Ask the Author: Adam Steven Page
Answered Questions (9)
Adam Steven Page
'Why?' She shrieks, dressed in a disheveled white gown, crudely mocked up with offcuts of her captors linen, her wrist shackled to to the turn-pipe of the radiator.
'Why?', he begins, scoring the circumference of her ring finger and bloodying the floorboards beneath, 'because true love hurts'.
'Why?', he begins, scoring the circumference of her ring finger and bloodying the floorboards beneath, 'because true love hurts'.
Adam Steven Page
Hi K.M Guerin, thanks for the question.
I find myself using various resources depending on what I am writing, as you would expect living in this digital age I do tend to use a lot of websites, most of which are news sites to keep my work current.
Because of the subject matter of my first works, news both current and historic helped to bring depth and a realism into my ideas.
As well the internet I do like to take a somewhat traditional approach too, and when writing A Victim of the Times I read books such as 'world famous serial killers' as well as psychology textbooks to really get as much information as I could.
I find myself using various resources depending on what I am writing, as you would expect living in this digital age I do tend to use a lot of websites, most of which are news sites to keep my work current.
Because of the subject matter of my first works, news both current and historic helped to bring depth and a realism into my ideas.
As well the internet I do like to take a somewhat traditional approach too, and when writing A Victim of the Times I read books such as 'world famous serial killers' as well as psychology textbooks to really get as much information as I could.
Adam Steven Page
I have always enjoyed writing, when I was younger I would often try my hand at poetry, song and screenplay writing (especially when studying film and theatre). At the time I had never really given much thought of getting any of them published, and to this day they are still hidden away without being shared, but I have always felt I've had a story to share somewhere within. I would say that I have come into writing fairly late and a lot of the reason why is down to believing I could do it. I have always enjoyed reading and from an early age have dreamt of getting some of my ideas onto paper or even on screen. This past year I decided I was going to make it happen. In hindsight I guess you could say I always knew, but I wouldn't have associated the title of author with my name in the past. All I can say is, I'm glad I have decided to make it so now. I just hope that others are able to enjoy what I have written and what I will write in the near and distant future .
Adam Steven Page
Inspiration can really come from anywhere, a newspaper article, an interaction or event, a film I've seen, or book I have read; however I find that music plays a huge part and is often something that gets me thinking. I listen to different genres and songs from other decades and I'll imagine a scene or scenario with the song in the background, sometimes going along with the mood of what I'm listening to, sometimes something different entirely.
Adam Steven Page
Do whatever works for you, there is no set way of writing. Don't get caught up in step by step processes unless you're the kind of person who does things in this way, find a way that fits for you.
Adam Steven Page
The best thing for me is the journey you take with your characters. For months you can be ever exploring different aspects of their lives and feelings and with every word you write you experience it with them. You can be getting on with whatever you're doing and all of a sudden you can have a thought of theirs or something which makes you ask yourself, what would they do if they were doing the same thing as I am now. In many ways it's a lot like method acting, and it's a great feeling.
Adam Steven Page
At first I hadn't really set out a fully fledged plot, I instead began to explore a character- Jack- and have him stumble on something most people wouldn't necessarily find themselves in. From the first few pages I had written I then asked myself how did he get here? Seeing as I was watching and reading about serial killers around this time, the answer was simple. I have always found certain aspects of serial killers and psychopaths fascinating; how they can be charming on the outside with a lack of compassion within. I then went on to think, what if the story wasn't your usual detective hunting for a killer. But instead a semi average man with his own issues living in the same city as these murders are taking place. While also exploring the impact it has on his life.
Adam Steven Page
I tend to write everything down; every idea, every possible line, whether it's the smallest bit of dialogue or a simple sentence. Sometimes I can start with something and have pages upon pages from one idea and others I could simply have a line. However when writers block decides to take over I use some of these lines or ideas as jump off points. On occasion taking some of the unused ideas and looking at them in a different light can be used as add-ons to make other chapters better and in turn causing you to write more.
Another way to deal with writers block is to think differently, sometimes depending on your process you can get stuck on trying to move the story along and think too much about what you want to happen. Instead I imagine a characters thoughts or feelings and ask what are they doing now, right this second? Or what would they be doing before something were to happen. This way of working I feel to be more effective and it can always surprise you what comes about.
Another way to deal with writers block is to think differently, sometimes depending on your process you can get stuck on trying to move the story along and think too much about what you want to happen. Instead I imagine a characters thoughts or feelings and ask what are they doing now, right this second? Or what would they be doing before something were to happen. This way of working I feel to be more effective and it can always surprise you what comes about.
Adam Steven Page
I currently have a few ideas bouncing around, one of which is a short story 'bombshell' it will be different to my debut novel and I'm extremely excited about getting stuck in and seeing how it turns out. Although it's only going to be a short story if people like what they read it will likely become a novel.
Without giving too much away I am also working on a sequel/prequel to 'A Victim of the Times' I already have set out a few of the first chapters and look forward to getting stuck in to the character of Jack Phoenix once again. I feel there is so much more to be explored of this character.
Without giving too much away I am also working on a sequel/prequel to 'A Victim of the Times' I already have set out a few of the first chapters and look forward to getting stuck in to the character of Jack Phoenix once again. I feel there is so much more to be explored of this character.
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