Author interviews
Dealing with Writer’s Block, Distractions, and Priorities - By Shadow Dragon
So everyone knows writing is just a walk in the park, am I right? It’s so easy, I can write the next best seller in a month, right? WRONG! If you haven’t already realized, I’m a very sarcastic writer. Come on. When you grow up with not one, but two older brothers, you learn sarcasm at a very young age. But enough about me. There will be time for that later. I love alliterations, if you could tell from the title. They’re fun, catchy, and they grab the reader’s attention. Don’t we wish all of our writing could be like that? Unfortunately, it’s not. Let’s be real for a second. We would all love to think that our writing is spectacular and perfect. But it’s not. I’m not the type of person to sugar-coat information. I’m blunt, and sometimes come off as a perpetually angry, cup-is-half-empty type of person. But let’s get real, writers. Sometimes that’s what we need to give us the push to finish the daily, weekly, or monthly word goal. So no sugar-coating today. Put your game face on and Let’s get down to business! To defeat the BLOCK!!! (If you didn’t sing that, you really need to rethink your life) No. 1 – Writer’s block: Face it writers, bloggers, and poets. Writer’s block is inevitable, and the sooner you accept this, the better. If I took a survey, I bet the number one writer’s frustration is that mean old block. When the imaginary friends leave you alone, when the muse is asleep, when the character’s won’t cooperate. Whatever you want to call it, it is plain and simple. Your brain refuses to create words. So the question of the hour is this: Since it is inevitable, how do you defeat the writer’s block? Problem is, there is no definite answer. However I can give you a few tips on what I do to get inspiration. 1) Re-read your writing. If you’re writing a novel, look back at some of your completed chapters. If you’re writing an article, a little research never hurt anyone. And poets… um idk, read some poetry? (I’m sorry, I don’t enjoy poetry, so I can’t really help you there.) 2) Look at some inspirational pictures. Go on Pinterest and make a storyboard. Find pictures of people that remind you of your characters. Costumes, scenery, or places, that will inspire you. Trust me on this one, it actually works. Plus, it fulfills your desperate need to procrastinate, which is a huge bonus. 3) If you’re a music person, then fill your soul with all the music it can hold. Don’t stick to just one genre. Diversify. Listen to something that just makes you want to cry, or laugh, or sing. Part of writing is keeping a positive attitude. Music make me happy. Which leads me to point number four. 4) Find your happy. In my opinion, this is extremely important in the life of any writer. If you are sad, depressed, or angry, your writing will not flow as well. Do your happy thing. Read a book, cook something, listen to music (that’s me!), cry over your favorite character, derp around on the internet (also me), or just take a nap. That fixes everything. But that’s all introvert stuff, ’cause I’m an introvert. No. 2 – Distractions: Admit it. Writers, above all else love to procrastinate. Especially if we have some writing to do. Here’s a few tips on Destroying Dumb Distractions. 1) Make yourself an inviting atmosphere in which to write. Make it personal, make it relaxing, but most of all, make it yours. No child may sit there and scribble on your notes, no random clutter of someone else’s, however a cuddly pet may be allowed if they are not too distracting. 2) Set a specific time for writing. No one should bother you during this time. Get a cup of coffee if that’s your thing (I prefer Young Living’s carbonated ZING) and get to work. DON’T check your email, or your phone. Avoid the internet at all costs. Eat a snack before you start writing so you don’t leave your work to eat. 3) Set a word goal. I used to just write until I was tired of writing, or had written myself into a corner I couldn’t escape. Bad idea. I would get tired of the writing because I was stuck. I wouldn’t want to come back to it. In fact, I didn’t write for an entire month once because I had done this to myself. Set yourself a goal, and stick to it. I usually like to write about 1,000-1,500 words at a time, every other evening. Why every other evening? The long and short of it is this. On my “other” nights, I watch movies or tv, read, spend time with family, or do extra studying. This may not work for some, but I have found it works for me. Find what works for you and stick to it. And last but no least, No. 3 – Priorities: This may seem boring, but there must be priorities in your life, and writing, surprisingly may not be the first thing on the list. Do you wake up and immediately start writing? If your like me, a teen who’s still in highschool, then maybe not. Even if you write for a living, still maybe not. There are pets to feed, children to feed, self to feed, laundry to do, homework, paperwork, or yardwork. The list goes on and on. Writing may have to be shuffled down the list a bit until the priorities are taken care of. Rabbit Trails is near and dear to my heart, but it is not my number one priority. My suggestion to you is to make a list of your daily tasks and get them in order from “Must do or the world as we know it ends” to “Yeah, I’d love to try that new hairstyle I found on Pinterest”. Make a list of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks that need to be taken care of. Do you have a test coming up? Maybe you should study a bit more instead of writing. Does the car need to be washed? Maybe do that before writing. I’m not saying that life needs to be all work and no play. That’s depressing, and does not align with No. 1 sub-section 4. Schedule out time to do something fun besides writing. Go see a new movie at the theater with some friends. Do a little shopping (bookstores do count you know). Spend some time relaxing, so that you can come back to your work refreshed and with new strength to tackle that story. P.S. A planner or a schedule book helps, but don’t let it rule you. Be flexible! Regards, -ShadowD-
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This interview is so good! Ashley has some very good writing advice, which I am sure you will all enjoy.
