Ask the Author: L.R. Hay
Answered Questions (3)
L.R. Hay
Usually I don't start the actual typing until it's nearly bursting out of my head and demanding to be written. I do a lot of work, structurally and imaginatively, in my mind before I ever start to write. That means that when I do get to it, I hit the ground running.
Not always possible if the work is commissioned, as they would reasonably expect you to start writing it now! But I still try and do a good deal to engage my imagination first, so I can reach the point where I just *have* to write it.
I also think it helps to stop each day at a place where I have an idea what's going to be next. That, plus re-reading the last page or two, is a launch pad to get me back in.
But thinking is writing. Staring out of a window bouncing "What if..." around is writing. In a way, it's not helpful to see a pause in your writing as a 'block' - whether it's two hours or two years. You're simply still in the thinking phase!
Not always possible if the work is commissioned, as they would reasonably expect you to start writing it now! But I still try and do a good deal to engage my imagination first, so I can reach the point where I just *have* to write it.
I also think it helps to stop each day at a place where I have an idea what's going to be next. That, plus re-reading the last page or two, is a launch pad to get me back in.
But thinking is writing. Staring out of a window bouncing "What if..." around is writing. In a way, it's not helpful to see a pause in your writing as a 'block' - whether it's two hours or two years. You're simply still in the thinking phase!
L.R. Hay
The next in this series will be a prequel - I did a Narnia, and wrote the second book first (though I didn't know that at the time! I wonder if CS Lewis did? I suspect not).
It's called JOSEPH'S BOY, and readers of JAIRUS'S GIRL will recognise the child who's the main character, as he makes a brief appearance there as an adult. I started it last year, but only got a couple of chapters in before I was distracted by other work (two screenplay commissions and a West End acting job - *sigh*).
I've set about it again now, and am having great fun. If you look out for me on Twitter (@jairus_girl) you'll see I did a poll to name a character, and Twitter decided on Miriam. As a thank you, I've posted Miriam's first appearance in the book - so you can take a sneak peek and tweet me what you think.
It's called JOSEPH'S BOY, and readers of JAIRUS'S GIRL will recognise the child who's the main character, as he makes a brief appearance there as an adult. I started it last year, but only got a couple of chapters in before I was distracted by other work (two screenplay commissions and a West End acting job - *sigh*).
I've set about it again now, and am having great fun. If you look out for me on Twitter (@jairus_girl) you'll see I did a poll to name a character, and Twitter decided on Miriam. As a thank you, I've posted Miriam's first appearance in the book - so you can take a sneak peek and tweet me what you think.
L.R. Hay
It occurred to me that there are a lot of children in the Bible, and that I'd like to hear their stories from their point of view - not necessarily in the first person, but with them as the hero. At first I was thinking of Isaac, or the girl who was captured to be Naaman's servant - but once I started to think of the New Testament it really took off. There are just so many young people Jesus interacted with! I originally intended to write two books, but it's now going to be a series of four - like the number of Gospels. The Young Testament; four different youngsters' take on what it was like to be around Jesus. I may yet go back to some of the Old Testament kids, but this is enough to be going on with!
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