Confessions of a Writer Tag

I was tagged by fellow author, J. L. Gribble, to complete a 20-question survey designed to get to know authors in the blog-o-sphere. For the original post on the tag and the participation guidelines, go here.

Was being a writer something you always aspired to be?

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was in third grade and my game plan has never wavered. As long as it’s fun, I’ll keep doing it. I have no intention of stopping.

What genre do you write?

Horror. Dark Fantasy. Erotica.

Can you tell us a little about your current work in progress? When did you start working on this project?

My current WIP is The Color White, which is the novelization of my poetry collection Hysteria: A Collection of Madness. It goes throughout the poems and tells the story of Samantha Irving and how she became my muse of madness.

What was your first piece that you can remember writing? What was it about?

I wrote a story about a little girl whose mother was tortured and raped by a traveling vampire clan. I wrote this when I was in middle school and my teacher turned me into the guidance counselor to make sure “I was okay.”

I hope they read Hysteria to see that I grew up to be a very sane, and calm-natured adult.

What’s the best part about writing?

Writing.

What’s the worst part about writing?

Writing.

What’s the name of your favorite character and why?

Hysteria. She was the first character to speak to me, and even if it was in absolute madness, she’ll always be my number one girl…and not just because she locked me up in an abandoned asylum for a night.

How much time a day/week do you get to write? When is the best time for you to write (morning or night)?

I write at night—always have, probably always will. I also don’t hold myself to a strict schedule, because when it feels too strict, I get anxiety over it and then my words don’t work. I try to write something, even if it’s only a 100 words, every day though.

Did you go to college for writing? Or if you haven’t been to college yet, do you plan to?

Yes, I got my BA from Seton Hill University (SHU) in English Literature and Art History. I then went straight to graduate school at SHU and obtained my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction, where I studied with a concentration in Horror and Dark Fantasy.

What bothers you more: spelling errors, punctuation errors, or grammar errors?

They all pretty much make me want to rip my skin off, but if someone uses exclamation points like they are periods, it makes me want to punch a hole through my wall.

What is the best writing advice that anyone has given you?

“People are assholes. Do what you want.”

What advice would you give to another writer?

Don’t stop. Even when it seems like it’s all bullshit, don’t stop.

What are your favorite writing sites or blogs that you turn to for help, tips or encouragement?

I don’t follow any sites religiously, but I enjoy the hell out of Chuck Wendig’s blog.

Besides writing, what else do you enjoy doing? What are your hobbies?

I like to travel, cook, and read.

And drink wine.

I really like to drink wine.

What is the best book you’ve read this year?

This is a tough one. I’ve recently read We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson and that book rocked my gothic little soul, so I’d have to go with that.

The Martian by Andy Weir and You by Caroline Kepnes are definite runner-ups, though.

What is the best movie you’ve seen this year?

I really enjoyed SPRING, directed by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead.

What is your favorite book or series of all time?

Misery by Stephen King…you dirty birdie.

Who is your favorite author?

Classic: Edgar Allan Poe

Contemporary: Jack Ketchum. He’s unapologetic with his writing and he grabs me by the heart in a way that no one else does, although Clive Barker is a very, very close second.

What are your plans for the rest of the year in terms of your writing?

I’m working on a novelization of my poetry collection Hysteria: A Collection of Madness, titled The Color White. I’m also working on finishing up two poetry collections, Default Black and In This Prison of Cumulus.

Where else can we find you online?

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.wytovich
• Twitter: @JustAfterSunset
• Instagram: SWytovich
• Blog: http://stephaniewytovich.blogspot.com/
• My publishers, Raw Dog Screaming Press and Dark Regions Press