Ask the Author: Sean Elliot Russell
Answered Questions (10)
Sean Elliot Russell
Hi Debbie,
Thank you for messaging me. To verify your email, go to your email location (yahoo.com or gmail, etc) and look for the email from Goodreads to verify you're a person, not a bot. Just click on the link provided and then your Goodreads account should be verified. Check your spam folder too if you don't see it in your regular inbox. Hope this helps, Debbie. Let me know if this works for you. -Sean
Thank you for messaging me. To verify your email, go to your email location (yahoo.com or gmail, etc) and look for the email from Goodreads to verify you're a person, not a bot. Just click on the link provided and then your Goodreads account should be verified. Check your spam folder too if you don't see it in your regular inbox. Hope this helps, Debbie. Let me know if this works for you. -Sean
Sean Elliot Russell
Hello RV Minkler,
Thank you for your message here. I will include you in the 8th Review Session. Thank you for joining with us. I hope to launch the review session this Monday, however, it may be the following Monday. We almost have the participants needed to make it meaningful.
Speak soon, RV!
Sean
Thank you for your message here. I will include you in the 8th Review Session. Thank you for joining with us. I hope to launch the review session this Monday, however, it may be the following Monday. We almost have the participants needed to make it meaningful.
Speak soon, RV!
Sean
Sean Elliot Russell
Hi Edie,
How are things going for you? Hope Spring comes soon for you with the long winter you're having.
I hope you are well!
Kind regards,
Sean
How are things going for you? Hope Spring comes soon for you with the long winter you're having.
I hope you are well!
Kind regards,
Sean
Sean Elliot Russell
Hello Byron!
Nice to hear from you! I don't actually run that Christian Book Only review group. I was just there a few times.
But if you're interested in Christian readers' reviews (in exchange for your own reviews of others' works) for Speculative Fiction (fiction that goes beyond the norm), please go here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
If you sign up, you'll receive at least 2 reviews in the next 60-70 days, and possibly a third review/rating if there are enough readers/reviewers. It's a good group and the reviewers are fair. I've learned so much in the last year thanks to their feedback.
Nice to meet you, Byron. Let's stay in touch! I'm in London. Whereabouts are you?
Sean
Nice to hear from you! I don't actually run that Christian Book Only review group. I was just there a few times.
But if you're interested in Christian readers' reviews (in exchange for your own reviews of others' works) for Speculative Fiction (fiction that goes beyond the norm), please go here:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
If you sign up, you'll receive at least 2 reviews in the next 60-70 days, and possibly a third review/rating if there are enough readers/reviewers. It's a good group and the reviewers are fair. I've learned so much in the last year thanks to their feedback.
Nice to meet you, Byron. Let's stay in touch! I'm in London. Whereabouts are you?
Sean
Sean Elliot Russell
A true life story I read about a long time ago began to stir my heart and mind. FAITH IN THE DEPTHS will eventually be written, Lord willing. So much to do, so little time!
Sean Elliot Russell
My advice:
Read.
Learn shortcuts to being a better writer through how-to books or online resources (so much online that is free). Fill up a notebook with what you learn.
Write every day.
Use the best of cinema to visualise how a great story is unfolded. Then duplicate with your own characters and scenarios.
Every chapter you write should have a hook at the beginning and the end (even if a minor question mark left in the readers' minds). Every chapter should have movement--either for or against your character.
Join a writer's group to get immediate feedback (that is usually positive).
And have fun at it.
-Sean
Read.
Learn shortcuts to being a better writer through how-to books or online resources (so much online that is free). Fill up a notebook with what you learn.
Write every day.
Use the best of cinema to visualise how a great story is unfolded. Then duplicate with your own characters and scenarios.
Every chapter you write should have a hook at the beginning and the end (even if a minor question mark left in the readers' minds). Every chapter should have movement--either for or against your character.
Join a writer's group to get immediate feedback (that is usually positive).
And have fun at it.
-Sean
Sean Elliot Russell
I'm currently working on a rewrite of SHILOH'S RISING. I really felt like the book needed one more character to give it a larger scope. The character I chose is of Japanese nationality. And I must say I do not regret the work I've put into adding this character to the narrative. We're talking hours of extra work. But I think it'll be well worth it.
Amai Azuma's a likable character with a tragic past, trying to get justice for injustices done to him while at the same time seeking to understand the new King in the new world. Then he meets an Indian boy, seemingly forgotten by the world, who becomes something of a surrogate son to him. It's been wondrous for me to explore this new character--one that really is more complex than any other I've written. I'm also learning a great deal about Japanese culture.
I hope to upload the expanded SHILOH'S RISING soon. I've got about another 100 pages to write. At the end of this, the book will approach 600 pages--but I think because it's an epic story, it can have the epic length.