1) Tell us about your latest book: I am very excited about my upcoming book, Alone in Paris! It will be released next year. I haven’t set a date yet because I am still revising to make it as perfect as can be for my readers. If you follow me on Instagram (@ashley_earley) or Twitter (@ashleyc_earley), then you’ve seen all my editing updates. I’m so close to finishing, and I’ve been sharing my excitement constantly! It is already available for pre-order on iBooks, Kobo and Nook (Barnes & Noble) for $2.99. Here is the summary: Breathe, Taylor. Taylor Clay’s family isn’t exactly perfect. They may look the part with the nice, big house and her dad’s fancy job, but that’s what’s tearing them apart. That, and her dad’s sudden recurring drinking problem. Though her family is close to falling apart, she never wished for something like this to happen. She never wished for her father to drive off a bridge. Especially not while they were on vacation; especially not when her and her mom were in the car with him at the time. Breathe. She’s devastated after the fact. And it isn’t helping that the papers are gossiping about how the pristine lawyer could have driven off the bridge on purpose. And just when she thinks nothing could possibly make things worse, she realizes she’s left alone with no relatives to care for her. So she’s alone. Her parents are dead. And she’s stuck in the country her family was visiting for their vacation. She’s alone in Paris. Just breathe. Then Nathan walks into the picture. Funny, snarky, persistent, and sometimes, just flat out rude, he annoys Taylor to no end. He won’t leave her alone, but Taylor doesn’t know whether or not she should push him away. 2) How old were you when you started writing? I was 14-years old when I started writing. At first, it sort of started out as an experiment. I wanted to see if I could write a book—to see how difficult it was. I ended up loving it and couldn’t stop. I wrote one book after another! 3) What do you do when you are lacking inspiration? I listen to music; I read for a little bit, or I take my writing gear and go somewhere else for a change of scenery. I love writing outside on my back patio! 4)What made you decide to publish your book(s)? I had tried to get published the traditional way, but when that didn’t work out, I decided that I wanted to take one of my books to the next step myself and publish it on my own. It was very challenging to publish The Darkest Light. I ran into a lot of bumps in the road, but I was determined to get it in print. It was all worth it once I got to hold a physical copy of The Darkest Light. I’m looking forward to publishing another book! 5) At this point in your career, what has been the most memorable experience as a writer thus far? Actually submitting my book to publish it. It was horrifying and exciting all at once. I wanted to take it back as soon as I had done it because I was worried what people would. I was really worried that no one would like it, like every author. It’s a scary thing to share something you’ve created. It’s even scarier to share a part of you because every book (even if it’s fiction) holds a bit of truth. I’m not saying that dragons are real, but life struggles or thoughts that character(s) have can be true—as well as other things. 6) What would be your advice to fellow writers who want to publish their work? Don’t give up on it. Sometimes you’re going to feel like your book isn’t good enough to publish, and you shouldn’t feel that way. You can always edit and revise your book to make it better. You should be proud of what you wrote! You worked hard, whether if it was for weeks, months, or years. You should publish your book if you feel like you’re ready for the challenge. And do your research! Don’t just hire anyone to do your book cover art. 7) Share one of your past obstacles in your writing career, and how you overcame it? I battle with one obstacle constantly. It is one of the most common obstacles for writers and the most difficult to overcome. Writer’s block. I hate writer’s block just as much as every writer. Having a block is horrible, and pushing through it isn’t always the best solution because you’re not doing your best writing. Sometimes, listening to music can help me, or reading another book. Though, most of the time, I have to wait out my block. It can take days or weeks until I’m ready to write again. But, once I do, I usually find myself unable to stop. 8) If you were starting your writing career over today, what is one thing you would do differently? I would have done a better job at putting together The Darkest Light and done a better job spreading the word about The Darkest Light. I plan to do a much better job with Alone in Paris. The story is put together a lot better, and the writing style and grammar are all much better, at least, I think so. Hopefully, everyone else will too! Looking for writing tips, look no further than this interview!
