Ask the Author: Neil MacDonald
Answered Questions (7)
Neil MacDonald
Indeed it does. Why not contact me through my website https://neilmacdonaldauthor.com/and we can be in touch
Neil MacDonald
This book, The Golden Illusion, is about a stage illusionist. The character came to me, and the plot only later. The reason, I guess, is that I've always been interested in conjuring, though I'm too lazy to put in the necessary practice. So writing about an adept conjurer allows me to indulge my interest without putting the work in
Neil MacDonald
Often it's an idea. For the book I'm just fininishing (A Prize of Sovereigns) it was thinking about whether goodness results from people's characters or their actions. I guess much of the fiction I write is plot driven, but sometimes, as with my current book (The Golden Illusion), it's a character who gradually takes shape and starts to whisper insistently in my ear.
Neil MacDonald
I'm currently polishing one novel and starting another one. The more developed novel is A Prize of Sovereigns, a historical fantasy about war, intrigue, betrayal and revolt. The new one is The Golden Illusion, a completely different thing about a stage illusionist who in seeking the "golden illusion" that will make his fortune, stumbles on a historical mystery
Neil MacDonald
Edit, edit, edit
Neil MacDonald
For my non-fiction work it's the satisfaction of bringing order to my world, of externalising an internal understanding, in ways that often surprise me. For my fiction work, it's about creating a world that I share with my characters. They take on a life independent of mine, and it's exciting to see what they'll do with their world.
Neil MacDonald
There's no one way. Sometimes taking the dog for a walk, sometimes lazing in the bath, but the main thing is just to bash on through it, whether or not the muse is cooperating. Write something, anything, you can always go back and edit it later. I think that's the difference between writing professionally and writing as a hobby.
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