After the success of my first Questions for Aspiring Authors post (over 100 comments), I decided to create another post with more questions for all you lovely writers out there.
So without further ado, I would like to know:
1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
My answers:
1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
My ultimate goal is to have an agent and to be published by a major publishing house. I’d love to make a living as an author and have a long and successful writing career.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
My female characters are always very driven and ambitious. I like them to know exactly what they want in life. I don’t think I could ever write a flakey female character. I like my ladies to have goals 🙂
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
Even if I write 100 books and none of them get published, I still wouldn’t be wasting my time because I love to write. I find it really therapeutic.
4. What is your least favourite part about writing?
I find it really frustrating when I have this fantastic idea and it somehow doesn’t translate to the page. I’ll write a scene and have to edit and edit and edit to get it to a place where it even slightly resembles what I originally imagined.
5. If you could escape into just one book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
Harry Potter! Without a doubt. I’m still waiting for my Hogwarts acceptance letter 🙂
What are your answers?
Words Read & Written 
#1 That’s all we can hope for. Being a full time author and doing what we love.
#4 I agree. Sucks when you just can’t get it right.
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Amen
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer? Grand ambitions..HA..To have one of my Novels be one of the FIRST books sitting on an astronaut’s bookshelf on the first settlement on Mars
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about? A misunderstood person who overcomes adversity and ends up the hero (the underdog of course)
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time? Comparing myself to others tells me I have talent…I just need more discipline dammit…:)
4. What is your least favorite thing about writing? Having the courage to sit down and write that first sentence.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose? Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time……- .What about you my dear? Your not exempt from these questions are you…:)
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she answered under the image lol
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Yeah I’m an idiot…noticed that I after I commented…:)
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
I would love to make a very comfortable living as a writer. However, I would be happy to have people enjoy my stories.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
Very strong female lead characters
Scarred or disfigured characters
I also like writing about sisters even though I don’t have one.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
It is never a waste of time and talent is in the eye of the beholder. Anything of mine that was published, I was shocked. I often say things, “They liked that rubbish?”
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
When I get stuck or much like you mentioned when my thoughts do not translate to written words.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
Oh now this one is difficult. There are so many I could be happy in…the FIRST book I could have lived in was McKinley’s Beauty. I read it as a little girl and fell in love instantly. The list is too extensive to continue going though.
I’m sure I’ll re-blog my answers w/ a link back here (unless you mind and if so shoot me a note and I won’t). Who doesn’t like to talk about themselves and the writing craft! I enjoyed reading responses and then visiting the author’s blogs. This is a great way to meet new writers for me to follow!
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1. I would like to complete a collection of short stories sometime this year.
2. I tend to write about people who are trying to find meaning in a fragmented world.
3. Good question! I used to write sports copy for newspapers and on the internet, but I could be horrible at writing fiction! These are new and exciting waters.
4. The doubt monsters that need to be shoo’d away with torches and pitchforks every day before I can be productive.
5. The Sun Also Rises – All that lounging around, drinking coffee and copious amounts of alcohol, even at work! Sounds alright to me.
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1. I would like to simply write. And wherever that takes me, so be it. Of course, it would be great to be a published, bestselling author who could make writing his livelihood…but that’s not something I can throw my life into and trust that I will be caught. So I instead just want to write–to keep the art as a part of my life, and a key part at that, for as long as life may allow.
2. Not so much characteristics…but what I will say is that regardless of my end product, I tend to start a first draft starring a female protagonist. Not sure why, had to do some painstaking…modifications…in my complete novel, but I guess it works.
3. I know because of my own blog. That’s a huge factor as to why it was created–to see whether I was simply inadequate or I had, and hopefully still have, potential. Reader feedback is what lets me know how I’m doing. I’m too biased to decide for myself.
4. Writers’ Block. Absolutely. Unequivocally. If I remember correctly you’ve been spared thus far…pray your luck keeps. It’s a formidable beast to try and slay…and it’s never really out of the battle.
