Ask the Author: E.A.A. Wilson
Answered Questions (10)
E.A.A. Wilson
Thanks for asking that question - writing this book prompted a lot of interesting monologues with myself and some serious introspection about my own beliefs. I started off proudly agnostic, but through the process of internal examination (not in the gynae sense) I came to a rock solid belief in the continuation of life. I have no fear of death, I anticipate the next adventure from a place of unconditional love and hope. I just really hope my portrayal in Ascension Denied is nothing like the Truth! Hahah!
E.A.A. Wilson
Hi Sam! Good question! I think it's impossible for an author to create a character 100% from imagination - and why would you, when there are so many completely bananas people out there to draw inspiration from?? Most of my characters draw heavily from the interesting, inspiring, scary and obnoxious people in my life, all of whom I am much richer for having met and have contributed to my creative reservoir in ways I'll probably never know! I'm grateful for every one of them.
E.A.A. Wilson
Who came up with this one??? But it's easy though, thanks to your addition of (and be into it). I believe it's our personal responsibility to seek joy as often as possible, because it draws us closer to our true selves. When we are happy we emit an optimism that is infectious - and maybe even illuminating the darkness someone else might be sitting in. For that reason, if I was truly into it, it would be irresponsible and reckless of me to choose a decade-long tar pit over a cactus-dildo.
E.A.A. Wilson
Hi Sam! I tried being a writer in a bureaucrat's body, but I escaped. If I was a true bureaucrat I think I'd enjoy being in a writer's body, because of all the paper.
E.A.A. Wilson
I made a pretty big decision when I decided to leave business and start writing. I promised myself to only ever be true, present and authentic at all times. So the only thing to write about was what I truly believe in: The inevitability of death, the pointlessness of striving for any goal other than our own...and angels. I do believe in angels.
E.A.A. Wilson
Stories just ooze out of everyone and everything. Reality is far more whacky than fiction, as we all know, and my fingers just start tingling to get those stories written. My favorite starting point is by shifting perspectives. What would a goatherd have thought watching the great Exodus led by Moses?
E.A.A. Wilson
The next one of course! My current WIP follows the frothy wake of "Ascension Denied", and features a disillusional Captain Charon, the skipper of the A.S.S Psychopomp, trying desperately to earn the wings he feels he's been denied for too long. I'm loving this one, mostly because I've never written a bigoted hero before, and boy is Charon a misogynistic bastard!
E.A.A. Wilson
When people say "It's hard to make money from writing!" or "Publishing is an impossible industry to crack!" or "Book deals are few and far between!" - DON'T BELIEVE ANY OF THEM! Nobody has ever trodden the path you're about to go down. Everyone's journey is different. You have no idea what opportunity is waiting for you - your only job is to keep your feet moving one in front of the other, keep your eyes on your goal, act when opportunities come along, and keep practicing your craft. If you want to be a writer, then you already are. Just get that book out of your imagination where it's doing no good at all!
E.A.A. Wilson
It must be the permission to make stuff up and write it down. To live entirely in imagination, bringing worlds to life and giving readers a sanctuary where they can escape our mundane "reality". I believe imagination is the single most important quality a person can nurture - nothing innovative, progressive or groundbreaking ever came from a place of no imagination. Books help sow seedlings of creation, and it's a real honor being able to share that with readers.
E.A.A. Wilson
The answer is always to stop trying to control the creative output, and instead let it flow like water. If your cup is empty, refill it wherever gives you joy. Meditation and solitude always help me get to the bottom of my own subconscious, which is where all the juicy stories are carpentered together. But sometimes you face writer's block simply because there's something better for you to do than write. That's never comfortable for a writer to admit - but in reality, sometimes you have to promote, network, clean your socks, play puzzles with your kids, eat spaghetti... Writer's block turns up to tell you to get a life sometimes. Heed - but always return to the ink stains! :)
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