Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Author Interview - Ronie Kendig - Part II

Author Ronie Kendig and I continue our interview.

3. We're all interested in time management issues. How do you balance family and writing?

This is quite the challenge, but (after God) the family comes first. I homeschool my four children, and that creates its own challenges in and of itself. However, my family has been wholly supportive of my writing career, and so they know that during the day, I'm (mostly) available to them (sometimes there are glitches, but we roll with it). After dinner, I go into my office and close the door. I have a doorhanger that I put on the knob. If that's there, they know they must fend for themselves or seek their father for help. I will typically write from 7/8 pm till midnight or one AM.

4. How do you get ideas for your plots? Do you start with characters or a storyline?

Many, many places. I'd like to think of myself as a student of people. I study them, my mind racing through scenarios and wondering why they did what they did. Or movies. Recently, I watched a movie that, to me, had an enviable concept, but the writer/director completely failed it. To me that was infuriating, so it made me want to approach a similar concept but with a much more satisfying conclusion and character arc. It's that inevitable WHAT IF springboard.

Although I haven't read Ronie's book, Dead Reckoning, it's on my Wish List.

Thanks, Ronie, for hanging out with us here the last couple of weeks. We pray the Lord will bless you and your family.

14 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Thanks for the interview! I'm impressed when people can stay up until midnight. My eyes are always burning by ten.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Jess -

Ronie puts in a long day. I can't stay awake either. In fact, on New Year's Eve, I rarely bother to ring in the New Year.

Blessings,
Susan :)

patti said...

Sigh. I just can't seem to burn the midnight oil (or even the 8:00 p.m. oil.)

Way to go, Ronie!!
Patti

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Patti -

I'm not a night person either. :)

Blessings,
Susan

quietspirit said...

She does that schedule and has kids! If I am awake until midnight, I still require at least eight hours of sleep a night.

When I was in elementary school, one of my teachers told us that our best sleep came before midnight. I don't understand it but I have almost proved it to myself.

Ronie Kendig said...

I confess, it's getting harder and harder as my kids get older. But it's the only time I have, and writing in the morning is NOT possible for me. LOL

Thanks for having me, Susan! I've enjoyed it.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Quiet Spirit -

I also heard the best sleep you get is before midnight. It amazes me how people can survive on minimal sleep.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Ronie -

The pleasure was all mine.

I think we were all surprised at how you could keep such a grueling schedule. We were about to award you with a Wonder Woman hat. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Unknown said...

Great interview! The books sounds very interesting!!!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Faith Imagined -

I just got the book yesterday and can't wait to read it. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Unknown said...

I'm a student of people too, or so I like to think, and I love how Ronie uses life situations and movies to create story ideas--so much interesting fodder.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Sharon -

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

People watching can yield a lot of interesting grist for the character mill.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Karen Lange said...

Good interview. Thanks, Susan, for sharing this. I may have to add this book to my wish list too:)
Blessings,
Karen

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Karen -

I can't wait to read the book, but I'm in the middle of three others. :) Typical, huh?

Blessings,
Susan