Ask the Author: Rob Queen
Answered Questions (5)
Rob Queen
It's one thing to state a fact, it's another entirely to experience that fact. Then think of an example of it.
For example:
"The new drummer meshed." - Telling.
"Pete smiled. Cotter was banging his head as hard as the drums, his arms flailing like there were six more than his two. It pulled from Pete soundscapes from his own keys that weren't planned, nor that would've worked with another drummer."
For example:
"The new drummer meshed." - Telling.
"Pete smiled. Cotter was banging his head as hard as the drums, his arms flailing like there were six more than his two. It pulled from Pete soundscapes from his own keys that weren't planned, nor that would've worked with another drummer."
Rob Queen
I start with an outline, which can change a whole lot as the story develops.
As I write, I do two things: I try to use exactly the language that I want: Do I want to say "make sure" or "ensure"? How would that change the message that I am presenting? Do I want to mention that it was a "sky blue tee-shirt" she was wearing, or will I make it "a charcoal grey V-neck sweater"? Every word comunnicates something different, and mistakes as I write can help guide me towards a better presentation.
The other thing that I do is spot-check. Basically, I'm Johnny-on-the-spot with my spelling, syntax, sentence structure, punctuation, and everything else that comes in this. An example of this is in the prior paragraph, I accidentally wrote "thend" instead of "tend" and I edited that as soon as I saw the red squiggly line.
With the exception of these two edit-as-I-go strategies, I largely stick with the idea of "Just get it done." In the first draft, I throw in everything I can. Perfection in a draft is madness to me; I will never get that. Revision can take months, so just getting it all down there is enough. Inevitably, when I do the reread, I'll find gaps, inconsistencies, errors, or just plain dumb mistakes. That edit will chip away at some rough edges. Then repeat.
Then it's clean up, get things better, and publish (if possible).
As I write, I do two things: I try to use exactly the language that I want: Do I want to say "make sure" or "ensure"? How would that change the message that I am presenting? Do I want to mention that it was a "sky blue tee-shirt" she was wearing, or will I make it "a charcoal grey V-neck sweater"? Every word comunnicates something different, and mistakes as I write can help guide me towards a better presentation.
The other thing that I do is spot-check. Basically, I'm Johnny-on-the-spot with my spelling, syntax, sentence structure, punctuation, and everything else that comes in this. An example of this is in the prior paragraph, I accidentally wrote "thend" instead of "tend" and I edited that as soon as I saw the red squiggly line.
With the exception of these two edit-as-I-go strategies, I largely stick with the idea of "Just get it done." In the first draft, I throw in everything I can. Perfection in a draft is madness to me; I will never get that. Revision can take months, so just getting it all down there is enough. Inevitably, when I do the reread, I'll find gaps, inconsistencies, errors, or just plain dumb mistakes. That edit will chip away at some rough edges. Then repeat.
Then it's clean up, get things better, and publish (if possible).
Rob Queen
I do things in timed segments. If I don't set aside a time to get something done, it never gets done. But once I set time aside, nothing will keep me from that. While this makes me really bad at spur-of-the-moment activities, it essentially ensures that a whole lot of writing gets done during the times that I set aside for it.
Strangely, my own mortality is its own motivating force. While I don't expect to go anywhere anytime soon, everything has a shelf life, especially our own lives. If you can't do something now, plan a time to make it happen.
Strangely, my own mortality is its own motivating force. While I don't expect to go anywhere anytime soon, everything has a shelf life, especially our own lives. If you can't do something now, plan a time to make it happen.
Rob Queen
I don't. Writer's block doesn't really exist. What does exist, however, is boredom of the grind. When that happens, from when I've been writing too much, or when I get to a point where I can't continue, I simply get up, do something different for a little while, and then, when I come back to the task at hand, I'm refreshed enough to continue.
Another thing I've found very helpful in dealing with such things are deadlines. Deadlines keep you on your toes and prevent you from succumbing to the desire to put off the work needing doing.
Another thing I've found very helpful in dealing with such things are deadlines. Deadlines keep you on your toes and prevent you from succumbing to the desire to put off the work needing doing.
Rob Queen
Looking for an agent for "Escape from the Spotlight" which received a massive overhaul in 2024 - just massive. Like a child that's matured into a young adult, it's changed significantly.
Meanwhile, I'm drafting a new, unrelated novel, under the project title "The Bodhi Tree." Watch out, it'll be a heavy one.
Meanwhile, I'm drafting a new, unrelated novel, under the project title "The Bodhi Tree." Watch out, it'll be a heavy one.
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