Ask the Author: Philip Mann
Answered Questions (12)
Philip Mann
Just as he was about to curse at the unchanging red traffic light, it happened. The red signal overspilled its metal enclosure, climbed down the pole and advanced on him.
Philip Mann
First question first. The next book, which explains the muse and who Lee and Vi really are, and how the whole thing got started, is due out this fall, either October or November.
As to how to write a series, judging from my meagre experience, you have to create contrary characters, toss in some throw-away lines that you don't really throw away, and especially don't try to explain everything right away. As another person wrote, don't have the reader swallow a bunch of hooey. Allow yourself enough time and space to figure things out.
It also helps if you have an obsessive personality and a demanding editor who won't let you get away with slack efforts.
As to how to write a series, judging from my meagre experience, you have to create contrary characters, toss in some throw-away lines that you don't really throw away, and especially don't try to explain everything right away. As another person wrote, don't have the reader swallow a bunch of hooey. Allow yourself enough time and space to figure things out.
It also helps if you have an obsessive personality and a demanding editor who won't let you get away with slack efforts.
Philip Mann
I don't think I have the insight to properly answer this question, but I'll try. My answer would be, "What was the turning point in your life?" What decision, or character trait became a limiting condition, or set a pattern for every decision made after that? Do you think it was a rejection by a person, or by a company>? What if you're wrong? What if that decision was itself determined by something else, something that you have totally ignored?
Your own personal "What if..?"series.
Your own personal "What if..?"series.
Philip Mann
The original idea for Dark Muse came from a local news story, which I told before. Everything that follows is an outgrowth. I hope to make each book different.
Here's what I mean. The main character, Vi, has kids. Twins , in fact. How do they turn out? Are they normal? Do they have her traits, or do they develop in some different way? It's a question every parent asks.
What about Lee, the anti-heroine? Does she change her ways? Why, or why not? What is her agenda, her driving force?
As I said, they always are developing. Everything is fluid.
Here's what I mean. The main character, Vi, has kids. Twins , in fact. How do they turn out? Are they normal? Do they have her traits, or do they develop in some different way? It's a question every parent asks.
What about Lee, the anti-heroine? Does she change her ways? Why, or why not? What is her agenda, her driving force?
As I said, they always are developing. Everything is fluid.
Philip Mann
My deep, dark secret is that I read mostly non-fiction. Yes, as somebody who just wrote a paranormal book this is odd, but that's life.
Having said that, the characters I remember most are solitary figures. Henry V is one, rising above his youth to become a warrior king.
And in a contrary way, Richard III, who may have been misunderstood, but was a force to contend with. He died in battle, like any strong character should.
Having said that, the characters I remember most are solitary figures. Henry V is one, rising above his youth to become a warrior king.
And in a contrary way, Richard III, who may have been misunderstood, but was a force to contend with. He died in battle, like any strong character should.
Philip Mann
I'm about halfway through the fourth book in the series, and I hope to make this the beginning of a second trilogy in the Dark Muse theme. The books are all different even if they deal with the same characters, more or less. They are confronted with their own physical and moral challenges and adapt in ways that make for twists and turns , even major shifts in the plot.
It's going to be quite a ride.
It's going to be quite a ride.
Philip Mann
The flip answer is that I don't want to spend my retirement delivering pizza or working at Walmart.
The more serious answer is that finishing a scene, a paragraph, or even a single sentence and knowing that you hit it bang on can be as rewarding a feeling as you can find. You do have to be careful not to fall in love with your own work, and yes, a writer will always require the cool gaze of an editor to say whether a scene works or not. But at a certain point, you know when you connect.
And the achieving of that point is my inspiration.
The more serious answer is that finishing a scene, a paragraph, or even a single sentence and knowing that you hit it bang on can be as rewarding a feeling as you can find. You do have to be careful not to fall in love with your own work, and yes, a writer will always require the cool gaze of an editor to say whether a scene works or not. But at a certain point, you know when you connect.
And the achieving of that point is my inspiration.
Philip Mann
Complicated answer. In a way, all my characters are based on somebody I know, or knew. I mix and match their traits, make some up, leave out others. Lee, the anti-heroine, has some of my ideas, if not traits, but she is based on an image, if you will, of somebody attractive, mysterious and potentially very dangerous. David is definitely based on somebody I know, Vi is also, but to a lesser degree.
I have to see the person in my mind`s eye before I can start colouring between the outline of their character.
I have to see the person in my mind`s eye before I can start colouring between the outline of their character.
Philip Mann
If you have an idea for a book, sketch it out. Write a paragraph, a page, maybe a short chapter, and see how it works. Then you get to the difficult part of populating it with characters, events, setting and all those fun things.
If you have no experience in writing, I strongly suggest that you hire an editor, one who can advise you about what you're trying. This editor should be experienced, understand what you are trying to do, and guide you on your (very) long journey. some people advise using beta readers, or writers groups. I don't you have to choose one person to help you, not a committee. And that person should be bound to listen to you and give you the time of day. And that comes with a contract. sorry if I sound harsh, but experience has taught me some things.
Just remember. This is a long journey. Bring sandwiches.
If you have no experience in writing, I strongly suggest that you hire an editor, one who can advise you about what you're trying. This editor should be experienced, understand what you are trying to do, and guide you on your (very) long journey. some people advise using beta readers, or writers groups. I don't you have to choose one person to help you, not a committee. And that person should be bound to listen to you and give you the time of day. And that comes with a contract. sorry if I sound harsh, but experience has taught me some things.
Just remember. This is a long journey. Bring sandwiches.
Philip Mann
The fabulous wealth that comes from it.
Sorry, that's a sad attempt at humour.
Sorry, that's a sad attempt at humour.
Philip Mann
Do something!! Write, even if it doesn't quite fit in. Deleting your own work is part of writing, so get used to it. It has to be done.
Philip Mann
You're very kind, Katherine. The honest answer is that I haven't figured out how this blog thing works. I usually just comment here and there, try to talk about myself without talking about myself, if you understand.
But I will get into this whole socialist media thing soon.
But I will get into this whole socialist media thing soon.
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