The winners of July’s Word Weaver Writing Contest share their thoughts on the contest, writing in general, and other stuff.

1. DAN: Did you write your story for the contest or was it part of a larger piece or something you had written before?

HEATHER: The chapter I entered into the contest is the fourth chapter of my book Ruby Slips and Poker Chips. Dottie is a schoolteacher who feels stuck in her tiny hometown of Quandry, Kansas. When she is picked to go to a conference in Las Vegas, she meets three interesting strangers along the way. Will they convince her to leave her gray life in Kansas, or will she discover that there is no place like home?

2. Tell us about your writing process. What is the journey from idea to published piece /completed story?

When I think of an idea, I start a folder on my computer for that idea. I fill it with as many details as I can in hopes that I will go back to the concept. The stories I have written are really character driven. I try to think ahead as to where my story is going, but I really like to have my characters in the driver’s seat.

“When moving a plot forward I think about what a character would do when put in a certain situation.”

– Heather Kindt

My revising process usually takes the longest because I’m a bit of a perfectionist.

3. Where do you do your writing?

I love my laptop, so I really write all over the place. I live in the mountains so taking a walk really helps clear my head when I have writer’s block. For Christmas, my husband painted the library in our house and helped me turn it into my office. When decorating the room he insisted that we purchase an antique typewriter. He said that every writer needs one in her office.

4. Do you have a writing goal you want to achieve?

Right now, I have two primary goals. I want to publish one of my books. I also want to finish my Weaver trilogy.

5. What helps you the most when it comes to writing?

The thing that helps me the most when I’m writing is having an exciting idea. When I’m excited about my writing, the ideas seem to flow.

I also get very involved in my characters’ lives. When I’m in the midst of a book it’s difficult to separate myself from the story.

– Heather Kindt

6. What does writing success look like?

To be successful is first, to finish a book. Second, I want to bring enjoyment to other people through my stories.

7. What are you working on now?

Right now, I am working on a story called The Watcher. The book is the second installment in my young adult fantasy Weaver trilogy. I’m having fun writing The Watcher because I’m playing with some new concepts that I think add a unique twist to the series.

8. There are a lot of writing contest out there. What drew you to this one?

Honest. I saw the contest on Facebook and never thought about entering a contest before. I was leaving on a family vacation to Europe and decided to give it a try. I’m glad I did!

9. Have you ever entered a writing contest before?

No.

10. Did you know the piece you submitted was special?

My husband really likes Ruby Slippers. I think he likes Dottie’s wit and the larger than life characters that mimic the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion from the Wizard of Oz. What do people look like when they don’t have a brain, a heart, or courage? It was a lot of fun hiding little nuggets in the story for Wizard of Oz fans, but Ruby Slippers is its own story. It was actually inspired by some real life people and events in my own life

11. What’s next for you?

I’m planning to self publish Ruby Slippers and then work on my Weaver trilogy.

Fans can find me under Heather Kindt on Facebook where I’ll soon be posting another chapter of my book.

Heather, congratulations again and thank you so much for sharing your insights. Gang, we’ll have more Q&A and profiles of the winners coming up, so stay tuned!