Mrs. Puelma, can you tell us about your books? Here are my back blurbs! The Missing Crimoire Twelve-year-old Luke Cedrus lives in the most un-magical place (an adoption ward), under the authority of the most un-magical person (Mrs. Hall), believing only un-magical things happen to him (detention). Until one night, Luke discovers he is anything but un-magical. He is a keeper of magic. The one thing Luke wants in life? Family. With his new magical powers, he’s convinced he can have just that. Or can he? Immediately, life flips upside-down as in one night, he must escape from the ward to save his life and learns that his mother is dead and his father is wanted for the murder of a powerful keeper. Now, engulfed by his new magical surroundings, Luke faces ridicule and ultimate danger for the actions of his father. Plus, after discovering an evil keeper’s secret plot to dominate keepers everywhere, Luke is thrust into an adventure well beyond his years. It’ll take the help of his new friends, magical key, and sheer belief in himself to tackle the terrors facing the keeper world. And discover what family truly means. The Naming of Colton Black Seventeen-year-old Breslin Black grew up in the royal family; in a kingdom where a mystical naming ceremony determines everyone’s destiny. Where every thirteen-year-old receives a definition of their name, one that sets the tone of their life to follow. For centuries, royals have received Namings that mean powerful; leader; protector. Until one. Princess Breslin. Her naming’s results? Rattled her royal lineage and worse, fractured the once sweet relationship she had with her father the king. For years, Breslin vowed to prove to him she’s more than her Naming. That he can trust her; love her. But nothing she did made any bit of difference. Until her brother Colton is Named. Until he too receives mind-numbing results, sending the kingdom into a panic as a once unshakeable tradition begins to unravel. Her father, desperate to conserve order and peace, approaches Breslin for help. This is her chance. She agrees, promising to follow him blindly. But as Breslin submits to her father’s plans, she discovers things about the Namings that have been overshadowed for centuries. Dark secrets. And if they’re not exposed, the future of the kingdom could crumble. Breslin’s loyalty is now put to the test. If she departs from her father’s plans she risks never healing their relationship again. But if Breslin ignores what she uncovers, she could be responsible for the kingdom’s demise. Were you ever turned down by publishers? If so, how did that affect you? YES — For a year, I queried The Missing Crimoire to agents and publishing houses and received several rejections. All very nice--but all said no. I then queried The Naming of Colton Black to over 40 literary agents. Once again, I received rejection after rejection — this time, however, agents were more encouraging in their responses—“This is such a subjective field”; “Keep querying”; etc. One agent asked to see my entire manuscript, she liked it so much. But in the end, decided to pass. Each no is ALWAYS hard to hear. Your work is such a personal representation of you, so any kind of rejection of your work feels like a rejection of you. But, I knew this was part of the journey. I knew that every writer has heard a no. And that all it takes is one yes. I think rejections also help you develop tough skin, which is most definitely needed in this industry. While I decided to go the self-publishing route, I am still interested in and curious about traditional publishing. Which authors inspired, and influenced, you the most? Like many, J.K.Rowling has been a huge influence on my writing — how she created such a fantastical story with such depth and detail blows my mind. Not to mention her adoring characters. When I create new worlds, I’m always thinking about Rowling’s depth. Orson Scott Card, hands down, has forever changed how I view and write internal character monologues / emotions etc. One of my favorite characters in literature is Ender; I never thought I’d feel such emotion for a young genius boy who fights battles in space. But. The way Scott reveals Ender’s character, desires, wants, I can’t help but fall in love with him. And lastly, F. Scott Fitzgerald. I admire his poetic prose so much and aim to write not only interesting stories but to write them in a beautiful, melodic way. I am always trying to find the right cadence to my sentences; the right flow; the right sound--even if it’s a kid’s book. How would your writing be different, if you hadn’t read their works? Interesting question! I want to say my writing wouldn’t differ too much, but that’s probably a lie. These three authors helped me find my style; my voice. It was reading their works that lead me to know how exactly I wanted to write stories. Without them? I think that process would have taken much longer. I might not have discovered my style as quickly--or at all, for that matter. How old were you when you started writing? I was *old* in the “I want to be a writer” world--I was 18. I always loved drawing and spent my childhood creating characters through art. Not until I was a senior in high school did I start to enjoy writing. Then, when I began college (as an undeclared freshman), I received such praise for my writing from peers and professors. The amazing support gave me the confidence I needed to start my journey as a writer. Do you have a favorite time of day to write? I used to think night time, since I’m a night owl. But honestly? Any time of day works. Afternoons are a little tricky, since I’m usually most sluggish then. For me, it’s more about the ambiance. The space. Set me up in a coffee house in a big city with a mug of coffee, and I could write for days. When you have an idea for a story, what is your first step in writing it? When an idea hits me, I grab the nearest writing instrument and write everything down that’s flowing through my mind. I want to get as much of the original thoughts on paper/screen as possible. No time for editing. No time for anything but putting words down. Was there ever a time when you felt like quitting writing at all? If so, what motivated you to keep going? Yes! But I think knowing that who I am is a writer and if I quit, what then? I look at those times now — those “I can’t do this” times — and seem them as I need a break from whatever project I’m working on. Then, once that passes (and it always does), I feel recharged and motivated again. I don’t think I could ever stop writing. It’s as necessary as breathing. What do you do to combat writers block? Write through it! Often times I set either a page limit, a word limit, or a time limit on my writing days. And no matter what, no matter how I’m feeling; no matter if I’m inspired or not; not matter if the words come or they don’t, I force myself to reach that goal for the day. True, this doesn’t always happen. But there have been plenty of times I sat down to a 4-hour writing session and the writing didn’t happen until hour three. But had I let“writer’s block” determine my day, I would have missed out on some amazing prose! Is there a certain person you turn to when you lack inspiration, or just want to brainstorm? My husband. He has been the most fun and helpful person to brainstorm with! He’s not a writer,but he is a jazz musician so a lot of our processes and vocabularies cross over. He has such a great imagination and can see a story from a new perspective. His ideas are fresh; his words encouraging; and he’s easy on the eyes, which doesn’t hurt! Can you remember any specific milestones in your life as a writer? Every time I finish a first draft, I cry. There’s something so exhausting, so rewarding, so overwhelming when that moment comes. Along with those moments, I’d have to say the first time I saw my published book in my favorite bookstore. This blew my mind. I worked at that bookstore; met my husband there; and now have my books on its shelves. What?? To wrap it up, can you tell us your advice for your fellow writers, new or otherwise? One of the greatest pieces of advice I received from an amazing professor of mine (who oversaw the Creative Writing department at Pepperdine University) was if you want to be writer, write. I had contemplated on getting my MFA; he asked me what I wanted to do with my writing. “Write books,” was my answer. His reply? Then, just write. I knew that it would take practice; that I wouldn’t get it right away; that I wouldn’t even know what I was doing. But if I kept at it, kept writing, I would get there. I would write books. My other piece of advice is to always show up. No matter how little time you have, show up. If you schedule writing time, make sure you’re there. And stay there until your time is over. Like I said before, often times my best writing comes just minutes before my writing hour is up. Had I left? I never would have discovered some of the best plots/characters/dialogue that I’ve written. You're going to love this interview I did with Amy Bearce! It is full of great writing advice!
