Q&A with featured writer Alisha Sevigny
Alisha shares insights into her writing and editing process
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If you read the second issue of Doing the Write Thing, you may recall that after In Your Dreams received multiple rejections, I decided to reach out to someone I trust so I asked Alisha Sevigny for feedback. In an encouraging, understanding tone, Alisha provided me with line edits as well as feedback on the book as a whole.
In addition to being an editor and former literary agent, Alisha is a writer as well. After she wrote two YA novels that I really enjoy reading, she became the award-nominated author of the SECRETS OF THE SANDS adventure series and she recently published a new baby board book called GIVE ME A SNICKLE! Alisha is currently a freelance editor and publishing consultant.
I am so excited to share with you this interview with Alisha, who is such a kind editor and such a talented writer!
Marisa: You're a parent and a writer, plus you work and engage in different hobbies. How do you approach creating time for writing, and when do you do most of your writing?
Alisha: I try to write whenever and wherever I can squeeze it. I write less than I want to, always, but I do find I work best in the early mornings before the events of the day drain all my creative energy.
Marisa: According to your website, you studied film and professional writing, worked as a literary agent, published several books, and also offer literary consulting services/edit books. When did you first realize you wanted to write stories?
Alisha: I've always loved writing and reading, since I was a kid. I would devour books by the truckload and write poems as well. My grandfather was a vibrant storyteller and I think I got a bit of that from him.
Marisa: Setting seems to be such a key part of your stories. Can you share with us some of your experiences with visiting places that helped inspire the descriptions for the settings in your stories?
Alisha: Setting is very key for me. I like to completely immerse my reader in different places and times. I find exploring and researching wherever you are writing about is great if you can swing it. My first book, Kissing Frogs, is set in Panama and was inspired by all the things I saw and did there. Summer Constellations was inspired by my childhood summers camping and though COVID waylaid my plans to travel to Egypt, I did do a whole whack of research, including reading tons of academic papers (and of course, there's always the good ol' imagination to draw on).
Marisa: How do you approach writing a new story? (For example, do you outline and then write, or write right away, or you make notes in notebooks or on a device, etc.)
Alisha: I am kind of all over the place. Usually I get an idea and have a vague idea of where I want to go, but don't outline too heavily. I like to draw the three-act structure graph and plot the big points but I'm a bit of a panster.
Marisa: When you edited my story In Your Dreams, you provided big picture edits and line-level edits. First of all, thank you! Secondly, how do you approach the editing process in your stories? (For example, I reread my book scene by scene, take notes on what I feel should change, and then I make decisions before making any changes.)
Alisha: It was my pleasure! I usually rewrite my work until I'm (mostly) happy with every word. I tend to go back and review/edit the beginning a bit more but also try to keep things moving forward. I'm big on rewrites and usually have the help of a great agent or editor to bring my work to the next level.
Thank you so much for the interview and insights, Alisha!
When I wanted feedback on In Your Dreams, one of the reasons why I chose to ask Alisha is that she, too, loves the environment (a major theme in In Your Dreams). Her first YA book, Kissing Frogs, is an inviting retelling of The Frog Prince set in Panama, with an environmental theme, and her next YA book, Summer Constellations, takes place in beautiful cottage country. I loved reading and rereading both these books and I highly recommend them!
I usually read YA but when Alisha published the SECRETS OF THE SANDS series, I decided to read those books as well and I can tell you—that series is a page-turner!
I love every book of hers that I’ve read, and I recommend them all!
Next month’s Q&A is with published author Cheyanne Young. I recently read her book Before You Wake, which is a YA retelling inspired by one of my favourite movies, While You Were Sleeping. I absolutely loved reading it! I especially love how Cheyanne beautifully captures and celebrates the love that can come from a heartwarming friendship.
If you’d like to submit interview questions for consideration, please comment below or email me at marisabwrites@gmail.com by December 1, 2022.