Ask the Author: David Castleton
Answered Questions (6)
David Castleton
I'm not sure; it just seemed to come to me. I grew up in a community that was a tiny bit similar to the one in 'The Standing Water' so that might have partly inspired me, but the book isn't really autobiographical. I did, however, include some of the traditions, myths and legends I grew up around. I think it might have also been inspired by my concern over the way the world seems to be going, with things in many countries becoming more right-wing and authoritarian and people relying more on a blind adherence to 'tradition'. Perhaps I wanted to point out the dangers of that sort of thinking.
David Castleton
This kind of goes back to the question about writer's block. As I said, it's often best to sit down, start writing and see what you come up with. I always do this best in the early morning when I'm still drowsy. Maybe I'm more inspired then because I'm still connected to that dreamworld/subconscious realm that we experience in our sleep.
David Castleton
I'm working on a book that's set in the same town as my first novel, 'The Standing Water'. It's a loose sequel. I won't say too much about it because a lot might change by the time it's finished, but it deals with religious fundamentalism and rock 'n' roll being 'the Devil's music' and the struggle to develop your individual self in a rather repressive environment. I hope that sounds intriguing! I've also got a book of short stories going on.
David Castleton
First of all, just write. Just sit down and let it all come out of you and see what you have. What you come up with might really surprise you. Having said that, it's important you learn your craft - how to plot, write good sentences, create good characters, all that stuff - and I have a lot of advice about the craft of writing for free on my website. But I think what's really important is your individual voice. Be true to it. No one else will ever be able to write like you.
David Castleton
I just have to write. I couldn't imagine life without writing. The American writer Charles Bukowski said, 'You don't choose writing, writing chooses you.' And that's exactly how it feels for me. I guess the best thing is feeling that you're creating this intricate world that means a lot to you and that you hope others will also be able to relate to. And the feeling that you're contributing something valuable to your culture is a very positive one as well.
David Castleton
This is an issue I'm dealing with now! I didn't really have writer's block with my last book, as the first draft just seemed to flood out of me, but I'm struggling a tiny bit with the one I'm writing at the moment. I think it's partly because promoting my recently published book, 'The Standing Water', is taking up a lot of headspace. One technique I do find useful is just saying to myself, 'Today, I'll try to write something. It doesn't matter if it's only fifty words or only one sentence, I'll just write something.' If you start with this approach, you might be surprised to see you end up with 500/600 words.
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