Ask the Author: Lisa Aldridge
Answered Questions (16)
Lisa Aldridge
My heart raced as I neared the old cabin, wondering if perhaps he’d left me a note so I could find him.
Instead, after all those years, I found him sitting there just waiting for me in the same clothes he’d worn at our last encounter but his smile was different without the flesh.
Instead, after all those years, I found him sitting there just waiting for me in the same clothes he’d worn at our last encounter but his smile was different without the flesh.
Lisa Aldridge
I would travel to Fablehaven, the magical creature sanctuary, created by Brandon Mull. The first thing I would do is to drink the milk so that I could see the creatures that are normally hidden from human sight. Then, I'd help Kendra, Seth, Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson protect the refuge from destruction. I think my background in cultural anthropology would come in handy when dealing with groups of humans and creatures who don't always understand one another. So, basically, I would be a diplomatic liaison between opposing groups and help negotiate peace among the diverse groups.
Lisa Aldridge
Summer 2017 Reading List (So far):
1. Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
This is a sequel to the Fablehaven series. I've been waiting so long for this and when my son came home from college during spring break, he took my copy with him! Then he called to tell me he'd read it and it was great, so I'm buying myself a new copy.
2. To Love a Scotsman by Lisa Aldridge, Nicole Angeleen, Jannie Lund, and April Marcom (Re-read. I loved writing "The Ring O' Callum Brodgar" it was my first time-travel story!)
3. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
4. The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
5. Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
6. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
7. The entire Harry Potter series again! (I think this will be my 8th time reading it.)
I kind of have a fantasy/WW II thing going here. Maybe that's what I should write next: a fantasy that takes place during WW II. Hmmm....
1. Dragonwatch by Brandon Mull
This is a sequel to the Fablehaven series. I've been waiting so long for this and when my son came home from college during spring break, he took my copy with him! Then he called to tell me he'd read it and it was great, so I'm buying myself a new copy.
2. To Love a Scotsman by Lisa Aldridge, Nicole Angeleen, Jannie Lund, and April Marcom (Re-read. I loved writing "The Ring O' Callum Brodgar" it was my first time-travel story!)
3. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
4. The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson
5. Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
6. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
7. The entire Harry Potter series again! (I think this will be my 8th time reading it.)
I kind of have a fantasy/WW II thing going here. Maybe that's what I should write next: a fantasy that takes place during WW II. Hmmm....
Lisa Aldridge
I have a current mystery in my life that is quite annoying too. A squirrel keeps finding his way into our basement. We named him Thimbletack. He has been a frequent visitor for over a year now. We assumed he was coming in through the garage and filled/plugged/covered any hole or space around pipes that could possibly be part of his route.
Thimbletack kept getting in!
Eventually, we lured him into a live trap (he isn't very afraid of us) and took him to a nice park. We released him in a nice gazebo that was surrounded by trees and a lovely pond. We left him with plenty of nuts, but he climbed up my son's pant leg, as if to beg us not to leave him there. As soon as he ran up a column of the gazebo, we ran to the car and left.
We blew new insulation around boards and pipes in the garage and basement.
Two days later, Thimbletack was back!
But this time he watched us sadly through the window; maybe he was watching the nightly news with us too. We felt a little guilty that he was outside and couldn't get back in, especially when the meteorologist forecast a terrible storm for that very night!
Hours later, as the thunder rumbled and the lightning jolted the sky, we heard a strange noise, someone or something was creeping into the house!
Thimbletack was back!
Thimbletack kept getting in!
Eventually, we lured him into a live trap (he isn't very afraid of us) and took him to a nice park. We released him in a nice gazebo that was surrounded by trees and a lovely pond. We left him with plenty of nuts, but he climbed up my son's pant leg, as if to beg us not to leave him there. As soon as he ran up a column of the gazebo, we ran to the car and left.
We blew new insulation around boards and pipes in the garage and basement.
Two days later, Thimbletack was back!
But this time he watched us sadly through the window; maybe he was watching the nightly news with us too. We felt a little guilty that he was outside and couldn't get back in, especially when the meteorologist forecast a terrible storm for that very night!
Hours later, as the thunder rumbled and the lightning jolted the sky, we heard a strange noise, someone or something was creeping into the house!
Thimbletack was back!
Lisa Aldridge
I love this question! My initial reaction is Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. One of the reasons that I like this relationship so much is that both characters grow as individuals and overcome shortcomings that allow them to view the other more objectively. I love Elizabeth’s resolve to marry for love and the irony of her falling in love with the wealthy Mr. Darcy.
