Ask the Author: D.C. Harrell
Answered Questions (5)
D.C. Harrell
My stories usually begin with an interesting nexus of ideas. For example: Transitions are powerful for good or ill. In one culture, people think demons live in transitional spaces, like doorways and the birth canal. What if dragons actually occupied doorways, emerging from liminal space into the door frame to consume people who lingered too long between the outside and the inside? This was the source idea for Drake Take, Dragon Fairy Tale 4.
D.C. Harrell
At this very moment, today, I'm launching Dragon Hoard. And I'm putting the finishing touches on Dragon Shade, the short story you can receive for FREE if you sign into the Letter Lair here: https://tinyurl.com/DCHarrellLetterLair .
D.C. Harrell
You know that bumper-sticker “Show. Don’t tell”? It’s not really true. Actually, it’s about fifty-fifty showing and telling. Instead, try “scene, sequel.” Show the scene. In the sequel, tell about the characters’ reaction to the scene, the dilemma they now face as a result of the scene, and the decision they make in response to the conflict.
D.C. Harrell
Oh. My. Goodness. Readers writing back to me is the best part of writing! I love it when they explain how the story intersected with their own experience. About the Dragon Fairy Tales in general, one of them said: “You provide a very believable fairy tale atmosphere without being distracting. It feels ‘right.’”
D.C. Harrell
I pre-empt it by trying to maintain a writing habit: Get up every morning at 5 am. Drink coffee, pet cat, read inspirational material, meditate. Sit at computer by 6 am and write for 45 min - 1 hr 15 min. Some people get blocked on ideas: What do I write? Now what should happen? This is boring. I get slowed down by trying to get the words right, so I try to fast-write, promising my inner editor that I will look up the exact words immediately in a second pass AFTER the writing sprint.
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