Ask the Author: Libbi Duncan
Answered Questions (6)
Libbi Duncan
There was never a time I couldn't overcome my hesitation with a walk or a warm drink and some good music. When I was writing my rough draft, I set a daily word count. I would sit down at my desk and write until I met that goal. If I really had trouble, I wrote in a journal first as sort of a warm-up. I wrote anything: questions about what I was writing, notes, nonsense, whatever came to mind. Eventually inspiration would hit and I'd get to work. Having an outline helped as well. If I was ever stuck, I'd just see where I needed to go next in the story and think about how to get there.
Libbi Duncan
Being a writer is a little like being in love. It makes you vulnerable. It takes hard work. It can be the best feeling in the world, or make you feel like the world is over. But the good times are like nothing else. It's beyond worth it. Once you taste it, you can't live without it.
There are many incredible moments in the life of a writer. The first moment of inspiration. The way the story changes as you write it. The characters become real and you realize that's not what they would do at all, so you have to change it. The day you finish the rough draft. The first good thing someone says when they read your words. Finishing edits. Seeing the cover of your novel for the first time. Holding it in your hands.
But if I had to choose the best thing out of all these beautiful moments, it'd be knowing that real people are reading and enjoying this thing I created. The first time I saw my book rising on a "Hot New Release" list, I lost it. It was the best feeling in the world. I was overwhelmed with euphoria. It was tangible evidence that people were reading my book. I get the same feeling when I see a new review or get a message from someone the moment they finish reading, asking when the sequel will be finished.
There are many incredible moments in the life of a writer. The first moment of inspiration. The way the story changes as you write it. The characters become real and you realize that's not what they would do at all, so you have to change it. The day you finish the rough draft. The first good thing someone says when they read your words. Finishing edits. Seeing the cover of your novel for the first time. Holding it in your hands.
But if I had to choose the best thing out of all these beautiful moments, it'd be knowing that real people are reading and enjoying this thing I created. The first time I saw my book rising on a "Hot New Release" list, I lost it. It was the best feeling in the world. I was overwhelmed with euphoria. It was tangible evidence that people were reading my book. I get the same feeling when I see a new review or get a message from someone the moment they finish reading, asking when the sequel will be finished.
Libbi Duncan
First, keep in mind that every author has different advice for aspiring writers. If you don't like mine, or find that it doesn't work for you, don't give up. Try someone else's advice.
With that said, here's what worked for me:
1.) Read as much as you can.
2.) Write as much as you can.
3.) Set goals and track your progress.
4.) Don't be afraid to share your work and get feedback.
5.) Use feedback to revise, edit, rewrite, and repeat until the work is done.
6.) Don't edit during the rough draft. Worry about perfection later.
7.) Never give up. Never surrender.
With that said, here's what worked for me:
1.) Read as much as you can.
2.) Write as much as you can.
3.) Set goals and track your progress.
4.) Don't be afraid to share your work and get feedback.
5.) Use feedback to revise, edit, rewrite, and repeat until the work is done.
6.) Don't edit during the rough draft. Worry about perfection later.
7.) Never give up. Never surrender.
Libbi Duncan
I'm currently working on the sequel to "The Scorching." I have a whole series in mind, actually. I'm about halfway through the rough draft for the sequel, I have an outline for a prequel set during the apocalypse, and some notes for a companion story that follows a different character during the events of "The Scorching" and its sequel. I'm very excited to see where this story takes me.
Libbi Duncan
I get new ideas for my current work-in-progress and for future stories all the time. I try and write them down or put a note in my phone when it happens. Inspiration flows from everything I see, hear, smell, read, watch, or dream. I try to keep my input varied and extensive. I read from different genres, watch all types of movies, play video games, look up pictures on Pinterest or Reddit, and write down my weird dreams. I listen to beautiful soundtracks, classical music, post-rock, or electronic music when writing.
Inspiration is all around us. It's not something you create on your own, but something you just have to notice. You take the things you notice and synthesize it all in your mind, and that's where you create a unique story that no one else can tell.
Inspiration is all around us. It's not something you create on your own, but something you just have to notice. You take the things you notice and synthesize it all in your mind, and that's where you create a unique story that no one else can tell.
Libbi Duncan
The light-bulb moment for my debut novel, "The Scorching" was during my junior year of college. I was wrapped up in a post-apocalyptic video game called "Fallout: New Vegas" and learning about world cultures, evolution, and modern languages. One day I was watching a documentary called "Wild China" and the incredible landscapes and variety of animals blew me away. Everything just fell into place. I imagined how humans would evolve if they were isolated after an apocalypse. I thought about all the sci-fi and fantasy stories I'd ever read and realized that, although there are usually many different species involved, no one ever really explains why. I had never really wanted to be an author, but at that moment I decided I had to write this story.
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