Ask the Author: Randal Nerhus
Answered Questions (3)
Randal Nerhus
I am expanding the options for the Red With Native Blood series over the next few months. Here are the launch dates:
August 9, Singing Wind: Novella Three on Audible
August 23, Talks Like Thunder: Novella One in paperback on Amazon
September 22, Falling Star: Novella Two in paperback on Amazon
October 20, Singing Wind: Novella Three in paperback on Amazon
December 1, Red With Native Blood: The collection in paperback on Amazon
Looking forward to everyone's reviews.
August 9, Singing Wind: Novella Three on Audible
August 23, Talks Like Thunder: Novella One in paperback on Amazon
September 22, Falling Star: Novella Two in paperback on Amazon
October 20, Singing Wind: Novella Three in paperback on Amazon
December 1, Red With Native Blood: The collection in paperback on Amazon
Looking forward to everyone's reviews.
Randal Nerhus
I took over Marjorie Carter’s Red With Native Blood series in 2005, after she died of pneumonia in 2004.
Unlike most authors, I wasn’t inspired to finish Marjorie’s book. It was more like a duty that blossomed from an agreement between souls. This led me to title my company, “Soul Mission Publications.”
That said, the task of redacting and finishing the series required continuous inspiration. I believe it’s a misnomer to think that an author only needs inspiration in the early stages of writing. I found it quite the opposite.
When I was stuck bridging Marjorie’s writing, I needed to call upon my muse for a solution. Answers came from the oddest of places: a stray comment from a beta reader or an editor, something I’d read or heard, or from nature.
After exhausting all those options, and thinking I had it right, my muse would instruct me through a dream or speak to me in a kind voice with specifics: “The writing on page 87 works for the scene, but it conflicts with pages 233 & 347, which need to be solved.”
From my experience with inspiration, I’d say, push as hard as you can, then ask for help.
Unlike most authors, I wasn’t inspired to finish Marjorie’s book. It was more like a duty that blossomed from an agreement between souls. This led me to title my company, “Soul Mission Publications.”
That said, the task of redacting and finishing the series required continuous inspiration. I believe it’s a misnomer to think that an author only needs inspiration in the early stages of writing. I found it quite the opposite.
When I was stuck bridging Marjorie’s writing, I needed to call upon my muse for a solution. Answers came from the oddest of places: a stray comment from a beta reader or an editor, something I’d read or heard, or from nature.
After exhausting all those options, and thinking I had it right, my muse would instruct me through a dream or speak to me in a kind voice with specifics: “The writing on page 87 works for the scene, but it conflicts with pages 233 & 347, which need to be solved.”
From my experience with inspiration, I’d say, push as hard as you can, then ask for help.
Randal Nerhus
My worst case of writer’s block came fairly early on. How I dealt with it may be useful for other writers. My blockage seemed to have crept in overnight, and it lasted for weeks. When I opened the manuscript, my mind would go completely numb. With intense effort, I’d cut a few lines and then with equal effort put them back in.
After a couple months, I realized that I had a plot pothole problem that I was trying to ignore. My writer’s block turned out to be a godsend. Whatever I had tried to write was a waste of time.
I pondered resolving the issue and knew it would require months of manuscript rearranging and rewrites. I finally relented, dug in, and changed the storyline. It took longer than expected, but my will and energy returned when I was back on the right track.
After a couple months, I realized that I had a plot pothole problem that I was trying to ignore. My writer’s block turned out to be a godsend. Whatever I had tried to write was a waste of time.
I pondered resolving the issue and knew it would require months of manuscript rearranging and rewrites. I finally relented, dug in, and changed the storyline. It took longer than expected, but my will and energy returned when I was back on the right track.
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