Ask the Author: Erma I Talamante
Answered Questions (7)
Erma I Talamante
Hi, Lawrence! Yes, "Electric Sheep" is in reference to the series "Blade Runner", and primarily the original story, "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick. It also contains elements of other stories that inspired me during it's creation, though, too.
However, it is not so much a repeat of the cult classic film, but rather a look at how the science can affect one person and their surroundings.
However, it is not so much a repeat of the cult classic film, but rather a look at how the science can affect one person and their surroundings.
Erma I Talamante
I start a new project. I make run into a block on a story I'm on, but I must say, I'm never at a block for projects - ask anyone who really knows me... I always have at least a half-dozen things that I am actively working on.
Reading. Writing. Painting. Mechanical. Baking. Sewing. Research. Even just taking a drive to the local second-hand to poke around.
I find that when you get stuck, distracting your brain frees it up. Sometimes thinking about one thing for too long and too hard, you just need a break. I'll work on something else until the next part presents itself, and then have something nearby to scribble down your idea - I often use my kids' defunct iPhone's notepad feature. So handy, and since it syncs with iCloud on my computer, I can email those thoughts to myself, or open it later at home.
Writing doesn't just have to be the pen-to-paper or fingers-to-keys method - it's also about plotting, planning, and figuring out the big picture. Sometime you just have to step back to see it all.
Reading. Writing. Painting. Mechanical. Baking. Sewing. Research. Even just taking a drive to the local second-hand to poke around.
I find that when you get stuck, distracting your brain frees it up. Sometimes thinking about one thing for too long and too hard, you just need a break. I'll work on something else until the next part presents itself, and then have something nearby to scribble down your idea - I often use my kids' defunct iPhone's notepad feature. So handy, and since it syncs with iCloud on my computer, I can email those thoughts to myself, or open it later at home.
Writing doesn't just have to be the pen-to-paper or fingers-to-keys method - it's also about plotting, planning, and figuring out the big picture. Sometime you just have to step back to see it all.
Erma I Talamante
I was on the phone with a friend, and talking about a different writing project, and all of a sudden, an incomplete idea popped into my head. It was fascinating, tantalizing, and we started brainstorming.
While I discarded many of his ideas, his suggestions got me thinking about who these people were, and how they got there... And what they were going to do.
While the original idea simply came to me, partially formed, the details came through research and brainstorming, a little at a time.
While I discarded many of his ideas, his suggestions got me thinking about who these people were, and how they got there... And what they were going to do.
While the original idea simply came to me, partially formed, the details came through research and brainstorming, a little at a time.
Erma I Talamante
Having a flexible schedule. This may seem the worst thing for writing, but really, having a job that you can do anywhere, at any time, is awesome!
Also, it is a job that my kids are proud to tell their friends about, and has inspired them to try writing, too! This helps them in school and has made them be awesome readers... so, yeah!
I love being a writer, because it affect all areas of my life now!
Also, it is a job that my kids are proud to tell their friends about, and has inspired them to try writing, too! This helps them in school and has made them be awesome readers... so, yeah!
I love being a writer, because it affect all areas of my life now!
Erma I Talamante
As nearly every other writer out there will say, the best thing you can do is WRITE! Practice your craft. As with any other art-form, you get better as you do it more and more.
Study your favorite authors - what do they do that you like?
Feed your imagination by reading, watching television and movies, and bouncing ideas off friends. Play 'What If...?' games.
Always try to carry a notebook and something to write with. Electronics die, and you don't want left without a way to log an amazing idea that zings into your head. (I keep pens and paper *everywhere* - even in my car!)
Finally, share your work - one of the biggest roadblocks is the fear of stolen ideas and criticism. Ask your readers for constructive criticism, offering what they did like alongside what they didn't. But don't feel that you have to change anything to make others happy - it's your art, after all!
Study your favorite authors - what do they do that you like?
Feed your imagination by reading, watching television and movies, and bouncing ideas off friends. Play 'What If...?' games.
Always try to carry a notebook and something to write with. Electronics die, and you don't want left without a way to log an amazing idea that zings into your head. (I keep pens and paper *everywhere* - even in my car!)
Finally, share your work - one of the biggest roadblocks is the fear of stolen ideas and criticism. Ask your readers for constructive criticism, offering what they did like alongside what they didn't. But don't feel that you have to change anything to make others happy - it's your art, after all!
Erma I Talamante
I read alot - and I mean ALOT!! The intoxicating mix of stories from many different genres mashing about in my head are bound to run into each other from time to time.
I also travel for work, and with a four-hour commute, I have alot of time to think, too. This is where my stories get their body, playing What If? with my windshield (also a great tool for Writer's Block).
But the biggest inspiration comes when I sit down at the coffee-shop - with my writing buddy, or alone - tune in to whatever is playing over the hi-fi, and let the story go...
I also travel for work, and with a four-hour commute, I have alot of time to think, too. This is where my stories get their body, playing What If? with my windshield (also a great tool for Writer's Block).
But the biggest inspiration comes when I sit down at the coffee-shop - with my writing buddy, or alone - tune in to whatever is playing over the hi-fi, and let the story go...
Erma I Talamante
I am currently finishing up the editing for 'The Companion', the first book in a new dystopian series, 'Electric Sheep'.
I have also been working on editing another book that has not yet been released, 'Five for the Road' (watch for it!) by T. Johnson, a middle grade fantasy. So far, it seems that this book might have a little bit of something for everyone.
On the less literary side, I'm also desperately behind on writing my on-going reviews, and read like crazy; review college papers for the grammatically challenged; am a USAR TPU (google it); am raising an eclectic two-year-old; and fighting cancer.
Busy only begins to describe it!
I have also been working on editing another book that has not yet been released, 'Five for the Road' (watch for it!) by T. Johnson, a middle grade fantasy. So far, it seems that this book might have a little bit of something for everyone.
On the less literary side, I'm also desperately behind on writing my on-going reviews, and read like crazy; review college papers for the grammatically challenged; am a USAR TPU (google it); am raising an eclectic two-year-old; and fighting cancer.
Busy only begins to describe it!
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