Amai Azuma's a likable character with a tragic past, trying to get justice for injustices done to him while at the same time seeking to understand the new King in the new world. Then he meets an Indian boy, seemingly forgotten by the world, who becomes something of a surrogate son to him. It's been wondrous for me to explore this new character--one that really is more complex than any other I've written. I'm also learning a great deal about Japanese culture.
I hope to upload the expanded SHILOH'S RISING soon. I've got about another 100 pages to write. At the end of this, the book will approach 600 pages--but I think because it's an epic story, it can have the epic length.
Sean Elliot Russell
For me, it's creating characters and their worlds while exploring possibilities.
The Lord Jesus used parables--stories with a teaching point to reach His audiences. Our culture today is heavily influenced by the media of television, film, art, and fiction books.
When I write, I write with an aim to highlight something that I believe could be a reality in the reader (or the writer: me) if we'd trust His Word and abide in His Spirit without compromise. I do this in my stories as subtly as possible.
Creatively, I'm attracted to writing. When a blank page is in front of me, it's as attractive to me as a canvas must be to a painter with fresh paint and brushes. I'm about to create something--to orchestrate a world. And hopefully, that world will reflect a much greater reality.
This, for me, is why I enjoy and love writing. It's not easy, and I'm still learning and growing as a writer. But this is the best part of being a writer.
The Lord Jesus used parables--stories with a teaching point to reach His audiences. Our culture today is heavily influenced by the media of television, film, art, and fiction books.
When I write, I write with an aim to highlight something that I believe could be a reality in the reader (or the writer: me) if we'd trust His Word and abide in His Spirit without compromise. I do this in my stories as subtly as possible.
Creatively, I'm attracted to writing. When a blank page is in front of me, it's as attractive to me as a canvas must be to a painter with fresh paint and brushes. I'm about to create something--to orchestrate a world. And hopefully, that world will reflect a much greater reality.
This, for me, is why I enjoy and love writing. It's not easy, and I'm still learning and growing as a writer. But this is the best part of being a writer.
Sean Elliot Russell
It starts with one idea for me, usually. Then I start to expound on it to see if it could be a full story or novel. Some ideas don't go far. Others become the genesis for a new project.
Being a visual person (and heavily influenced by films), I sometimes find ideas from scenes or scenarios. My books generally, I think, have a strong visual aspect.
Sometimes reading a book will spur a what if thought that later becomes a story idea.
And sometimes watching people around me begin my creative thinking. I saw a man on the train--such a curious fellow. And I'm starting to think he'll be the next character for my next book. His look, his clothing, his size--struck something inside me. I wanted to write about him.
Being a visual person (and heavily influenced by films), I sometimes find ideas from scenes or scenarios. My books generally, I think, have a strong visual aspect.
Sometimes reading a book will spur a what if thought that later becomes a story idea.
And sometimes watching people around me begin my creative thinking. I saw a man on the train--such a curious fellow. And I'm starting to think he'll be the next character for my next book. His look, his clothing, his size--struck something inside me. I wanted to write about him.
Sean Elliot Russell
Start with 5 minutes. But learn to recognise your creativity level--1 being unable to get out of bed (creatively), and 5 being at your best when ideas are flowing out quicker than you can add to the page.
If you realize you're at a level 3 or below, perhaps use that time to edit--checking other freshly written writing. Or work on cover design or your writing blog.
And if you're at a low ebb, use that time to explore through brainstorming. Maybe start doodling while writing down thoughts that arise.
If you're honestly stuck, then consider reading books on your list. Sometimes reading other works will jumpstart you and give you the ideas you need to move forward.
Alternatively, unless you're facing a deadline, don't be afraid to put the book on pause. Give yourself room to reflect on your book--what to do next, where to go, how to land it.
My book, THE JESUS BOY, was written in two parts. It began long ago. Then, after having put it on the shelf, I slowly but surely began to feel guilty that I hadn't finished it. When I finally did return to it, I forced myself to drive the story forward and complete it.
Give yourself grace when stuck. Recognise your creativity levels. And read other books to enjoy and study how others finished their books.
If you realize you're at a level 3 or below, perhaps use that time to edit--checking other freshly written writing. Or work on cover design or your writing blog.
And if you're at a low ebb, use that time to explore through brainstorming. Maybe start doodling while writing down thoughts that arise.
If you're honestly stuck, then consider reading books on your list. Sometimes reading other works will jumpstart you and give you the ideas you need to move forward.
Alternatively, unless you're facing a deadline, don't be afraid to put the book on pause. Give yourself room to reflect on your book--what to do next, where to go, how to land it.
My book, THE JESUS BOY, was written in two parts. It began long ago. Then, after having put it on the shelf, I slowly but surely began to feel guilty that I hadn't finished it. When I finally did return to it, I forced myself to drive the story forward and complete it.
Give yourself grace when stuck. Recognise your creativity levels. And read other books to enjoy and study how others finished their books.
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