Ask the Author: Bill Engleson
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Bill Engleson
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Bill Engleson
Hello Margaret, asked and answered. As a social worker, I always attempted to deliver in a timely fashion.
Bill Engleson
Be more efficient with your time. For example, I have ignored these questions much too long.
Bill Engleson
For me, creating an imaginary world is the best thing. Even as I write relatively true to life novels, what I write is totally up to me and the world therein is solely my reation, albeit strongly reflective of the world I have lived in.
Bill Engleson
Hello Margaret. The novel initially was conceived of as a series of short stories. I wanted to tell crisp clean poignant vignettes. My protagonist, Wally Rose, is not unlike a number of fictional detectives. I am an avid reader of detective fiction starting from Chandler and Hammett and running through James Lee Burke, Henning Mankell, Robert Crais and a host of others. Once I had his voice, and a specific belief that a good way to approach telling child welfare stories was to use the inner voice conceit of detectives, well, that was, in a nutshell, the key influence for me. I also wanted the book to be accessible, entertaining, and as realistic as possible. Hope that answers you question.
Margaret Joyce
Hi Bill, Yes, that does answer the question. I, btw, am [also] a retired 'careerist' YP worker and have been playing with different approaches to writ
Hi Bill, Yes, that does answer the question. I, btw, am [also] a retired 'careerist' YP worker and have been playing with different approaches to writing about 'it'. I started a newsletter while still on the job, with a short story per issue , also with the idea that perhaps I could put them in a larger work. That was one approach. I've tried a couple or other approaches but nothing has had enough traction. Hearing a clear voice for a protagonist, given a fictional frame, makes sense. Thank you. I think I'll work with that and see what emerges. My post-YP time goes into ESL teaching. I love it.Thanks for listening. Cheers,
Margaret ...more
Jul 24, 2014 03:26PM · flag
Margaret ...more
Jul 24, 2014 03:26PM · flag
Bill Engleson
I am writing a prequel to my first novel, Like a Child to Home. The prequel is called Drawn Towards the Sun and deals with my main protagonist a few decades ago. I also write poetry and short stories and the occasional bit of non fiction.
Bill Engleson
I embrace it. If there is nothing percolating, there is nothing percolating. However, before I reach that point, I make sure I have a number of projects on the go that I can shift over to, especially if my major activity (currently I am half way through a prequel to my first novel, Like a Child to Home.) If all else fails, I go for a walk, water the garden (thirsty veggies but only in summer) or watch an old film noir from my collection. I am constantly stimulated by old films...
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Nov 03, 2016 05:25AM · flag