Ask the Author: Michael Byars Lewis
Answered Questions (3)
Michael Byars Lewis
This is a broad question so I'll try and tackle it appropriately. When starting a book, the enthusiasm comes from that germ of an idea that comes from . . . somewhere. It might be a news article, something I've experienced, or simply words someone says. Fleshing that out into a story is the exciting process. The inspiration in this phase for me is in the discovery process.
Getting inspiration for the daily grind (which isn't really a grind) is more complicated. For the most part, my inspiration comes from seeing what's next. The writing is the fun part, where my creativity gets exercised. I also work from an outline so there's the excitement of knowing where I'm going.
There are times when I'm totally unmotivated to write. Everyone experiences those. My recommendation is to write. Anything. A good technique I've used is to go back and review/edit what you did the day before. That often will get the creative juices flowing.
Bottom line . . . the more you write, the more you'll want to write!
Getting inspiration for the daily grind (which isn't really a grind) is more complicated. For the most part, my inspiration comes from seeing what's next. The writing is the fun part, where my creativity gets exercised. I also work from an outline so there's the excitement of knowing where I'm going.
There are times when I'm totally unmotivated to write. Everyone experiences those. My recommendation is to write. Anything. A good technique I've used is to go back and review/edit what you did the day before. That often will get the creative juices flowing.
Bottom line . . . the more you write, the more you'll want to write!
Michael Byars Lewis
Currently, I'm finishing the final edit of my second novel, VEIL OF DECEPTION. When I'm not working on that, I'm laying out the third novel, which remains unnamed at this point. I'm also laying out some novella's that will fill in some storyline between the first and second novels (although it's not required). The exact sequence of publishing remains undetermined, however. Originally, I was going straight to the novella's but I think right now, I'll push on to book three and four, then return to the novella's.
Michael Byars Lewis
I've found the best way to overcome writer's block is to write. Anything. For me, I write with an outline, that helps me stay focused and pointed in the right direction. There are those moments, however, when the creativity takes over and I'll veer away from the outline. Sometimes it's a keeper, sometimes not. But you've got to give yourself the freedom to color outside the lines sometimes. When I find myself struggling in front of the keyboard not knowing where to start, I'll go back to what I wrote the day before and start the rewrite, tweak it up a bit. That almost always gets me back in the flow.
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