Ask the Author: T.A. Walters
Answered Questions (10)
T.A. Walters
Victoria, Hi'
The Silo series was published under Kindleworlds which was contracted fanfiction under various authors. The original author of 'Wool' namely Hugh Howie and Amazon own the rights to my Silo series publications so therefore I cannot publish or distribute those works.
The Silo series was published under Kindleworlds which was contracted fanfiction under various authors. The original author of 'Wool' namely Hugh Howie and Amazon own the rights to my Silo series publications so therefore I cannot publish or distribute those works.
T.A. Walters
I think I would like to visit the world of Jurassic Park because I'm intrigued with dinosaurs. Once there, I'd stroll through the plains and jungle for whatever length of time I had, just taking in the sights.
T.A. Walters
The building of the Egyptian Pyramids. How it was done and the cultures of those people of the time.
I think this mystery holds within itself the premise to a great science fiction/adventure novel.
I think this mystery holds within itself the premise to a great science fiction/adventure novel.
T.A. Walters
Bogart & Hepburn, because together they had an explosive kind of chemistry between them.
T.A. Walters
I am like an old muscle car. If I can get gas and lot's of it, I'm off to the races. Zig Ziglar (Inspirational motivator) says, "You are who you are. You are what you are because of what's gone into your head."
I get a lot of ideas by just my recreational pastime of reading fiction novels. That is my low to medium source of octane gas that fuels me. But I need more so I get out and go to work silently studying others. I watch people and they in turn craft my characters in a quirky way. I have to supply the personality of course and above all know one important thing:
No one dares make a move unless there is something in it for them. The entire universe is constructed this way. A bird doesn't drop from a tree to the ground, unless there is something in it for the bird (and acorn perhaps?). Think about that for a moment. Can you describe why a fashionable lady of desire had a hidden penchant for lighting fires and burning things. She does this against all laws of nature that I have described. The reader has a primal sense to know this, but at the same time-cannot reason it without you developing her character.
Getting the idea for my most recent book came out of a world of the many mysteries associated with Florida folklore. For instance, there was a man wanted for the murder of a notorious wild west bandit known as Belle Starr. Just so happened that the man who murdered her fled to the lawless regions of Southwest Florida. His name was Edgar J. Watson. The man really made an impact in the sugar producer's industry and actually built an island plantation.
Based on historical accounts, I constructed a fiction story that focused on day to day life. When it came to Edgar and his wife Rose and how he handled the business of running a plantation, to helping out around the house, you can't help but wonder what would you have them do next?
Soon the characters took over and I was amazed at that. They brought the ending to a historical close but at the same time left avenues open for the next story.
Didn't know it at the time of writing this short story that it would end up being a lead-in to a novel length book. So develop you characters, study them and allow them to 'show' not 'tell' and soon you will be following them around.
I get a lot of ideas by just my recreational pastime of reading fiction novels. That is my low to medium source of octane gas that fuels me. But I need more so I get out and go to work silently studying others. I watch people and they in turn craft my characters in a quirky way. I have to supply the personality of course and above all know one important thing:
No one dares make a move unless there is something in it for them. The entire universe is constructed this way. A bird doesn't drop from a tree to the ground, unless there is something in it for the bird (and acorn perhaps?). Think about that for a moment. Can you describe why a fashionable lady of desire had a hidden penchant for lighting fires and burning things. She does this against all laws of nature that I have described. The reader has a primal sense to know this, but at the same time-cannot reason it without you developing her character.
Getting the idea for my most recent book came out of a world of the many mysteries associated with Florida folklore. For instance, there was a man wanted for the murder of a notorious wild west bandit known as Belle Starr. Just so happened that the man who murdered her fled to the lawless regions of Southwest Florida. His name was Edgar J. Watson. The man really made an impact in the sugar producer's industry and actually built an island plantation.
Based on historical accounts, I constructed a fiction story that focused on day to day life. When it came to Edgar and his wife Rose and how he handled the business of running a plantation, to helping out around the house, you can't help but wonder what would you have them do next?
Soon the characters took over and I was amazed at that. They brought the ending to a historical close but at the same time left avenues open for the next story.
Didn't know it at the time of writing this short story that it would end up being a lead-in to a novel length book. So develop you characters, study them and allow them to 'show' not 'tell' and soon you will be following them around.
T.A. Walters
I generally get naked, which scares everyone out of my house. Now that I have quiet, I can now write down my story.
So okay, I was just kidding (about the naked thing), but about your inspiration usually comes from within you and no one else. You can't be tethered to a smart phone any more that you can be tethered to a billy goat. You can't have anyone jerking you out of a world that doesn't exist. At least not yet. You have to make yourself available to the whims and magic of your mind, or you will be saying, "Look at the sun -- I must be going!" And hence another day goes by and nothing.
Instead a voice cries out from yonder window, and who will be you to beckon, "Fear not, for it is I who has come to save you!"
Now your story has begun.
So okay, I was just kidding (about the naked thing), but about your inspiration usually comes from within you and no one else. You can't be tethered to a smart phone any more that you can be tethered to a billy goat. You can't have anyone jerking you out of a world that doesn't exist. At least not yet. You have to make yourself available to the whims and magic of your mind, or you will be saying, "Look at the sun -- I must be going!" And hence another day goes by and nothing.
Instead a voice cries out from yonder window, and who will be you to beckon, "Fear not, for it is I who has come to save you!"
Now your story has begun.
T.A. Walters
Currently working on finishing a novella for Kindle Worlds. It will be episode 4 of the Silo Saga.
Just put out another Island Adventure short story yesterday, which is basically a lead-in to a novel that I have nearly completed. Still needs a few beta readers to review it and re-writes plus editing, but like I have stated in my answer to the question of writer's block --- you gotta have a few projects going. Works for me.
Just put out another Island Adventure short story yesterday, which is basically a lead-in to a novel that I have nearly completed. Still needs a few beta readers to review it and re-writes plus editing, but like I have stated in my answer to the question of writer's block --- you gotta have a few projects going. Works for me.
T.A. Walters
When the people really love you and they tell you it's all good.
T.A. Walters
First thing, get over the personal idea that you 'suck' as a writer. That is for the people who read your stuff and return to you a perfectly honest review to decide. Most of the time they will pick out your weakness(s) which can help you sharpen your story-telling skills.
Attend writer's groups in your area. If there isn't one locally-then start one. But most of all, you love to tell a story because their isn't any quick bucks out there to support those who write for the money. When you write out a story and the passion lights the fire in you, so will it be, in a readers heart. If it don't flow with the fire in you when you are writing it, don't expect a reader to want to read your stuff.
Attend writer's groups in your area. If there isn't one locally-then start one. But most of all, you love to tell a story because their isn't any quick bucks out there to support those who write for the money. When you write out a story and the passion lights the fire in you, so will it be, in a readers heart. If it don't flow with the fire in you when you are writing it, don't expect a reader to want to read your stuff.
T.A. Walters
Always keep a few stories going, so that when you stall on one, chances are you will be eager to jump into working on one in progress.
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