Ask the Author: C.A. Simonsen

“Ask me a question.” C.A. Simonsen

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C.A. Simonsen domcraig@sasktel.net

Have a good day. Keep reading.
C.A. Simonsen My father-in-law recently passed away. He lived to be 86 years of age and, during that span, he saw many changes in his country. I am writing a series of nine stories, based on his life and based on historical events in western Canada. This is my first effort at including a touch of French - I will need to lean on my wife for assistance.
C.A. Simonsen My main inspiration comes from reading. Authors like McCarthy use words so potently. Also, basic observation inspires. There seems to be a story in nearly every person and incident around, if you're looking.
C.A. Simonsen The last manuscript I completed tackles whether society is progressing or regressing. A father whisks his daughter away from the modern world - from its conveniences and excesses and deceit. He is determined that she will be self-sufficient and humble.

I got the idea from current newsfeeds: overdoses, violence, political corruption and lies.
C.A. Simonsen I'd say I need ten more years of writing before I'm in a position to offer advice, but here goes:

a) As with musicians, your first efforts won't be good enough. Hone and hone and hone...
b) Never go to friends/relatives/review sharing writers for criticism. It won't be candid.
C.A. Simonsen I like the escape from the day's stresses that comes with writing. As with reading, I'm able to jump into a different world - one that I get to shape. Writing is a stress reliever, akin to sitting at a piano or strumming a guitar.
C.A. Simonsen Outdoor, physical activities are helpful. A bike ride, a fitness class, doing yard work - exhausting the body instead of the mind can relieve writer's block.
C.A. Simonsen He bade his wife good day as she departed and tilted the pot to pour the steaming brew. Drip, drip.
C.A. Simonsen That's quite a question. Maybe Baker Street or the England of T. H. White's Sword In The Stone. Naturally, I would solve Victorian crimes or I'd learn from the greatest of teachers, Merlin.
C.A. Simonsen Planning to dive into Opal & Nev and Just Mercy. I will continue with Daniel Silva's intriguing Gabriel Allon series.

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