Ask the Author: David McCaleb
Answered Questions (4)
David McCaleb
When you say "writer's block", I'm assuming you mean the "I have no idea where this #*&@! thing is going" kind of writer's block. In that case, you outline. You have to get a general idea of where the story is headed. It doesn't need to be too specific, but create your target. Can't even do that? Ask a kid. They'll come up with some of the most absurd, and ingenious, ideas.
Next, review your characters. Who are they now? How should they change through the story? Characters are the most interesting part of any novel, literary or commercial. I know not every author will agree with me on that, but who cares about the story if you can't relate to the characters and enjoy walking in their flesh? Figure them out. Just like the outline, it doesn't need to be too specific.
Finally, plop those characters back onto the pages of the manuscript. Now that they know where they're at, and where they need to go in the story, they'll take off running so fast your fingers won't be able to keep up.
A mild warning: Don't let that outline constrain you. If one of your characters gets a scent in their nose and runs off the page to chase it, let them. At least for a little while. But keep a zapper collar around their throat so that you can call them back should they stray too far.
Next, review your characters. Who are they now? How should they change through the story? Characters are the most interesting part of any novel, literary or commercial. I know not every author will agree with me on that, but who cares about the story if you can't relate to the characters and enjoy walking in their flesh? Figure them out. Just like the outline, it doesn't need to be too specific.
Finally, plop those characters back onto the pages of the manuscript. Now that they know where they're at, and where they need to go in the story, they'll take off running so fast your fingers won't be able to keep up.
A mild warning: Don't let that outline constrain you. If one of your characters gets a scent in their nose and runs off the page to chase it, let them. At least for a little while. But keep a zapper collar around their throat so that you can call them back should they stray too far.
David McCaleb
Yes, there is humor in RECALL. However, as I refined the manuscript I found myself scaling it back a bit. It is a black ops thriller, after all. As I listened to reviewers read through the chapters, I learned that weaving humor into a thriller is an art of itself. You can have a good wit, but writing it into a tale of high suspense is tricky. At times, what I initially thought was hilarious came off as clunky to certain readers, while others took it in stride. I believe you'll enjoy the final result. I've written several humor pieces on my blog, and I find them easier to cast. In short, I layer humor into my thrillers, but I'm still learning the art.
David McCaleb
I'm currently two-thirds of the way through the third novel in the RED OPS series. I'm about to start the third and final act. The challenge is wrapping up not only this book, but a couple themes from the prior two, in an exciting and satisfying manner. Each can be enjoyed by itself, but I'm making a strong effort to craft a solid trilogy. I've got the outline down, so now I've got to let the characters fight it out on the page. With these guys, the outcome is never certain.
David McCaleb
Persevere. Study your craft. That sums it up. If you don't persevere, you'll never finish. If you don't study your craft, you may get done, but have disappointing results. There are many ways to study your craft, and one I recommend is simply reading (and implementing) one of the many craft books out there. For fiction, I can recommend Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King. For a more detailed answer, take a look at my blog post that touches on this subject at https://davidmccaleb.com/2016/05/12/h....
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