Frequently Asked Questions (things people ask me on a regular basis)
Where do you get an idea for a book?
I love things that are not possible and it starts from there really. I mean who would have thought sitting in a chair would take you through time, (H.G.Wells The Time Machine) WOW! what an idea. I am always looking for Ideas if I'm out and about. Just everyday things can trigger an idea. Fantasy is all about events that are fiction and from there the skies the limit. I take an ordinary everyday situation and make it into something fun and interesting.
I love things that are not possible and it starts from there really. I mean who would have thought sitting in a chair would take you through time, (H.G.Wells The Time Machine) WOW! what an idea. I am always looking for Ideas if I'm out and about. Just everyday things can trigger an idea. Fantasy is all about events that are fiction and from there the skies the limit. I take an ordinary everyday situation and make it into something fun and interesting.
Characters names, where do they come from?
I must admit that in Wizards' Kingdom in particular, I looked inside my medical cabinet and just changed some of the labels for foot powder or medicine and turned them into wizards. (in one famous d-i-y store I used the name of a product for the character Veltzeg.)
If you get stuck writing, what do you do?
I'm asked this more than anything else. Normally, if something blocks my way I would leave it for a while and come back to it later. I have a story in which my creative writing lecturer Roy Duncan (sadly no longer with us) told me once. I told him I had 'writer's block' and he went mental. There's no such thing he raged. If you are walking down a passageway or street and there's a door ahead of you... and your ideas stop flowing, then turn around and head another way, somewhere else...well it worked for me.
How do you work the settings for each chapter?
I lay down foundations as if I was building a bridge. First I write down little ideas and descriptions and move along. Later I come back and put more into the base, such as colour, sound, feel and conversation and just keep building up into the shape I want. The trick is not to over do it or you could end up with a shoddy mess.
What character do you like most in your book WK?
I think Crasmont the chubby wizard is the answer to that. He's jolly and loves food and always makes light of a situation, but be warned he's not a pushover by any means. He maybe short and slower than the rest, but he's very clever and very powerful also.
Do you ever get bored writing?
Don't get me wrong I really enjoy writing, but sometimes you can do a little too much. What I mean is I go over and over something until I get it exactly the way I want it and after a while well...it does get tedious. The end result though is well worth the hard work.
What do you think is the most important part of writing?
There's a simple answer to that. The most important part for me is that somebody, anybody reads what I have written and really enjoys it. It's an old cliche, but it has to be gripping. if you don't get a readers interest in the first paragraph then they will just move on to something else, so in essence you must get the reader interested.
Where is the best place to write?
I find anywhere in the house is fine...if it's quiet (it has to be quiet). I can't work with a noisy background. I'm lucky as my wife bought me a 'Laptop' and I can hide away and write to my hearts content without any distraction.
Is there a certain time to write something?
I've read other authors 'F A Q' and some say you should write..write..write, all the time, at least a thousand words a day. Well I disagree, I write when the mood takes me, if I force myself to write it's not as good as when I am ready to flow. Different situations suit different people I suppose.
I must admit that in Wizards' Kingdom in particular, I looked inside my medical cabinet and just changed some of the labels for foot powder or medicine and turned them into wizards. (in one famous d-i-y store I used the name of a product for the character Veltzeg.)
If you get stuck writing, what do you do?
I'm asked this more than anything else. Normally, if something blocks my way I would leave it for a while and come back to it later. I have a story in which my creative writing lecturer Roy Duncan (sadly no longer with us) told me once. I told him I had 'writer's block' and he went mental. There's no such thing he raged. If you are walking down a passageway or street and there's a door ahead of you... and your ideas stop flowing, then turn around and head another way, somewhere else...well it worked for me.
How do you work the settings for each chapter?
I lay down foundations as if I was building a bridge. First I write down little ideas and descriptions and move along. Later I come back and put more into the base, such as colour, sound, feel and conversation and just keep building up into the shape I want. The trick is not to over do it or you could end up with a shoddy mess.
What character do you like most in your book WK?
I think Crasmont the chubby wizard is the answer to that. He's jolly and loves food and always makes light of a situation, but be warned he's not a pushover by any means. He maybe short and slower than the rest, but he's very clever and very powerful also.
Do you ever get bored writing?
Don't get me wrong I really enjoy writing, but sometimes you can do a little too much. What I mean is I go over and over something until I get it exactly the way I want it and after a while well...it does get tedious. The end result though is well worth the hard work.
What do you think is the most important part of writing?
There's a simple answer to that. The most important part for me is that somebody, anybody reads what I have written and really enjoys it. It's an old cliche, but it has to be gripping. if you don't get a readers interest in the first paragraph then they will just move on to something else, so in essence you must get the reader interested.
Where is the best place to write?
I find anywhere in the house is fine...if it's quiet (it has to be quiet). I can't work with a noisy background. I'm lucky as my wife bought me a 'Laptop' and I can hide away and write to my hearts content without any distraction.
Is there a certain time to write something?
I've read other authors 'F A Q' and some say you should write..write..write, all the time, at least a thousand words a day. Well I disagree, I write when the mood takes me, if I force myself to write it's not as good as when I am ready to flow. Different situations suit different people I suppose.
Is everything you write good?
My answer to this question is no! When anyone is writing their first draught, it is RUBBISH. This is true of any author. Try it yourself, write something and leave it. Go back to it later and you'll see how bad it really is. Then you need to go over and over and over it until it begins to shape into something good. Practice makes perfect.