Ask the Author: Patrick Elliott
Answered Questions (6)
Patrick Elliott
This may be my shortest answer on here. I make the assumption that this is not a question of where do I get my ideas. So I will leave the whole voices in my head conversation for when somebody actually asks that.
Most of the time I just have the urge. When I do not I go on walks or to parks and/or graveyards. My muses are hard rock bands with female vocalists. This is a recent addition, though music has often played a part in the process. During these trips I listen to bands like that (though hard rock is not always necessary most of the bands fall into that category) and I feel that drive to sit down and write something. The passion, the beauty, the gentle savagery of the voices and instruments along with the endorphin rush inspire me to make my own art. They remind me that words are a powerful thing and hearing them used to create in a different format drives me to my own medium.
Now if you mean how do I get the inspiration for my stories... someone will have to ask that directly I guess.
Most of the time I just have the urge. When I do not I go on walks or to parks and/or graveyards. My muses are hard rock bands with female vocalists. This is a recent addition, though music has often played a part in the process. During these trips I listen to bands like that (though hard rock is not always necessary most of the bands fall into that category) and I feel that drive to sit down and write something. The passion, the beauty, the gentle savagery of the voices and instruments along with the endorphin rush inspire me to make my own art. They remind me that words are a powerful thing and hearing them used to create in a different format drives me to my own medium.
Now if you mean how do I get the inspiration for my stories... someone will have to ask that directly I guess.
Patrick Elliott
By deal with I am assuming you mean survive. Nobody deals with writer's block, you just have to get through it. I read in a book for artists that those long idle times staring at the screen or canvas are part of the process that we all have to go through until the muse starts speaking again.
I have been lucky in that I seldom encounter writer's block. When I do I just stare at the page, or try another project but if I can do that I'm not really blocked, until I either get inspiration or get angry. If I get angry I go to bed as I'm one of those weirdos that writes at night not in the morning, or I do my magic to get inspiration which is in a question I will answer tomorrow. I muddle through it, and I hate it but I survive it until it is time to go back to work.
Now, as for the other things that we call writer's block? Those I do deal with. Bad moods, laziness, overextending myself and not having time. We all have a thousand excuses not to write and our own reasons behind them. Those, well... I ask myself one important question. Am I resisting writing because it will make me feel better and some part of me doesn't want to, or because it will make me feel worse? To answer this I have to force myself to write and see if it improves my mood or makes me angry. If it is making me feel worse I give in to the urges and give myself a little break. If my mood starts to improve I remind myself that there is no room in writing for cowards and carve out some time during the day to do what I should be.
So, having looked at this I realize I have spent more thinking of the answer to this than answering it. Guess it's time to get back to work.
I have been lucky in that I seldom encounter writer's block. When I do I just stare at the page, or try another project but if I can do that I'm not really blocked, until I either get inspiration or get angry. If I get angry I go to bed as I'm one of those weirdos that writes at night not in the morning, or I do my magic to get inspiration which is in a question I will answer tomorrow. I muddle through it, and I hate it but I survive it until it is time to go back to work.
Now, as for the other things that we call writer's block? Those I do deal with. Bad moods, laziness, overextending myself and not having time. We all have a thousand excuses not to write and our own reasons behind them. Those, well... I ask myself one important question. Am I resisting writing because it will make me feel better and some part of me doesn't want to, or because it will make me feel worse? To answer this I have to force myself to write and see if it improves my mood or makes me angry. If it is making me feel worse I give in to the urges and give myself a little break. If my mood starts to improve I remind myself that there is no room in writing for cowards and carve out some time during the day to do what I should be.
So, having looked at this I realize I have spent more thinking of the answer to this than answering it. Guess it's time to get back to work.
Patrick Elliott
This is possibly the hardest question to answer. There are so many wonderful things about being a writer that choosing one thing that is the best is near impossible. I think I am like most writers in this, writing keeps your heart young.
