Ask the Author: Jennifer D. Lyle
Answered Questions (13)
Jennifer D. Lyle
Thanks for the question, Zoe!
I had a pair of dreams years and years apart. The first was about the end of the world, and there were beautiful butterflies everywhere, but I couldn't figure out how to make that scary. I was thinking maybe their wing dust caused everything to die? I always had that idea (butterflies ending it all) in the back of my head. Years later, I had another dream about a foot-long moth climbing up my leg. It wasn't threatening at all, but when I woke up I thought, "Wow, anything can be scary if it's big enough..." and that was the start of it!
I didn't realize lepidopterophobia was a thing until a friend of mine took one look at the cover and said NOPE NOPE NOPE!
I had a pair of dreams years and years apart. The first was about the end of the world, and there were beautiful butterflies everywhere, but I couldn't figure out how to make that scary. I was thinking maybe their wing dust caused everything to die? I always had that idea (butterflies ending it all) in the back of my head. Years later, I had another dream about a foot-long moth climbing up my leg. It wasn't threatening at all, but when I woke up I thought, "Wow, anything can be scary if it's big enough..." and that was the start of it!
I didn't realize lepidopterophobia was a thing until a friend of mine took one look at the cover and said NOPE NOPE NOPE!
Jennifer D. Lyle
Thank you so much for your kind words! I don't know right now, but I have a few projects in the works...when I know, you'll all know!!
Jennifer D. Lyle
Hi Sharon! First, thanks for picking Swarm out of all the great options out there!
In answer to your question, it's hard to get scared at your own writing, but I did seriously creep myself out a few times when researching. If your group members want to feel that creep factor themselves, have them look up Ophiocordyceps unilateralis or Apocephalus borealis fly.
For your club: I don't consciously think about metaphors when writing ("What do you think the author meant here" is a question I heard all high school and college!) but we're influenced by the times we're in--and Swarm was written during Covid. At first, I was more interested in the effects of isolation than the disease...but then I thought: sure, butterflies with teeth are scary, but what's scarier than humans? INFECTED, VIOLENT HUMANS!
I'd love to hear what you all think of Swarm when you're done, if you want to shoot me a message!
In answer to your question, it's hard to get scared at your own writing, but I did seriously creep myself out a few times when researching. If your group members want to feel that creep factor themselves, have them look up Ophiocordyceps unilateralis or Apocephalus borealis fly.
For your club: I don't consciously think about metaphors when writing ("What do you think the author meant here" is a question I heard all high school and college!) but we're influenced by the times we're in--and Swarm was written during Covid. At first, I was more interested in the effects of isolation than the disease...but then I thought: sure, butterflies with teeth are scary, but what's scarier than humans? INFECTED, VIOLENT HUMANS!
I'd love to hear what you all think of Swarm when you're done, if you want to shoot me a message!
Jennifer D. Lyle
Hi Jace! Thanks for the kind words. No plans for a sequel at this time...but I have ideas!!
Jennifer D. Lyle
Thanks Stephanie!! I hope you love it :)
Jennifer D. Lyle
OMG, thank you so much for pointing this out. I'll reach out to the pub and will let them know.
Jennifer D. Lyle
Where the heck are all these flies coming from, and WHAT is that smell???
Jennifer D. Lyle
There are two answers to this. First, planning. Everyone gets writer's block, and it's much worse if you don't do a synopsis first. It's like a cheat sheet for the days when you're not feeling inspired. Lots of writers find this SUPER UNSEXY, but I absolutely assure you, it does take away from creativity. Inventing is hard. Inventing a plot and a scene and characters etc etc all at the same time is much harder. Cut yourself a break and give yourself something to write to. It can always change (mine always does about halfway through).
The other answer is -- if you have writer's block on a WIP, the last thing you wrote is probably problematic. Generally, this can be treated like a wrong turn. If you've hit a dead end in your car, you're going to backtrack to the last intersection, you'e not going to sit there waiting for the road to turn into a thru-lane. Backtrack. Get rid of the last chapter. Start from there.
The other answer is -- if you have writer's block on a WIP, the last thing you wrote is probably problematic. Generally, this can be treated like a wrong turn. If you've hit a dead end in your car, you're going to backtrack to the last intersection, you'e not going to sit there waiting for the road to turn into a thru-lane. Backtrack. Get rid of the last chapter. Start from there.
Jennifer D. Lyle
Storytelling to strangers. When I was a little kid, I used to tell myself bedtime stories to fall asleep. The idea that other people are going to read my stories is surreal. That's so cool.
Jennifer D. Lyle
Don't let anyone tell you that your work doesn't have value, especially if it's in genre. I've seen more hopes and dreams destroyed by professors who think that all work has to be "serious" and "important." It's elitist and a little gross. Everything has its audience.
Take an editing class to learn how to ruthlessly self-edit. The hardest thing for writers to learn is that your ideas and thoughts are fluid. They should change in order to shape the best possible story. That's why drafts exist.
Have beta readers you can count on to tell you what works and what doesn't. If they're blowing smoke (everything is PERFECT), they're not helping you out. If you're asking non-writers to beta read for you, give them a list of questions to answer about your writing, characters, plot, etc.
"Someday" is today. Get writing.
Take an editing class to learn how to ruthlessly self-edit. The hardest thing for writers to learn is that your ideas and thoughts are fluid. They should change in order to shape the best possible story. That's why drafts exist.
Have beta readers you can count on to tell you what works and what doesn't. If they're blowing smoke (everything is PERFECT), they're not helping you out. If you're asking non-writers to beta read for you, give them a list of questions to answer about your writing, characters, plot, etc.
"Someday" is today. Get writing.
Jennifer D. Lyle
A supernatural murder mystery. Can't say more :)
Jennifer D. Lyle
I treat it more like a job than a hobby or as art production, I guess is the best way to answer that. There are plenty of times when I'm NOT inspired to write, but I have to do it anyway. The kindest thing I do for myself is outline, and leave myself copious notes about what could be, so when I'm stuck, I have some ideas to work from.
When I'm first starting a project, I like to do a Pinterest board about the characters and locations to set a vibe. For this last project, I was able to use AI (Midjourney) to create my own images, which was SO cool.
When I'm first starting a project, I like to do a Pinterest board about the characters and locations to set a vibe. For this last project, I was able to use AI (Midjourney) to create my own images, which was SO cool.
Jennifer D. Lyle
My most recent book (which isn't even announced yet!) was inspired by watching and reading A LOT of folk horror. I love stuff like 'Salem's Lot, Storm of the Century, The Summer People, Wicker Man...I really wanted to have my own spin on that genre.
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