5. I’ve been inside books. Then I came out and put them on paper. That’s how novels are born. If I had to choose one, it would be whatever idea I’m going to explore next. But I don’t have to choose. Inspiration is infinite 🙂
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1. So profoundly influence the world as to change the course of history
2. You display a bias for fiction
3. Test/beta readers, or experience with previous writing
4. Money
5. We are already in “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” and don’t realize it
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
– My grand ambitions when it comes to being a writer is to become a published author and alongside that I also hope that through blogging and social networking I’ll be able to reach out to people who are interested in my writing and hearing from people who are capable of finding a part of themselves in what I already feel.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
– I always tend to make my male characters extremely uncertain of themselves and their capabilities due to a loom depression that’s effected their lives greatly. I like misery and I enjoy giving it company. I also like think that happy endings are over played.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
– There’s a natural fluency that comes with talent however writing is never something you should consider a waste of time. It’s a great way to express emotion in any way you want.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
– Not knowing what will come next.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
– I’d like to go into The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events). I felt I could relate to the main characters in some senses and it’s what really drew me into reading and writing as a child.
There are my answers =>
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
To write a book that school teachers force kids to read 100 years from now. And to write a book that millions of people will read right now.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
Not really. In two of my books, out of four, the protagonist is a girl in her 20’s, caught up in something horrible she can’t seem to get out of. Maybe a pattern there? We’ll have to wait until book #10.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I don’t think those two are mutually exclusive. And I’ll have to challenge you to define ‘wasting your time.’
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
Nothing. I love writing.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
Flatland. I would be a God.
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#1 To be a full time author. So I can be free from the clutches of my job and be able to see the world to enrich myself and become a better writer. Big dreams baby!
2# I always like to include a character who is somewhat random in his remarks, and takes everything in a completely different light than the rest of the characters.
3# I’m just starting, but I guess the answer to this question can be given by the readers of my work.
4# When you can’t find the right words to express what you want to say.
5# The Farseer trilogy.
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
– I can’t be original here, I really want to write for a living and not have to work in a conventional job.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
– Yes! My guys are always alpha males and their women always give them a run for their money. Though they differ in all other areas, those 2 key elements seem to remain constant.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
– I don’t think you could ever waste your time doing something you absolutely love and enjoy doing. Talent is a generalization with varying degrees, so I say that even if only one other person out there likes your work, you’ve got some kind of talent.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
– There are so many ups and downs, but I think the worst is writing an extremely emotional or sickening scene that leaves you utterly drained and even highly emotional afterward. Even if the results are awesome, the feeling is anything but and can linger for awhile.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
– Any of Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series. I would love to be a Mage apprentice with my own Companion and have the chance to work with talking Gryphons.
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Firstly, thanks for your questions! I really enjoyed reading all the responses last time. It just shows that we’re all different.
1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
Two years ago it would have been to be published. Since that’s now happened, I’d love more people to enjoy my books. Having said that, it’d be nice to make a living as an author. I can always live in hope, but really, I love the fact that I’ve been published.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
So far I’ve been writing about girls who aren’t waiting for the prince to rescue them. They’re competent, clever, and independent. And I’ve been writing about cats. Huge, glow in the dark cats.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I like to think that having been published suggests that I have talent. (Traditionally published, small publisher). I suppose that probably means that I need external validation. I also like to think that those who’ve enjoyed my stories and left me nice reviews think that I have talent. More external validation… perhaps I need a psychologist!
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
Editing. Always the editing. I like the writing part, but the pre-submission editing is plain hard work. I don’t mind the edits coming back from the publisher – they seem to have more purpose, despite being somewhat painful (ego painful) to look at.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
I’ve always wanted to go to Anne McCaffrey’s Pern and impress a dragon. Or Narnia. Or Roshar. Or, or, or….there are too many.
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1. I want to be the next Gaiman or King, but I would be satisfied with just getting one book published.
2. Not really. A couple times I have written about the nerdy introvert like Michael Cera but I try to add variety with my characters I guess.
3. Good question. I don’t really know. But it helps knowing that my family and my girlfriend are my biggest fans.
4. I wish I could devote more time to it. It’s almost 2 am right now and I should go to bed but this is about the only time of the day where I can just write.