As we age most people have their passion for life dulled by the brute force and blunt trauma of reality. As a writer I don't believe in the impossible because if you can imagine it, it can be done. Sometimes that is only in writing but more often in reality. I believe strongly in personal freedoms, especially when it comes to thought and speech. I see a world that is dark and in many ways oppressive. I see people suffering. I know we can change that. I know the way things are is not how they have to be. I believe people want happiness and can achieve it. I know we want to connect with each other and we just need to break down the barriers. These are just a few of the crazy things I am willing to stand up for, that I believe are possible no matter what people think about how hard it is to change the world.
The best thing about being a writer is standing up for all of this. Freedom of speech and thought actively and intrinsically in the act of writing. Connecting with people and touching them as a part of the process. The rest of it in what and how I right. Either showing people where I think we can do better, or where we need to avoid going. I get to do that every day, and I also get to encourage others to keep their passion and hope alive, to stand up for what they believe in. That is an amazing feeling.
As we age most people have their passion for life dulled by the brute force and blunt trauma of reality. As a writer I don't believe in the impossible because if you can imagine it, it can be done. Sometimes that is only in writing but more often in reality. I believe strongly in personal freedoms, especially when it comes to thought and speech. I see a world that is dark and in many ways oppressive. I see people suffering. I know we can change that. I know the way things are is not how they have to be. I believe people want happiness and can achieve it. I know we want to connect with each other and we just need to break down the barriers. These are just a few of the crazy things I am willing to stand up for, that I believe are possible no matter what people think about how hard it is to change the world.
The best thing about being a writer is standing up for all of this. Freedom of speech and thought actively and intrinsically in the act of writing. Connecting with people and touching them as a part of the process. The rest of it in what and how I right. Either showing people where I think we can do better, or where we need to avoid going. I get to do that every day, and I also get to encourage others to keep their passion and hope alive, to stand up for what they believe in. That is an amazing feeling.
Patrick Elliott
This possibly the most difficult thing for me to answer. I have been thinking about it lot though. Remember when reading this that I am opinionated, an advocate for freedom and challenging the status quo, and forging your own path. I also believe every writer is out to touch, change and inspire the world. You can never do that if you are not comfortable with yourself and in touch with not only what you want to see but how you believe we should get there. With that in mind...
Do this...
I have been looking at advice from writers on how to be an author and wonder if this translates to other artists. If we eliminate the fifty percent, and I'm being generous, who are simply quoting Stephen King and/or Neil Gaiman I find a common thread.
That commonality is not in the letter of what they say but instead the spirit. They give advice based on what they did to succeed themselves. "Do it how I did, it works!" Well it worked for them.
Perhaps as artists it is time we realized you should not do it my way but yours. Stay true to yourself, stay true to the medium, be true to the art, and always be both as honest and helpful as you can. That last is trick if you are writing fiction since you are making stuff up, but I think you follow. You are sharing something from your heart and mind. Do things your way not in the footsteps of people who achieved the same goals you wish to reach. Don't change who you are unless you feel you need to be someone different to achieve happiness.
Maybe that's just me but it seems reasonable. I don't want stale copies of authors I love. I want vibrant art that I fall in love with for its own sake. You should feel free to ignore me and imitate others. In the end that is part of doing it your way.
And keep this in mind...
You should never feel inferior. You are good and you write stories that touch and teach. If you see something or someone you consider good or great then aspiration is wonderful but you should never feel inferior.
Those of us who do this have it hard enough with the judgments of the world. From the moment we hear “But what do you really want to do?” or “How will you pay the bills while you see if it works out?” we know we are different and it is implied that we are lesser, because stories don’t pay the bills, and don’t build societies. Then we here from painters, actors, and other artists that writing isn’t real art and we know even in our tribe we are the outsiders who are looked down on. Well you know what? Storytelling has built society, it brings joy, intelligence, peace, and greatness to the world and it has been around longer than those careers that are now considered viable and will be here when something new has crushed those paths underfoot and moved on. The world makes us feel inferior enough, never do that to yourself. Know that you are great and aspire to be even better. Because you are, and you can be but so can the rest of us. I refuse to feel inferior when I read something by one of the giants. I just realize I’ve got a big task ahead of me to fill those shoes. Please know that you are brave and amazing and helping to build a better world.
