Ask the Author: Dorothy Tinker
Answered Questions (4)
Dorothy Tinker
Some of the places I get inspiration are what you might expect: other books, real life, songs, etc.
However, I also get inspiration from small things. My astrological sign is Gemini, which is not only the name of the main character of the Peace of Evon series, but it is also the inspiration for the idea of Balance around which the spiritual portion of the series revolves.
I also like taking things that we take for granted in our lives and playing with them. In the world of Evon, gender only matters in relationships if heirs are necessary, but women have few rights and the schism between classes is part of the drive behind the main character's actions.
However, I also get inspiration from small things. My astrological sign is Gemini, which is not only the name of the main character of the Peace of Evon series, but it is also the inspiration for the idea of Balance around which the spiritual portion of the series revolves.
I also like taking things that we take for granted in our lives and playing with them. In the world of Evon, gender only matters in relationships if heirs are necessary, but women have few rights and the schism between classes is part of the drive behind the main character's actions.
Dorothy Tinker
Currently, I am working on republishing my first book, Peace of Evon: Missing Heir, into two novels, Peace of Evon and Gift of War. At the same time, I am writing the third novel in the Peace of Evon series, Lost King, which I hope to have ready for publication around February or March of next year.
Dorothy Tinker
Never give up on your dreams.
It took me about two and a half years of searching and studying for a job to 'support my writing' (jobs I didn't really want and that would take up any time I might have wanted for writing) before I realized that the paths I was following were only pushing my dream of being a fantasy writer further and further away. At the rate I was going then, I wouldn't even finish my first book for years, let alone be able to start the multitude of other stories that fill my head.
That's when I came to the decision that I would take hold of my dream and never let go, no matter what others might say about its practicality or probability of success. Writing fantasy novels is what I want to do with my life, and it will be my life.
It took me about two and a half years of searching and studying for a job to 'support my writing' (jobs I didn't really want and that would take up any time I might have wanted for writing) before I realized that the paths I was following were only pushing my dream of being a fantasy writer further and further away. At the rate I was going then, I wouldn't even finish my first book for years, let alone be able to start the multitude of other stories that fill my head.
That's when I came to the decision that I would take hold of my dream and never let go, no matter what others might say about its practicality or probability of success. Writing fantasy novels is what I want to do with my life, and it will be my life.
Dorothy Tinker
For me, part of writer's block is my nature as a procrastinator. It can be hard for me to actually sit down and write. And, so, in order to avoid this, I remind myself of my dream and the fact that people are excited to read the next part of a story I've already begun.
The other part, the part most people consider writer's block, is being stumped on where to go next. When this happens, I take a break on the point I'm at. I might try skipping ahead (that's how I managed to start writing again after three years or so of 'writer's block'), or I might wait a day or to in order to try again. My mind always seems to be working on something, so I can usually find my way through the storyline after I've let the thought stew for a while.
Plus, driving an hour a day for work helps with the thinking.
The other part, the part most people consider writer's block, is being stumped on where to go next. When this happens, I take a break on the point I'm at. I might try skipping ahead (that's how I managed to start writing again after three years or so of 'writer's block'), or I might wait a day or to in order to try again. My mind always seems to be working on something, so I can usually find my way through the storyline after I've let the thought stew for a while.
Plus, driving an hour a day for work helps with the thinking.
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