Ask the Author: R. Scott Boyer
Answered Questions (10)
R. Scott Boyer
My health. Ever since I was in my mid twenties, I've struggled with a variety of ailments. Sometimes they seem connected but doctors have never made a definitive diagnosis. I think it could be interesting to write a book about that, especially if the cause turned out to be something intriguing.
R. Scott Boyer
A oozing mass full of sharp claws and needle teeth lurks at the edge of your peripheral vision. Every time you turn to face it, it draws one step closer.
R. Scott Boyer
My first choice would probably be Xanth - the magic real of Piers Anthony where methophors and figurative expressions are literal and real.
Second would be Narnia. I wouldn't enjoy the battle for the throne, but talking animals are pretty cool.
One place I'd definitely stay away from is Westeros/Game of Thrones - I'd probably end up dead within a week!
Second would be Narnia. I wouldn't enjoy the battle for the throne, but talking animals are pretty cool.
One place I'd definitely stay away from is Westeros/Game of Thrones - I'd probably end up dead within a week!
R. Scott Boyer
This summer, I've been reading from the Barnes & Noble YA book club list. The one I read was Wilder Girls by Rory Power. Not my usual read but definitely well written and a compelling story. I also read I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal. Next up is Serpent Dove by Shelby Mahurin. On my nightstand are The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book Sharing Guide to Life by Kathy Murphy and The Lost Queen by Signe Pike.
R. Scott Boyer
The idea for book four was born mainly out of a natural progression from book three, along with some creative ideas that I picked up from a wide assortment of SciFi shows and books.
In book four, the characters delve into what I call "soul travel" - sending their spirits back in time to inhabit a previous incarnation/vessel.
Specifically, they travel back to ancient Alexandria, where they run into the likes of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. This particular idea is a mash up of all sorts of writers and shows I've read/watched over the years. A few notables include Kevin Hearne, Paulo Coelho, and (of course) J.K. Rowling (eclectic, I know!)
I also introduce in book four the idea of spiritually imbued artifacts. Again, this idea came from a variety of sources, but a few notables that come to mind include the televisions shows Warehouse 13 and The Librarians.
On top of all of that is a layer of influence by movies such as the Indiana Jones series, and Dan Brown's Robert Langdon books, which inspired me to tie fast-paced adventures with epic settings and historical events.
In book four, the characters delve into what I call "soul travel" - sending their spirits back in time to inhabit a previous incarnation/vessel.
Specifically, they travel back to ancient Alexandria, where they run into the likes of Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. This particular idea is a mash up of all sorts of writers and shows I've read/watched over the years. A few notables include Kevin Hearne, Paulo Coelho, and (of course) J.K. Rowling (eclectic, I know!)
I also introduce in book four the idea of spiritually imbued artifacts. Again, this idea came from a variety of sources, but a few notables that come to mind include the televisions shows Warehouse 13 and The Librarians.
On top of all of that is a layer of influence by movies such as the Indiana Jones series, and Dan Brown's Robert Langdon books, which inspired me to tie fast-paced adventures with epic settings and historical events.
R. Scott Boyer
This may sound silly, but the main way I get inspired to write is by actually writing. Once I am in the middle of a writing session, I almost always have plenty of ideas that keep me going. In those moments, it's usually only hunger or the need for sleep that trip me up.
The real trick for me is the discipline it takes to initially sit down and focus versus turning on the TV or picking up my phone.
Sometimes a creative television show or movie will inspire me to write. However, to be completely honest, being bored is more likely to drive me over to the computer than a captivating show.
The real trick for me is the discipline it takes to initially sit down and focus versus turning on the TV or picking up my phone.
Sometimes a creative television show or movie will inspire me to write. However, to be completely honest, being bored is more likely to drive me over to the computer than a captivating show.
R. Scott Boyer
I am currently working on book four in my Bobby Ether series, which has Bobby on another exciting adventure with all of his friends. Book three has been completed for sometime now, but remains unpublished as I contemplate options to rebrand/remarket the entire series.
My current plan is to finish book four and then take a step back to reevaluate the series. Most likely, I will reposition the first two books with new covers and minor changes to dovetail with ideas brought forth in the last two installments.
In addition to the Bobby Ether series, I have ideas for another kids series. This one is younger than the BE stories (probably middle grade). I've got about seventy pages of the first book down, but have left it there for a while because the BE stories are still the ones that speak to me the loudest.
My current plan is to finish book four and then take a step back to reevaluate the series. Most likely, I will reposition the first two books with new covers and minor changes to dovetail with ideas brought forth in the last two installments.
In addition to the Bobby Ether series, I have ideas for another kids series. This one is younger than the BE stories (probably middle grade). I've got about seventy pages of the first book down, but have left it there for a while because the BE stories are still the ones that speak to me the loudest.
R. Scott Boyer
Just keep writing. Don't worry about where the story might end up, what people might think, or editing what you've already created. There will be plenty of time for all of that later. Trust me.
I once heard Veronica Roth say at a public speaking event: "You can't fix nothing." Great advice. You can always go back and improve what you've already written down, but first you need to have something to work with.
Write in whatever form makes you happy. Write down ideas, plot points, character descriptions, specific scenes, whatever comes to your mind. Write what you want to write, not what you think you need to write.
Don't worry about how it all fits together. You can work that out later. The key at the beginning is to give life to your creativity. Refining and improving your skills will come as the natural byproducts of time and effort.
I once heard Veronica Roth say at a public speaking event: "You can't fix nothing." Great advice. You can always go back and improve what you've already written down, but first you need to have something to work with.
Write in whatever form makes you happy. Write down ideas, plot points, character descriptions, specific scenes, whatever comes to your mind. Write what you want to write, not what you think you need to write.
Don't worry about how it all fits together. You can work that out later. The key at the beginning is to give life to your creativity. Refining and improving your skills will come as the natural byproducts of time and effort.
R. Scott Boyer
For me, the best part about being a writer is the creative process.
It's not uncommon for me to have storylines and plot points that don't instantly reveal themselves. Often times, I have to spend a lot of time trying to visualize what happens next, or how to resolve a plot hole.
Few things are as exciting as that euphoric moment when things come together and I figure out how to proceed.
It's not uncommon for me to have storylines and plot points that don't instantly reveal themselves. Often times, I have to spend a lot of time trying to visualize what happens next, or how to resolve a plot hole.
Few things are as exciting as that euphoric moment when things come together and I figure out how to proceed.
R. Scott Boyer
I don't usually get writer's block, but when I do, I tend to take a break and give my mind something else to focus on for a while. My personal opinion is that writer's block typically comes from two places: (1) not spending enough time truly thinking about and 'living with' my story, or (2) distractions and real life events getting in the way of my focus.
Both of these issues tend to resolve themselves if I take a step back from trying to write and do something else relaxing instead, such as a walk with my dog or a bike ride. Ideally, I am still thinking about my story, but no longer have the self-added pressure of staring at a blank screen.
By the time I get back to my computer, I almost always have something to write.
Both of these issues tend to resolve themselves if I take a step back from trying to write and do something else relaxing instead, such as a walk with my dog or a bike ride. Ideally, I am still thinking about my story, but no longer have the self-added pressure of staring at a blank screen.
By the time I get back to my computer, I almost always have something to write.
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