5. That’s a toughie. Most books I read I wouldn’t really want to live in. Take GoT for example. If you’re poor, you’re really poor. If you’re rich, your life expectancy is very short. I guess for an actual book, I’d say Lord of the Rings probably but since I’m a comic nerd, I’m gonna cheat and say Amazing Spider-Man
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1. To be published, just once!
2. My MCs are always female and too curious for their own good.
3. Talented writers, in my opinion, are the people who want to get better and strive to be better at their craft. I cannot tell you the number of “writers” I’ve met who consider one draft good enough, shut their ears to constructive criticism, and bash other people’s work. Your writing could be legendary, but if you act like this I will never consider you talented. Talent comes from the ability to make good writing even better.
4. There are days when projects consume my thoughts, making it a struggle to complete tasks I *need* to get done rather than the writing I *want* to get done. You can close the document, but writing doesn’t have an “off” switch!
5. This might be a cop-out, but Inkheart! That way I would be able to find someone who could read me into any other book I wanted. (Okay, this doesn’t come without its own dangers… but it would be a lot of fun!)
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1) Well, I’d like to make a career out of writing.
2) I always tend to write really complex characters. Their backstories alone would make very interesting books themselves. I want my characters to be real and fleshed out, as if they were real people, so I tend to write them as such.
3) I enjoy writing and it’s made me a whole lot of new friends. So I don’t think it will ever be a waste of time, even if no one likes what I actually write.
4) Editing. I abhor going back and finding all the things I did wrong or misspelled or didn’t explain enough. I know that’s how you get better, but I just don’t like doing it.
5) I have to choose just one? inconceivable!
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1. To make a living as a writer
2. I like writing about couples who balance and complete each other. Romantic or not, so a pair of detectives would fit the bill.
3. If someone enjoys my work, then that’s the talent I want to have.
4. The headache I get when it’s not working.
5. One of the later Watch books by Terry Pratchett. Life in Anhk Morpork wouldn’t be easy, but there are opportunities everywhere and the city must just feel so alive.
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1. What are my grand ambitions as a writer?
To reach a large body of readers at an emotional level that makes them want to continue turning pages. If I can do this well, the piece will sell itself. Forgive me if I sound self-righteous or pompous, but if all I thought about was getting published and watching my bank balance grow I would not by thinking about the writing. It’s all about the writing.
2. The type of characters I always tend to write about are quirky and deceitful. MC’s tend to be young females with brash personalities who think they have everything figured out but clearly underestimate their scenarios and overestimate themselves. Sidekicks are a bit submissive [I need to make them more assertive to challenge the MC]. Mentors tend to have hidden agendas. Antagonists don’t appear as threats immediately. Themes for my MC usually are about endurance and pushing to learn the REAL truth [whatever that is].
3. How do I really know if I have talent or if I’m just wasting my time?
Could you ask a more emotionally explosive question please? If you’ve been over to my blog in the last day or two, you’ll see my piece on self-doubt. To answer your question though, I think this may be mixing apples and oranges.
On the one hand, I would measure my “talent” by comparing the emotional response of my audience, and my intent to provoke said response in a particular piece of work. If I wrote a piece with the intent to spread joy and my readers came away happy then my talent to provoke the response was genuine. If they were ambivalent then my talent failed [and this response unfortunately results in the reader having wasted their time]. The slippery slope here is that everyone will come away differently. You can’t please everyone.
Conversely, for me at least, if I’m not emotionally invested in the piece I’m writing then I’m probably wasting my time. If I don’t care about it, why should anyone else. At the end of the day, “talent” and
time wasting” are two different animals.
4. My least favorite part about writing:
Currently I’m tearing the guts out of a polished draft to change my MC’s initial attitude. Based on first impressions, my beta readers had trouble emotionally investing in her. The hard part was finding a way to make the story arc savable, which thanks to a brainstorming session with my wife, I have now found. But at first it felt awful. Like everyone was telling me my baby was ugly.
5. If I could escape into just one book it would be mine, of course.
Thanks for asking these thought provoking questions! It really makes me think about my motivations, and whether you intended or not, it’s been inspiring.
