Ask Janet: The Writer's Life

Posted by Lindsay 10 months ago

Janet is back! Last week, Janet Fitch, the author of the bestsellersWhite Oleander and Paint it Black, took your questions - and she's answered A LOT of them on the Figment blog. I think she likes you!

Find out more about Janet by browsing her profile or looking at her website.

This week, she'll be answering questions about the ins and outs of the writer's life. Wonder what it's like to be an author? Ask away! Next week she'll be taking questions about writer's block (what to do when things go wrong), and the final week about the artist's calling, or "what is art for?" If you write the question that Janet chooses to answer, you'll receive the (now legendary) Figment tote. So get your questions ready!

Ask your questions below...

Last updated 10 months ago

10 months ago Tom Stack "JellyBean" Sjöden replied:

yay
10 months ago Rowen Ponderous replied:

^_^
10 months ago thefrankie replied:

Woo, she answered my question about tacos!! *dances&*
10 months ago Joshua "LF" Mitchell replied:

She didn't answer my question. :(
10 months ago Joshua "LF" Mitchell replied:

I'll try again....
10 months ago Joshua "LF" Mitchell replied:

What do you do when your editor wants you to completely turn the story around?
10 months ago Emma A, The Next Stephen King. replied:

Let's see.... I'll ask.

Do you think it would be any better with another job, like a cook or a businessperson? Or do you think the writer's life is the best there is?

If you were offered a high-paying, beneficial job that would support you, your family, a mansion, and more, but it didn't involve writing, would you take it and give up writing for good?

Does your writing create problems within the rest of your life? Maybe stop you from doing something else you love?

Last updated 10 months ago
10 months ago Zina ♥ replied:

How much time do you spend writing in a week?
10 months ago Zina ♥ replied:

How has becoming and author changed your life?
10 months ago Rachel H. replied:

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

How long did it take you from idea to last edited line did it take you to write your first novel?
10 months ago Meredith Hilton replied:

Writing can obviously be very time-consuming, yet one cannot live on writing alone. How many and what sort of compromises have you had to make to ballance your family, friends, household, other ambitions, leisure time, etc., and your writing?
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

Do you write in your pajamas?
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

How many hours do you write?
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

Do you like to listen to music while you write?
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

Do you dream about your stories? Do your characters come from dreams?
10 months ago / replied:

If you have reached the ending of the story you're writing, but you don't know how to end it, what do you do?
What is the longest time it took you to write a book?
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

Do you ever feel bad if you kill off a character? Do you give them a funeral?

Last updated 10 months ago
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

What is your favorite word? Mine is durb.
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

Have you wrote over a million words yet?
10 months ago Zara the Shikara tara replied:

Do you think I should stop asking questions?
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Do you think that Zara is nosey? I know she is.
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Do you like star trek, if so who do you like better kirk or picard? Sorry had to slip in the nerd question.
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Do you eat peanutbutter while writting, instead of nutella?
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Do you think that taking a shower helps writer's block?
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Do you ever get so behind in housework, because you are writing, that you are afraid to have company over?
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Do you think Science fiction is better than fantasy? Should supernatural be considered a separate genre, instead of a sun-genre of the two?
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Does music help you set the mood for the story?
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

Are you jealous of any authors? (be honest please)
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

DO you think writing YA fiction is like being in high school again, but you can control it?
$Love math$
10 months ago Cassy blue replied:

How much research goes into your stories?