Ask the Author: Benjamin Mark
Answered Questions (3)
Benjamin Mark
Do it! Sit down and flesh out the concept for you work in a systematic way. Creativity is like water. It can go in all directions. However, when what is put into a system like a steam engine, it can accomplish feats of great power. I believe many writers fail to get started for lack of a proper system.
Benjamin Mark
Using my imagination to see how ideas can play out in a self contained environment. After all a novel is a world in and of itself that is loosely based on reality. That I would say is the one downside. An idea might play out very well in my head and therefor my work, but may not work in the real world. Nevertheless it is still stimulating to toy with ideas.
Benjamin Mark
I typically don't begin a story unless I have a clear idea in my head. When I begin a story I typically start with character bios. I write specific information about each character, including their part in the story. Thus, each character bio becomes a small abstract of the story. Next, I flesh out the world in which the story takes place. Once the character bios and the world building is complete I write a one to two page abstract of the story which I refer to when or if I get stuck. After all this is done I then move on to the story itself.
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