Alexi Lawless
Travel, drink, relax, walk away, listen to music...basically take my mind away from what I need to do.
For example, I really struggled with the third major character in Complicated Creatures Part One, because I couldn’t visualize him clearly in my head. When I wrote his character sheet, I had a lot of conflicting personality traits and his motives were unclear even to me. So what did I do? I stopped writing. When in doubt, consume a libation and take a break. That’s a trusted go-to.
I didn’t want to read someone else’s work while I was having trouble writing my own, so I ended up surfing around for the “best-written TV shows” according to the Writer’s Guild of America, and stumbled upon Friday Night Lights. I hadn’t loved the movie when it came out years ago, so I’d discounted the series. I decided to give it a try. After all, I already had a cold beer in my hand and football season hadn’t started yet. I was in Asia and feeling a little homesick for some good old-fashioned Americana, and I ask you, “What’s more American than high school football”? I watched episode one of the first season, saw Timothy Riggins’ character calling out, “Texas forever”, and BAM! There’s the third character I couldn’t figure out an hour earlier.
For example, I really struggled with the third major character in Complicated Creatures Part One, because I couldn’t visualize him clearly in my head. When I wrote his character sheet, I had a lot of conflicting personality traits and his motives were unclear even to me. So what did I do? I stopped writing. When in doubt, consume a libation and take a break. That’s a trusted go-to.
I didn’t want to read someone else’s work while I was having trouble writing my own, so I ended up surfing around for the “best-written TV shows” according to the Writer’s Guild of America, and stumbled upon Friday Night Lights. I hadn’t loved the movie when it came out years ago, so I’d discounted the series. I decided to give it a try. After all, I already had a cold beer in my hand and football season hadn’t started yet. I was in Asia and feeling a little homesick for some good old-fashioned Americana, and I ask you, “What’s more American than high school football”? I watched episode one of the first season, saw Timothy Riggins’ character calling out, “Texas forever”, and BAM! There’s the third character I couldn’t figure out an hour earlier.
More Answered Questions
Brooks Ann
asked
Alexi Lawless:
After Binge Reading All of your books this weekend..... please tell me Number 3's release date is in sight???? You have really hit on something with the strength of this female character and the tension of the triangle between Wes, Jack and Sam --- I still am not sure which guy to root for..... which means to me that you have created characters with incredible depth.
Jacalin
asked
Alexi Lawless:
I just reviewed your wonderful book and was wondering how do I get to be one of the advanced readers you talked about. You are amazing. Your stories are so complex and complete. I have not been this excited since I first read "Outlander," by Diana Gabaldon in 1991. Please continue to write. What a gift you have. When will the next book be out? It is now June and that is about as deep into spring as you can get.
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



