Meet Our Writers Week 12-on Tale Spinning

Tell us about yourself

I am a creative chameleon. Besides writing (and being a newly published author), I make my living as a Professional Storyteller and a Creative Drama Teaching Artist. I develop and implement Curriculum, run Professional Development programs, and a little of this and a little of that. I have two MA’s: one in Educational Theater and one in Oral Traditions.

Tell me about your blog(s), name(s), what does it mean to you? 

 I have two blogs. 

BornStoryteller ( www.bornstoryteller.wordpress.com/) is the name I chose for my website, and I felt it really fits me. Stories have always been a part of my life.

Tale Spinning (www.stuartnager.wordpress.com/) 

spun off of Bornstoryteller. I was bored and wanted a space to just mentally exercise and let loose. It became its own animal. I create, so spinning a new tale almost daily was a natural fit.

When have you started blogging?

 I started using a blog in January 2011 with BornStoryteller.  From there, Tale Spinning came a few months later. Both became “real” to me in April 2011 when I entered TWO Blogfest Challenges: The A to Z Blog Challenge and the Ultimate Blog Challenge. 56 postings in total for April between the two blogs.

What's the theme(s) of your blog(s)? What do you write most? poetry, fiction or novel, or  short stories?

 Tale Spinning allows me to write a lot of Flash Fiction/Short Stories and poetry/song lyrics. I do not write in one genre or style, and that keeps ME excited. I hope it works with my readers, in that they never really know what to expect from me. Most times I don’t know myself until I sit down to write.

Bornstoryteller is more about my creative life as a Storyteller and as a Teaching Artist. I voice my concerns and problem solving ideas about the state of Public School Education and hopefully offer a platform for people to be vocal on this. I am an advocate for Arts In Education, so I use this as my soapbox as well. Occasionally, I will also support other artists I know through interviews and plugs.

What are the inspirations of your writing?

That is really hard to pinpoint. I work from a lot of prompts (pictures; first sentences; “use so many words”; etc) that allow me the interpretation. It could just be a conversation, or really…anything. Yeah, not the best of answers. IF I love something I’ve written (the Kitsune-Mochi series) one prompt has led me to six postings and more planned. Just not on Tale Spinning: it will be a novel one day.

Does music impact your writing?

Music is part of my daily life. I do not always listen while writing, but I will have either just listened to Pandora or a CD before writing, or immediately after I finish and then while posting. I can’t imagine a day without listening to music.

You are involved with Bluebell Books Short Story Slam writing challenge? How do you feel about it so far? What are the benefits of it?

 As I’ve mentioned above, I love writing from prompts. It allows me to “not think” for a second, just feel the prompt. Then, off I go. It’s also gotten me out of my “I’m on my own” shell and read other writing. What I like is how different the interpretations are. That’s what good art should do. Take YOU someplace that fits for you.

Do you have a favorite blogging friend to share? Tell us about his/her blog link and the writing in it!

Lisa Vooght of Flash Fiction (http://lisavooght.blogspot.com/ ) is my favorite new friend, then a favorite blogging friend. She is a really accomplished writer, and nails it with brevity of words.  She’s quiet in the blog universe, but more people should be reading her. It’s not a numbers game for Li. It’s the quality of what she writes that should be explored. 

Do you have a favorite book or author?

Roger Zelazny is my all time favorite author, and can rarely ever pick ONE book of his that is a favorite.

For A favorite book, I’d have to go with Albert Camus’ “The Stranger.” It is a book that I have come back to often. In all honesty, I don’t know what it is about the book. It is stuck deep down inside, and It will remain so.

Do you have a favorite quote?

 “Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds” ~Albert Einstein

Any tips for those who started blogging and wish to become successful in it.

 Write from what you are passionate about, not about getting the most numbers. Anyone can troll for numbers. That does not mean that they are worth reading. Support others as you would like to be supported in return. Don’t be mean-spirited but DO stand by your convictions. There are many ways to voice your opinions without being a jerk (or jerkette). Set a schedule and keep to it: don’t make excuses. 

What's your writing plans in the near future?

I am writing a few things for submissions as well as my first novel. I was asked by an agent, who has been following Tale Spinning, for a novel from me. So…I’m on the road. It’d be cool to have a BOOK book in my hands, with my name on it, even if it’s just once. I’d love for that to happen.

Thanks for inviting me to interview. I truly appreciate it. Here’s to many more prompts to come.