Ask the Author: Preben Ormen
Answered Questions (5)
Preben Ormen
I live in Mexico and wanted to set my novel here in the same area where I live. Then it was a matter of playing around with story ideas to find something that resonated with me and my sense of place.
Preben Ormen
I have fun laying out my story, and with a good structure, I find writing is (comparatively) easy because each writing task is a scene that runs 500-1500 words. That's a short sprint and it feels like an accomplishment to complete; I feel like the project is advancing rather than just continuing - I am getting closer to a completed draft.
Preben Ormen
I have a sequel to White Jaguar and then a non-fiction project.
Preben Ormen
Get clear in your own head about your intentions with the story, characters or whatever. If you're not clear inside, you won't be clear on the outside, either (like on the page).
Preben Ormen
I step back mentally to understand why I am stuck. The most persistent problems are a) that I am lost in my own story or b) am missing a crucial bridge from one scene to the next or c) I just realized I wrote myself into an impossibility by doing something inconsistent with my story or characters.
Then I identify what I think I have to do to overcome the problem - most of the time it's just taking a deep breath and diving back in. I work hard to get in writing flow as soon as I am in front of my laptop. I have been writing on deadline for 40 years as a professional service provider (e.g., consultant) so am used to being under pressure and having to get unstuck.
Then I identify what I think I have to do to overcome the problem - most of the time it's just taking a deep breath and diving back in. I work hard to get in writing flow as soon as I am in front of my laptop. I have been writing on deadline for 40 years as a professional service provider (e.g., consultant) so am used to being under pressure and having to get unstuck.
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