What goes on inside the writerly mind?

Let’s sit down with our Word Weaver Writing Contest 2nd place winner, MD Walker, and find out.

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MD WALKER

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

MD: I wrote this story specifically for the contest and it’s not part of a larger work. This is the first short story that I have written.

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

Once I saw the announcement for the contest and decided I wanted to participate, I spent a week or two deciding on a plot outline. Then I started writing and it all flowed rather quickly.

Did your spouse help you? How?

Yes, he did. He listened as I talked through ideas and read it after each revision.  I edit and rewrite a lot, so that is really a lot of reading.

Where do you do your writing?

For this story, I wrote in my living room after my kids went to sleep.

Do you have a writing goal you want to achieve?

I would like to write and publish a novel. I have started novels in the past and haven’t finished them. Most recently I was working on a story and my laptop crashed. I lost over 10,000 words and was reluctant to start writing again.

What helps you the most when it comes to writing?

Reading. It is important to read to see how other authors are telling their stories. What works for them?  What works for you?

What does writing success look like?

I don’t think success can be defined by fame and fortune. We all want to write the next Great American Novel but, realistically I think that to continue writing is the definition of success for any writer, myself included.

What are you working on now?

I am working on a story about a small town where all the children go missing on the same night. How could this happen? How will they get the children back? These are the questions I hope this book will answer.

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

I saw it last year and wanted to enter but I procrastinated and before I knew it, it was too late. So, this year when I saw the announcement I knew it was something I wanted to do.

How did you hear about our contest?

I follow Dan’s blog. I enjoyed reading the entries from last year, as well as reading the writing tips that he shares.

Have you ever entered a writing contest before?

No, this is the first writing contest I have ever entered and I am so excited that my story was chosen as a finalist.

Will we see you again in the next Word Weaver Writing Contest, if there is one?

Yes. I hope to keep writing and I plan to enter as many contests as possible.

Did you know the piece you submitted was special?

No. I have been astounded at the positive response it has received. I never expected for it to do so well.

What’s next for you?

I would like to continue working on my blog and writing and hope to eventually publish a novel.

 What was Dan’s critique process like?

It was very encouraging and professional. I would highly recommend working with Dan if you need an opinion on your current work.

MD lives in Florida with her husband and two daughters. She loves Harry Potter, hot chocolate and spending time with her family. When she is not reading or writing, she is working on her blog, Plot Monster, which is dedicated to the open discussion of all things literary. Where the Black Trees Grow is her first attempt at a short story but she hopes to write more in the future.

MD Walker Links: