Ask the Author: Keith Gillison
Answered Questions (6)
Keith Gillison
Short stories, flash fiction and a second novel.
Keith Gillison
My health is not great and I have 2 young, very energetic daughters so its not so much about getting inspired to write as writing when I feel well enough to do so and can get some space and quiet time to write. The best time to write is when an idea is very fresh in your mind.
Keith Gillison
I get most of my ideas for stories when I'm either in the bath or in bed, trying to get to sleep. I think when the mind is relaxing the imagination can take over. The idea for The Boss Killers just came to me when I was taking a walk. I had this idea of a man having his annual appraisal and in his head he was saying all the things he wanted to say to his annoying boss. That's where the idea started and I just thought 'I wonder what would happen next'?
Keith Gillison
Maybe I'm just lucky but I don't think I've ever experienced this. I have no shortage of ideas for stories. I think you need to just let your imagination out and see what happens, don't try and control it. The only issues I sometimes have are which way to go with a story or that a particular story is not really working - that's when feedback is needed so its good to join a writing group or network to get feedback when needed when you are a bit stuck on a story thread that isn't quite working.
Keith Gillison
Freedom. Writing is freedom. Editing and promotion feels like work but the actual writing is the best bit. A blank page and my imagination and I can go anywhere, do anything and be anyone. There are no limits, no boundaries with writing, only the ones you place on yourself. You can write about anything at all. What else makes you feel like that?
Keith Gillison
Just write. The more you write the better you get. Join a local writing group. It's good to be around other writers and learn from them and get feedback on your work. Read books on writing, attend courses and do all you can to improve your writing. Don't expect to have instant success. Your writing is most likely to not be brilliant at first but its a process of improvement and development. Write what you like to write about. Don't try and copy someone else, develop your own style. And most importantly - Believe in yourself and your writing and keep going.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more