Ask the Author: Matthew McAndrew
Answered Questions (8)
Matthew McAndrew
I'll give three itty bitty ones: 1: The main character will not be Nate this time around.
2: Some time will have passed since the events of "Headshot" and
3: While the themes and ideas presented in "Headshot" will be carried forward in addition to other new ones, this sequel will also present an entirely different take on its predecessor's story. There is already some setup for this new book present in "Headshot", but it takes an attentive eye to notice it.
I blew my own mind with the idea for this sequel halfway through writing "Headshot", so my intent and biggest hope is to blow my readers' minds, as well. Prepare to be hit by another feels train!
2: Some time will have passed since the events of "Headshot" and
3: While the themes and ideas presented in "Headshot" will be carried forward in addition to other new ones, this sequel will also present an entirely different take on its predecessor's story. There is already some setup for this new book present in "Headshot", but it takes an attentive eye to notice it.
I blew my own mind with the idea for this sequel halfway through writing "Headshot", so my intent and biggest hope is to blow my readers' minds, as well. Prepare to be hit by another feels train!
Matthew McAndrew
Thanks for asking! My answer: I don't have writer's block. I have writer's overload. Too many ideas and only certain places to put them at certain times. If my purpose in life is to pump out novels, then I will never die.
Of course, I do deal with challenges, but I never call them 'blocks' because I know there's always a way through or around them--I've just gotta find it.
For instance, if my main character doesn't seem to be working the way I thought s/he would, I'll work on the characters surrounding him/her. That often gives me the insight I need to understand the main characters and their struggles better.
When I come up against a problem, I start asking myself questions: why? What if...? How can I...? What happens if I do this...?
Doing that, and really thoroughly studying the problem itself, always brings about a solution. The main thing is to not just give up and drop it, leaving things as is because you're too impatient to get to the bottom of the problem. I don't advise hopping to another project, either--that always seemed counterproductive to me, unless you just desperately need a mental break. Power through the challenge in front of you until you're satisfied with your own work. If you can't be happy with THAT, what's the point of writing?
Of course, I do deal with challenges, but I never call them 'blocks' because I know there's always a way through or around them--I've just gotta find it.
For instance, if my main character doesn't seem to be working the way I thought s/he would, I'll work on the characters surrounding him/her. That often gives me the insight I need to understand the main characters and their struggles better.
When I come up against a problem, I start asking myself questions: why? What if...? How can I...? What happens if I do this...?
Doing that, and really thoroughly studying the problem itself, always brings about a solution. The main thing is to not just give up and drop it, leaving things as is because you're too impatient to get to the bottom of the problem. I don't advise hopping to another project, either--that always seemed counterproductive to me, unless you just desperately need a mental break. Power through the challenge in front of you until you're satisfied with your own work. If you can't be happy with THAT, what's the point of writing?
Matthew McAndrew
Practice finishing the things you start, and do them with the right attitude. That goes for everything, not just writing, so you can train yourself in any project or even any tiny everyday task you begin.
Your book is never going to get written if you aren't driven enough to see it through all the way to the end. If you don't think you can do it, you won't. If you don't want to, you won't. If you can't discipline yourself to, you won't. That simple.
Don't wait around for inspiration. That's lame. Go find it or make it. It shouldn't be something that comes to you just every once in a while. And don't make excuses. If you're creative enough and driven enough, 'writer's block' will never be an issue--because you'll realize it doesn't exist. It's an imaginary block that someone gave a nametag. It's not real and it should never be a problem. Problems happen. Blocks shouldn't. Problems you can power through. But if there's a block, it's because you put it there.
Basically, becoming an author is a practice in perseverance. Get that first, then everything else--skill, technique, style--will follow.
Your book is never going to get written if you aren't driven enough to see it through all the way to the end. If you don't think you can do it, you won't. If you don't want to, you won't. If you can't discipline yourself to, you won't. That simple.
Don't wait around for inspiration. That's lame. Go find it or make it. It shouldn't be something that comes to you just every once in a while. And don't make excuses. If you're creative enough and driven enough, 'writer's block' will never be an issue--because you'll realize it doesn't exist. It's an imaginary block that someone gave a nametag. It's not real and it should never be a problem. Problems happen. Blocks shouldn't. Problems you can power through. But if there's a block, it's because you put it there.
Basically, becoming an author is a practice in perseverance. Get that first, then everything else--skill, technique, style--will follow.
Matthew McAndrew
I wrote a blog post all about my process of inspiration, writing and publishing on my author's website here: http://darkmantlepublishing.com/hello...
Matthew McAndrew
I self-published through Amazon. I've always liked doing things differently, so self-publishing has appealed to me for a long time.
A couple years after the thought first occurred to me, I went as a guest to a Toastmasters speaking event, where I made a connection with a self-published author who spoke about the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing.
