Ask the Author: A.B. McFarland
Answered Questions (5)
A.B. McFarland
I've always between attracted to things that don't fit the usual stereotypes. In my early teen years (which I've heard shape you more than people realize) I was influenced by seeing early 1980's innovative music videos by alternative bands, and by reading psychology books like "Touching" by Ashley Montagu. Later I discovered books like "The Tin Drum" by Gunter Grass and "Mumbo Jumbo" by Ishmael Reed. From those I learned to appreciate when an author can touch the pulse of what's happening socially during a pivotal moment in history. More recently, I have enjoyed character-driven, mind-f*cking, gender-bender mangas like "Pandora Hearts" and "Grand Guignol Orchestra."
A.B. McFarland
Sometimes I just wait until I feel inspired, honestly. When the gates open, it is typically a flood, so I don't worry about writer's block much. I think my strategies for dealing with the Inner Critic help prevent a lot of trouble. (See 'advice for aspiring writers' question/answer).
A.B. McFarland
Don't let the Inner Critic stop you. One way to do this is anytime you feel unsure or critical of what you've just written, toss in a square bracket or other unique symbol and keep writing. Don't let thoughts like "I don't like that word, I need a synonym" or "this sentence is poorly worded" or "I need to write more here(but don't feel like it right now)" stop you…insert a bracket and keep going. Then when you are in an editing mood, you can search for the square brackets and make changes.
A.B. McFarland
I've finished a second novel called the Haunted House Designers, which features some of the same character archetypes as Pieces of Home, but they have different names, histories and circumstances.
I also have what is shaping up to be a collection of short stories in a fictional future USA, called the Truculent States of Oblivion.
I also have what is shaping up to be a collection of short stories in a fictional future USA, called the Truculent States of Oblivion.
A.B. McFarland
I've had characters in my head for as long as I can remember. They are always chatting with each other, doing interesting stuff, engaging in drama-- so I finally started writing down what they were saying.
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