Ask the Author: J.L. Pete
Answered Questions (5)
J.L. Pete
I reread my old writing a lot just to get into the story again and remember what inspired me in the first place. A lot of my writer's block can be cured with following what inspires me to write. I listen to music, read other books, watch movies that relate to what I'm writing about or sometimes, I let the writer's block run its course. I don't force it to go away, I just settle into what it is and let it pass.
J.L. Pete
Call It Magic came about from a question I had one day when I was going through some major life changes. If someone showed up from the future when I was younger and told me my life would be this way, what would I do or say?
First thoughts, lock them in my basement and ask them for lotto numbers! I would clearly keep them locked up for my own benefit of gambling winnings.
But then the idea spiraled, as they often do, into what if this really happened? What year would it be? Who would be this person from the future? What would be unique about my main characters? How can I spin this into a love story? A funny love story? And there you go. Call it Magic began.
First thoughts, lock them in my basement and ask them for lotto numbers! I would clearly keep them locked up for my own benefit of gambling winnings.
But then the idea spiraled, as they often do, into what if this really happened? What year would it be? Who would be this person from the future? What would be unique about my main characters? How can I spin this into a love story? A funny love story? And there you go. Call it Magic began.
J.L. Pete
The best way I get inspired is by reading other books. If I'm working on a particular story line, I'll watch movies or shows related to what I'm writing about.
When I was writing Call It Magic, I watched anything and everything on time travel. I also watched about a million YouTube videos on Houdini and magic tricks.
For one story I wrote, An Escort Walks into a Bar, I watched movies like American Gigolo and a series called Gigolos. You know, for research. My next novel coming out in October, Death Drives a Minivan, came from a dream I had. I take inspiration wherever I can get it.
Music is also a big inspiration for writing. I'll write full scenes listening to one song on a loop.
When I was writing Call It Magic, I watched anything and everything on time travel. I also watched about a million YouTube videos on Houdini and magic tricks.
For one story I wrote, An Escort Walks into a Bar, I watched movies like American Gigolo and a series called Gigolos. You know, for research. My next novel coming out in October, Death Drives a Minivan, came from a dream I had. I take inspiration wherever I can get it.
Music is also a big inspiration for writing. I'll write full scenes listening to one song on a loop.
J.L. Pete
I'm working on a fun little romantic comedy called Death Drives a Minivan. It's a quirky love story involving cupids, two grim reapers and a scorned couple who started chatting via an online dating app. As fate would have it, when they do meet, they have to work together to find love before time runs out and Death gets his hands on their souls.
Yes, there is a minivan and yes, Death drives it.
Yes, there is a minivan and yes, Death drives it.
J.L. Pete
Keep going even when you want to stop or feel like what you are writing is garbage. It's not. Keep going. :)
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