Ask the Author: Helen E. Barrow
Answered Questions (6)
Helen E. Barrow
Hi Stacy,
I wish I knew! I would like to say around late February/early March or thereabouts, but it isn't an easy length of time to guess at. By way of an example, today I spent approx. eight hours writing twelve lines. I normally write a great deal more, but the time it takes to write something depends upon so many variables, such as the amount of research it requires, the complexity of the subject and whether my family can look after themselves in my absence.
In short... by March, I hope, but that date could slide and will do so until I feel it worthy of your time to read.
In the meantime, I uploaded a draft of the first scene in my next book today, on my blog www.helenebarrow.com .
Thank you, Stacy, for my first question on GoodReads :) I hope you are well.
Helen
I wish I knew! I would like to say around late February/early March or thereabouts, but it isn't an easy length of time to guess at. By way of an example, today I spent approx. eight hours writing twelve lines. I normally write a great deal more, but the time it takes to write something depends upon so many variables, such as the amount of research it requires, the complexity of the subject and whether my family can look after themselves in my absence.
In short... by March, I hope, but that date could slide and will do so until I feel it worthy of your time to read.
In the meantime, I uploaded a draft of the first scene in my next book today, on my blog www.helenebarrow.com .
Thank you, Stacy, for my first question on GoodReads :) I hope you are well.
Helen
Helen E. Barrow
My second novel. I'm trying to pin the plot down rather than try the linear approach of writing from start to finish, creating the story as I go and then going through numerous rewrites.
I'm not convinced that this is the best approach for me, as my plot seems to be changing faster than I can write even a few keywords on a mind map, but I will persevere as it does seem the more efficient way to write.
I'm not convinced that this is the best approach for me, as my plot seems to be changing faster than I can write even a few keywords on a mind map, but I will persevere as it does seem the more efficient way to write.
Helen E. Barrow
I'll get into a conversation with my husband, perhaps over something that has happened to us that day, or something one of us read on the internet. This will more often than not spark off a game of 'what if', stretching the topic, adjusting it and often undergoing some huge shift to some other subject altogether. Where you begin such sessions doesn't matter, so long as you enjoy the discussion, keep your mind open to ideas and let it go where it wants to.
Helen E. Barrow
Never get angry if someone gives you bad feedback. Swallow it and learn from it.
Praise is always lovely to hear, but criticism is the foundation upon which we can learn.
Praise is always lovely to hear, but criticism is the foundation upon which we can learn.
Helen E. Barrow
Wine. Or sometimes vodka.
Helen E. Barrow
I got the idea for the plot in its most rudimentary form on the 21st of June 2014. I was chatting with my husband, who had read an article on the exclusion of bisexuals within the LGBT community. In my mind this merged with an earlier conversation we had about bullying.
Inspired to write for the first time since being humiliated by my English teacher when I was fourteen, I spent the next three days writing what I was convinced was a 10,000 word manuscript worthy of my being invited to assume my place as the living ghost of William Shakespeare. My friends and family who I sent it to were polite, but I detected caution in their optimistic critiques.
Reading it now makes me wish I had broken all of my fingers that day as it was ATROCIOUS.
Inspired to write for the first time since being humiliated by my English teacher when I was fourteen, I spent the next three days writing what I was convinced was a 10,000 word manuscript worthy of my being invited to assume my place as the living ghost of William Shakespeare. My friends and family who I sent it to were polite, but I detected caution in their optimistic critiques.
Reading it now makes me wish I had broken all of my fingers that day as it was ATROCIOUS.
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