Last time, I introduced the Writing Habits interview project, an ongoing weekly series in which writers and creators I admire tell us a little about how they actually get their work done.

I first discovered Tim Pratt after hearing an interview with him on DragonPage Cover to Cover. I was intrigued by the description of what was, at the time, his latest – and first – novel, The Strange Adventures of Rangergirl. I must admit it took me a little while to pick it up, during which time Tim had created a fascinating ongoing urban fantasy series starring fiesty sorceress Marla Mason. But Rangergirl was a revelation – a unique blend of comicbook adventure, surreal fantasy, good old fashioned human drama, featuring well drawn characters with a highly original problem to overcome. That book has remained one of my favourite novels.

Tim’s latest project is Bone Shop, a free Marla Mason prequel novella, currently being serialised online. Bone Shop, which is something of a Marla Mason origin story, is supported entirely by reader donations – read it, enjoy it, and make a voluntary donation to support the creator. By supporting this project, you are not only showing your appreciation for a mighty fine work of fiction, but you’re becoming a patron of the arts. Each donation is welcomed and really helps out Tim and his family.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Tim Pratt.

Tim Pratt

Name
Tim Pratt, T.A. Pratt, (secret porn-writing pseudonym)

Location
Oakland, California, USA. Very near a lake.

What do you write?
Mostly stories where magic co-exists with contemporary life – variously called Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Fantasy, Mythic Fiction. Occasionally secondary-world fantasy. Occasionally erotica/porn, usually with fantastic elements.

The latest Marla Mason novel, Spell Games, and The Strange Adventures of Rangergirl

What are your writing habits?
I like writing fiction – I find it entertaining and recreational – so I basically just write whenever I feel like it. Fortunately, I feel like writing very often, so I produce a fair number of words each year. If I have an impending deadline I might impose a bit more structure on myself, but mostly, I just write as the whim strikes me. If I go more than a week or two without writing I begin to get antsy. I don’t have any particular rituals or requirements to write. I live with a twenty-month-old toddler, so if I waited for the stars to align or for perfect quiet or for several uninterrupted hours to work, I’d never get any writing done!

What software or tools do you use?
Lately I write a lot in Google Docs, or even Gmail, so that I can open up my document wherever I can find a computer and an internet connection. At home I mostly write using MS Word on my desktop. I’d love to play with Scrivener, but I own a PC, alas. Maybe someday. When I’m out and about I usually have a notebook, and have no objection to writing longhand, except that it’s inefficient time-wise, as I have to retype it eventually. I take a few notes as necessary, but don’t do extensive outlines, unless I’m writing something where the timing/blocking is unusually intricate.

Thank-you very much!

Tim’s website is timpratt.org, while Marla Mason has her own home at marlamason.net. A new chapter of Bone Shop is put up each week at marlamason.net/boneshop. Read, enjoy, donate!