Ask the Author: Matthew Sullivan
Answered Questions (6)
Matthew Sullivan
I don't know that I can post it on Amazon.ca. I can't actually give it away through Amazon.com either. I have to rely on word of mouth :)
Matthew Sullivan
Great question! I actaully had the initial idea while I was watching the previews before The Wolverine. That's when I decided I wanted to take a break from writing screenplays and start writing novels (side note: that decision had nothing to do with The Wolverine, which I enjoyed).
After that, I started with what I knew I wanted to accomplish with the novel: one, introduce mindfulness and meditation as a means of self-empowerment and finding happiness; and two, use the story as a metaphor for my experience going through cancer treatments (I used to be a lot like Charlie in the first 100 pages). From there, I just let the ideas pop into my head and kept the ones that fit with my goal for the series. I also read a lot of religious history to get more ideas to borrow.
After that, I started with what I knew I wanted to accomplish with the novel: one, introduce mindfulness and meditation as a means of self-empowerment and finding happiness; and two, use the story as a metaphor for my experience going through cancer treatments (I used to be a lot like Charlie in the first 100 pages). From there, I just let the ideas pop into my head and kept the ones that fit with my goal for the series. I also read a lot of religious history to get more ideas to borrow.
Matthew Sullivan
I think of writer's block as less of a block and more of a lack of enthusiasm. I never have a problem coming up with ideas, I'm just not always excited about executing them. For me, the best way to avoid this problem is to always find a reason to be excited about what I am working on. I start small, coming up with a sentence or interaction that will get me amped up to get the page or chapter down, and then I keep building from there. If for one reason or another, I can't find a way to get excited about working on, I take that as a sign that the idea isn't ready and just move on to the next story idea. Usually, moving on eliminates any frustration, and helps me come up with new ideas for my original idea.
Matthew Sullivan
Put in the work. Enjoy the process. Write for yourself. Don't compare yourself to other people. Only focus on things that you can control. And be the best that you can be.
Matthew Sullivan
For me, it's all about the ideas. What I am working on, and what I want to say with my writing, is what inspires me to put in the long hours. If I find that the inspiration isn't there and feel writer's block coming on, I take that as a sign that the idea isn't meant to be. At least not at that moment.
Matthew Sullivan
I am currently working on getting my second novel (Stealing Christmas) ready for publishing. I should be finished with that shortly, and then will be taking a month-long break from novels to work on a screenplay.
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