period of history. Mary Magdalene is only mention briefly within the bible. The bible states Mary was cured by Jesus of seven demons, was a prostitute, was financially able to help support Jesus’ ministry and followed him even to the crucifixion. Mary was mention in the bible as one of the first women to be approached by the risen Jesus at his tomb. Recently debates have arisen to suggest Jesus and Mary had a more intimate relationship than is mentioned in the bible. Others have suggested Mary had become one of the first leaders of the church and Jesus had trusted her with sacred information more than the other apostles. Scholars have argued she was never a prostitute but was depicted as one because of her rise to authority within the church. With very little information to go on, Margaret George had to turn to outside resources for further information. George not only travelled to the holy lands several times to understand the setting, she explored this amazing woman’s life by reading Mary’s Gospel called the Gospel of Mary, which was discovered in 1896. She also explored the early church writing from the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh centuries that mentioned Mary of Magdalene and researched traditional legends. Through the combination of her sources, she was able to accurately depict the life of this first female disciple.

Author Margaret George

Margaret George’s depiction of life in Israel is very realistic. She brings tidbits of information that would not have been possible unless she had a through knowledge of the culture. The reader is confronted with Hebrew mysticism. The Israelites struggles through the very dangerous social-economical times are very apparent to the reader. Jesus’ ministry as seen through Mary’s perspective brings the reader to question what they believe they know about Jesus and his ministry, especially how he treated women. When I read the book, it not only was an interesting read but also strengthened my own faith. Mary became a leader among the women. In the story she was a mother and wife who lost not only her husband but daughter as well. She had been exiled and accused of prostitution because she chose to follow Jesus. The pains and struggles of any woman who has been abandoned not only by her family but her husband resonate in the book. She is a mother who wants to be reunited with her daughter and husband but is never given the chance to do so. Jesus comforts and ministers to her. After his death and resurrection, she travels with John and Jesus mother to become one of the leaders of the church. She is able to continue Jesus’ ministry to women and children because she understands them. The story is engaging and fast moving with plenty of interesting plot developments. The reader feels for Mary Magdalene. She is a fascinating character that the reader wants to succeed.

As an author, I look to bring the culture of my characters to the forefront of my readers’ minds. I admire Margaret George’s writings because I want my books to illuminate the unheard voices of the historical times I write about.

Allison Bruning

The Executive Director of the Kentucky Young Writers Connection, a non-profit agency of writers who promote young authors throughout the state of Kentucky. Allison originally hails from Marion, Ohio. Her father, Roland Irving Bruning, was the son of German immigrants who came to the United States at the turn of the 20th century. Her mother's family had been in the United States since the 17th century. Allison is a member of the Peter Foree Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution. Her linage traces to Private Reuben Messenger of Connecticut. Her educational background includes a BA in Theater Arts with a minor in Anthropology and a Texas Elementary Teaching certificate. Both acquired at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. Allison received National Honor Society memberships in both Theater Arts and Communication. Allison was also honored her sophomore year with admission into the All American Scholars register. She holds graduate hours in Cultural Anthropology and Education. In 2007 she was named Who's Who Among America's Educators. She is also the recipient of the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards.

Allison lives with her husband in Kentucky. Calico is book one from the series, Children of the Shawnee. It is available at http://amzn.to/JSNRpm. Allison's interest includes Ohio Valley history, anthropology, travel, culture, history, camping, hiking, backpacking, spending time with her family and genealogy. Her genre is historical fiction.

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Do you have a book or author that impacted your life or writing? Have you ever read Mary called Magalene? If so, what are your views on the book.
Want to know whose work impacted me? Check out my post at http://bruceblake.wordpress.com/2012/06/17/this-week-meet-author-anjie-harrte/