Ask the Author: Timothy Wahl
Answered Questions (5)
Timothy Wahl
I gues I'm a realists. I typically don't enjoy hypothetical scenarios, but I gues that's what fiction writing is all about, isn't it? Instead of a fictional world, I could deal better with a physical one forn teh real world. Goodness, Imperialist Russia, ancient Phoenicia, Egypt, Civil War South--some place like that where I could do something to affect the course of history in a positive way. So many Places Why not the time of Jesus? Or with the French explorers when they discovered Tahiti?
Timothy Wahl
Fortunately for me this is this is not a problem. I am never at a loss. I might suggest for someone who has this to just start writing. Stream of conscious, just put down any old thing, like calisthenics to get the blood in the brain flowing. Start writing and your ideas for what to write about will come.
Timothy Wahl
From teaching ESL for 32 years and my lifelong passion for American football, a sport I was precluded from playing due to a genetic neurological condition called episodic ataxia (balance and occasional loss of motor control). i found that students learned reading better when it was put into a context they enjoyed. With the growing popularity of American football and my experience and skills in teaching ESL--grammar, reading-vocabulary and the who suite of communications skills, it evolved to the idea I should write a book Actually, this came to me on a dream. I was kind of care free about sharing this idea, for their aren't many out their int eh world with the skills in teaching ESL and very good knowledge of football who could produce a highly ambitious, and really, complex project like this.
Timothy Wahl
By sleeping. I wake up fresh, with ideas. Gotta put them down before they fade. My biorhythm for writing is early morning and evening onward. The rest of the day is a dead zone. Inspiration is all around, ever step of the way. For me, the impressions rest in my unconscious and come into view during my sleep.
Timothy Wahl
Cynical answer but truthful: It's who you know. Remember all it takes is ONE. All things being equal--that your good is well-written - being "good" is not enough. You need a platform. Most of us are not the son or daughter of an A-lister, whose namesake can go far in getting you your first contract. So, with respect to writers who, like me are obscure, hardworking and relatively poor--don't spend too much energy in these groups. These people are needy and want the same thing you do. Join groups where people who are not writers necessarily go. Try, for example, groups such as but not limited to Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Junior (or regular) Chamber of Commerce, PTA. Volunteer as a board member is an association of your choosing. Become a volunteer for social justice or other causes that gets a lot of media attention and attracts politicians, movie stars - people and organizations hungry for steady exposure as being "corporate(ly) reposnisible. Become active, be friendly and helpful--and by all means sincere in your objectives to represent the mission of your organization. Like "Field of Dreams," the one person you need to put your book out there will come to YOU, not you chasing after them. Be mindful of Dale Carnegie's words of wisdom about influencing people: "Make the other guy think that it's his idea." Or, think of it like this, whether you are a man or woman, it's like courtship. A turn off to a prospective partner is to come across as needy. It's the one who is (or seems to be) care-free who's the honey that attracts.
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