I am glad you found writing and hope you stick with it. I have gone on and off. I never completely lost it but would set it aside for “real life” from time to time. Never give up your art. I have was afraid to put my own work out there for a long time. So I think losing the path is more respectable than seeing it and being afraid to walk it. Don't end up making up for lost time.
Last, don't expect it to be quick. It might be. I won't say don't expect it to be easy because it may or may not be. It will likely take time and effort though. It is not like a job, this is part of your life and it will evolve with you through all of your days. A job is easy; finding your voice, discovering yourself, and living are hard.
Do this...
I have been looking at advice from writers on how to be an author and wonder if this translates to other artists. If we eliminate the fifty percent, and I'm being generous, who are simply quoting Stephen King and/or Neil Gaiman I find a common thread.
That commonality is not in the letter of what they say but instead the spirit. They give advice based on what they did to succeed themselves. "Do it how I did, it works!" Well it worked for them.
Perhaps as artists it is time we realized you should not do it my way but yours. Stay true to yourself, stay true to the medium, be true to the art, and always be both as honest and helpful as you can. That last is trick if you are writing fiction since you are making stuff up, but I think you follow. You are sharing something from your heart and mind. Do things your way not in the footsteps of people who achieved the same goals you wish to reach. Don't change who you are unless you feel you need to be someone different to achieve happiness.
Maybe that's just me but it seems reasonable. I don't want stale copies of authors I love. I want vibrant art that I fall in love with for its own sake. You should feel free to ignore me and imitate others. In the end that is part of doing it your way.
And keep this in mind...
You should never feel inferior. You are good and you write stories that touch and teach. If you see something or someone you consider good or great then aspiration is wonderful but you should never feel inferior.
Those of us who do this have it hard enough with the judgments of the world. From the moment we hear “But what do you really want to do?” or “How will you pay the bills while you see if it works out?” we know we are different and it is implied that we are lesser, because stories don’t pay the bills, and don’t build societies. Then we here from painters, actors, and other artists that writing isn’t real art and we know even in our tribe we are the outsiders who are looked down on. Well you know what? Storytelling has built society, it brings joy, intelligence, peace, and greatness to the world and it has been around longer than those careers that are now considered viable and will be here when something new has crushed those paths underfoot and moved on. The world makes us feel inferior enough, never do that to yourself. Know that you are great and aspire to be even better. Because you are, and you can be but so can the rest of us. I refuse to feel inferior when I read something by one of the giants. I just realize I’ve got a big task ahead of me to fill those shoes. Please know that you are brave and amazing and helping to build a better world.
I am glad you found writing and hope you stick with it. I have gone on and off. I never completely lost it but would set it aside for “real life” from time to time. Never give up your art. I have was afraid to put my own work out there for a long time. So I think losing the path is more respectable than seeing it and being afraid to walk it. Don't end up making up for lost time.
Last, don't expect it to be quick. It might be. I won't say don't expect it to be easy because it may or may not be. It will likely take time and effort though. It is not like a job, this is part of your life and it will evolve with you through all of your days. A job is easy; finding your voice, discovering yourself, and living are hard.
Patrick Elliott
I am currently working on seven projects, thankfully most of them are editing things.
I am working on an idea for a comic based on white collar heroes and villains, focusing more on morals and the crimes companies commit and where that grey line is than the street level with an artist buddy. That is a slow process.
I am putting together two books of shorts and novellas, Half Flashed for the tamer stuff, and Too Dark for Television for the really off color and politically themed stuff and some things I just don't really do like poetry. This is in the editing and putting together phase.
