Ask the Author: R.E. Palmer
Answered Questions (4)
R.E. Palmer
Learn about story structure and planning. I know Stephen King just sits down and writes as it comes into his head - but he's Stephen King! For the rest of us I think it's vital to have a plot split into four sections with plot points for each quarter that move your story on. I know many will say the planning and structure stage can stifle creativity, but I disagree. Once you have the framework for a workable story you can then set your imagination loose. It's like building your house first, and then painting it any colour you like.
And lastly, once you have your plot, characters and structure, don't wait for the ideas to come before you write. Set aside time and start writing. My best ideas come when I've got my head down and immersed in the story.
And lastly, once you have your plot, characters and structure, don't wait for the ideas to come before you write. Set aside time and start writing. My best ideas come when I've got my head down and immersed in the story.
R.E. Palmer
Well for me it's not certainly not the royalties :0) For me it's about bringing an idea that comes into your head and working with it until something begins to take shape. I love the planning stage when I come up with all sorts of plots, characters and twists. I also love the solitude that it can bring when it's just me. my iPod and my laptop. But the best feeling is when you hit return at the very end and feel an immense sense of satisfaction of stringing together 80,000 plus words in an order that hopefully makes a good read.
R.E. Palmer
If I'm struggling with a passage of writing I go on to the next scene. Then it gives me something aim it when I go back to the difficult part. Sometimes, it can make me realise I don't actually need the tricky scene and scrap it altogether. If that doesn't work I set up a conversation between my main characters and see where that takes me :0)
R.E. Palmer
I'm almost at the end of a two-year project writing a dystopian trilogy, 'The Never Dawn'. It's been hard at times but I've learned a lot and happy with the result. The first book, The Never Dawn, will be out in late September 2016, the second, Cloud Cuckoo, will follow shortly after, The final book, At The Gates of Dawn, is almost complete and I hope to publish in mid-October.
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