Ask the Author: Fenton Grace
Answered Questions (4)
Fenton Grace
That's a tough question. Sometimes, I take a break. I decide that I don't need to write what I'm working on. I'll try writing or outlining another idea to take a break. Then when I return to the other material, I may have a fresher eye.
Other times, I decide that I will come up with an answer, and I tell myself this before I go to sleep. Then when I awake, I will have the answer. Sometimes I have to do this for a few days, but the answer always comes.
Sometimes I realize that my story doesn't have legs. It won't work as a novel, or is flawed in some way. I decide that it's not worth pursuing and I abandon it. I don't consider it a failure. I will likely return to the characters or idea in some way in the future. Perhaps one of the characters will appear in a different story of mine, transformed.
Most of all, I try to do different things that take my mind off of the problem, so that I don't dwell on it too much. I exercise, I play the piano, I garden. I try to enjoy myself and life. At times, I became so obsessed with writing that I forgot to enjoy my life. That is a lesson I wished I learned long ago.
Other times, I decide that I will come up with an answer, and I tell myself this before I go to sleep. Then when I awake, I will have the answer. Sometimes I have to do this for a few days, but the answer always comes.
Sometimes I realize that my story doesn't have legs. It won't work as a novel, or is flawed in some way. I decide that it's not worth pursuing and I abandon it. I don't consider it a failure. I will likely return to the characters or idea in some way in the future. Perhaps one of the characters will appear in a different story of mine, transformed.
Most of all, I try to do different things that take my mind off of the problem, so that I don't dwell on it too much. I exercise, I play the piano, I garden. I try to enjoy myself and life. At times, I became so obsessed with writing that I forgot to enjoy my life. That is a lesson I wished I learned long ago.
Fenton Grace
I'm inspired every day by the people I see and speak to. I observe people a great deal, sometimes from afar and sometimes close up. I'm inspired by places, ideas, world events, movies, music, other novels. I have no shortage of ideas. Every day I am inspired to write. It's part of my morning routine. I like to write when I first get up, so I have no pressing concerns to interfere with my creativity. I try not to edit myself initially. Later, I will become very critical -- sometimes too critical. The hard part is sometimes to turn inspiration off, so that you don't bombard yourself with too many ideas. That can lead you to go off track. As a novelist, you have to remain focused. At the same time, your work can't be rigid. It must be organic. It's a difficult job, this art. If it weren't so difficult, I'd probably go seek some greater challenge.
Fenton Grace
I think this is an odd question because all writers, no matter how successful or well-known, are "aspiring" in one way or another. We all want to be better. I think all of us would like to be different from what we are in some way. That is, we admire some other writer's work and wish we could be more like that, and we imitate and copy a bit to improve our work.
My main advice would be to be yourself. Never doubt yourself. Believe in what you do and the importance of it. Don't give up. You should be having fun writing. Yes, it's hard work, but if it starts to feel like a burden, take a break. Enjoy life outside of writing. Read for the sheer pleasure. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to write the perfect book or story. Don't be discouraged if your work doesn't sell or get published. It's a long process. You must continue to work at your craft despite rejection and disapproval. Remember that writing is a craft, as well as art. Take the time to learn techniques of the craft -- characterization, plot, structure, story, narration. But most of all, believe in yourself.
My main advice would be to be yourself. Never doubt yourself. Believe in what you do and the importance of it. Don't give up. You should be having fun writing. Yes, it's hard work, but if it starts to feel like a burden, take a break. Enjoy life outside of writing. Read for the sheer pleasure. Don't put too much pressure on yourself to write the perfect book or story. Don't be discouraged if your work doesn't sell or get published. It's a long process. You must continue to work at your craft despite rejection and disapproval. Remember that writing is a craft, as well as art. Take the time to learn techniques of the craft -- characterization, plot, structure, story, narration. But most of all, believe in yourself.
Fenton Grace
I think the best thing about being a novelist, in particular, is being able to create an entire world -- characters, setting, plot, etc. -- and to express feelings and ideas in a story. You can create a self-contained universe that can be anything you want. It doesn't have to be real. It can be magical, futuristic, historical. It can span time, places, be completely unique or also completely "real". There are no limits as a novelist. You're "God" in a way. No other profession offers such freedom and responsibility.
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