Ask the Author: Jess McFarlane
Answered Questions (6)
Jess McFarlane
A lot of the time, I don't. And I know that sounds weird because we're always told to fight through writer's block, but I see it as a signal to ease back and take a rest. Sometimes I don't write for months and I'm never really anxious about it because I know it's usually because something is getting in the way: my health, life in general, my mental state (a big one). Even though I don't write every day, I'm always thinking about writing and getting ideas. Not writing sucks - obviously - but I don't see writer's block as the worst thing in the world. When it happens, I take a step back and sigh a breath of relief. Find myself and then continue on until I've got it again. Trying to write while you're blocked is dumb anyway, you never provide your best work when you're not "feeling it". At least in my case.
Jess McFarlane
I got the idea for Widow's Flame after going through a really tough time in my personal life. I was also battling chronic pain from Endometriosis, as I was still a year away from my surgery. There was a lot of pent-up emotion within me, especially grief and anger. I think Blair Ryan was moulded out those feelings of injustice. The context of her story, however, was inspired by the fact that I just love the Western genre. I love the themes it presents and the horses, the gunfights, the natural environment of North America. I could hear Blair's strong voice pretty much right away; feel her anger, because I guess it was my own, but in other ways. I could picture her, sitting in the Salmon Leap, drinking away her days, scornful. With Colin, I could immediately see him being her anchor, in the storm of emotions consuming her. I could see his life and the way it shaped him into the man he is, fighting in a mud pit in a country foreign to him. And the story flourished from there.
Jess McFarlane
The "zone" you get into while writing, where real-life is consumed completely by the world you're writing about. It sounds morbid, but I love drowning out the banality of normal life with the ones I create (fictional worlds are just more interesting, okay?) The characters, the scenery you can see, plain as day in your mind's eye. I get really attached to my characters, almost form relationships with them. I can hear them talking to one another in my head (sometimes bickering, especially if Blair Ryan is involved). I don't think there really is a "best thing", all of it is great.
Jess McFarlane
Keep writing! Ignore the outside noise about the "have to"s and just go at your own pace. If you're not writing every day, that's completely okay. Try not to edit your writing as you go, as your first draft is never going to be a masterpiece and you're the only one who will ever see it. Drown out the imposter syndrome and the voice in the back of your head that's telling you you're no good with heavy metal (a joke, but I do do this lol). If you have passion and drive for writing, you will be successful. Anything is possible, just keep going. However, know that things take time: I've been writing for the better part of 14 years and I've only just now been published. Always remember, your stories deserve to be read and deserve to be out in the wonderful world of books.
Jess McFarlane
My current WIP is another historical fiction novel, set in imagined Scotland. Very inspired by the Picts, it's about an isolated huntress, a forbidden heir and an invasion of a nation.
Jess McFarlane
I listen to music that suits the "theme" and "feeling" of the initial idea for the story. Watching movies and shows set in the era I'm writing about, or that are similar to the genre also helps. Some days are better than others, where I wake up and know that it'll be a good writing day. Other days, I don't write at all, because I'm not in the correct headspace.
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