Ask the Author: Laurie Smither
Answered Questions (6)
Laurie Smither
Life! I have been married 52 years and 40 of those were taken up with providing for my family and keeping a crust on the table. When I stopped long enough to look back I realised that relative poverty is a great teacher.
Laurie Smither
I'm getting old and have done a few things over the course of that life. So I decided that writing a book might be a nice thing to do. I read a lot and always admired good writers so why not give it a try.
Laurie Smither
Nothing, so far. I'm still getting over the first book. Writing the first and second draft is the easy part. From then on, getting the book to print is the hard part.
Laurie Smither
Have some sort of plan. I sketch out the plot on a large piece of paper noting way points. In my case, I aimed for 20 points since I had read somewhere that 20 points or chapters was a good number for the average novel.Then I stand back and take a first look. Some sort of order will emerge. Transfer the 20 way points to index cards listing 15 or so sub points and pin these in order on the wall in front of your desk. Fifteen points will give you a consistent chapter length. Then write and don't stop. When you do the second draft, you may find that you have enough material to include another chapter or two. Having a plan will bring you some discipline and confidence. But write like hell and don't look back until that first draft is finished.9
Laurie Smither
Not a lot. It is hard work and poorly paid. There is a great sense of satisfaction, though, in finishing the damned thing.
Laurie Smither
There's no such thing. I find that if I have a chapter plan dealing with the main points of the plot I just need to get on and follow it. Doesn't mean that it will be any good but the main thing is to get something down on paper and edit it when the first draft is finished.
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