Writer's Relay - A Writing Collab

Meet the Authors: EA Comiskey

Writer's Relay:
Dear EA Comiskey, we are super excited to have you participating in this unique collaboration with your fellow writers. Let's take this opportunity to know more about you, your writing journey, and your thoughts on Wattpad and the Writer's Relay event.

So, let's start with some warm up...

What prompted you to start writing on Wattpad, and what do you like most about the platform?

EA Comiskey:
I wrote my first book almost a decade ago during Nanowrimo and managed to get a contract with a small indie publisher. They suggested I join Wattpad and post my story to begin forging connections with readers and other writers. I did so and right away fell in love with the relational aspect of Wattpad. From being on the platform, I plugged into the greatest little writer's group anyone could ever ask for which has been huge in developing my craft. I've had amazing opportunities through Paid Stories, brand partnerships, and Wattpad Studios. I've been published in multiple anthologies with other Wattpad writers. I could go on forever about how it's been the best thing ever for my writing career.

WR:
Tell us one thing about your writing process that has helped you the most.

EA Comiskey:
I started out as a pantser, and I still am to some degree, but I'll sort of pants the first half and then pause and take out a notebook and plot where I want the story to go. Each chapter gets one page and, as I go I can make notes if I need to address things in other chapters. Getting organized in that way has cut my editing time drastically because I don't have to spend weeks trying to fix big-picture stuff. It's more of an edit-as-you-go process and it works well for me.

WR:
Which author has influenced your writing the most?

EA Comiskey:
How can I say??? I see elements of Janet Evanovich in some of my work. I love her quick-talking, quirky characters. I adore Dean Koontz's descriptions and find myself stealing his word, 'susseration,' on the regular. I dream about being even half as evocotive as Barbara Kingsolver.

WR:
Where, would you say, do you stand in your writing journey?

EA Comiskey:
I've come further than I would have ever dreamed ten years ago, but I'm not even halfway to where I hope to go now that I know the possibilities. If a successful writing career is a mountaintop, I'd say I'm a good ways up into the foothills.

WR:
Which of your own stories is closest to your heart?

EA Comiskey:
Probably Curmudgeon/Some Monsters Never Die. There are lots of stories that have special meaning to me for lots of reason, but that one came from my heart. The character Richard has a lot of my dad in him, so when I read his words, it's like having my father with me again.

WR:
Share two Wattpad story recommendations. Include the usernames of the authors and why you enjoyed the stories.

EA Comiskey:
One of the first stories I really fell in love with on Wattpad was Sex and Death in Skeleton City by Jazzua. It's just quirky and weird in the very best possible way. The creativity is out of this world. On a completely opposite end of the spectrum, Mary Cairins and The Reindeer Games by MichaelHoliday is pure and sweet and everything good I love about the kinds of stories I share with my kids.

WR:
There is one question that many authors may have asked themselves, you included... But could there be one simple single answer? Let's hear from your thoughts...
What would be the perfect recipe for the next greatest novel of all time? One you would write or read.

EA Comiskey:
Humor + Spooky + Romance - Sappy Sweetness + Unexpected Characters - Predictable Plotlines = What I love to read and hope to write.

WR:
Now that we know more about you, we are curious about your involvement in the Writer's Relay adventure.

What was your first thought when seeing the Writer's Relay call for participants? Did you apply straight away or did you take time to ponder on your possible involvement?

EA Comiskey:
Balancing multiple projects is always a little tricky, so when I first saw the call I hesitated long enough to make sure I'd be able to give it a worthy effort. Thankfully, it fell just as I finished one story and hadn't quite gotten into the next so I was able to join.

WR:
What do you hope to gain from collaborating with other writers on this Writers Relay initiative?

EA Comiskey:
Well, it's always fun to get to know other writers on Wattpad. That was my main goal but I also enjoy a challenge as a writer. Collaborations like this, where you need to work with other people's ideas and match your voice to a chorus are like the writing equivalent of a really great cross-fit workout. I think. I don't actually do cross-fit, but I've seen videos. Ha!

WR:
Now that you are well into this relay race, what do you think of your role in the collaboration?

Writing as a group is a bit like musicians performing in an orchestra. What is your instrument in this philharmonic? And what kind of symphony will come out?

EA Comiskey:
I'm a clarinet. It's probably not holding anything together, and you could make it make sense without it, but it just wouldn't have the same pizzazz. I think our symphony will be modern and jazzy and fabulous.