Ask the Author: Brian J. Lang
Answered Questions (7)
Brian J. Lang
Uprooted by Naomi Novik, following by Part 2 of To Green Angel Tower by Tad Williams (re-read).
Brian J. Lang
Mostly from reading. AHVARRA is a stand-alone book, focused on the ambitions of different people. In some sense it was intended as a fantasy with non-traditional fantasy themes (i.e., good guys go on quest to destroy evil lord). I was more interested in telling the story of the characters and emphasizing not what makes them good or bad, but what makes them gray.
Brian J. Lang
I'd say I have an appreciation for words, whether I'm reading them, hearing them spoken aloud on TV or in a theater, listening to them sung. I like the way words work, the way they fit together, the way they can invoke emotion, be it anger or joy. Reading or hearing something amazing inspires me to put words to page.
Brian J. Lang
Two projects actually. I'm working on a book that takes place in the world built by the Elders (from my first book). While none of the characters will be the same from AHVARRA, the world's rules apply. There will be a name or two that will be familiar.
The second is a collaborative project with a college friend. She and I are writing an origin story for a dark fairy tale.
The second is a collaborative project with a college friend. She and I are writing an origin story for a dark fairy tale.
Brian J. Lang
I think a lot of writers tell aspiring writers "just write." I think that's somewhat short-sighted. If you're going to write, get out and live. Talk to people, listen to people; that way you learn dialog. Watch people at parks, in the mall, at the gym, so you can see body language and movement. Interact as much as possible so that when you write it down your words come from somewhere real.
Brian J. Lang
Knowing that I've entertained someone. I ran into my neighbor at the gym yesterday, and he had finished the book a little while ago. It was really great to hear him say, "I really liked the twist you had in there."
Brian J. Lang
I think it's different for every writer. I tend to not push it. If something isn't working, I'll set it to stew. My mind will work on the problem, sometimes even in the background while I'm doing other things. I have so many other ideas for writing (other than the project(s) I'm working on) that I'll drift over to one of them and write a scene just to keep the words flowing. Eventually whatever was blocking me gets unblocked.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more