Can you tell us a little about your books? My books are best suited for tweens and young teens who enjoy fantasy with some dark elements, as well as anyone who likes a bit of light romance with a strong female protagonist. I have two books out in the World of Aluvia series now, and a third is scheduled for May 2016. To tell a little about the stories themselves… The world of Aluvia has always been full of magic, but as humans greedily use too much of it, magical creatures suffer and the world itself begins to shake apart. In Book 1, when the fairy queens disappear, it marks the beginning of a long journey for three girls who seek to heal their world. Sierra must find the fairy queens who spread magic throughout the world. In Book 2, Phoebe must help the gentle merfolk find their magic once more. And in the final book of the sries, Nell must hold the line when a new enemy arrives on dragonback who wants to turn back the clock to the glory days of human domination of Aluvia. What gave you the idea for them? A number of years ago, I wrote a short story that required some research on Colony Collapse Disorder in bees. I found the mystery of it fascinating and alarming. Because I love fantasy so much, I suppose it was inevitable that one day I asked myself, “What if instead of bees going missing, it was fairies disappearing? And what if instead of collecting nectar for their hives, fairies gathered magic?” And the story developed from there. The very first line I had wrote was, “All the little fairies were dead.” Can you describe your writing process? It varies, but these days I do a lot of planning prior to writing much. I brainstorm ideas and might write a possible first chapter or so, to see if I can feel the voice of the character. But then I stop and try to sketch out the whole story. I don’t have to know the whole story, but I do need to at least know the main problem and how the story will end. I used to try to go with the flow, and it just didn’t work for me. What do you do to gain inspiration? I read a lot, both fiction and nonfiction. There are so many interesting, strange things in the real world that just beg for a story to go with them. I journal daily (or tryto.) I travel a lot with my family. I rest. I daydream. Basically, I live life and try to pay attention to what’s going on around me as much as I can. What prompted you to write your first story? I was writing short reading passages for state assessments at the time. I used to teach English and reading, so I began by writing test questions, and then someone asked me, “Hey, can you write a story for us?” and I gave it a shot. I sold over 250 articles and short stories over ten years…but along the way, I grew tired of always writing the same kind of stories. I wanted to write fantasy and science fiction, but those are uncommon for state assessments. I read a book called The Artist’s Way that encouraged keeping a daily journal. Soon, as I was writing, a new story sort of poured out onto the page. That was my first full-length manuscript. I never sold that one (with good reason) but it was a turning point for me, when I began writing for me and not just for others. What was your favorite book as a child? I don’t think I have just one favorite book that I can point to from my childhood (though the Ramona Quimby books come close), but I do think one book that had a big impact on me as a young teen was A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle. I have always appreciated her ability to write about deep, dark subjects while maintaining hope for her young readers. I love that she never talked down to any of her readers. I reread that book so many times it fell apart…twice. Would your writing be any different, if you had never read that book? I’m not sure…I’d like to think I would still respect my tween and young teen readers as the savvy, smart people that I see them as today. I believe that kids and teens can handle a lot, and I think a lot of that comes from Madeleine L’Engle’s no-nonsense approach to writing and the trust she offered to her audience. She also showed me it was possible to write seriously about life through a story full of magic and science fiction. I have never viewed speculative fiction as the fluff that some do, probably because Madeleine L’Engle’s books are so rich in theme and reflection. She opened the way for me to fall in love with Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, and Elizabeth Moon as well. What advice do you have to writers looking to get published? Read a lot, in a wide variety of genres. And write a lot. It’s hardly original advice—Stephen King says this in his book On Writing—but it’s the truest that I know. The other is to get connected to other writers and study the industry. There’s a ton of information online if you simply search for it, about how to query, the pros and cons of various types of publishing…do your research and go from there. Can you tell us about your newly released book Kingdom?
