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Recently, we blogged about Canadian author Cheryl Kaye Tardiff’s plans to write her next novel, Finding Bliss, on her iPhone. What’s that like? How different is it from typing out prose on a regular PC? Tardiff pops in for a virtual sitdown with Book Addict Editor Angela Wilson with the dish.

How did you get the idea for Finding Bliss?
For weeks now I’ve seen a commercial on TV advertising Bliss chocolates, individually wrapped squares of delicious Hershey’s chocolate. The name caught my attention first. Bliss. Then I was drawn to the fancy scroll of the font. My first thought was, “Wow! That would make a beautiful girl’s name.”
Bliss…

And—poof! There she was, in my mind, strong and clear, begging for her story to be told. Bliss—a 14 year old girl with long blond hair and wounded, soulful eyes. Eyes that had seen far too much for a girl her age.

Within seconds her character began to take shape more fully. Bliss—a damaged teenage girl who doesn’t know where she fits in this world. Bliss—a child of abuse and neglect who is placed in the care of others. Bliss—a child searching for love in all the wrong places. Bliss—compulsive liar, thief, child of the streets.
Finding Bliss is an emotional, heartwarming story of a damaged teenage girl who must fight to survive in a world of abuse, lies and loss. As she struggles to find herself, Bliss will discover exactly where she belongs and she’ll learn that she is worthy of love after all.
I have just started writing Bliss’ story, and already she breaks my heart and makes me yearn to help her find her way home.

Why not just write it on the PC?

I started making notes of the story concept for Finding Bliss on my new iPhone, mainly because it was so convenient at the time. When the idea for this novel first struck me, I was watching TV. I didn’t want to lose the idea so I grabbed my iPhone and typed my ideas into the Notes application. It wasn’t until the following day when I mentioned this to my husband that he jokingly said, “You should write the entire book on your iPhone and then email Apple and tell them what you’re doing. Maybe they’ll sponsor you or something.” I thought about this and realized it was just a great opportunity to do something exciting and different, something I don’t think anyone else has done. I’ll do it regardless of whether Apple gets involved or not. I’d just like them to see how one person has taken their concept to a whole new level.
Is it difficult to get used to typing on the iPhone rather than a traditional keyboard?
The neat thing about the iPhone 3G is that as soon as I need to type anything a keyboard pops up. It is similar to a regular keyboard and the keys are bigger than many phone pads on cell phones. Since I always hated trying to type using numerical keypads, this simulated keyboard works perfect for me. I can type quite fast, when I’m not being filmed by TV reporters. The iPhone uses a touch screen—a light touch or tap activates nearly everything, including typing. As you type, each letter is enhanced through a round magnifying bubble, which makes it easier to read, plus it will guess at words that you can accept or not.

What is the process of writing Finding Bliss?
First, I wrote a plot summary of Finding Bliss in the Notes application of the iPhone. Next, I opened a new note and started writing the first chapter. I can save each chapter in a new note file on my iPhone. Once I’ve written what I think is close to a chapter, I email it to myself. Later, I check my email on my office PC. I copy and paste each chapter into a Word document file where I can then edit and rearrange. I can add new ideas to the summary note on my iPhone any time. I can also insert new next into any chapter on my iPhone by dropping the cursor and tapping enter.

Do you worry that this method would make it easier for someone to steal your work, or illegally share it online?
Not really. After I’ve written a couple of chapters of Finding Bliss, I’ll dump everything into my PC. Then I can delete some of the early chapters on my iPhone. This way the entire novel will not be on the iPhone all at once. I am going to keep each emailed chapter on file in my PC as backup. If someone did steal it or share it, they’ll only have a small piece of what I think will be a novel that my fans—particularly those who enjoyed my last bestseller Whale Song—will take to heart and love.

How does using the iPhone help/hurt your creativity?
Using the iPhone 3G in this way helps my creativity because I am able to capture my thoughts and ideas for this novel immediately, without having to scramble around looking for paper or wait for my PC to load. It allows me to take down a quick note if I have an idea while shopping or while in Las Vegas sitting by the Mandalay Bay pool, which I’ll be doing next week. :) The only way this method may hurt my creativity is that I can’t type on it as fast as my thoughts. Then again, I can’t type on a regular keyboard that fast either.

Is this similar to the craze of writing books via text message?
This is a similar idea to the Japanese novels that were written using text messages, but I am not text messaging. I will be the only author of Finding Bliss, and rather than texting, which is even more limiting for writing a novel, I’ll be writing my story using the Notes application on my iPhone. The Notes app comes up as a yellow legal pad, with lines. I find it easy to read, easy to add new paragraphs and I can then email it to myself. I have already emailed the first chapter to my PC in my home office. I believe Finding Bliss will be the first novel written using an iPhone and the Notes application, which will make me the first iPhone novelist. If it becomes a craze we can all blame my husband. :)

Do you think it will become a trend in publishing?
I don’t see this as a trend in publishing, but I do see more writers taking advantage of this great application. Many writers I know carry notepads. With the iPhone, you don’t need to. Just use the Notes app. It can also be used for research. If you’re talking to a professional, you can take notes. Or you can use Evernote, another application, to record voice messages and conversations. If you’re a writer looking for a new cell phone, I highly recommend the new iPhone 3G. I love it!

Is this method of writing for everyone?
Definitely not. Most writers would find using the Notes application tedious and limiting. For me, I just look at this as a huge adventure—a challenge that is exciting. I may just also be a tad bit crazy, as my friends and family like to point out. “Only you, Cheryl. Only you.”

What are the top tips you can offer other writers who want to try it?
1. Use one finger and take your time typing at first, until you get comfortable with the keyboard. It takes the right touch and the right part of your finger to do this.
2. Once you get comfortable you can try using both thumbs.
3. Don’t worry about editing. Use your PC later for that.
4. When you have about 1000 words or a small chapter, email the Note to yourself and save onto a PC or laptop.
5. Keep your iPhone on you, beside your bed, beside you as you watch TV—basically anywhere that you have been known to get novel ideas. The only place I won’t take mine is in the shower (although I did have a great idea there once) and in my hot tub.
Anything else you’d like to add, Cheryl?

Since Finding Bliss won’t be available for at least 2 years, you may want to check out Whale Song, a novel that will grip your heart and not let go until you’ve read the last page. It is a story of love, tragedy, sacrifice and redemption, and it will change the way you view life…and death.

Cheryl Kaye Tardif is a bestselling Canadian author who lives in Emdonton, AB, Canada. She is the author of Whale Song, The River and Divine Intervention. You can learn more about her at my website: http://www.cherylktardif.com or her blog: http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com.
Read more about Finding Bliss at: http://www.findingblissbook.com