Ask the Author: R.J. Plant
Answered Questions (6)
R.J. Plant
Writing is like going to the gym. Some days you're pumped, some days you dread it. It helps to set a goal you know you can reach on even your bad days. I write six pages per day, minimum. That's not a lot, but it's a goal I know I can reach when I feel crappy or have writers block or am just being very lazy (which happens). Don't be afraid to start small. Having worked two jobs throughout most of my college days, I know very well what "I don't have time" looks like. If you only have time to write one paragraph per week, then do that. As long as you meet that goal every week. Be consistent.
R.J. Plant
I have a lot of really fantastic dreams. If a dream is particularly entertaining or unique, I'll wake up and text myself a note so that I don't forget the details. I also have an obsessive personality, so when I get really into something (like cults for the upcoming book) I immerse myself in research and the subject in general. When that happens, I can't help but to write about it.
R.J. Plant
I listen to a lot of Last Podcast on the Left, which is three comedians talking about true crime. I was listening to their Aum Shinrikyo and Jonestown episodes and was just completely fascinated. I knew that was something I wanted to explore in a fictional environment.
R.J. Plant
I'm currently working on a cult thriller. The research, listening to ex-members and survivors, is an experience like no other. There's this misconception that people who join cults are foolish or ignorant and that's just not the case. I wanted to write a character that could express the psychology of the cult mentality and what it takes to break that brainwashed existence.
R.J. Plant
The characters. Writing a character is like mentally dressing up for Halloween. Really getting to know the characters, their habits and quirks, is always a lot of fun.
R.J. Plant
Sometimes skipping over a scene that has you stumped and moving to a different scene will help. You can always go back and fill in the blanks. Lately, what has worked best for me is to just put something down whether it's relevant or not. When you go back through to edit it, you'll be able to better fill in the scene that was giving you a hard time.
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