Kingdom is my debut novel; a contemporary fantasy story based on the concept of an enchanted manor which brings story characters to life. I had been playing around for some time with the idea of sentient characters, and the basis for this story came to fruition when I merged it with a dream I had back in the summer of 2015. It is an action-packed story following the adventures of 18 year-old Pepper Fairfield after she realises her new job isn’t quite what she expected! Which authors inspired, and influenced, you the most? Growing up, a firm favourite of mine was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.I just love all the ideas behind it and the way it combines real life with a slight flavour of fantasy. Nowadays—and I largely have the online writing group, WriteOn, to thank for this—I tend to veer towards books written by authors similar to myself: comparatively lesser known writers, often independently published. I enjoy giving thorough reviews and feedback which, in turn, allows me to develop my own writing. I’ve never been a big reader of the ‘classics’, so working like this give me a unique outlook on the literary world. How would your writing be different, if you hadn’t read their works? Reading and reviewing works by these wonderful, undiscovered authors offers me a much broader look at what is out there, and I feel there is a lot to be learnt from working closely with other writers. Sure, I may be unconventional in my approach, but who knows? Maybe it’s the future of writing! How old were you when you started writing? Honestly, I find it difficult to pinpoint the exact moment I started to write. It has been a hobby of mine pretty much entire life, but I guess I only really started taking it seriously when I started work on Kingdom just over a year ago when I was seventeen.What? You didn’t know I’m still a teenager? But, as I said, there really was no exact moment when I decided that I wanted to write. I often joke that I might have been an author in a previous existence! Do you have a favorite time of day to write? In the evenings is always a nice time to write. I like to work in my bedroom, which is filled with strings of twinkling fairy lights. When it’s dark outside, it looks like you’ve stepped straight into a fantasy world! Great for finding inspiration! When you have an idea for a story, what is your first step in writing it? I grab my beautiful fountain pen and whichever colourful notebook I happen to be using at the time, and jot the idea down. I’m more of a panster than a planner, so I will begin writing pretty much straight away, allowing the ideas to unfold as I go, but referring back to my notebook whenever a concept requires more thought. Was there ever a time when you felt like quitting writing at all? If so, what motivated you to keep going? On the first day after Kingdom was released, I sold far less copies than I expected to. There was a moment then where I felt like all my efforts had been in vain. Thankfully, the sales picked up throughout the week but, even if they hadn’t, I wouldn’t have quit—giving upsimply isn’t in my blood. Besides, I love writing too much! What do you do to combat writers block? I have many techniques—taking a break, re-reading what I’ve written, ploughing through until I break the block—but my favourite method is to make a mental list of all the worst things that could possibly happen. Oftentimes, when I’m stuck in a rut, it means that my storyline has become bland and I’m losing interest. The only way to bring back the spark is tomake something crazy happen! Which character’s appearance would cause the most mayhem? What if something were to set on fire? Is there a certain person you turn to when you lack inspiration, or just want to brainstorm? My younger sister, Claire, is as crazy and insane as I am. When we’re not arguing, we get along extremely well. While I’m drafting my ideas, I will tell them to Claire. I admit, she’s not always that interested, but just the act of explaining the whole idea to someone else really helps me to find any major plot holes and flesh out the story.Sometimes, telling the story to my cat works just as well.Can you remember any specific milestones in your life as a writer? Publishing my first story on Wattpad. In retrospect, it was absolute pants, but it was the first step I ever took in sharing my stories with other people. Before then, I was terrified of people judging my efforts, being the definition of the word ‘introvert’. That first movement inmaking my work public was a huge step for me.To wrap it up, can you tell us your advice for your fellow writers, new or otherwise?Be open to criticism, don’t be afraid of letting yourself fall before you fly and, above all, WRITE! Write because you love it, and because the world will be a better place once it hears your story. This is Hope Anne, the author of the Legends of Light series. She is an inspiring author, and I am so excited to share this interview with you! With our Fantasy Contest underway, I think that her advice on Fantasy will be very helpful. Enjoy!
Can you tell us about your latest book, Song of the Sword? Song of the Sword is a retelling of Rapunzel and the second novella in my Legends of Light series. Though history progresses the series, each story stands alone and focuses on one aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit. In Song of the Sword, Evrard is a wingmaster, a warrior in the alternate dimension of the melody realm most people discount as legend. But even as the war about him seems to draw to an end, another battle rages through the Melody, one Evrard knows he doesn’t have the power to win. And he’s not the only one who will suffer if he fails because he’s made a discovery. He has a sister. Why do you write fantasy? I love swords, bows, griffins, and the freedom to create whole worlds. I also enjoy the allegory aspect I can use in fantasy; the ability to delve deeper into some topics without being preachy, or giving readers a fresh look at other topics without the emotional views they may take on the subject. When you are lacking motivation, what do you do? Work through it. There are plenty of times I don’t feel like writing, but I set deadlines for myself and force myself to keep moving even when I don’t want to. Because I know the lack of motivation won’t last and, when I’m excited about writing again, I’ll be further on in the story and able to press on with more vigor. When did you first start writing fantasy? What prompted that first story? I’ve written on and off since I was around eight. My first stories where short, mainly based off the world around me. I was fifteen or sixteen when I began writing fantasy. I’m not sure what I wrote first, or why. I enjoyed reading fantasy whenever I could. I liked the sword fights and heroic knights and archers and rescues. Somewhere along the way I switched from reading to writing fantasy…and I’ve never stopped. What is the first thing you do, when you come up with an idea? Write it down, because I will forget it if I don’t. I have several documents full of ideas. Generally I’m working on a few projects at one time while other ideas sift around in my brain…sometimes for a few years before I actually do anything with them. Do you plan and outline before you start writing, or write some first? I outline. All the time. If it’s a novella, I might just write a basic outline. If it’s a novel, I write an extended chapter by chapter outline along with character profiles and (sometimes) bits of backstory. Some people say that young people don’t have experiences needed to be successful as a writer, as a young author yourself, what is your take on this? Well, most writers don’t go through what their characters go through. They haven’t fought in battle or traveled through space or led a rebellion. If we were limited to writing about just what we’d experienced, we’d be very limited indeed, even as we grew older. But writers, no matter their age, can research to make sure their stories are grounded in reality. We can read well-written books and ‘experience’ things that way. Experience might deepen your writing, but if a writer understands emotions and can show them well, then they should be able to write about almost anything. Having said that, I personally write very little romance even as subplots and don’t intend to write much about characters getting married until I’m married myself. Though not impossible, marriage and romance, for me, is one thing I find hard to just ‘make up’ realistically. What is your advice for young people, thinking about getting published? Don’t cut corners. If you’re self-publishing, make sure you get a good cover. Make sure you proofread and proofread again and again and again. Make sure you format your book correctly. You’ve spent a lot of time creating it. You don’t want to put off readers due to a rush to get it published. Alright, to wrap it up, what advice do you have for your fellow writers? Spend a little time thinking about your purpose for writing. Is it a hobby, for personal enjoyment? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Is it to spread a message? Is it to earn a living? Nothing wrong with that either. But once you know your purpose for writing, that knowledge can help you relax or help you set deadlines and figure out how you want to go about your writing. This interview was so good! Enjoy!
