Ask the Author: Pepperkayn
Answered Questions (2)
Pepperkayn
I'll share what I've learned:
1 > Whether it be for the character, their job or lifestyle, or the world which the story is set, research extensively!
2 > Open to opinion and contrary to what others might say, don't read other authors fiction works for inspiration. If you're researching 'how to write', then that's fine, but if you're researching 'what to write', don't! Find other ways to get inspiration or you could end up sounding like someone else.
3 > Don't be scared to delete entire chapters regardless of how brilliant you think they are. The goal is to get the story flowing correctly and eventually, get to the end.
4 > Don't push! Pushing the story to rush its completion will only cause it to push back harder. If it's not flowing right, walk away.
5 > Be critical of your work and accept criticism from others but don't write to their demands! Know the difference between criticism and opinion. When people read your work and say "I like that part when they... but personally, I would have had them do..." ignore it! Otherwise you'll be forever changing the story. Unless of course, they raise a good plot point!
6 > Get your book edited by a good editor then proofread by a good proofreader before you go to print. However, mistakes can still slip through - don't worry about it. There's always the next edition.
7 > Don't procrastinate! There's never a 'right time' for going to print, but if you don't, you never will and you'll live the rest of your life wallowing in self-pity and regret for something that could have been but never was! ;) It's better to regret something you have done, than regret something you haven't.
8 > Keep writing!
1 > Whether it be for the character, their job or lifestyle, or the world which the story is set, research extensively!
2 > Open to opinion and contrary to what others might say, don't read other authors fiction works for inspiration. If you're researching 'how to write', then that's fine, but if you're researching 'what to write', don't! Find other ways to get inspiration or you could end up sounding like someone else.
3 > Don't be scared to delete entire chapters regardless of how brilliant you think they are. The goal is to get the story flowing correctly and eventually, get to the end.
4 > Don't push! Pushing the story to rush its completion will only cause it to push back harder. If it's not flowing right, walk away.
5 > Be critical of your work and accept criticism from others but don't write to their demands! Know the difference between criticism and opinion. When people read your work and say "I like that part when they... but personally, I would have had them do..." ignore it! Otherwise you'll be forever changing the story. Unless of course, they raise a good plot point!
6 > Get your book edited by a good editor then proofread by a good proofreader before you go to print. However, mistakes can still slip through - don't worry about it. There's always the next edition.
7 > Don't procrastinate! There's never a 'right time' for going to print, but if you don't, you never will and you'll live the rest of your life wallowing in self-pity and regret for something that could have been but never was! ;) It's better to regret something you have done, than regret something you haven't.
8 > Keep writing!
Pepperkayn
Playing God and having the creative freedom to imagine and do what I like! I also enjoy doing the research!
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more