Ask the Author: R. Ann Humphries
Answered Questions (6)
R. Ann Humphries
Lusiartha itself was inspired a lot by Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea. I loved the island concept of Gont, how nature itself could be the very thing that kept different people groups from interacting.
The story of Sedich didn't really have a single major inspiration. I've always had an interest in racism, sexism, and class divisions - the concepts that change us from being one race to groups divided into "us" and "them." I wanted to explore that concept in Sedich, so that was the beginnings of my story. I knew it had to be a fantasy book because I'm a huge fantasy nerd, so I made Lusiartha fantastical then tried to imagine what "us" versus "them" problems that society would have. Thus a story was born.
The story of Sedich didn't really have a single major inspiration. I've always had an interest in racism, sexism, and class divisions - the concepts that change us from being one race to groups divided into "us" and "them." I wanted to explore that concept in Sedich, so that was the beginnings of my story. I knew it had to be a fantasy book because I'm a huge fantasy nerd, so I made Lusiartha fantastical then tried to imagine what "us" versus "them" problems that society would have. Thus a story was born.
R. Ann Humphries
Honestly? I usually scream at the computer. And then, if that didn't help (which is usually doesn't), I go play a video game or watch TV. The best thing for me is to stop thinking about whatever it is I'm stuck on and just clear my head. If I force myself to keep writing through it, it's usually bad writing. Clearing my head gives me the chance to have a good idea later, and get excited about writing all over again.
R. Ann Humphries
There's something magical that happens when your own characters surprise you. It doesn't happen often, and only with the most well-formed characters. But there's something pleasing in reaching a scene you were planning to write one way, only to discover that your characters won't let you do it the way you'd imagined. Then you have to figure out the right way, and that's when you grow as a writer.
R. Ann Humphries
Make sure you write because you have to. Writing is not easy, and neither is publishing or marketing or editing or any other part of it. If you write because you want to, because you think it looks like fun, I might be a little worried about you. There are much easier ways to enjoy yourself.
If you HAVE to write, then you're going to, and you don't really need advice from anyone. But if I were to give you some anyway, it would be to listen to that little voice inside, the one that goes crazy when you don't write. It usually knows what it's talking about.
If you HAVE to write, then you're going to, and you don't really need advice from anyone. But if I were to give you some anyway, it would be to listen to that little voice inside, the one that goes crazy when you don't write. It usually knows what it's talking about.
R. Ann Humphries
I've always liked stories, and books were the most accessible form of stories for me when I was little. Writing seemed like a natural extension of reading, so I just picked up a notebook and started going! The first thing I ever wrote was an anthology of stories about my Beanie Babies. I used the stories to justify buying more Beanie Babies. I needed more characters, after all!
R. Ann Humphries
Now that The Annals of Lusiartha are live and ready to go, I'm shifting a little into a marketing strategy. I've already got another story idea brewing in my head, but it's still in it's infant stages, so I'll probably be focusing on Lusiartha for a while longer.
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