Ask the Author: R.R. Adams
Answered Questions (6)
R.R. Adams
I've considered writing a blog, but I think it will be more impactful to answer questions like this one. Especially since a few aspiring writers have reached out to me.
Picking up a pen or setting up your keyboard is easy.
Breathing life into a story, whether through meticulous planning or inspiration driven writing sprints, is challenging. But then you push beyond that limit by taking a completed manuscript, picking up a red pen and reading and re-reading the same text too many times to count.
You aren't quite ready to take a chance with an agent and a publisher, and who knows if they are interested in taking a chance with your work. You don't want to spend months at the bottom of a pile; you want to publish your work on your own time. But self-published books are a costly upfront investment with no guarantee of return on investment.
So, sometimes you teach yourself:
- How to format.
- How to leverage one type of editing
- How to work with people new to cover design, editing or formatting
Finally, you publish.
People purchase your work.
Then they leave reviews, some positive, some negative.
Then you start the process all over again.
People's reviews won't always be kind.
And, your first few books will have very few reads.
But, you keep writing, and you continue to publish your work because it's your dream.
My dream is to write and publish books to make readers happy. And, even if it's challenging and I can't make every reader happy, for the ones that enjoy my work, I will keep writing.
And you should too. Always remember, there was a reason you picked up that pen or set up your keyboard.
Picking up a pen or setting up your keyboard is easy.
Breathing life into a story, whether through meticulous planning or inspiration driven writing sprints, is challenging. But then you push beyond that limit by taking a completed manuscript, picking up a red pen and reading and re-reading the same text too many times to count.
You aren't quite ready to take a chance with an agent and a publisher, and who knows if they are interested in taking a chance with your work. You don't want to spend months at the bottom of a pile; you want to publish your work on your own time. But self-published books are a costly upfront investment with no guarantee of return on investment.
So, sometimes you teach yourself:
- How to format.
- How to leverage one type of editing
- How to work with people new to cover design, editing or formatting
Finally, you publish.
People purchase your work.
Then they leave reviews, some positive, some negative.
Then you start the process all over again.
People's reviews won't always be kind.
And, your first few books will have very few reads.
But, you keep writing, and you continue to publish your work because it's your dream.
My dream is to write and publish books to make readers happy. And, even if it's challenging and I can't make every reader happy, for the ones that enjoy my work, I will keep writing.
And you should too. Always remember, there was a reason you picked up that pen or set up your keyboard.
R.R. Adams
Yes. Ultimately, I will produce audio and hard copy versions of my books. The timeline is TBD.
R.R. Adams
I encountered a different perspective on 'writer's block' recently. It spoke about how writer's block isn't anything more than procrastination, and I agree with this thought.
That said, there are sometimes when no matter how long I stare at the paper, there is nothing I can say. Worse, anything I try to write comes out barely legible. I don't think you should force your writing, but I don't think you should procrastinate either.
I work through writer's block by setting a goal for myself to write a certain amount per week, and I visit my writing throughout the week and try to chip away. Sometimes it flows more naturally, and sometimes it's an uphill battle. If I can't write (and it isn't pure procrastination), I find something that inspires me. I read books, watch movies, play games and go out and live life to see new things.
That said, there are sometimes when no matter how long I stare at the paper, there is nothing I can say. Worse, anything I try to write comes out barely legible. I don't think you should force your writing, but I don't think you should procrastinate either.
I work through writer's block by setting a goal for myself to write a certain amount per week, and I visit my writing throughout the week and try to chip away. Sometimes it flows more naturally, and sometimes it's an uphill battle. If I can't write (and it isn't pure procrastination), I find something that inspires me. I read books, watch movies, play games and go out and live life to see new things.
R.R. Adams
Like so many other writers, I am inspired by great works. Every time I open a book and close it, I ask myself, "What if?" Or "What next?"
I never started writing because of some dream to change or improve other works. I started writing because I want to create my own worlds and stories. And I keep writing to bring unique worlds and characters to life.
I want to write untold stories. There seems like there are so many stories out there that just haven't been brought to life yet.
I never started writing because of some dream to change or improve other works. I started writing because I want to create my own worlds and stories. And I keep writing to bring unique worlds and characters to life.
I want to write untold stories. There seems like there are so many stories out there that just haven't been brought to life yet.
R.R. Adams
I'm on the lookout for any exciting reads. I typically stay within the fantasy genre. Regrettably, most of the books I was waiting for were released in December.
I guess this gives me more incentive to release a few of my own stories!
I guess this gives me more incentive to release a few of my own stories!
R.R. Adams
I would travel to the world in the Wheel of Time in the time after book 14 was completed.
The world is exciting and wrought with both issues and opportunities. Being able to use magic and exist in a medieval world seems like it would be interesting.
But, with my luck, I'd likely end up as a non-magic user living somewhere on a farm tending to sheep.
The world is exciting and wrought with both issues and opportunities. Being able to use magic and exist in a medieval world seems like it would be interesting.
But, with my luck, I'd likely end up as a non-magic user living somewhere on a farm tending to sheep.
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