Ask the Author: Maria Grace
Answered Questions (5)
Maria Grace
This is a good question!
I recently found myself on the receiving end of this, and I can tell you now, it wasn't pleasant! I went through various stages with it, but in the end, what I found worked best for me personally was fresh air (especially if the sun is out!), and just leaving myself be. Eventually, inspiration started coming back in its own way, at its own pace. I just had to patient and respect the process.
Also, it's always nice to have good people and friends who will go for a cup of tea or a cheeky cocktail with you when you're feeling a bit blah. Don't underestimate the power of a good, positive friend.
I recently found myself on the receiving end of this, and I can tell you now, it wasn't pleasant! I went through various stages with it, but in the end, what I found worked best for me personally was fresh air (especially if the sun is out!), and just leaving myself be. Eventually, inspiration started coming back in its own way, at its own pace. I just had to patient and respect the process.
Also, it's always nice to have good people and friends who will go for a cup of tea or a cheeky cocktail with you when you're feeling a bit blah. Don't underestimate the power of a good, positive friend.
Maria Grace
Ooo! I have a couple of favourite things, actually. I would say that the best things about being a writer are:
1) My first favourite thing about being a writer is that when I'm feeling inspired, it feels amaaazing! It's like a pure energy running through me, and I'm forever grateful for that creative force, because it gives me a real creative outlet in life. Without that, I don't know how I'd manage!
2) I get more freedom with my time. Even though I still work part-time as a lecturer and a tutor, I'm always grateful that I only have to work part-time. I love having the freedom to mainly work from the comfort of my own home, and I also love that I have the freedom to have time off whenever I want it.
1) My first favourite thing about being a writer is that when I'm feeling inspired, it feels amaaazing! It's like a pure energy running through me, and I'm forever grateful for that creative force, because it gives me a real creative outlet in life. Without that, I don't know how I'd manage!
2) I get more freedom with my time. Even though I still work part-time as a lecturer and a tutor, I'm always grateful that I only have to work part-time. I love having the freedom to mainly work from the comfort of my own home, and I also love that I have the freedom to have time off whenever I want it.
Maria Grace
In all honesty, it’s not an easy experience. Writing itself comes naturally to me – it’s like a constant fire in my belly that never goes out, but needs a little extra coal and a poke now and again to keep the spark going!
The hard work comes when you have to commit to the project and make a promise to yourself and your work that you will see it through to completion, and no matter what happens, you won’t give up on yourself. You absolutely MUST keep the faith.
It might take you ten months, it might take you ten years, it might take you fifty years. You may need to work every day, you may need to find some time for yourself to write whenever you can squeeze it in, but really all it takes is something to write on (computer, writing pad and pen), somewhere to write, and something to write about.
Find your voice. Find your story. Find your outlet. Find your audience. Find your trust. Find your courage.
I would say to find yourself, but as you write, that will happen naturally.
Good luck! :-D
The hard work comes when you have to commit to the project and make a promise to yourself and your work that you will see it through to completion, and no matter what happens, you won’t give up on yourself. You absolutely MUST keep the faith.
It might take you ten months, it might take you ten years, it might take you fifty years. You may need to work every day, you may need to find some time for yourself to write whenever you can squeeze it in, but really all it takes is something to write on (computer, writing pad and pen), somewhere to write, and something to write about.
Find your voice. Find your story. Find your outlet. Find your audience. Find your trust. Find your courage.
I would say to find yourself, but as you write, that will happen naturally.
Good luck! :-D
Maria Grace
I meditate quite a lot. I'm a bit of a hippie in that way. So, that always helps.
Walking, sunshine, great books, great films, great stories and great people are really what get me inspired!
Also, I have some very cool dreams. If I go to sleep at night and am lucky enough to dream up a good story, then that always inspires me to start writing the following day. I feel that when I do that, I'm honouring the energy by channeling it into a creative product of sorts.
Walking, sunshine, great books, great films, great stories and great people are really what get me inspired!
Also, I have some very cool dreams. If I go to sleep at night and am lucky enough to dream up a good story, then that always inspires me to start writing the following day. I feel that when I do that, I'm honouring the energy by channeling it into a creative product of sorts.
Maria Grace
The novel started out as a writing project at university, but from the moment I started writing it, I just felt this pull to continue with the story. Whenever I tried to come away from it, I would get very restless and always found myself gravitating back to this particular story. In the end, I went with my instinct and committed to the novel. When I did that, the book just kind of started writing itself, so I really wanted to finish Emmeline’s story and give her and the other characters the resolution and ending that they deserved.
I wanted to show the care system (in all sectors: looked-after children, mental health, and education) in a positive light. But mainly, I wanted to write something that would combine realism and mystery in a witty and intelligent way.
I wanted to show the care system (in all sectors: looked-after children, mental health, and education) in a positive light. But mainly, I wanted to write something that would combine realism and mystery in a witty and intelligent way.
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