1) Tell us about your latest book: My latest book, Cross My Heart, will be available in paperback (from Rainy Day Reads Publishing) soon. It is a continuing story, featuring Liam and Emma, the characters from Investigating the Heart. It is a romantic suspense novel, and will take readers on an exciting journey. I have also just signed with Hot Tree Publishing for my third novel, Always Hope, which will be available toward the end of this year. Always Hope is Romantic Women’s Fiction, and is certain to pluck at your heartstrings. 2) How old were you when you started writing? I started writing in Junior High, and quickly discovered that I was much better at expressing myself through the written word than I was verbally. I knew it was something I wanted to pursue, but I put it on the back burner once I had children. I seriously started pursuing my dream in 2015, and my first novel, Investigating the Heart was published with Solstice Publishing in September of last year. 3) What do you do when you are lacking inspiration? When I feel like I’m lacking inspiration, I generally step away for a bit. I’ll hang out with my kids, do some work around the house, or focus on something else for a while. Normally, something will spark the fire of creativity and I’ll get back to work. 4) What made you decide to publish your book(s)? Being a published author was something I always wanted, and once I began taking my writing seriously, I knew that would be the ultimate path for me. 5) At this point in your career, what has been the most memorable experience as a writer thus far? The most memorable experience for me by far was being offered my first publishing contract. It was so surreal, seeing the culmination of my dreams right in front of me. 6) What would be your advice to fellow writers who want to publish their work? My advice would be to keep writing. Write even when you know it’s bad. You can always edit bad writing, but you can’t do anything with words that don’t exist. 7) Share one of your past obstacles in your writing career, and how you overcame it. The biggest obstacle for me when I started out was learning how to handle rejection. I had the fantasy, as most beginning authors do, that everyone who read my work would instantly fall in love with it. The opposite reality was hard to accept at first. Not everyone will love what you do. Those aren’t the people you’re writing for. You are writing first and foremost for yourself, and if you do that your work will come from your heart. When that happens, you’ll find the readers who will fall in love with your words. 8) If you were starting your writing career over today, what is one thing you would do differently? I’m not one who regrets many things. I believe that there is a purpose to everything, and each path you choose is chosen for a reason. I’m happy with my journey so far, and quite honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing. I love doing interviews with authors. It is always so motivating to learn about their stories, and how they were able to publish their books.
Can you tell us anything about your books? Of course! The current trilogy is a high fantasy set in a medieval world where magic has been labeled as bad, the only dragons left are bonded with people bent of destroying everything, and a king is in danger. Riona is the main character, and through a series of events and adventures, discovers who she really is. A cast of varied friends accompanies her, as well as one snarky dragon named Feoras. While I love writing and reading fantasy I wanted this story to be much more accessible for readers of all genres; I know the length of fantasies and the quantity of description can turn readers off. So to that end, these books are small, the first is just under 77,000 words, and I keep the action moving forward. No getting bogged down in detailed description here! There’s family, loyalty, fate, and love all wrapped up in a magical bow. How old were you when you started writing? I’ve always written stories, ever since I learned how to write. But the inspiration for these specific stories, what I call The Ryder Chronicles, started when I was 16. I wrote a lot of the first books, but then let it sit for many years. While in college I picked it up again, and haven’t put the characters or world down yet! What do you do when you are lacking inspiration? Whenever I am lacking inspiration, or drive to write, I usually cut myself some slack and do something outside. Even just going for a simple hike at a nature preserve nearby clears my head. Usually I end up coming back with even more ideas. I also work on at least two projects at once. I can bounce between them if motivation in one is lacking. It keeps the words flowing, and that’s the important part. You can edit a bad page, you can’t fix a blank one. What made you decide to publish your book? I have always wanted other people to read and enjoy my books. Sharing the stories with others is one of the best feelings. I decided to self publish this series because I did not want someone else telling me how to “fix” or “change” my stories. I have been working on these characters and this world for years, if I select a name or plot point, there is a specific reason why. I currently am finishing up a contemporary romance set in Ireland, the first in a trilogy that will be shopped around to traditional publishers and agents. I feel there is more of a market for romance books. If it doesn’t pan out, I’ll just self publish them too! So far, what has been the highlight of your career as a writer? Getting Fan Art! That hands down, has been the best aspect to being a writer. Though the second best is when people read it and then geek out over the characters and story with me. What is your advice to writers wanting to be published? There are so many avenues for writers to take to being published, so I would say to stay positive, and keep trying. At times it will seem like you’re climbing the highest mountain, but just keep going. Keep querying, keep writing a backlog, join a critique group where people are honest. Hone your craft. What have been your biggest struggles with writing, and how have you overcome them? Honestly, probably staying positive when there are no sales, the imagination has run dry, and no one else is in love with your characters yet. Everyone has those days where you just want to throw in the towel. You have to remember that every writer has felt this way at some point. Every writer has felt the sting of rejection, it’s all part of the industry. What you have to do is remember why you started writing in the first place. Was it for an audience? Or was it because you had characters poking at your head begging to have their story be told? If it’s the latter, keep going. It will all be worth it. Do you have any advice for your fellow writers? See above! Looking for Writing Tips? Check out this interview I did with Michael Reid Jr.
