Ask the Author: Conor Walsh
Answered Questions (5)
Conor Walsh
I've always felt that inspiration to write can come from anywhere. Whether it's other forms of media, or something you might see while out on a walk downtown, anything can feed the imagination.
My advice is this: pay attention. The strangest things can spawn ideas - snippets of overheard conversation, people you pass by in the street, or maybe even something you see in a pawn store window as you walk by. It's easier than sitting and brainstorming fruitlessly for hours on end.
My advice is this: pay attention. The strangest things can spawn ideas - snippets of overheard conversation, people you pass by in the street, or maybe even something you see in a pawn store window as you walk by. It's easier than sitting and brainstorming fruitlessly for hours on end.
Conor Walsh
Good question. I always had an interest in history, and my dad and I always casually talked about some of history's biggest wars as I grew up. I always found World War 1 to have a certain kind of cruel irony about it. Millions of men die and history thanks them by considering their war, the causes they were dying for, nearly pointless. As such I found it to be an excellent setting for a historical fiction, and a neglected one at that.
In a less broad response to the question I'd say that I wanted to write something character-rich that read a little differently than your usual novel. As such its style (focusing mainly on one character per chapter) came to fruition, and ideally worked in its favor.
In a less broad response to the question I'd say that I wanted to write something character-rich that read a little differently than your usual novel. As such its style (focusing mainly on one character per chapter) came to fruition, and ideally worked in its favor.
Conor Walsh
I enjoy having a creative outlet that fits with my psyche. Writing helps get out the imagination's spasms, and cheerfully I seem to be good enough at it that people don't catch fire when they read what I put down on paper. I like that a lot.
Conor Walsh
Not sure that aspiring writers can give aspiring writers advice, but what the hell. I say if you like writing, write! There are all sorts of self-help guides saying "oh you have to do exactly this" or "here are three neat steps that will help you write" or "Gregor Samsa spills his secrets on how to write the perfect novel," and while these might indeed all be helpful I hold to the "if you want to write better, keep writing!" adage. You'll get discouraged; we all do. Practice, as they say.
Conor Walsh
Currently I'm "honing my skills," as they say, working on short stories and the ilk. I do have an idea for another novel in the works, but I want to flesh out the skeleton as much as I can before I start on it. All too often I've started writing a supposed novel only to get 10,000 words in and get stuck or sick of it.
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