Ask the Author: Stephanie Flint
Answered Questions (6)
Stephanie Flint
For fiction novels, I'm currently reading Steelstriker by Marie Lu, and Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson. Up next is The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi.
In graphic novels, I'm planning to read Galaxy: The Prettiest Star (Jadzia Axelrod, Jess Taylor ), and I'd like to read The Witch Boy (Molly Knox Ostertag) and Chef's Kiss (Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine).
After that, I'm not sure. Depends on my mood when I go to pick out more books to read. (Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson and Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron are pretty high on my list). :-)
In graphic novels, I'm planning to read Galaxy: The Prettiest Star (Jadzia Axelrod, Jess Taylor ), and I'd like to read The Witch Boy (Molly Knox Ostertag) and Chef's Kiss (Jarrett Melendez, Danica Brine).
After that, I'm not sure. Depends on my mood when I go to pick out more books to read. (Vespertine by Margaret Rogerson and Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron are pretty high on my list). :-)
Stephanie Flint
I have a ton of story ideas I like to work on, so I rarely feel like I have true writer's block. That being said, there are times when I'm not really in the mood to write, or I don't know how to approach a scene.
If it's the case that I'm not in the mood to write sometimes I'll switch over to a different writing project (since I write in slightly varying genres, the projects themselves will have different moods to them). Other times I'll work on editing and revision instead--cleaning up the manuscript rather than writing something completely new. An example of this is when I want something a little more lighthearted, I might work more on The Wishing Blade series (Middle-Grade/YA Fantasy). If I want to work on something a bit darker, I'll switch to The Multiverse Chronicles (Adult Steampunk Fantasy War story - an online blog series). Both feature war and fighting. but the approach, depending on the scene, is a bit different.
In the case that I don't know how to approach a scene, a lot of times I'll find music that fits the mood, and listen to that while daydreaming the scene from multiple angles. I've got eclectic music tastes. I might go from listening to Epica and Xandria to Gordon Lightfoot and Dan Fogelberg in the same day, all while working on different scenes.
If it's the case that I'm not in the mood to write sometimes I'll switch over to a different writing project (since I write in slightly varying genres, the projects themselves will have different moods to them). Other times I'll work on editing and revision instead--cleaning up the manuscript rather than writing something completely new. An example of this is when I want something a little more lighthearted, I might work more on The Wishing Blade series (Middle-Grade/YA Fantasy). If I want to work on something a bit darker, I'll switch to The Multiverse Chronicles (Adult Steampunk Fantasy War story - an online blog series). Both feature war and fighting. but the approach, depending on the scene, is a bit different.
In the case that I don't know how to approach a scene, a lot of times I'll find music that fits the mood, and listen to that while daydreaming the scene from multiple angles. I've got eclectic music tastes. I might go from listening to Epica and Xandria to Gordon Lightfoot and Dan Fogelberg in the same day, all while working on different scenes.
Stephanie Flint
If I'm trying to get inspired to write a certain scene, listening to a specific song that has the right mood for the story can help. Or I might run through several daydreams of a particular scene to help me get inspired to write that scene.
But a lot of my ideas come from role-play games that my husband runs, or the ideas are spin-offs of those games.
Granted, Magic's Stealing is a bit different. It was primarily inspired by Tamora Pierce's books, along with the song "Rainbow Connection..." and a whole host of other songs.
But a lot of my ideas come from role-play games that my husband runs, or the ideas are spin-offs of those games.
Granted, Magic's Stealing is a bit different. It was primarily inspired by Tamora Pierce's books, along with the song "Rainbow Connection..." and a whole host of other songs.
Stephanie Flint
For me, the best thing about being a writer is exploring new worlds and new characters, along with the familiar ones I have in my head, then sharing those worlds with other people and seeing how they react to those characters and situations, and what they expect is going to happen next. Plus, being able to see the stories you have in your head in written word to where you can read them for yourself... that's cool, too.
Stephanie Flint
For my upcoming book, Magic's Stealing, I actually had the idea for the series in 2003, when I was in eighth grade.
At the time, I read a lot of fantasy, especially books by Tamora Pierce. My favorites series was the Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens. I also read her Tricksters series, the Protector of the Small series, and The Immortals series, which were a heavy influence in the creation of my magic system, along with having an interactive pantheon of gods.
Other ideas came from the music I listened to. I was taking voice lessons, and one of the songs we practiced was "The Rainbow Connection." A few lines from that song stuck in my head, especially those about wishes, illusions, and the feeling of being called. Gordon Lightfoot songs also became inspiration... “Shadows,” and “Race Among the Ruins,” are just two of them. “The Skye Boat Song,” which one of my friends in choir sang, inspired a character into the story... though he may not show up in this particular series, and his ‘birth’ came about when I misheard the lines, “Carry the lad that’s born to be king, over the sea to Skye” as “Over the sea to die.” A number of other songs also influenced the series, but I’ll save explaining those for another day. :-)
At the time, I read a lot of fantasy, especially books by Tamora Pierce. My favorites series was the Circle of Magic and The Circle Opens. I also read her Tricksters series, the Protector of the Small series, and The Immortals series, which were a heavy influence in the creation of my magic system, along with having an interactive pantheon of gods.
Other ideas came from the music I listened to. I was taking voice lessons, and one of the songs we practiced was "The Rainbow Connection." A few lines from that song stuck in my head, especially those about wishes, illusions, and the feeling of being called. Gordon Lightfoot songs also became inspiration... “Shadows,” and “Race Among the Ruins,” are just two of them. “The Skye Boat Song,” which one of my friends in choir sang, inspired a character into the story... though he may not show up in this particular series, and his ‘birth’ came about when I misheard the lines, “Carry the lad that’s born to be king, over the sea to Skye” as “Over the sea to die.” A number of other songs also influenced the series, but I’ll save explaining those for another day. :-)
Stephanie Flint
I'm currently working on Magic' Stealing, a fantasy novella about a young woman who would rather have a sword in her hand than use her powers to heal or throw fireballs, but when the kingdom’s magic is stolen, she’s one of the few whose powers remain.
I'm also working on a set of short stories for a blog series with my husband, which is set in an alternate Earth where there are dinosaurs, dragons, and dirigibles.
More information coming soon. :-)
I'm also working on a set of short stories for a blog series with my husband, which is set in an alternate Earth where there are dinosaurs, dragons, and dirigibles.
More information coming soon. :-)
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