But wait! Ron and Hermione are another great couple from J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. We know they’re in love long before they do. We watch them grow up and see how their differences perfectly complement their companionship. Ron is passionate and a little hasty, while Hermione is logical and methodical. Ron knows things intuitively and Hermione studiously memorizes facts. They make a great team and learn to appreciate one another and eventually admit that opposites attract.
But wait! Ron and Hermione are another great couple from J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. We know they’re in love long before they do. We watch them grow up and see how their differences perfectly complement their companionship. Ron is passionate and a little hasty, while Hermione is logical and methodical. Ron knows things intuitively and Hermione studiously memorizes facts. They make a great team and learn to appreciate one another and eventually admit that opposites attract.
Lisa Aldridge
Good question, Matthew! A series is both similar and different than writing a single novel. Just as a single novel should have a good story arc, the series as whole should also have a story arc that begins in the first novel and concludes in the final novel.
In a series, each book should have an emotionally satisfying end, even though there are many things that won't be resolved until further into the series.
After each book is complete, it's important to go back during editing and tease out those threads that will help weave the story into the next book. Those threads are important to the continuity of the series as a whole.
But the most important thing about writing a series is that you, as a writer, continue to enjoy your characters and have fun with the plot.
In a series, each book should have an emotionally satisfying end, even though there are many things that won't be resolved until further into the series.
After each book is complete, it's important to go back during editing and tease out those threads that will help weave the story into the next book. Those threads are important to the continuity of the series as a whole.
But the most important thing about writing a series is that you, as a writer, continue to enjoy your characters and have fun with the plot.
Lisa Aldridge
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Lisa Aldridge
I definitely enjoy the process of writing the most! This is a time of intense creativity when my characters become three-dimensional and there comes a point in which they talk to me and tell me how their story goes. The end result is both a relief and a sadness because, at that point, my characters are done speaking and I'm left alone.
Lisa Aldridge
I have two different series going at the same time. The Dangerous Impressions Series has a planned arc and it even includes an outline for all the relationships that occur in the story. But my fantasy series has been much more organic. It's been revised a few times and then a new story nearly wrote itself, a new character that wasn't in the first novel pushed herself into the entire story. So, this one seems to be going book to book!
Lisa Aldridge
This answer contains spoilers…
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Lisa Aldridge
Writer's block can be both frustrating and mentally exhausting. I think every writer develops tools to deal with those moments/days/weeks when the words just don't seem to come easily. For me, music is very helpful and just writing about something off topic can get the juices flowing again. But other times it's a matter of plot development or what to do with a character. That's when I take to the road. Sometimes, I will get in the car and drive for a couple of hours to work things out in my mind. One time, I drove for 12 hours because things started working themselves out in my head and when I got home, I was able to just write freely.
Lisa Aldridge
One of the best things about being a writer is creating something that captures the imagination of another person. And I get to work in my pajamas! Also, I can justify going to the museum and reading good books as "research!"
Lisa Aldridge
My advice for aspiring writers is this:
1. Write every single day, even if it's just one paragraph.
2. Read, read, read! Read in your genre and out of it, read classics, just read!
3. Get involved in a writer's group.
4. Find someone to critique your work and don't get your feelings hurt.
5. When you think your story is finished, put it away for a little while, take a step back, then read it again with fresh eyes and start polishing.
1. Write every single day, even if it's just one paragraph.
2. Read, read, read! Read in your genre and out of it, read classics, just read!
3. Get involved in a writer's group.
4. Find someone to critique your work and don't get your feelings hurt.
5. When you think your story is finished, put it away for a little while, take a step back, then read it again with fresh eyes and start polishing.
Lisa Aldridge
I always have several projects going at the same time. Currently, I'm working on Fiery Impressions, Book 2 of The Dangerous Impressions Series and Half Moon Safe. The Knowing Ones is in the editing/polishing phase, it's a YA fantasy novel that takes place in the Ozarks. I also have a couple of short stories that I'm getting ready to submit.
Lisa Aldridge
Inspiration can be coaxed, but not forced, so sometimes it comes at strange times. In the shower, when you think you're alone, suddenly a character sneaks up on you and tells you all about the next scene. At the stoplight, when a great idea pops into my head I have to write it down and the person behind me starts honking because the light turned green. But when I write, I am surrounded by good music, 72% dark chocolate, and Dasani water or Perrier with lime. Sometimes I run one of my favorite movies in the background. I pray and/or meditate before I start writing.
Lisa Aldridge
I was teaching an early morning Marriage and Family class and my students were always tired, so I decided to write a few paragraphs of a story with them as characters to capture their attention. They loved it! The next semester, I walked into my American Diversity class and there they were; some of the same students from the last semester and their friends! Every day they said, "Finish our story! Write more!" And so I did.
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