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Hi Jodie,
Answers as follows:
1) To as diverse as Michael Crichton, and be accepted as a screenwriter & novelist in multiple genres
2) Male characters – we all tend to write about what we know – and a young go-getter. I write novels in the YA genre and both of my main characters are young, normal, teens who are forced to extremes to save the day.
3) Wow. Tough question. Positive feedback is always nice; a real ego-polisher but I think I’m my greatest critic and if I’m happy with what I’ve written then that’s good enough for me.
4) Deciding when enough is enough. Sometimes writing can be over worked and deciding on the cut off and saying “that’s it” is the hardest.
5) “Stormbreaker” by Anthony Horowitz. Alex Rider: what an amazing character.
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Hi Jodie,
All of my answers are the same as yours except for the last one. I’d love to go into Madeline L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time”. How cool would it be to time travel and visit strange new worlds!
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Great questions! Here are my answers…
1. Polish up a WIP which I am happy enough with to send to an agent, wow the agent with said WIP, and then get a multi-million dollar publishing contract and… Oh, was this my wildest dream or just my authorly ambitions? Well…in reality, perhaps not the million-dollar contract, but the rest is true… 🙂
2. I always have a female POV character who is intelligent and usually underestimates her own strength(s). Sometimes I write male POV characters, but usually as a secondary character.
3. Isn’t this the million dollar question? I feel called to write, as it’s the only passion I’ve had since childhood that hasn’t changed, and it’s the only thing I feel truly guilty about if I ignore for one day. So I suppose time spent on such a passion is never time wasted, even if I am never published. 🙂
4. Least favorite? Used to be editing, but now I actually enjoy that part best, I think. Least favorite now would probably be realizing that my plot or characters aren’t nearly as original as I first thought…and then trying to make them more unique while still resonating with humanity…
5. I have far too many favorite books to really feel like I can do this question justice…but as for alternate worlds, although I would enjoy the simplicity of recency England or something of the sort, there is too much that I wouldn’t like about it to say I’d want to live in it…even with Mr. Darcy… So, maybe I’ll steal your answer of Harry Potter–as long as I get to be a wizard, because the world is so much different than my own and it would undoubtedly be a thrill.
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer? To be published for my fiction and to make some trickling of an income (anything!) as a travel writer.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about? Insecure women who find their confidence and strength.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time? I’m part of a writers group where we constantly critique each other’s work. So far, I’m told good things, and an agent has requested to see my first MS, but we’ll see. It’s a toss up, isn’t it? Someone will love my/your writing, someone else to say it. Who are the talent police anyways?
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing? Reading my work after it’s been through about ten edits and STILL finding a mistake. Gut crushing.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose? Also would have to be Harry Potter. Would there be anything cooler?
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
Sharing a story many people (including agents and major publishers) will love.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
My female main characters start out with a rather comfortable life. Then something happens that turns it upside down, and they have to find out who they truly are in how they react to difficult circumstances.
My male main/secondary characters seem to always have a difficult past – broken homes, families, poor education, criminality. But they are fighters, and I love them.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I wouldn’t call writing a waste of time even if I am not talented. Basically, I think I stand a chance against a lot of writers – just by comparing myself from a completely unbiased point of view. 🙂
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
I hate having to make major editorial changes. If I realize something isn’t working for what I have written and I have to go back and monotonously change everything… that’s just boring. I love everything else.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
Ha, no idea.
Hunger Games, so that I could find Gale and have him since Katniss wouldn’t…
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer? Absolutely, hands down, to have a book of my own published.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about? I don’t know about type, but I love to write about dragons. I come back to them a lot.
3. How do you know if you really have talent or just wasting your time? I agree. If you are driven to write, you probably do have talent. It’s never a waste because you are using your creativity.
