Ask the Author: Stephen A. Roddewig
Answered Questions (4)
Stephen A. Roddewig
As clichéd as it seems, sometimes the common answer is the best one: reading. Many of my stories have come from me reading a great book/story and then trying to emulate it. Not *copy* it, to be clear, but follow the approach, style, setting, or whatever else seemed novel to me.
Other times the idea comes out of nowhere and then refuses me to leave. I always listen to my instincts and try to experiment outside of my comfort zone. The results vary, but there are always lessons to be learned in failure as much as (or even more than) success.
Other times the idea comes out of nowhere and then refuses me to leave. I always listen to my instincts and try to experiment outside of my comfort zone. The results vary, but there are always lessons to be learned in failure as much as (or even more than) success.
Stephen A. Roddewig
Read a lot. Then ask yourself what you liked most about your favorite books, and try to emulate that in your own writing. Write what you like to read versus what's popular in the market, since those trends are always changing and difficult to time.
Besides, you need to be your story/book/play/poem's biggest advocate, because no one else will be at the start, so make sure you love it. Otherwise, good luck selling writing you don't even like that much.
Besides, you need to be your story/book/play/poem's biggest advocate, because no one else will be at the start, so make sure you love it. Otherwise, good luck selling writing you don't even like that much.
Stephen A. Roddewig
Vocal had a challenge called the Ship of Dreams, where (you may have guessed) they wanted a fictional story set on Titanic. I didn't want to do what I assumed everyone else would do: a slice of life story of a fictional passenger set before, during, or after the sinking. I chose a bold new direction: a comedy on a sinking RMS Titanic.
I originally intended for the protagonist, one Martin Williams, to drown with everyone else. Instead, I liked him so much I concocted a way for him to survive, and I continued to write Martin tales over the next 1.5 years. Each story is now compiled into the chapters of A Bloody Business in chronological order, and I'm very excited to be releasing my first-ever solo print offering in early Spring 2024.
I originally intended for the protagonist, one Martin Williams, to drown with everyone else. Instead, I liked him so much I concocted a way for him to survive, and I continued to write Martin tales over the next 1.5 years. Each story is now compiled into the chapters of A Bloody Business in chronological order, and I'm very excited to be releasing my first-ever solo print offering in early Spring 2024.
Stephen A. Roddewig
She had been calling into the silence for years. But nothing prepared her for when the void called back.
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