Ask the Author: D.S. Smith
Answered Questions (10)
D.S. Smith
Knights of Elyssa is a fantasy, yes. No hidden meanings or relation to anything in my military life.
D.S. Smith
It helps, as you would have first-hand knowledge of the subject matter. Ultimately no, so long as you do your research in many ways a non-military author would be able to relate the book to the reader more effectively. After all, you don't have to be a detective or criminal to write about crime do you?
D.S. Smith
A very hard question. I would say my favorite series is The Warrior Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell
D.S. Smith
Hello, yes I am. Writing is a hobby that I pursue in my own time.
D.S. Smith
Knights of Elyssa is a concept that I have sat on for years and so there are many random scenes and ideas floating around the corners of my mind to choose from. When I started "Keepers of Peace" I decided the basic journey I wanted Knight-Interrogator Vessin to have and also what I wanted to show readers about the Knights of Elyssa. Then I just started scribbling ideas on how to do that.
D.S. Smith
For me at least, there isn't any one inspiration. Everyone has watched that film or read that book and thought, "This would be so much better if..." Those are the beginnings of an idea.
Music is a huge inspiration for me, I just find that having music on gets the creative part of my mind going. I love listening to music whilst I read as well, after all, the best films always have great music.
Music is a huge inspiration for me, I just find that having music on gets the creative part of my mind going. I love listening to music whilst I read as well, after all, the best films always have great music.
D.S. Smith
I am working on "Keepers of Peace" for the Knights of Elyssa series.
D.S. Smith
Write! Anything, even if you feel it is an awful idea or concept just write. Writing is a skill just like any other and it takes time and experience to hone.
D.S. Smith
The best thing bout being a writer is writing what you want to read. The characters, story line and setting are your playground.
D.S. Smith
I try to lose it! Maybe I pick up a book that is not my own (not for ideas but to clear my head) or watch some television. I try not to force myself to write when I feel a serious bout of writer's block as the scenes tend to feel flat and uninteresting.
Something radical I will turn to if writer's block won't leave me is that I jump forward in the story to a point that I have a clear picture of in my mind. The problem is that you open yourself to potential plot holes so you really have to pay attention when writing the threads to join your timeline back together.
Something radical I will turn to if writer's block won't leave me is that I jump forward in the story to a point that I have a clear picture of in my mind. The problem is that you open yourself to potential plot holes so you really have to pay attention when writing the threads to join your timeline back together.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more