web stuff 4 writers

Bianca Zander is a New Zealand writer and the creator of the Sponsor My Novel website which I mentioned last week.

She’s also agreed to be the first interview victim of web stuff 4 writers and last night, while I was sleeping, she answered my emailed questions.

Where did the idea for the ‘Sponsor My Novel’ website come from?

It came out of the blue, actually. About two months ago, I got sick of trying to balance work and writing, and decided that I would put all my energy and focus into the novel. I made the scary decision to stop looking for paid work and to see what would happen if I just wrote. What happened is that I ran out of money!

Rather than borrowing money from my parents or taking out a bank loan, I thought, “What if I get a whole lot of people to give me really small amounts?” So that’s where the idea came from to ask people to sponsor me to write a page, a paragraph or a sentence. For NZ$1000 they can be a character, but so far, no one has taken up that option.

How was the website created?

Very easily. I got a couple of designer friends to help take photographs and design the banner, but did the rest myself on Wordpress.com. It’s actually a blog, and very easy to manage.

How have you promoted the website?

Initially, I sent personal emails (rather than group emails) to all my friends and family, asking them if they would like to become a sponsor. I also created a group on Facebook, which has been less successful as I think people respond better to a personal approach. I’ve also done a small radio interview and one with New Zealand arts website the Big Idea. Word is getting around though - people have been talking about the concept.

Are there any other ways in which having access to the internet has assisted your writing?

Well, it’s a brilliant instant research tool. The other day, I was trying to remember the songs on the Pretty Woman soundtrack, to insert one into my story, and hey presto, Google had the answer in about two seconds. On the other hand, having constant access to broadband is a horrible distraction. I know of one writer who hides her wireless terminal inside the house so she isn’t tempted. I sometimes take my laptop to cafes or the library so I can be ‘offline’.

Do you have any favourite writing-related websites?

I’m enjoying Goodreads.com at the moment, where you can list and rate your favourite books and discuss them with other readers. It’s a good indication of what people are actually reading and loving, as opposed to just buying and casting aside.

Otherwise, I occasionally read reviews in the New York Times or the Guardian online or check the Big Idea for residency and funding deadlines.

You can find out more about Bianca’s work-in-progress and perhaps even sponsor a sentence or two at sponsormynovel.wordpress.com.

Tags: Interviews //