Ask the Author: Kim Wedlock
Answered Questions (4)
Kim Wedlock
I don't know. Usually an idea will come to me, something insignificant from some obscure place, but in this case I can say that it was actually Stargate: SG-1 that had a hand in the formation of The Zi'veyn, just in terms of the archaeology and ridiculous theories. It happens with many things - a little detail might just happen to wedge itself in my head, then other little things will tack themselves onto it and it will grow into something significant that I find myself thinking about more and more often until it's suddenly alive. Those are the best because they come so naturally. Forcing a story never works.
A better example of obscurity is The Archguardians of Laceria. That came about because I misheard something my partner said about a video game. I heard 'empress assassin' when he said 'empress's assassin'. Rysana is no empress, nor is she an assassin, but that was the birth of the whole thing.
A better example of obscurity is The Archguardians of Laceria. That came about because I misheard something my partner said about a video game. I heard 'empress assassin' when he said 'empress's assassin'. Rysana is no empress, nor is she an assassin, but that was the birth of the whole thing.
Kim Wedlock
At the moment, I'm working on the second installment of my The Devoted trilogy. It's almost done, and I'm in love with it. I'm hoping to have this draft finished by mid-November.
Kim Wedlock
An oldie but a goodie: practice makes perfect.
I've been writing since I was 12 - seriously, I've always had a story on the go. And while my first pieces were woeful, it could only get better. In the end it was passion and enjoyment that kept me going with it, and over the years, my skill has improved. It has a ways to go, I'm sure, but as with anything: consistent use and practice WILL lead to improvement.
Also, ask people what they think when they read your work, ask them seriously, and be prepared for the worst. It's easy to write a 600 page book. It's the hardest thing in the world to put it out on the market.
And if one of your friends or family tells you something negative, don't shun them for it - encourage it. You'll never improve if you refuse to face your mistakes, and you'll never flourish if you can't accept criticism.
But remember: criticism on writing skill is one thing. Criticism on a story is another. Just because 5 people enjoy fantasy, it doesn't mean ANY of them will enjoy the same book.
And one other little thing I do: when I'm working on the plans for a new book, well, it can take a very long time. During that time my writing ability will get very rusty, so I've found it helps to write short stories while I plan. And, better yet, if I write them about some of the characters I've already established on paper, such as visiting a moment you've already written into their past, you help to give that character's history more foundation as well as the world you've created, and when it comes time to begin writing your book, you'll have recovered your voice and you'll have already 'met' your characters.
I've been writing since I was 12 - seriously, I've always had a story on the go. And while my first pieces were woeful, it could only get better. In the end it was passion and enjoyment that kept me going with it, and over the years, my skill has improved. It has a ways to go, I'm sure, but as with anything: consistent use and practice WILL lead to improvement.
Also, ask people what they think when they read your work, ask them seriously, and be prepared for the worst. It's easy to write a 600 page book. It's the hardest thing in the world to put it out on the market.
And if one of your friends or family tells you something negative, don't shun them for it - encourage it. You'll never improve if you refuse to face your mistakes, and you'll never flourish if you can't accept criticism.
But remember: criticism on writing skill is one thing. Criticism on a story is another. Just because 5 people enjoy fantasy, it doesn't mean ANY of them will enjoy the same book.
And one other little thing I do: when I'm working on the plans for a new book, well, it can take a very long time. During that time my writing ability will get very rusty, so I've found it helps to write short stories while I plan. And, better yet, if I write them about some of the characters I've already established on paper, such as visiting a moment you've already written into their past, you help to give that character's history more foundation as well as the world you've created, and when it comes time to begin writing your book, you'll have recovered your voice and you'll have already 'met' your characters.
Kim Wedlock
I've found this to be a real problem. Writing is my work and my hobby, so I don't really care to do anything but. Unfortunately, it's easy to over-work and hit writer's block because you just don't think about anything else.
My advice? Find another hobby. I've tried pushing through writer's block and I always end up either writing drivel, or only actually turning out one paragraph in a week despite working on it flat-out.
However, I've found that if I take one afternoon off to do something else - go out, read a book, or play a video game - my mind gets cleared and I find it much easier to make progress. And it generally only takes me a day or two to get over it.
A walk gives you the opportunity to get back out into the world, and it gives your brain the chance to unravel from the knot its tied itself in to, as well as ultimately work on the problems in your writing that you may not be aware of, or have been staring at too closely to be able to see a solution.
Reading a book or playing an RPG or some such gives you a whole knew smacking dose of inspiration by looking at someone else's creativity - or, in the case of games, a whole team of people's creativity.
Ultimately, I find taking an afternoon out for a video game to be the most helpful for me - but everyone is different.
My advice? Find another hobby. I've tried pushing through writer's block and I always end up either writing drivel, or only actually turning out one paragraph in a week despite working on it flat-out.
However, I've found that if I take one afternoon off to do something else - go out, read a book, or play a video game - my mind gets cleared and I find it much easier to make progress. And it generally only takes me a day or two to get over it.
A walk gives you the opportunity to get back out into the world, and it gives your brain the chance to unravel from the knot its tied itself in to, as well as ultimately work on the problems in your writing that you may not be aware of, or have been staring at too closely to be able to see a solution.
Reading a book or playing an RPG or some such gives you a whole knew smacking dose of inspiration by looking at someone else's creativity - or, in the case of games, a whole team of people's creativity.
Ultimately, I find taking an afternoon out for a video game to be the most helpful for me - but everyone is different.
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