Ask the Author: Mike Bowerbank
Answered Questions (7)
Mike Bowerbank
My mother was separated from her family for 60 years... and I was able to find her family and get them reunited. I mean, you could sell a plot like that to Disney tomorrow...
Mike Bowerbank
Nice to meet you - and a belated welcome to you!
Mike Bowerbank
I would go to the city of Ankh-Morpork in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. I'd make a point of making a donation to the Thieves Guild first, though, to ensure I'm safer than most other tourists...
I'd just soak up the environment, assuming I'm nowhere near Nobby Nobbs...
I'd just soak up the environment, assuming I'm nowhere near Nobby Nobbs...
Mike Bowerbank
In the spirit of full disclosure, I spent my summer writing and didn't manage to read any books at all.
Mike Bowerbank
I don’t get Writer’s Block anymore because I stopped referring to it as Writer’s Block. Giving it a name makes it real and therefore is looked upon as an actual Thing. Don’t make it a Thing.
When you don’t know what to write next, the worst thing you can do is believe it’s a Thing and to therefore stress about it. You’ve hit a creative wall, not contracted the mumps. You don’t “cure” Writer’s Block, you solve it.
When the ideas aren’t there, just remember that your subconscious is still working on the problem. Therefore, even if you’re not typing anything, there are parts of your brain that are working on the problem.
So what do you do when an expert is busy working? You leave them alone to get on with it.
So take a brain break and do something that you enjoy.
It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it’s something enjoyable (and, if possible, something creative). Go to the park for a walk and find three new things to take a picture of, watch a really fun and imaginative movie, finish that crochet project, crank the music and organize your closet in a new way, cook different lunches for the week ahead, meet a friend for a beverage and invent new words for things in the coffee shop, read a book that inspires you, whatever.
When you go back to your WIP, you’ll be seeing it with fresh eyes. At some point, that part of your brain that has been busy working all this time will go “I may have found a solution for you…”
At that point, you will realize that there is no Thing. There are just moments when you need to take a short creative break to help your mind get over the hurdle in front of it.
When you don’t know what to write next, the worst thing you can do is believe it’s a Thing and to therefore stress about it. You’ve hit a creative wall, not contracted the mumps. You don’t “cure” Writer’s Block, you solve it.
When the ideas aren’t there, just remember that your subconscious is still working on the problem. Therefore, even if you’re not typing anything, there are parts of your brain that are working on the problem.
So what do you do when an expert is busy working? You leave them alone to get on with it.
So take a brain break and do something that you enjoy.
It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it’s something enjoyable (and, if possible, something creative). Go to the park for a walk and find three new things to take a picture of, watch a really fun and imaginative movie, finish that crochet project, crank the music and organize your closet in a new way, cook different lunches for the week ahead, meet a friend for a beverage and invent new words for things in the coffee shop, read a book that inspires you, whatever.
When you go back to your WIP, you’ll be seeing it with fresh eyes. At some point, that part of your brain that has been busy working all this time will go “I may have found a solution for you…”
At that point, you will realize that there is no Thing. There are just moments when you need to take a short creative break to help your mind get over the hurdle in front of it.
Mike Bowerbank
I am currently working on my next murder mystery.
It's still in the early stages, but I am thoroughly enjoying writing it and that's a good sign.
Stay tuned for more updates.
It's still in the early stages, but I am thoroughly enjoying writing it and that's a good sign.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Mike Bowerbank
Very simple: "Get on with it."
Just get the words written and start now.
Yes, your first draft won't be very good, but no first draft ever is.
It's the process of editing and rewriting that polishes those drafts into something promising. As the old saying goes, "I can work with a lousy draft, but I can't help a blank page."
Just get the words written and start now.
Yes, your first draft won't be very good, but no first draft ever is.
It's the process of editing and rewriting that polishes those drafts into something promising. As the old saying goes, "I can work with a lousy draft, but I can't help a blank page."
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