Ask the Author: Danielle Dreger
Answered Questions (7)
Danielle Dreger
It depends. Some writers might argue that writer's block means you took your story in the wrong direction, that you don't know your story or your character's true motivation. I don't agree. I think sometimes our brains aren't ready for what what we're writing (and sometime sour brains move too fast).
If I'm stuck on page one, I tend to start over. More often then not, the voice in a book is so clear from page one I just go with it (I'm a pantser not a planner).
If I'm stuck on a scene, I take a break. I take a walk. I drink some coffee. I come back and reread what I wrote and try to catch where I stumbled.
If I'm stuck on the plot as a whole I step away from it completely. Flash fiction is my first love, so I often focus on a short story, especially one that comes with a prompt (specific genre, object, location or character) and that forces me to think outside the box. It's often during writing something different that I figure out what is wrong with the real project I'm working on.
If that doesn't work, I sleep. Some of my best ideas were blurry visions in dreams or from that weird not asleep but not awake fugue state. The key is write down the ideas immediately.
If I'm stuck on page one, I tend to start over. More often then not, the voice in a book is so clear from page one I just go with it (I'm a pantser not a planner).
If I'm stuck on a scene, I take a break. I take a walk. I drink some coffee. I come back and reread what I wrote and try to catch where I stumbled.
If I'm stuck on the plot as a whole I step away from it completely. Flash fiction is my first love, so I often focus on a short story, especially one that comes with a prompt (specific genre, object, location or character) and that forces me to think outside the box. It's often during writing something different that I figure out what is wrong with the real project I'm working on.
If that doesn't work, I sleep. Some of my best ideas were blurry visions in dreams or from that weird not asleep but not awake fugue state. The key is write down the ideas immediately.
Danielle Dreger
Meeting other writers, both published and unpublished. There's nothing more inspiring than talking to someone who is passionate about their ideas.
Also, working in my pajamas is nice.
Also, working in my pajamas is nice.
Danielle Dreger
Gem and Dixie by Sarah Zarr
Alex & Eliza by Melissa de La Cruz
Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
After You by Jojo Moyes
Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson
Alex & Eliza by Melissa de La Cruz
Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
After You by Jojo Moyes
Allegedly by Tiffany Jackson
Danielle Dreger
Read anything and everything, especially outside of the genre(s) you write. You'll gain an appreciation for how other authors tell their stories, use language, and it'll help hone your voice.
And don't worry if what you write sounds like garbage. As writers we improve from each draft, each story, and each sentence. You can always build on what you've written. It feels like I have a dumpster full of garbage writing, but I'll never dump it. It reminds me of how far I've come and how where I'm going.
And don't worry if what you write sounds like garbage. As writers we improve from each draft, each story, and each sentence. You can always build on what you've written. It feels like I have a dumpster full of garbage writing, but I'll never dump it. It reminds me of how far I've come and how where I'm going.
Danielle Dreger
Travel. Nothing clears my head and inspires me like visiting someplace new. I spend my vacations people watching and sometimes the people I meet, the places I visit, and the funny (or terrible) things that happen on trips wind up in my stories. I don't even have to go far or get a passport stamp to wind up with a new idea. I think what it boils down to is being open to new experiences allows me to open myself to new ideas.
Danielle Dreger
A middle grade novel!
Danielle Dreger
The first version of this idea came to me at a Tegan and Sara concert in the fall of 2012. I turned that idea into my NaNoWriMo project in 2012 and then spent the next two years completely rewriting it several times.
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