Ask the Author: Just Josh
Answered Questions (6)
Just Josh
For my forthcoming novel, it was from my love of a character in a story I couldn't quite get right at the time. I took the sub character and gave him his own unique world to play in.
Just Josh
I have long talks with my brilliant wife about every topic imaginable. As we go back and forth and try to answer those wonderful "what if," questions I get the fire in me to express my ideas on paper. When she's gone, I use my time to write stories and fill out forms on websites.
Just Josh
I'm working on a series of short stories which follow a families many successes and setbacks from the near future to a time when humanity has spread out to the rest of our solar system.
I'm also working on a soft science fiction comedy novel about a guy who tries to save the universe even though he's the most apathetic man the Space Hippies could find to help them.
I'm also working on a soft science fiction comedy novel about a guy who tries to save the universe even though he's the most apathetic man the Space Hippies could find to help them.
Just Josh
Write. Pen, pencil, keyboard, whatever you need, just put something down outside your own brain. When you have enough pieces to the puzzle, start at the beginning (as close to the end as is necessary) and show your audience what is in your head.
Read a few books on grammar and few about constructing plots and developing characters and get as much feed back as you can from willing friends and family. After that you may wish to join a critique group, either online or in person. Try Craigs List for groups in your area and remember to wear a thick skin when you hear a stranger tell you they don't like a certain plot line or character, don't take it personally and use the best advice you get to make your stories as good as you can.
When you are ready, look into how to get published and read extensively on the subject. When rejection letters come back, remember, it's not an affront to you, it just means the piece wasn't what that publication needed. If you don't give up, you'll achieve your goals. I hope that helps!
Read a few books on grammar and few about constructing plots and developing characters and get as much feed back as you can from willing friends and family. After that you may wish to join a critique group, either online or in person. Try Craigs List for groups in your area and remember to wear a thick skin when you hear a stranger tell you they don't like a certain plot line or character, don't take it personally and use the best advice you get to make your stories as good as you can.
When you are ready, look into how to get published and read extensively on the subject. When rejection letters come back, remember, it's not an affront to you, it just means the piece wasn't what that publication needed. If you don't give up, you'll achieve your goals. I hope that helps!
Just Josh
I get to share my ideas with more people than just my wife and friends.
Just Josh
I have no problem generating ideas, they come at me 24 hours a day. When I do get writer's block, it's from not being certain what I should be spending my energy on at that particular moment. My best strategy is to make a list of everything I've got on my plate and then cross off the ones that give me a grumbley "not now," feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I'm left with two of three projects I ask myself which one I can make the most progress on with the ideas and notes I've already made for it and then I pick that one to work on.
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