Addie Barnett is a writer, bookworm, language-learner wanting to be a polyglot and all-around nerd for everything with paper or hardcovers. She is also the host and admin of her personal blog aimed at writers and bookworms all around the world, thebookwormwriter.org!
Outlander: When did you start writing?
Addie: I have been writing for as long as I can remember, but only two years ago did I begin to dream of a “career” and take it more seriously.
O: If you had to describe your work in three words, what would they be and why?
A: I don’t think I can describe my work in only three words, although “hard work” and “dreaming” have to be part of the little list.
O: Is there a writer that you look up to, whether it be someone who motivated you to begin writing or someone whose work inspires you today?
A: The main writer who motivated me (and made my head get stuck in the clouds) was Joe Abercrombie.
O: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
A: I don’t really have a favorite part; I like drafting but I also like editing and polishing my work to the best version it can be.
O: How has the pandemic changed your workflow?
A: The pandemic has taught me that it is okay to take breaks and not make myself write a minimum word count. So, it was actually beneficial to my workflow – it improved my relationship with my writing a lot.
O: You’re an aspiring polyglot. What languages are you learning/do you know already? What’s the inspiration behind your multi-linguality?
A: I am currently fluent in English (it’s my second language because I am actually Romanian – I don’t know if it counts though, because I have been speaking it since I was three), an intermediate speaker of Japanese, beginner in German and I can mostly understand Spanish 😀 There is no inspiration behind it, I just love how languages sound and I think it is really cool to know a lot of them and be able to talk.
O: What inspired you to start the Bookworm Writer?
A: I just wanted to get my voice out there, and the idea of a blog always seemed super cool to me.
O: From the looks of your blog, you’re an avid reader. What was the last book you read?
A: The last book I read (and finished – because I am reading one right now) was Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid.
O: What are some of your favorite tropes in writing?
A: I think (I am not sure, because I don’t really have favorites) found family is one of my favorites. I also like the “old, gruff, frustrated” mentor character who is annoyed by the main character and their immaturity (but the mentor character has to be a softie inside, they have to!)
O: What is the difference you see between your writing a year back and today?
A: The main difference isn’t experience like I thought it would be. It is how I approach my writing. I have become more self-loving towards myself and more lenient – I have stopped pushing myself to write a minimum word count and take days off whenever I want. If I don’t want to write in my book one day, I don’t write! If I want to not write at all, I allow myself that time! It is that simple and I don’t understand why we are in such a rush all the time.
O: You’re an Outlander staff writer–what made you want to join Outlander and what has your experience been working with the team?
A: I joined Outlander because I always wanted to be part of a magazine. My experience with the staff has been amazing! Everyone is so nice and helpful and I love it very much (it would be nice if it weren’t just volunteer work, but I understand that, at least in the beginning, we won’t receive any money for our pieces). Mostly, I was looking for experience. 😀
O: Your work is often otherworldly–it’s fantastic! Is there another genre you want to explore more in the future?
A: I tend to write mostly fantasy because that is what I have read for as long as I can remember, but now I am actually attempting to write a historical fiction novel!
O: What is the best compliment you’ve received on your writing?
A: Yours. “Otherworldly” and “fantastic.” 😀 No one has ever complimented my work before and I never expected anyone to do it. I just like writing 🙂
O: If you could give new writers some advice from what you’ve learned, what would it be?
A: Take it slow, don’t force yourselves to do anything if you don’t feel like it. READ. Devour any book that comes your way, in whatever format it comes.
O: Do you have any upcoming projects that we should look out for?
A: Theoretically, yes. I am working on a historical fiction novel (no idea if I will ever publish it), and I will definitely write some more for the magazine. I took a little break this month because it’s been hectic (See, TAKE BREAKS, I swear lol), but I will be coming back 😀 I was also thinking of writing some essays or poems, as well!
Thank you so much to Addie for sitting down to chat with us about writing, reading, language-learning, and everything in between!
Check out Addie’s work at thebookwormwriter.org.
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