Ask the Author: E. Prybylski
Answered Questions (6)
E. Prybylski
I've always been a daydreamer. I spent more time living in my own little world as a kid than I did doing anything else. Learning the craft of writing has allowed me to share those daydreams with other people and give them dreams of their own. I think my favorite part of writing is when I really connect with someone through my narrative. When they're right there with me.
It's kind of like that moment in the "Neverending Story" where the Childlike Empress spoke to Atreyu about Bastion:
The Childlike Empress: It was the only way to get in touch with an earthling.
Atreyu: But I didn't get in touch with an earthling!
The Childlike Empress: Yes, you did. He has suffered with you. He went through everything you went through; and now, he has come here with you. He is very close... listening to every word, we say.
Bastian: [as he is reading, Bastian can't believe it] *What*?
It's kind of like that moment in the "Neverending Story" where the Childlike Empress spoke to Atreyu about Bastion:
The Childlike Empress: It was the only way to get in touch with an earthling.
Atreyu: But I didn't get in touch with an earthling!
The Childlike Empress: Yes, you did. He has suffered with you. He went through everything you went through; and now, he has come here with you. He is very close... listening to every word, we say.
Bastian: [as he is reading, Bastian can't believe it] *What*?
E. Prybylski
Depends on the cause. There are a few reasons I might run into "writer's block" (I hate that term).
1) I've expended my creative energy working on other people's manuscripts.
That's a frustratingly common experience for me because of my line of work as an editor. The way I handle that is by making sure I balance my work writing and my personal writing. It's tough, but it's how I operate. I also take every November off to write, even if I'm not doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).
2) Physical exhaustion.
Being that I am physically disabled, this is a pretty common thing, too. I can burn myself out pretty easily, so I need to manage my time and make sure I take care of myself in order to write. This isn't so much writer's block as it is "life block", so I make sure self-care is a big part of my life.
3) Lack of Inspiration
This is the easy one. Like I said in my question about what inspires me--I chase it down with a club. I write even if I don't "feel like it" because it's what I have to do to improve. There's no "I don't feel like it" for other daily life pieces, so there's no avoiding this one, either.
1) I've expended my creative energy working on other people's manuscripts.
That's a frustratingly common experience for me because of my line of work as an editor. The way I handle that is by making sure I balance my work writing and my personal writing. It's tough, but it's how I operate. I also take every November off to write, even if I'm not doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).
2) Physical exhaustion.
Being that I am physically disabled, this is a pretty common thing, too. I can burn myself out pretty easily, so I need to manage my time and make sure I take care of myself in order to write. This isn't so much writer's block as it is "life block", so I make sure self-care is a big part of my life.
3) Lack of Inspiration
This is the easy one. Like I said in my question about what inspires me--I chase it down with a club. I write even if I don't "feel like it" because it's what I have to do to improve. There's no "I don't feel like it" for other daily life pieces, so there's no avoiding this one, either.
E. Prybylski
Don't publish before you're ready (seriously); work with a good editor who can elevate you to the next level; critique is invaluable--embrace it! So many people rush toward publishing these days without taking time to really learn their craft and work out all the kinks. Writing isn't a race, nor was Rome built in a day. Pace yourself and take your time really learning your craft. I recommend reading Stephen King's "On Writing" and Constance Hale's "Sin and Syntax", also. They are transformative books that will really kick you in the backside.
E. Prybylski
My current project is polishing a WiP for a fantasy novel series my husband and I are writing together as a project. We've had this in our heads for years, and we are finally putting it down on paper. Together we also have an urban fantasy series set in Boston, MA that we have been working toward as well.
E. Prybylski
It changes from day to day. I might wake up with a serious need to put pen to paper. Maybe something I'm reading will give me an idea, or a show I'm watching on Netflix, a dream, or some stray thought.
I write whether I'm "inspired" or not, though. The key to finishing manuscripts is dedication, not sitting around and waiting for inspiration. I ascribe to Jack London's philosophy of, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."
I write whether I'm "inspired" or not, though. The key to finishing manuscripts is dedication, not sitting around and waiting for inspiration. I ascribe to Jack London's philosophy of, "You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club."
E. Prybylski
My current WIP is a collaboration with my husband is inspired by our love of Celtic mythology and fantasy books. We are both avid readers and adore the fantasy genre. The idea of the plot came from mutual brainstorming sessions during long car rides, talks on the phone, and sharing this idea with our friends. We are avid RPG gamers, so we developed these characters and this world for some time using that method.
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