Tell us about your books: I write, and plan to write, in a variety of genres. My current novel, Debt of Fear, is a terrorism thriller which focuses on a marine scout recon who is now a civilian suffering from mild PTSD. He is asked to re-enter service to his country, by hunting down a terrorist cell in America. Within the novel, you also get a glimpse into the mind of a terrorist who happens to be an ex-military man himself, and seeing what motivates him. I am actively working on the second book in the Logan Falcone Series. A soon to be released book entitled The Beyond Experience is in the areas of medical suspense/religion and spirituality. It centers around Dr. Ethan Lewis. Dr. Ethan Lewis’ radical cure for anxiety and depression had become a worldwide phenomenon; millions swearing they’ve visited heaven. Secretly, Dr. Lewis and his lab assistant, Kyle, dive into a special project testing the limits of the drug. A major breakthrough hints at an emotional secret from Dr. Lewis’ past, forcing him to shut it down. Suddenly, dozens of people who underwent treatment are missing, Kyle is found dead and Dr. Lewis gets a visit from the FBI. He must enter the experience himself, but going in will force him to come face to face with his traumatic past, his addictions, and the biggest mistake of his life. His entire belief system crumbles when something he’s denied for years presents itself in the most undeniable way. How old were you when you started writing? I was around 25 when I began my first novel. It took me 8 years to complete because I lacked the confidence to finish. I had taken some creative writing courses in undergraduate studies that helped plant a seed. What do you do when you are lacking inspiration? Think. I’m always thinking. But when I want to write but I feel blocked, the best thing I’ve found, is to write. Allow the characters to interact with the plot and stay true to them, not what you want the story to do. What made you decide to publish your book(s)? A man named John. I slipped and told him about my book one day and he wouldn’t let it go. I let him read it and he loved the unfinished version, convincing me to finish it. At this point in your career, what has been the most memorable experience as a writer thus far? Actually getting reviews. It affirms I’ve reached someone, whether for good or bad. But the absolute best feedback I’ve gotten is when a veteran tells me I “nailed it.” But a close second is when someone tells me they like Logan Falcone more than Jack Reacher. What would be your advice to fellow writers who want to publish their work? DON’T RUSH IT!. Get a manuscript done, have people read it, critical ones who will tell you the truth. Then rewrite it again and again. Oh, and again. Then sit on it, re-read it while someone is doing your cover design, and then rewrite it. Then sit on it. Make sure all your ducks are in a row. Then publish. What have been your biggest struggles with writing, and how have you overcome them? By far the biggest struggle for me has been marketing. My reviews have been great, but it’s hard to reach a wider audience. There are so many books out there that may enjoy it, but it’s hard to reach them. I do the best I can through social media, reaching out to readers and running ads, but it’s truly hard to know what’s really working. Do you have any advice for your fellow writers? Writing the book is the easiest part. A lot of people will pat you on the back but you want constructive and honest feedback. It’s a difficult place to succeed, and you need to make sure your work is polished. The edits, the design, pouring over different fonts, marketing, outreaching, all of that is markedly harder than finishing the first draft. it’s an accomplishment, but don’t sit back and relax at that point. The grind really starts afterwards. http://www.michaelreidjr.com It was a pleasure to interview author Diana Anderson! Here's the discussion we had.
