Ask the Author: R.J. Amos
Answered Questions (6)
R.J. Amos
All sorts of things inspire me.
As I go walking, or potter about the house, words tend to build up in my brain. They've done that for a long time, but it's only recently that I realised I could write them in a blog or a book and they'd be useful. What can I say? I'm a slow learner.
I also love listening to people's stories. Little things they say, or big events in people's lives, give me the backbone for my novels, and I flesh them out with my own experiences.
My short story 'The Useful Plants' was inspired by a dream. I write my dreams in a notebook that I keep by my bed.
As I go walking, or potter about the house, words tend to build up in my brain. They've done that for a long time, but it's only recently that I realised I could write them in a blog or a book and they'd be useful. What can I say? I'm a slow learner.
I also love listening to people's stories. Little things they say, or big events in people's lives, give me the backbone for my novels, and I flesh them out with my own experiences.
My short story 'The Useful Plants' was inspired by a dream. I write my dreams in a notebook that I keep by my bed.
R.J. Amos
The time I had writer's block was when I decided to not bother with an outline and 'write into the dark'. I'd heard lots of people talk about writing that way – seeing what the characters would tell them and where the story would go as they were writing it. It turns out that all that does for me is stop me from writing. Now that I have a two-page detailed outline (that I'm happy to deviate from if necessary) I am writing heaps more. So I'm a plotter and I need the plot to overcome writer's block.
R.J. Amos
I love telling myself the story. I love the first draft. And I love setting my own hours and working from home. I'm a serious introvert so the loneliness suits me well.
R.J. Amos
I was working in an undergraduate lab with a student who was annoying me somewhat. Sorry, but there it is. Anyway, she said something that made me think, 'that would be a great plot twist!' and off I went. However, it's driving me crazy because I can't tell anyone what she said – it's a major spoiler. So you'll just have to read it when it comes out :-)
R.J. Amos
I'm currently writing the second book in the 'Deadly Miss' series. The first, Deadly Misconduct, launches on the 1st May. The second is called Deadly Misdirection. My MC, Dr Alicia Conway, investigates the untimely death of an undergraduate university student. I'm about 20,000 words in and we're having all sorts of fun investigating the life of a chemistry student in a small-town university.
R.J. Amos
The first thing is to do it. Put aside 15 minutes a day and write. Even 15 minutes is enough to start getting words on the page.
I would also encourage indie-publishing but (and this is a big but) make sure your work is quality. Get an editor. Pay for cover design. Make it the best it can be before you put it out there.
There are such great podcasts to listen to. My favourites are the everyday novelist, the creative Penn, and how do you write?
I would also encourage indie-publishing but (and this is a big but) make sure your work is quality. Get an editor. Pay for cover design. Make it the best it can be before you put it out there.
There are such great podcasts to listen to. My favourites are the everyday novelist, the creative Penn, and how do you write?
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