The Detective is a dystopian novel in the vein of 1984 set twenty years in the future based on a society where Canada annexed the US into one country and follows a police officer through his daily duties. This is in the edit phase. I am hoping to traditionally publish this but will self publish by the end of the year if I get no bites.
The Last Cowboy is the prequel to a series that has been floating around my mind since high school. It sets up a post apocalyptic world where the battle of good and evil will be fought. It is not horror but maybe urban fantasy? It is so hard to define and my longest work to date.
Eater of the Damned follows Frank Book, a monster hunter. He is foul mouthed, opinionated and he hates the monsters. If you are sick of the over humanization of monsters this is the book for you when it is done. The book starts with him going on about how idiotic it is that we use literature to turn monsters into heroes. This is in the writing phase.
Last is an entry for the the Writers of the Future contest. This is where most of the novellas come from. If you would like to help me out so I have more time for real writing I would love that. Just go buy my book because when I reach a certain level of sales I can't enter this one anymore.
I am working on an idea for a comic based on white collar heroes and villains, focusing more on morals and the crimes companies commit and where that grey line is than the street level with an artist buddy. That is a slow process.
I am putting together two books of shorts and novellas, Half Flashed for the tamer stuff, and Too Dark for Television for the really off color and politically themed stuff and some things I just don't really do like poetry. This is in the editing and putting together phase.
The Detective is a dystopian novel in the vein of 1984 set twenty years in the future based on a society where Canada annexed the US into one country and follows a police officer through his daily duties. This is in the edit phase. I am hoping to traditionally publish this but will self publish by the end of the year if I get no bites.
The Last Cowboy is the prequel to a series that has been floating around my mind since high school. It sets up a post apocalyptic world where the battle of good and evil will be fought. It is not horror but maybe urban fantasy? It is so hard to define and my longest work to date.
Eater of the Damned follows Frank Book, a monster hunter. He is foul mouthed, opinionated and he hates the monsters. If you are sick of the over humanization of monsters this is the book for you when it is done. The book starts with him going on about how idiotic it is that we use literature to turn monsters into heroes. This is in the writing phase.
Last is an entry for the the Writers of the Future contest. This is where most of the novellas come from. If you would like to help me out so I have more time for real writing I would love that. Just go buy my book because when I reach a certain level of sales I can't enter this one anymore.
Patrick Elliott
This is possibly the hardest question to answer because I used to think I was not inspired by things outside of myself. It has always seemed that I have these stories inside of my head that just want to come out. They have always been portals to other worlds for me that I wanted to share.
Recently I have realized that is only partially true. I write dark things because I see these worlds but they tend to represent things that I see wrong. A lack of kindness here, a disconnection from each other there. In my heart I believe that every author, every artist, wants to change the world. We spend our time pointing to the bad things or the possible consequences and saying, "Don't go there, or fix that." Others see beauty and want more of it and take the approach of showing us that, the better way, the path to follow instead of the one to avoid.
Old Odd Ends is an exploration of that. The idea that art can change the world for good or ill. It explores a world of monsters where no matter who's side you're on everybody seems to be out for themselves. I never would have thought of it that way until I was answering this question though. So I am happy I did.
Recently I have realized that is only partially true. I write dark things because I see these worlds but they tend to represent things that I see wrong. A lack of kindness here, a disconnection from each other there. In my heart I believe that every author, every artist, wants to change the world. We spend our time pointing to the bad things or the possible consequences and saying, "Don't go there, or fix that." Others see beauty and want more of it and take the approach of showing us that, the better way, the path to follow instead of the one to avoid.
Old Odd Ends is an exploration of that. The idea that art can change the world for good or ill. It explores a world of monsters where no matter who's side you're on everybody seems to be out for themselves. I never would have thought of it that way until I was answering this question though. So I am happy I did.
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