Ask the Author: Aila Stephens
Answered Questions (7)
Aila Stephens
Oh, wow!
If money were no object, I'd probably rent a space to write. Something just large enough that I could hole up inside for a week or so at a time, but not large enough that I would be tempted to take up permanent residence. It'd have a gargantuan window that looked out over the city.
As for my actual desk, it'd need plenty of space. I tend to "work all over the place," as my mother says. I'd keep the same keyboard I have now. (I love my Razer BlackWidow). Two monitors. I'd spare no expense whatsoever on seeking out the absolute best chair. I love my laser jet printer, but if I had the space to spare, I'd buy a bigger one because the one I currently have doesn't have the paper capacity for an entire manuscript. I'd want a pretty hefty whiteboard nearby with lots of different colored markers for those "pop up" ideas.
At least one wall of the place would be lined with bookcases.
And, of course, a coffee pot and a tea kettle--and lots of take-out menus.
This is perhaps the most interesting question I've been asked in a long time. Thank you!
If money were no object, I'd probably rent a space to write. Something just large enough that I could hole up inside for a week or so at a time, but not large enough that I would be tempted to take up permanent residence. It'd have a gargantuan window that looked out over the city.
As for my actual desk, it'd need plenty of space. I tend to "work all over the place," as my mother says. I'd keep the same keyboard I have now. (I love my Razer BlackWidow). Two monitors. I'd spare no expense whatsoever on seeking out the absolute best chair. I love my laser jet printer, but if I had the space to spare, I'd buy a bigger one because the one I currently have doesn't have the paper capacity for an entire manuscript. I'd want a pretty hefty whiteboard nearby with lots of different colored markers for those "pop up" ideas.
At least one wall of the place would be lined with bookcases.
And, of course, a coffee pot and a tea kettle--and lots of take-out menus.
This is perhaps the most interesting question I've been asked in a long time. Thank you!
Aila Stephens
Sex, Love, and Technicalities came to be in that half-awake stage. And I was so drawn to the characters there wasn't much choice in whether I was going to complete the project.
In fact, I was so in love with the story it only took me eleven days to write the entire first draft. It was a very rough, horrible first draft, mind you... but writing is all in the rewriting, anyway. :-)
In fact, I was so in love with the story it only took me eleven days to write the entire first draft. It was a very rough, horrible first draft, mind you... but writing is all in the rewriting, anyway. :-)
Aila Stephens
I usually come up with story ideas when I'm half-asleep. It's a blessing and a curse, because I can usually see the ideas really quite clearly and get a sense for the beginning, middle, and end sections. However, once I rouse enough to jot things down, I have to be fast or a lot of details start to fade quickly.
Apart from that, I find that going for a drive somewhere in the mountains helps to reboot my mind from the clutter I collect in the city. In fact, recently I came up with a rough story idea while in the NC Mountains that has a working title of There's Nobody Like Veronica, but I've only started the planning phase for it.
Apart from that, I find that going for a drive somewhere in the mountains helps to reboot my mind from the clutter I collect in the city. In fact, recently I came up with a rough story idea while in the NC Mountains that has a working title of There's Nobody Like Veronica, but I've only started the planning phase for it.
Aila Stephens
I'm finishing the first draft of Sex, Love, and Technicalities' sequel: Sex, Love, and Formalities.
But, because I'm a glutton for punishment, I also have two other WIP that I dabble with simultaneously, one called Alabama Rain, which is about a woman investigating her elderly father's murder, and the main suspect is her mother, with whom conversations turn up some really painful secrets and betrayals spanning all the way back to The Great Depression.
The other is my first attempt at anything in the Fantasy genre, so it's anyone's guess as to how it will turn out, but it is called Yesterfore, named for the land I have created.
But, because I'm a glutton for punishment, I also have two other WIP that I dabble with simultaneously, one called Alabama Rain, which is about a woman investigating her elderly father's murder, and the main suspect is her mother, with whom conversations turn up some really painful secrets and betrayals spanning all the way back to The Great Depression.
The other is my first attempt at anything in the Fantasy genre, so it's anyone's guess as to how it will turn out, but it is called Yesterfore, named for the land I have created.
Aila Stephens
Be very choosy about what advice you take. How I do something, even if it has proven to work really well for me, may not work for someone else. Don't think that there are many hard and fast rules to writing or any creative career.
And get comfortable with mistakes. You will make them. You'll make lots. You'll get frustrated with yourself and others, and you just have to keep putting words on the page and keep your sights on your goal. Remember there is a delete key.
And get comfortable with mistakes. You will make them. You'll make lots. You'll get frustrated with yourself and others, and you just have to keep putting words on the page and keep your sights on your goal. Remember there is a delete key.
Aila Stephens
I won't lie and say it isn't a thrill to have someone say they've enjoyed my work--but honestly, I thoroughly enjoy meeting other writers both in person and online and just soaking in their creative energy.
Aila Stephens
I'll watch a movie and challenge myself to write the narration for various scenes. It may sound silly, but it helps!
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