Ask the Author: Dan Elish
Answered Questions (6)
Dan Elish
If I'm really blocked that often means that the idea I'm working on isn't right...or perhaps I'm not approaching it from the right angle. So I try to be good to myself, allow myself to take a day (or week) off and get reoriented. Sometimes it takes a while for a good idea to percolate. Be patient with yourself but keep getting back to it. Something will click and then you'll be off and running.
Dan Elish
Well, it's still a thrill to finish something and see it in print.
Dan Elish
My main advice is to try and write a bit every day - at least 4 or 5 days a week - you'll be surprised at how much you can get down on paper if you write for an hour or two every day. Also, don't try to be a perfectionist on the first draft. Try and get words down on the paper, then you can go back and edit. Finally, it's great to have a few trusted readers who will be honest with you about your work. But pick them wisely - pick people who are smart but helpful and on your side. Writing a book takes a while - sometimes a long while - don't let yourself get discouraged along the way. If you like your idea, stick with it.
Dan Elish
A few things - I just finished a sweet YA novel called ONE LAST RIDE about a twelve year old boy at summer camp. I'm also working on a sequel to my novel THE WORLDWIDE DESSERT CONTEST that is called THE SILVER SPOON. And finally...I've started a novel (for adults) set on a college campus- but that's very recent!
Dan Elish
Mostly, I just wake in the morning, go the gym, then try to get to work. If I have an idea that seems good, that inspires me.
Dan Elish
My most recent book KING OF BROADWAY is a comic novel about an elderly curmudgeonly composer (Horatio King) who comes out of retirement to write a musical with a young children's book author. The book they turn into a musical is one of my own - THE WORLDWIDE DESSERT CONTEST.
I got the idea for this book years ago when I sent a copy of my first novel (yes, THE WORLDWIDE DESSERT CONTEST) to Stephen Sondheim, asking him if he thought it would be a good musical. He wrote me back a very kind letter but we never met. KING OF BROADWAY is a comic imagining of what might have happened had we worked together. Fun for all readers, especially theater fans.
I got the idea for this book years ago when I sent a copy of my first novel (yes, THE WORLDWIDE DESSERT CONTEST) to Stephen Sondheim, asking him if he thought it would be a good musical. He wrote me back a very kind letter but we never met. KING OF BROADWAY is a comic imagining of what might have happened had we worked together. Fun for all readers, especially theater fans.
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