4. What is your least favorite thing about writing? Writer’s block and writer’s depression.
5. If you could escape inside a book, which would you pick? The Narnia books. Love them!
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
Right now it’d be to get my first book published (still, it needs to be finished before that can happen). Once that happens, I don’t really care if it’s a best seller, as long as people enjoy reading it! Although I admit, it’d be really awesome to have an agent and be published by a major publishing house.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
Female characters who feel lost in some situation, maybe…
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
Well you don’t really, but writing is definitely less wasted time than watching TV. I just know that if a friend reads what I write (or lovely blog readers), it feels that much more fruitful. 😉
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
“Writer’s block” (aka 1001 excuses) and not being able to convey what’s really in my head.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
Ouch, that’s a hard one… Maybe a French book “Virus L.I.V. 3 ou la mort des livres,” (maybe “Virus L.I.V 3 or the death of books”) a story about a deaf/mute girl in a world of “books” vs “screens” where the Pro-Book people are in power and forbid screens. (The author, Christian Grenier, himself says it’s the opposite of Fahrenheit 451.) A kind of virus spreads and turn books blank as you’re literally transported into books! It’s really cool…
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1. Obviously to one day have a book or short story published.
2. No. I have three books at mid way stage at the moment and all the main characters are different.
3. Definitely not wasting my time. I only write when I get the urge or an idea pops into my head. It is more for relaxation than anything. It is sometimes nice to escape into a fictitious world!
4. I just get sick of typing. I have been doing it for a living my entire life and sometimes I just balk at hitting the keyboard.
5. Like you Jodie – definitely Harry Potter. What a wonderful imaginative journey that would be.
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
To be remembered after I die.To help start a new genre. To inspire others. To challenge assumptions.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
People deciding whether or not to betray their heritage.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
This is two different questions. How do I know if I have talent? The honest answer is from your peers. How do I know if I’m wasting my time? If I’m getting enjoyment out of writing, it’s not a waste.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
Plotting.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
The front room where Alex Haley interviewed Malcolm X.
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1. To get any current project done.:-) To do a signing in a bookstore.
2. Hard boiled, jaded, and sarcastic. (there’s always one of them)
3. Reactions from critique circles and readers says it all.
4. Drafts 2 and 3. They are usually the most intense.
5. Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings.
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I have had such fun reading everyone’s answers!
1. Grand Ambitions: I would love love love to be able to quit my day job!
2. Common Character: I don’t have much of a sample size yet. I will say though that all of my MCs have one thread of their personality that is also mine. They are all very different people, but different aspects of myself are explored with each of them. I think that’s why writing feels so good for me. I am a total robot and it’s the only way I can even begin to express myself.
3. I have no idea why I’m so sure I have talent. But like everyone else here, I feel that even if I was the worst ever it wouldn’t mean I wasted my time.
4. Least Favorite Thing: Starting. Self-doubt is my middle name, and to start is to admit that you want to try, which is terrifying. I can edit all day but putting the very first words on a page is like tearing off my own skin.
5. World To Disappear Into: I love the Harry Potter world, but my pick would be the Coldfire Trilogy by C.S. Friedman. It is such a fascinating place, and the antagonist – if you can really call him that – is the best I’ve ever read. The idea that your beliefs, but more so your doubts, will literally change the reality around you hits a major chord with me. If I could chose a TV show though, me and Kyle from The Pretender would live out our days in semi-mischievous happiness together. I do love a Bad Boy, and one played by Jeffrey Donovan… yummy!
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If you have trouble starting, try “free-writing”. Pay zero attention to any form punctuation or grammar. Just let any thought be reproduced on the paper. You’ll edit it later…and after all, you can’t edit a blank page.
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True, true. I will try that. I hate not knowing what comes next though!
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
My grandest ambition is to write full time, but I would be happy enough to have enough readers that I could have an engaging community of fans to run around in my world with me.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
Boys. I know that seems rather vague, but just silly boys.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I don’t know that those two are mutually exclusive – talented people waste their time all time, I’d imagine.
As to whether or not I have any writing talent, I have no idea. I like what I write, does that count?
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
How I always seem to get my best ideas when I’m unable to write any of them down!
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
Any of the Den of Shadows by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
To be published. Not to live off my writing, though. I still want to be a teacher. Besides, no human can write JUST for money, right?
