Ask the Author: E.C. Jarvis
Answered Questions (6)
E.C. Jarvis
I like to sit on my couch in my pjs with some soothing music through the headphones to block out the outside world. Pretty homely really!
E.C. Jarvis
Not a lot. Most of the research I end up doing is about specific items that I want to include in the book but that I know nothing about. For example, the machine in 'The Machine' is loosely based on a nuclear fission reactor. Now, I'm no fancy scientist/engineer with a phd in whatever the hell you need a phd in to know about that stuff, I'm a writer, right? So, I did a little light reading on the construction and operation of said machines, just enough so I could write a passage or two and make it sound reasonably realistic.
Similarly, I recently had to read up on the operation and construction of steam locomotives. There is a LOT of info out there for the enthusiast, which is both a blessing and a curse to a writer. I don't want to have to read through ten thousand pages in order to knock out a single paragraph on a subject, but that's better than no information at all.
For the most part, the style and settings of the books are based on what I know of and remember from school. Being British, our history is sort of ingrained in us from all directions. When someone says Victorian England, you almost instantly know what that means with regard to a setting and the people, and there isn't much research needed.
Similarly, I recently had to read up on the operation and construction of steam locomotives. There is a LOT of info out there for the enthusiast, which is both a blessing and a curse to a writer. I don't want to have to read through ten thousand pages in order to knock out a single paragraph on a subject, but that's better than no information at all.
For the most part, the style and settings of the books are based on what I know of and remember from school. Being British, our history is sort of ingrained in us from all directions. When someone says Victorian England, you almost instantly know what that means with regard to a setting and the people, and there isn't much research needed.
E.C. Jarvis
I was trawling through a writing website looking at short story competitions for inspiration and one that struck me was a steampunk one. I had very little idea what it was but I had a clear concept in my head for the story right from the start so I just did a bit of research and started writing. Odd how things work out sometimes.
E.C. Jarvis
Write lots. I mean loads and loads. Even if it's rubbish, just write write write. Then do a lot of research and learn how to edit.
E.C. Jarvis
Book 3 of the Blood and Destiny Series. Book 1 was fairly easy to write, Book 2 was a breeze, this one is a lot more tricky though, it's making my brain work and BRAIN DON'T LIKE TO WORK, BRAIN LIKE TO SLEEP.
E.C. Jarvis
Inspiration is always there, like a strange little man peering over your shoulder, whispering odd things in your ear when you least expect it. You kind of get used to it after a while. I've named him Ernie.
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