Tell us a little about your books. I write in three completely different genres: faith-based fitness (non-fiction), women’s contemporary, and young adult fantasy. My non-fiction books are all about viewing ourselves as three-part beings comprised of spirt, soul, and body, and eating well and exercising properly with that in mind. To me, fitness is about far more than looking a certain way or preventing diseases; it’s about being the best version of ourselves so we can better serve and love those around us. My first novel, Moonbow: The Colors of Iris, is a prequel to the young adult fantasy series I’m currently writing. It’s set in an ancient-Greece-like world and tells the story of a teenaged girl with a secret superpower who must decide whether she’ll use it to perpetuate war or bring about peace. It was an adaptation of a screenplay I wrote in college and was a ton of fun to write, as I love researching all things related to ancient Greek culture and mythology! My upcoming women’s contemporary novel is called Armor for Orchids. It follows three small-town twenty-somethings who are each struggling with seemingly hopeless battles, from depression and anorexia to rebellion and marital infidelity. Their only commonality is their connection to 82-year-old Poppy McAdams, a local heroine who shows them all, in her unique albeit mysterious way, what it takes to have true and lasting victory. This story was one of those I literally felt had to be written….really, it wouldn’t stop pestering me until I got it out on paper! It was truly therapeutic to write and I pray it’s a blessing to the women who read it. It will be published by Evatopia Press later this year! The current fantasy series I’m working on is, like Moonbow, heavily influenced by my lifelong love for Greek mythology. It is set in the present, unlike Moonbow, and follows my protagonist Chloe who lives in a dystopian world whose corrupt government is hiding a long-kept secret only she can uncover. I’ve had a blast bringing gods and heroes such as Apollo, Hermes, Orpheus, even Medusa into the cast of characters! When did you start writing? As soon as I learned the alphabet! My mom has bins full of my stories, which were written before I knew sentences run from left to right! I just scribbled letters around the edges of construction paper, drew pictures in the center, stapled the pages together, and called it a book! Why do you write? I’m going to shamelessly quote Nicole Krauss because her statement perfectly expresses my sentiments: “Why does one begin to write? Because she feels misunderstood, I guess. Because it never comes out clearly enough when she tries to speak. Because she wants to rephrase the world, to take it in and give it back again differently, so that everything is used and nothing is lost. Because it’s something to do to pass the time until she is old enough to experience the things she writes about.” I write because, quite simply, it’s the best way I know to both express myself and daydream about and discover the things of which I am absolutely ignorant and naïve. It’s the art form God gave me to explore and enjoy, and I intend to soak up all its joys until the day I die. How do you find inspiration? Obviously, Greek mythology is a huge inspiration for my fiction. I’ve been fascinated with myths, and Greek myths in particular, since I was little girl. There’s something so timeless about them. The characters, even the most divine and powerful ones, are incredibly relatable and relevant, even now. The level of conflict they portray, the pathos they present, the catharsis they provide, and the worlds they paint are what have kept readers and writers returning to them for millennia. They’re classic examples of stellar storytelling that will never grow stale. My fitness books and contemporary fiction are largely inspired by events in my own life. I struggled with anorexia and body image issues as a teen and now write extensively about having a healthy mindset when it comes to fitness and nutrition. I know firsthand what it’s like to be your body’s own worst enemy and want to help women overcome harmful habits and thought patterns. Though several of the characters in Armor for Orchids struggle with things with which I personally have little or no experience, I draw inspiration from stories I’ve heard or read throughout my life, as well as from my own imagination. As is often the case, inspiration seems to come when I just let myself ponder the question, “What if…?” What is your advice on the editing process? First, enlist beta readers, people who are familiar with your genre and can give you honest feedback on whether what you’re writing is resonating or falling flat. Second, hire a professional editor to proofread and/or edit your work from a developmental standpoint, preferably both. It’s worth it to save some money and invest in an editor who can put the final polish on your book. A great editor and an expert cover designer are musts, in my opinion. Third, never stop learning about the craft of writing a story that works from start to finish. Learn all you can about plot structure, beats and scenes, set-ups and pay-offs, crises and resolutions, inciting incidents and climaxes. The more you know, the easier editing will go for you as you’re better able to identify any problem areas and their fixes. Were you ever nervous about publishing? Honestly, not really. I knew that this would be a giant learning experience and that only a very small percentage of people knock it out of the park with their debut novel, or even their first ten novels. I made a boatload of mistakes when I published my first few books, but these have only made me a better business person and have further convinced me that I was born to be a writer. So much has happened, both personally and professionally, that could have caused me to give up on writing altogether, but I’ve stuck with it because I love it with all my heart. Today’s publishing world is exciting, volatile, competitive, and tremendously frustrating, but I believe it will always reward the authors who stick with it and persevere. So far, what has been the highlight of your career as a writer? Recently signing with Evatopia Press was a huge moment for me. I’m very excited to have their support and look forward to seeing what this relationship brings. Second to that – and this might sound strange – my agent breaking up with me earlier this year was actually a blessing in disguise. He’d been representing my novel Moonbow and gave up on it, understandably, after eight months. I was heartbroken. A few months later, I emailed him my latest fantasy novel for his consideration and didn’t receive so much as a standard rejection email. More heartbreak. I felt like I was being rejected by my first love all over again! But, as was the case with my publishing mistakes, this disappointment only made me stronger. After I cried and threw my pity party, I got up, dried my tears, and went straight back to work on my manuscript. You can’t let one person tell you, either by their words or actions, that you’re not good enough, that your work is worthless. I strongly believe that the joy of writing should always be your “why” for writing. It should never be about pleasing an agent, making money, or winning fans. Creating meaningful art transcends all those things, which is an immensely freeing thought. Do you have any advice for your fellow writers? Read a lot! I know I quoted another writer earlier, but I’m going to do it again. Lisa See said this, “Read a thousand books, and your words will flow like a river.” Read books that challenge you, books by authors you know are (for now, at least) far better than you. Let them be your teachers. Let their words wash over and enrich you. Take notes on how they turn a scene, build a world, and describe a character. Read like a student. I promise you’ll be amazed by the results! |
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