Ask the Author: Mark Cushen
Answered Questions (6)
Mark Cushen
I consume the art of others who work in my genre. So for me specifically, that would be reading other fantasy books, watching fantasy movies, playing fantasy video games.
I also find it helps to have more than one project on the go at a time. Working on the same thing for a long time can start to feel like a chore after a while, especially when you reach those parts that are harder to write, or are just not as interesting. Those are the moments where the imposter syndrome and negative self-talk can make an appearance, to try and trick you into thinking that the reason you’re struggling is because you’re just not very good. Which usually is not the case at all. So before I reach that stage I like to move onto something else to keep my mind fresh. Taking that break away from the project also gives me the time and space to think of ways to fill in those less-interesting or harder-to-write gaps, so that by the time I go back to them, they don’t appear as daunting as they were before.
And on the rare occasion when even those strategies don’t work, sometimes the best thing to do is just admit defeat and take the day off. Live to write another day. It happens.
I also find it helps to have more than one project on the go at a time. Working on the same thing for a long time can start to feel like a chore after a while, especially when you reach those parts that are harder to write, or are just not as interesting. Those are the moments where the imposter syndrome and negative self-talk can make an appearance, to try and trick you into thinking that the reason you’re struggling is because you’re just not very good. Which usually is not the case at all. So before I reach that stage I like to move onto something else to keep my mind fresh. Taking that break away from the project also gives me the time and space to think of ways to fill in those less-interesting or harder-to-write gaps, so that by the time I go back to them, they don’t appear as daunting as they were before.
And on the rare occasion when even those strategies don’t work, sometimes the best thing to do is just admit defeat and take the day off. Live to write another day. It happens.
Mark Cushen
Being able to share the stories that bounce around in my head with other people.
Mark Cushen
1) Write as often as you can.
2) Keep a notebook by your bed, so that you don't forget ideas that come to you during the night (because they do, and you will).
3) Don't give up.
2) Keep a notebook by your bed, so that you don't forget ideas that come to you during the night (because they do, and you will).
3) Don't give up.
Mark Cushen
The two sequels to Little White Hands are my main focus right now, but I have other things in the pipeline.
One of them is a collection of fairytales and fables, and another is another fairytale-fantasy novel. This one is a standalone, however.
One of them is a collection of fairytales and fables, and another is another fairytale-fantasy novel. This one is a standalone, however.
Mark Cushen
I wish I had a good answer to this. The truth is, I write whenever I can. I don't have a strict schedule where I write a certain amount of words each and every day.
I have a Monday-Friday 9-5, which involves sitting at a desk infront of a computer all day, so sometimes the last thing I want to do after a long day of work is switch on my own computer to start writing.
I do most of my writing at weekends, and it's very rarely because I'm inspired to do it. I do it then because, if I didn't, I wouldn't write at all.
I have a Monday-Friday 9-5, which involves sitting at a desk infront of a computer all day, so sometimes the last thing I want to do after a long day of work is switch on my own computer to start writing.
I do most of my writing at weekends, and it's very rarely because I'm inspired to do it. I do it then because, if I didn't, I wouldn't write at all.
Mark Cushen
It started off as a short fairytale that was to be included in a larger collection. The basic premise was the standard "peasant boy saves the princess", but over time and multiple revisions and grew and expanded, to the point that the only similarity it shares with its origin is the name.
I drew inspiration and ideas from lots of sources. Such video games as The Legend of Zelda series, and Child of Light are big contributors, as is the stop-motion fantasy movie Kubo and the Two Strings. The biggest influence, however, is The Hobbit.
I drew inspiration and ideas from lots of sources. Such video games as The Legend of Zelda series, and Child of Light are big contributors, as is the stop-motion fantasy movie Kubo and the Two Strings. The biggest influence, however, is The Hobbit.
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