Ask the Author: Julian Boote
Answered Questions (8)
Julian Boote
There's not so much a methodology for me to speak of. It's more being receptive to the formation of ideas, and ideas can come at any time. If there's any trick, it's getting those ideas down, letting them flow. Then I rest, and let the mind work more in the background. Often as not, it's letting the combination of previously documented ideas occur which builds the original into something more robust. I get excited when that happens. It gets the juices flowing, and builds an impetus to explore more. So it's an organic process.
Julian Boote
Off the top of my head, I'd say the cylindrical artificial world of Rama, from Arthur Clarke's Rendezvous With Rama series. It's well thought out, mysterious, and watching the spires of its engine firing up would be sight to sea, as would a trip on its sea. I think exploring it as the astronauts did, while the interior dark and thawing before the lights come on, that'd be something.
If Rama was already taken, I'd say the Ringworld from Larry Niven's book. I'd make sure I had a powered ship to explore it, and see if I could contribute to fixing it up some.
If Rama was already taken, I'd say the Ringworld from Larry Niven's book. I'd make sure I had a powered ship to explore it, and see if I could contribute to fixing it up some.
Julian Boote
I don't keep a list of books for defined seasons. I pick up books as I discover them, then attempt to follow some form of order to read them. I can give examples of two books I've read / are reading; The Book of Hidden Things, by Francesco Dimitri - a curious combo of reflection on friendship, dabbling with magic and (likely worse) the local mob. I'm currently reading Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang. I've already read three stories in that collection, and I'm looking forward to how Story of Your Life compares to the "Arrival" movie adaptation.
Julian Boote
My first novel, "EXIT" - an urban crime survivalist revenge thriller (quite a mouthful, when trying to say that aloud) - didn't come as one idea per se, but as an evolving situation, merged with another idea. But if we're going to talk about a "click" moment, when the lightbulb winks on and you go, "Woa! I like that!", then I'd have to say it was at a party, and listening to a comment a friend made.
I'd been a developing a short film script at the time, wherein a pair of crooks are cornered in a shop by murderous vigilantes. It was okay. But my friend at this party that night just happened to mention that there was an old cold war nuclear bunker under the town he lived in. And it was a lightbulb moment. Instantly I could see the short script scenario being attached to the bunker, into which the crooks flee only to find themselves lost within a larger trap. And with that I could better explore the question I ask in the story; what actions makes the good guys bad, and the bad guys good? How black and white is such a situation, or do such distinctions blur in such situations? It gave me a larger canvas on which to paint that, and the other themes of what it means to be forgiven and to find redemption.
In case you're wondering, "EXIT" is now available in ebook form on Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VELDYIE
or Amazon.com:
http://amzn.com/B00VELDYIE
It's also going to be available as a paperback soon too.
But it's funny, in a curious way, I mean, that overhearing or seeing even the most innocuous of things, while your writer's mind is open and receptive to input, can give your creativity the charge it needs for the "Eureka!" moment.
I'd been a developing a short film script at the time, wherein a pair of crooks are cornered in a shop by murderous vigilantes. It was okay. But my friend at this party that night just happened to mention that there was an old cold war nuclear bunker under the town he lived in. And it was a lightbulb moment. Instantly I could see the short script scenario being attached to the bunker, into which the crooks flee only to find themselves lost within a larger trap. And with that I could better explore the question I ask in the story; what actions makes the good guys bad, and the bad guys good? How black and white is such a situation, or do such distinctions blur in such situations? It gave me a larger canvas on which to paint that, and the other themes of what it means to be forgiven and to find redemption.
In case you're wondering, "EXIT" is now available in ebook form on Amazon.co.uk:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VELDYIE
or Amazon.com:
http://amzn.com/B00VELDYIE
It's also going to be available as a paperback soon too.
But it's funny, in a curious way, I mean, that overhearing or seeing even the most innocuous of things, while your writer's mind is open and receptive to input, can give your creativity the charge it needs for the "Eureka!" moment.
Julian Boote
The sense of creativity, of adventure. Of living a fictional world the first time, exploring it and living it moment by moment. The sense of surprise the story can give you - you, the story creator - and it turns round and throws you a curveball!
For me writing is part of living; it's a fulfilment I get from nothing else. Don't get me wrong; there are many things I enjoy in life and which give me a sense of fulfilment. Writing though is part of the puzzle that makes my life feel more complete.
For me writing is part of living; it's a fulfilment I get from nothing else. Don't get me wrong; there are many things I enjoy in life and which give me a sense of fulfilment. Writing though is part of the puzzle that makes my life feel more complete.
Julian Boote
1) Make sure the plot of your story is well worked out, and how the unfolding tale impacts your characters. It makes the writing process for you all the easier.
2) Make sure you have your characters worked out and how they interact with each other, where the tensions and conflicts lie within their group. That creates drama and reality. Remember; the story is not so much about what happens as how events affects your characters. That's what gives it emotional depth and resonance - that's what makes the reader connect with the tale.
3) Write every day. This was the late, great Ray Bradbury's advice to writers, and I try my best to live it. Make writing a discipline. Even if you can only squeeze out fifty, a hundred, two hundred words a day, you can look back at the end of each day and tell yourself honestly that you spent time writing and got something down. It's amazing - even if you only manage a a little a day - how quickly it all adds up, and it's a confidence booster too.
4) Just write the damn thing!
2) Make sure you have your characters worked out and how they interact with each other, where the tensions and conflicts lie within their group. That creates drama and reality. Remember; the story is not so much about what happens as how events affects your characters. That's what gives it emotional depth and resonance - that's what makes the reader connect with the tale.
3) Write every day. This was the late, great Ray Bradbury's advice to writers, and I try my best to live it. Make writing a discipline. Even if you can only squeeze out fifty, a hundred, two hundred words a day, you can look back at the end of each day and tell yourself honestly that you spent time writing and got something down. It's amazing - even if you only manage a a little a day - how quickly it all adds up, and it's a confidence booster too.
4) Just write the damn thing!
Julian Boote
My second novel. I'm aready at second draft stage, so hopefully it'll be at a point I can start getting it edited.
My first novel is pretty much edit-ready. I hope to get that published soon. Watch this space!
My first novel is pretty much edit-ready. I hope to get that published soon. Watch this space!
Julian Boote
I have a few strategies; step away from the screen and go for a walk to clera my head and be in a different place to approach the answer. Sometimes settling down to sleep frees my conscious mind to let my subconscious have a stab at it. Often I've gotten a solution just before I drift off. It means I need to get up again to scribble the answer, but it's worth it. But often as as not it's just staring the screen into submission.
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