Ask the Author: Xanxa Symanah
Answered Questions (7)
Xanxa Symanah
I've always got ideas for stories in my head. Even before I learned how to read and write, the stories were there. Inspiration for a specific character or plot point can hit me at random. I might see an interesting looking person in the street or in a supermarket queue and my mind goes off on a tangent, imagining their back-story. I've created characters that way several times. Or I might draw on some personal experience that I've had and use it within the context of a specific scene. It's a combination of all those things, plus random thoughts that get stuck in my head.
Xanxa Symanah
"Carrying a Torch" is the prequel to "Neurotic Mothers' Battleship". I've been wanting to write about the younger versions of Mustapha, Malawi, Malachi senior and Josev for a long time. Their back-stories needed to be told and "Carrying a Torch" does that. It also sheds some light on the Cadogan family who feature in several of the Virian Chronicles. So basically, the idea suggested itself to me.
Xanxa Symanah
Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm honoured that you've taken interest in my novels. It's hard to pinpoint exactly where the inspiration comes from. Sometimes, it's just a random thought that pops into my head, or a part of a dream. Now and then I'll be inspired by something that I've read, listened to or watched.
Xanxa Symanah
I'm currently working on three novels. Firstly, I'm almost finished with the seventh and final Virian Chronicle "The Crystal and the Nethiyaan". Also I have to finish "The Halloriyaan" from the Virian Companions series. I am planning on writing "Carrying a Torch" from the Virian Companions as well.
Besides those, I also have ideas floating around for a third series of novels, to be called the Vyrdigaan Prophecies. These will fill in the very long time span between the end of "Malachi's Law" and the beginning of "The Crystal and the Nethiyaan".
Besides those, I also have ideas floating around for a third series of novels, to be called the Vyrdigaan Prophecies. These will fill in the very long time span between the end of "Malachi's Law" and the beginning of "The Crystal and the Nethiyaan".
Xanxa Symanah
Read! Read! Read! I've always been an avid reader and even loved to have books read to me before I learned for myself. I would even say that you should try to read genres which you dislike, because you can still learn from them. I particularly loathe chick-lit and Silhouette-style romances but in my younger days I read loads of trashy "novice nurse falls for dashing doctor" type books which were all too predictable. Obviously it makes good sense to read other authors within your own genre, but by trying out other genres you can check out the competition and try to work out why those genres are so popular. Reading various different writing styles also helps you develop your own way of writing.
I would also say that it's not strictly necessary to start a new novel at the beginning. If you have an idea for a scene which happens later on in the proceedings, write it. You may have to edit it later or change something else in the novel, but if it's aching to be written, just do it. If you have something (anything) which sparks a novel off, you can always fill in the blanks later.
Also, don't do what I did and sit on your books for years. I started writing when I was a child but was often too embarrassed to show my work to anyone. When I did, I was quite surprised at their reactions, especially my dad telling me that my command of language was frightening. I waited until my 40s to try to publish, so please don't wait that long!
I would also say that it's not strictly necessary to start a new novel at the beginning. If you have an idea for a scene which happens later on in the proceedings, write it. You may have to edit it later or change something else in the novel, but if it's aching to be written, just do it. If you have something (anything) which sparks a novel off, you can always fill in the blanks later.
Also, don't do what I did and sit on your books for years. I started writing when I was a child but was often too embarrassed to show my work to anyone. When I did, I was quite surprised at their reactions, especially my dad telling me that my command of language was frightening. I waited until my 40s to try to publish, so please don't wait that long!
Xanxa Symanah
Escapism. We all have a need within us to escape from the mundane and we all have our own ways of doing this. When I'm working on a writing project, I become absorbed by it. It's very liberating to leave behind the world of grocery shopping, paying bills, doing housework, etc, and leap into the unknown. Also when someone has enjoyed my work, it gives me a great sense of fulfillment and achievement. If I can take someone else out of the mundane for a while, then I know I've succeeded.
Xanxa Symanah
I always have more than one writing project on the go so if I have block on one project, I simply switch to another or take a break. In between my main novels, I also write fanfiction stories and I find it refreshing to work on one of those during a break from my novel writing. It is a different challenge writing about characters created by others (for movies, TV shows, etc) as well as keeping the background details correct. Another thing I do when I have writer's block is to edit something I've already written but not yet published. That way, when I come to publish, there is less editing and proof reading to do for the final version.
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