Ask the Author: Scott Lothian
Answered Questions (6)
Scott Lothian
When you think of a concept for a novel, get a notebook and outline the big chunks, then select names and places to further fill out the story. Research the bigger aspects of the story and then let the other parts come along as you write. If you outline and research everything from the start, your story may never grow beyond those constraints. Plotting out a book is like taking a trip. You may plan to start in Chicago, stop in St. Louis and then end in San Francisco, but you cannot control what happens along the way. You can build out the bones of a story, but the flesh of the story is the characters you invent or invite along the way and the places you stop and situations that occur in between. Let it happen and don’t force it. The best ideas often come when you are not tied down to a routine or sitting in front of a keyboard.
Scott Lothian
I just saw a meme that said “A writer is working while looking out a window.” For me, writing is not sitting down at 5 AM and banging on my keyboard. It is thinking about nothing and everything and then rolling “what ifs” and possibilities around in my head. I have decided on chapter directions while trying to sleep, while showering, while watching TV. I outline two chapters of my first book, Perfect Posture, in the margins of a program during a church service because the “writing” spirit was speaking to me loudly at the time. Relax. Outline. Fill in details as they come to you. Then when you have enough loaded up, explode onto the page and see what more comes to you as you write.
Scott Lothian
I am a full-time Clinical IT pharmacist, so my writing career has been more of an unexpected hobby and something to look forward to in my retirement. Nowadays, anyone can write a book and get a physical copy made by Amazon even if they are not going to publish it, so this avenue of imagination and expression is open for all who dare to commit words to paper, even if it is just for themselves—which can be very rewarding, regardless. My favorite part of writing is the ride of an ever-emerging story—when the words flow to the page and not from it. When writing I may plan out the arc of the story, but how it twists and turns as I get deeper into the dialogue and research may be just as surprising to me as it is to the reader. This is certainly not how everyone writes, but I would guess that most writers agree that editing is the worst part of being a writer…
Scott Lothian
I am currently writing a children's book with illustrations by a Wisconsin artist and preparing to write my third novel, Daddy's Girl.
Scott Lothian
When an idea comes to me, I may write it down for later or even start a prologue to give it a try. Once a full picture forms around a premise and I begin writing, I may ultimately know where I want to start and where I want to finish (which can change), but how I get there is often determined by the journey from point to point and research along the way. In my most recent book, Deep Waters, I converted a book idea into a chapter that better served the emerging story than a possible standalone novel. Just like reading a good book, a developing story is all the inspiration you need once you get going.
Scott Lothian
My most recent book, Deep Waters, was written as a back story for my first novel and was inspired by the many self-told stories of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Brave men such as Edgar Harrell, who just recently passed away—may he rest in peace, telling their first-hand accounts with truly experienced emotion was the driving force behind this book. Reading and hearing these stories on the internet forced my hand and I began writing a “what if” story about the “full” life arc of a man on the USS Indianapolis [spoiler – ultimately to create a heroic overcoming of a life not under his control]. This book is dedicated to the brave crew of the Indy and chronicles the life of a 15yo high school quarterback who has everything and then is thrust into decision after decision controlling his life and forcing him to take paths not of his choosing.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more