Ask the Author: Elliot MacDonald
Answered Questions (6)
Elliot MacDonald
I guess that the best thing is being able to work at home, undisturbed in your pajamas if you want. Reading a good review of your work is pretty great, too.
Elliot MacDonald
I have no idea. I used to work in a small town bank - so I had the background there. Beyond that? Not a clue.
Elliot MacDonald
To me, it's not a matter of inspiration, I enjoy it, so I do it. What inspires someone to go sailing? Or golfing? Reading?
Elliot MacDonald
I am planning a sequel to my first book, 'How to Rob a Bank - a Love Story.
Elliot MacDonald
Being that I've only written one book, I am probably not qualified to answer that question. But I have received advice from others and I can repeat that advice.
What I hear most is just this: write. That's probably good advice - but I would have to add, make sure you understand spelling and grammar. Without that understanding, I cannot imagine being able to write.
Secondly - and this works for me - I think through my story from beginning to end. I sometimes lie awake at night and think about different scenarios, different possibilities for a story. The story, of course, has to hold the interest of the reader, so you can't give away the whole plot at once. It needs to have background, so you should know the subject matter about which you are writing. It has to have interesting characters, so you have to think about their background, their personalities, their interests and abilities. Sometimes, I base a character on someone I already know which makes that process easier. Once I have established in my head all of these things, the writing part is easy - at least it is for me. Editing is more difficult - downright tedious. And being I'm on my first book (and thinking about a sequel) I find the marketing the most difficult of all.
Another piece of advice I've heard often is "Write what you know." Seems kind of obvious to me - but I suppose there are those who have tried to write about a subject matter about which they know little. You don't write about rocket ships if you don't understand the science behind them. You don't write a cookbook if you can't cook.
What I hear most is just this: write. That's probably good advice - but I would have to add, make sure you understand spelling and grammar. Without that understanding, I cannot imagine being able to write.
Secondly - and this works for me - I think through my story from beginning to end. I sometimes lie awake at night and think about different scenarios, different possibilities for a story. The story, of course, has to hold the interest of the reader, so you can't give away the whole plot at once. It needs to have background, so you should know the subject matter about which you are writing. It has to have interesting characters, so you have to think about their background, their personalities, their interests and abilities. Sometimes, I base a character on someone I already know which makes that process easier. Once I have established in my head all of these things, the writing part is easy - at least it is for me. Editing is more difficult - downright tedious. And being I'm on my first book (and thinking about a sequel) I find the marketing the most difficult of all.
Another piece of advice I've heard often is "Write what you know." Seems kind of obvious to me - but I suppose there are those who have tried to write about a subject matter about which they know little. You don't write about rocket ships if you don't understand the science behind them. You don't write a cookbook if you can't cook.
Elliot MacDonald
When I'm in the mood to write, and don't have 14 other things on my 'to do' list, I write. If I'm not in the mood to write, which I guess is what you would call writers block, I simply don't write. I go do other things - I have many interests. I think writer's block may just be inability to concentrate on the matter at hand because there are too many other things vying for your attention. First, go do what you have to do - then you can do what you want to do.
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