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
Someone who’s different or misunderstood. I was close to giving one of my protagonists conjunctivitis at one point.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I don’t. That’s the problem. But pretty everyone has said I’m doing pretty well, except from one teacher. And she’s only read excerpts.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
Two things. Firstly, when I write out a really awesome scene, and then lose it – like when I kept switching from one laptop to the other in hospital – and have to re-write it, having lost the *zest* of that scene. And, secondly, when I get myself all hyped up about a scene, and it sucks. Or when I can’t go write in choir.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
The Mortal Instruments – Yes, I realise it’s just New York with warlocks and stuff, but I would love to meet Magnus Bane.
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
I want to write stories that will continue to inspire other people to take up writing themselves, decades after I have passed away.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
Loners who carry the weight of the world on their shoulders; who are able to overcome their burdens to accomplish great feats, not for themselves, but for the greater good.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I try to imagine what I would think of the words in front of me if they had been written by one of my favourite authors. I’ll certainly have more faith in my abilities the day that I can say to myself, this could have been written by so-and-so. As for wasting my time, writing is one of the few things in life I am passionate about, so any time spent writing will never be wasted time as far as I’m concerned.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
The struggle to adequately put into words the narrative that I can visualise in my head.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
I can’t really think of any book that I’d want to escape into, although when I was a kid and read The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe for the first time, I did step inside my bedroom wardrobe in an attempt to get to Narnia.
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
I’d like to make a living as an author and have a long and successful writing career.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
My preferred character type is one who sees something wrong with the world, society and tries to change it.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I don’t need validation from other people to know I have talent, If what I’ve written is something I’d like to see in a bookstore, buy and read then I know I have talent.
4. What is your least favourite part about writing?
Knowing when to stop writing a scene (I’m a perfectionist).
5. If you could escape into just one book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
The dictionary! because, out of all the books in the world, that is the one that contains them all
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
Odd as it sounds? To hone my talents to the place where what I imagine is one the page and everyone, including me, can see it clearly. And, presumably, along the way that’ll involved getting published.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
The brainiac ones, who rely on data and science.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I trust the honesty of my friends. And because it’s never a waste of time to try and tell your story. Even if the only thing you produce is something you’re happy with. That’s the goal.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
That I have carpal tunnel so I can’t write for hours on end anymore without severe pain.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
I don’t have a book world I’d like to get into. Once, Harry Potter or a Star Trek universe book.
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
To have my books read and enjoyed by people, to be able to google titles of my books and read about people who relate and enjoy my characters. It would be a lie if I didn’t say it would be nice to be able to make a living from it as well.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
I tend to write about downtrodden characters with very dodgy moral compasses. Usually my readers are split down the middle whether a lot of them are nice people or not.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I don’t, people say they like my stuff though. I’ll just keep writing until everyone says it’s crap.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
Starting. Once I sit down and start 9 times out of 10 I carry on for ages and enjoy it but its just the actual act of sitting down to begin that I find really difficult.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
On The Road by Jack Kerouac. I would have loved to have been on that road trip with them. Its books like that that probably inspire my characters with dodgy moral compasses.
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1. What are your grand ambitions as a writer?
To be published. Hmm. To have someone somewhere, someone I don’t know, conduct an English class in which they read the Jacky Clothilde novels.
2. Is there a type of character you always tend to write about?
It’s more often a woman than a man. She has brains and skills, but spends most of the novel trying to figure out what’s going on so she can do something about it. Jacky Clothilde, in particular, is a sort of noir Dr Who, though that’s not what I set out to make her.
3. How do you really know if you have talent or if you’re just wasting your time?
I like my writing better than I like reading anyone else (exceptions: Tolkien, Lovecraft, Rowling, Hammett and Chandler, and maybe Stephen King and Suzanne Collins). My ten year old has read almost everything I’ve written, even though I write for adults—well, without explicit sex or swearing.
4. What is your least favourite thing about writing?
I am super jealous. I wish I weren’t.
5. If you could escape into a book —like literally go INSIDE that book— which one would you choose?
I would love to be Jacky Clothilde’s sidekick. “The Tumbling Ring.” But I would settle for an invite to Hogwarts or a chance to be the tenth member of the Fellowship of the Ring.
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