Ask the Author: Sandy Pants
Answered Questions (10)
Sandy Pants
I woke up because my arm was asleep. But it wasn't my arm.
Sandy Pants
I have struggled with this question for three days and decided that, if pressed for a quick answer, I would like to go to Hogwarts as some kind of talented witch.
Sandy Pants
I don't have a reading list because I flit around from genre to genre--whatever strikes my fancy at the time. Because I wish to support humor writers I will try one from that group, followed by a mystery, then a paranormal and so on. I would like a recommendation for a good sea-faring tale, as lately I've been out to sea...
Sandy Pants
Not being particularly observant, a mystery would have to jump up and bite me in the nose for me to notice that something's amiss. Yet, I've spent my whole life gathering data to determine whether commonly held beliefs are true, such as: do opposites attract? does it take one to know one? is patience a virtue? do animals have self-awareness? and so on. My mysteries concern what motivates people and other animals to act in a certain way. These little theories of mine wend their way into my books.
Sandy Pants
I've only had high-speed internet since January, having slogged along with dial-up for decades. So, I am trying to get my internet skills up to speed. This is a momentous task for my old gray cells, let me tell you. In the other part of my brain, I am planning the book that combines the characters in "Green Stuff," which will be released around March 17th, with those in "Revenge for the Dogs."
In the meantime, I am reading various fantasy authors, as that seems to be the genre I have written myself into. Between these delightfully imaginative works from Pratchett, Gaiman, Robert Rankin, and others, I indulge myself with a good mystery, or a paranormal adventure story by my favorite author, Alexie "Scaredy Pants" Aaron.
In the meantime, I am reading various fantasy authors, as that seems to be the genre I have written myself into. Between these delightfully imaginative works from Pratchett, Gaiman, Robert Rankin, and others, I indulge myself with a good mystery, or a paranormal adventure story by my favorite author, Alexie "Scaredy Pants" Aaron.
Sandy Pants
When I'm stuck, I do something else, usually involving water, like dishes or take a shower. Fans of the South Park television show will understand my next best way to surmount a block--just call me "Towely." To be honest, I haven't watched that show very much, so if that character has another name, please let me know.
Sandy Pants
Writing is good therapy and gives me a sense of having accomplished something. When I've had a good day, having written something that I think is phenomenal, it affects everything else in a positive way.
Sandy Pants
If one wants to write humorous tales, read the masters like P.G. Wodehouse, Dave Barry, Carl Hiaasen, Dennis Miller, Bill Maher, etc. See how they make the reader laugh. Students of comedy will notice the "Barry-isms" in my sentences, the Hiaasen-like antagonists and the situation comedy set-ups of Wodehouse, I hope. I wish I had Miller's and Maher's talent for corroborating nouns, but, alas, my brain won't go there.
Sandy Pants
It seems I never want to do what I am currently doing. Perhaps I'm mildly ADD or some such thing. When I need inspiration for writing, I start doing some obnoxious task, like housework. Then I get ideas for writing, so I stop the chores and hit the keyboard. Needless to say, my house looks like a bomb went off inside.
Sandy Pants
The dreadful first scene actually happened to me on my mail route. I had written it down years ago as therapy. Last year, after wracking my brain to come up with a story idea, I read over that tale of woe. Then, I did the dishes. My inspiration must be in the bubbles! Abandoning my housework, I started typing and "Revenge for the Dogs" emerged.
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Oct 22, 2017 06:12AM · flag