Ask the Author: Amanda Witow
Answered Questions (4)
Amanda Witow
In my experience, writer's block is the result of one of the following: too many ideas, too few ideas, self-doubt, or lack of motivation.
Too many or too few ideas can certainly feel crippling, but I just find the right bit of inspiration to focus me and suddenly the extra notions buzzing around my head fall away and the necessary ideas unfold.
Self-doubt and lack of motivation are the real killers that I struggle with. My favourite authors are absolutely amazing and it's hard to not compare myself to them. I know (intellectually) that they all sit down and write crummy first drafts too, and that they have to rewrite and edit and revise. Just like me. Doesn't make it any easier know (emotionally). So I'll read some of the nice things my critique partners said about my last chapter, or make my husband read something and reassure me that it isn't utter garbage (the trick there is to not give him something that is, actually, utter garbage). A little bit of reassurance goes a long way to soothe the self-doubt.
As for the motivation, 8 times out of 10 it's tied up with the self doubt. 1 out of 10 is the too many/few idea issue, and the remaining 1 time out of 10 is because I'm tired from day-to-day things. Work/volunteering was draining, or the renovations around the house aren't going as planned so I'm frustrated, or I'm physically tired from lack of sleep or illness. On those days, I give myself a pass. Sometimes I do need a bit of down time to recharge and relax, and forcing myself to write isn't always the answer.
Too many or too few ideas can certainly feel crippling, but I just find the right bit of inspiration to focus me and suddenly the extra notions buzzing around my head fall away and the necessary ideas unfold.
Self-doubt and lack of motivation are the real killers that I struggle with. My favourite authors are absolutely amazing and it's hard to not compare myself to them. I know (intellectually) that they all sit down and write crummy first drafts too, and that they have to rewrite and edit and revise. Just like me. Doesn't make it any easier know (emotionally). So I'll read some of the nice things my critique partners said about my last chapter, or make my husband read something and reassure me that it isn't utter garbage (the trick there is to not give him something that is, actually, utter garbage). A little bit of reassurance goes a long way to soothe the self-doubt.
As for the motivation, 8 times out of 10 it's tied up with the self doubt. 1 out of 10 is the too many/few idea issue, and the remaining 1 time out of 10 is because I'm tired from day-to-day things. Work/volunteering was draining, or the renovations around the house aren't going as planned so I'm frustrated, or I'm physically tired from lack of sleep or illness. On those days, I give myself a pass. Sometimes I do need a bit of down time to recharge and relax, and forcing myself to write isn't always the answer.
Amanda Witow
It depends a little on the specific story I'm attempting to write (or whether it's an entirely new idea).
For new ideas, there's generally an inciting incident or moment. It might be a movie, a game, or a dream. Depending on how fully formed the idea is, I may or may not write it down. (Half-formed ideas are left to percolate until they get their act together)
For stories that have a bit of meat on their bones, I'll try to revisit the original inspiration to get me started, but as I work I develop music playlists. Songs that summarize the way I feel about specific scenes, characters, or even the story as a whole. Sometimes there's logic behind it, sometimes not so much.
Once I've developed a playlist, then I can throw it on to kick-start my brain with the required mindset for whatever story I'm working on.
But when all that doesn't help, then I know I need to recharge by a) cleaning the house, b) baking something yummy, or c) spending some time outside.
For new ideas, there's generally an inciting incident or moment. It might be a movie, a game, or a dream. Depending on how fully formed the idea is, I may or may not write it down. (Half-formed ideas are left to percolate until they get their act together)
For stories that have a bit of meat on their bones, I'll try to revisit the original inspiration to get me started, but as I work I develop music playlists. Songs that summarize the way I feel about specific scenes, characters, or even the story as a whole. Sometimes there's logic behind it, sometimes not so much.
Once I've developed a playlist, then I can throw it on to kick-start my brain with the required mindset for whatever story I'm working on.
But when all that doesn't help, then I know I need to recharge by a) cleaning the house, b) baking something yummy, or c) spending some time outside.
Amanda Witow
They say a reader lives a thousand lives (actually, George R. R. Martin says that), but I find I live a million as a writer. Not only do I go on the adventures of my protagonists, but I also 'live' the lives of the supporting characters, the barmaid they talked to for five seconds, their dead relatives, and the family cat. It's both incredibly daunting and gloriously heady.
It's a freedom I don't think can be found in any other profession.
It's a freedom I don't think can be found in any other profession.
Amanda Witow
An online acquaintance wanted to do a Medusa/Perseus roleplay (without understanding who they were to each other), and though the classicist in me was horrified, the writer in me thought it could be an interesting dynamic...if the characters were generations removed from Medusa and Perseus.
Originally I thought the story of Ata/Dam would be a comic or short story serial. With weekly adventures and a cadre of other characters--including a minotaur (you will be missed Bronte)! As I worked on the world and characters, I realized they needed more room to stretch than a short format could allow. The story ideas also became less frivolous and campy, until I had Legend's Legacy (which, let's be honest, is still a little campy from time-to-time).
Originally I thought the story of Ata/Dam would be a comic or short story serial. With weekly adventures and a cadre of other characters--including a minotaur (you will be missed Bronte)! As I worked on the world and characters, I realized they needed more room to stretch than a short format could allow. The story ideas also became less frivolous and campy, until I had Legend's Legacy (which, let's be honest, is still a little campy from time-to-time).
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