At the time, "Headshot" wasn't complete, so I wasn't ready to follow his advice and publish, but this year I got the manuscript finished and once again did my research on the pros and cons.
There are some definite perks to traditional publishing, but overall, I found the ones you get by self-publishing outweigh them. Plus, the learning process behind self-publishing and self-marketing is a welcome challenge to me.
Thanks for submitting your question!
A couple years after the thought first occurred to me, I went as a guest to a Toastmasters speaking event, where I made a connection with a self-published author who spoke about the pros and cons of traditional vs. self-publishing.
At the time, "Headshot" wasn't complete, so I wasn't ready to follow his advice and publish, but this year I got the manuscript finished and once again did my research on the pros and cons.
There are some definite perks to traditional publishing, but overall, I found the ones you get by self-publishing outweigh them. Plus, the learning process behind self-publishing and self-marketing is a welcome challenge to me.
Thanks for submitting your question!
Matthew McAndrew
Two words for you: Intentional imagination.
Three more words: "What could be?"
Looking for the potential in people and in stories is my thing. I do it all the time, and it results in constant inspiration. I don't have droughts--my inspiration is always feast, never famine. My problem is switching OFF the ol' noggin.
I just stay active, observe, and absorb everything that happens so I can use it for my stories later. As Lloyd Alexander said, "Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it." That's definitely always been true of me.
As for my inspiration enhancers (all of us writers have one form or another): music. Movies. Games. Books. Art. Pinterest. TV shows. All of the above, mingled with countless hours of staring at reference images and imagining scenarios and character subtleties.
Basically I just think. A lot.
Three more words: "What could be?"
Looking for the potential in people and in stories is my thing. I do it all the time, and it results in constant inspiration. I don't have droughts--my inspiration is always feast, never famine. My problem is switching OFF the ol' noggin.
I just stay active, observe, and absorb everything that happens so I can use it for my stories later. As Lloyd Alexander said, "Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It's a way of understanding it." That's definitely always been true of me.
As for my inspiration enhancers (all of us writers have one form or another): music. Movies. Games. Books. Art. Pinterest. TV shows. All of the above, mingled with countless hours of staring at reference images and imagining scenarios and character subtleties.
Basically I just think. A lot.
Matthew McAndrew
Oh boy. Don't even get me started. I have a list with 60+ story ideas at my command, several of them with basic outlines already made. But for now, expect a spinoff novel linked with "Headshot" and written from Chase's point of view within the next two years.
Beyond that, I have a fantasy trilogy in the works, with the first draft of book 1 already finished. There will also be at least one prequel and one sequel. It'll be a while before these are published, since they're all connected and the devil's in the details, but expect them all to be long and to involve lots of action, emotion and character transformation.
Beyond that, I have a fantasy trilogy in the works, with the first draft of book 1 already finished. There will also be at least one prequel and one sequel. It'll be a while before these are published, since they're all connected and the devil's in the details, but expect them all to be long and to involve lots of action, emotion and character transformation.
Matthew McAndrew
I don't have writer's block. I have writer's overload. Too many ideas and only certain places to put them at certain times. If my purpose in life is to pump out novels, then I will never die.
However, I do deal with challenges. I never call them 'blocks' (really hate that term 'writer's block', to be honest) because I know there's always a way around them--I've just gotta find it.
For instance, if my main character doesn't seem to be working the way I thought s/he would, I'll work on the characters surrounding him/her. That often gives me the insight I need to understand the main characters and their struggles better.
When I come up against a problem, I start asking myself questions: why? What if...? How can I...? What happens if I do this...?
Doing that, and really thoroughly studying the problem itself, always brings about a solution. The main thing is to not just give up and drop it, leaving things as is because you're too impatient to get to the bottom of the problem. Power through it until you're satisfied with your own work. If you can't be happy with THAT, why are you writing?
Another thing: don't be afraid to pray. No joke, I do this often, if the problem is big enough. I pray for creative solutions, inspiration and ideas, and they always come. God gave you your gifts and desires for a reason--it's okay to ask Him for help with them.
However, I do deal with challenges. I never call them 'blocks' (really hate that term 'writer's block', to be honest) because I know there's always a way around them--I've just gotta find it.
For instance, if my main character doesn't seem to be working the way I thought s/he would, I'll work on the characters surrounding him/her. That often gives me the insight I need to understand the main characters and their struggles better.
When I come up against a problem, I start asking myself questions: why? What if...? How can I...? What happens if I do this...?
Doing that, and really thoroughly studying the problem itself, always brings about a solution. The main thing is to not just give up and drop it, leaving things as is because you're too impatient to get to the bottom of the problem. Power through it until you're satisfied with your own work. If you can't be happy with THAT, why are you writing?
Another thing: don't be afraid to pray. No joke, I do this often, if the problem is big enough. I pray for creative solutions, inspiration and ideas, and they always come. God gave you your gifts and desires for a reason--it's okay to ask Him for help with them.
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