Ask the Author: Sinead MacDughlas
Answered Questions (6)
Sinead MacDughlas
There are so many answers to that question! Immersing myself in the written word. The expression of emotion, and the weaving of a story. Control. (Yes, it's a bit like playing God. We get to create worlds, people, events...) I think the very best thing, though, is that moment when someone reads something I wrote, that touches them in a deep and meaningful way. Having a reader contact me to say, "You said exactly what I feel." or "I know I'm not alone." My favourite writers do that for me, and now I have the chance to pay it forward. That is definitely the best.
Sinead MacDughlas
People, emotion and music. Those are my inspirations. Characters are nearly always the first key to unlocking a new story. My characters are very real to me, and they speak to me. My characters are my muses, emotion and music are my fuel.
Sinead MacDughlas
That's a complicated answer. Parting Burden began as an exercise to get through a bit of writer's block. I was writing Learn To Love Me at the time, and struggling, so I took a break from the novel to write a character-driven short for a charity anthology. The theme of the anthology was endings, and new beginnings, and I certainly had plenty of experience with those! It really began with a bus ride, one I'd taken myself at the end of a relationship, and the emotions I'd worked through on that over-long trip.
Unfortunately the original anthology fell through, but another anthology opportunity opened up. I reworked Parting Burden and it was picked up, but I wasn't happy with the story as a short. I felt that Melissa, the main character, had more to offer, more story to tell.
When I'd finished Learn To Love Me and Best Served Bloody, I started plotting the rest of The Secret Connection Collection, but Parting Burden kept coming back to me. It wouldn't let me focus on any of my other plots. Finally, I realized that it was always meant to be a part of the collection, and I went back to work on it. With very little effort, the story slid into place.
Unfortunately the original anthology fell through, but another anthology opportunity opened up. I reworked Parting Burden and it was picked up, but I wasn't happy with the story as a short. I felt that Melissa, the main character, had more to offer, more story to tell.
When I'd finished Learn To Love Me and Best Served Bloody, I started plotting the rest of The Secret Connection Collection, but Parting Burden kept coming back to me. It wouldn't let me focus on any of my other plots. Finally, I realized that it was always meant to be a part of the collection, and I went back to work on it. With very little effort, the story slid into place.
Sinead MacDughlas
Right this moment, I'm preparing Parting Burden for release, but I'm also writing the next installment of The Secret Connection Collection. The new WIP (work in progress), is the follow-up story to both Best Served Bloody and Parting Burden.
I'm taking the reader back to Bassvilla, where Jessica's older sister, Beth (from Learn To Love Me), is going to need the help of Catherine (from Parting Burden), to solve the mystery of what really happened at Ash House (from Best Served Bloody).
I'm taking the reader back to Bassvilla, where Jessica's older sister, Beth (from Learn To Love Me), is going to need the help of Catherine (from Parting Burden), to solve the mystery of what really happened at Ash House (from Best Served Bloody).
Sinead MacDughlas
I have a new favourite answer to that question:
"I give writing advice all the time, but that doesn't mean anyone should listen to it. In fact, it's probably best if no one does. After all, when I write, I'm just running around in my head, blindfolded, and likely with scissors."
"I give writing advice all the time, but that doesn't mean anyone should listen to it. In fact, it's probably best if no one does. After all, when I write, I'm just running around in my head, blindfolded, and likely with scissors."
Sinead MacDughlas
I have a few tricks to get through writer's block.
Often, music is the key. If I'm having trouble getting a scene to feel right, I'll listen to a few songs that capture the emotion I'm attempting to convey. Once I've set the mood for myself, the words usually fall into place.
If music doesn't work, I'll try the opposite. Living in a small, rural town means that complete silence is out of the question, but that's actually better. I find a quiet spot, close my eyes and focus on my other senses. When I open my eyes I try to describe the sounds and scents I noted, then add more visual details of the place I'm in. Sometimes the results of that exercise make for excellent descriptive scenes. Even if the results aren't useful for the piece I'm working on, the exercise reminds me that there is more to writing than just the visual elements of a story.
I have more tricks and exercises, but in the name of brevity, I'll stop there. ;)
Often, music is the key. If I'm having trouble getting a scene to feel right, I'll listen to a few songs that capture the emotion I'm attempting to convey. Once I've set the mood for myself, the words usually fall into place.
If music doesn't work, I'll try the opposite. Living in a small, rural town means that complete silence is out of the question, but that's actually better. I find a quiet spot, close my eyes and focus on my other senses. When I open my eyes I try to describe the sounds and scents I noted, then add more visual details of the place I'm in. Sometimes the results of that exercise make for excellent descriptive scenes. Even if the results aren't useful for the piece I'm working on, the exercise reminds me that there is more to writing than just the visual elements of a story.
I have more tricks and exercises, but in the name of brevity, I'll stop there. ;)
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