Ask the Author: Danielle Williams
Answered Questions (4)
Danielle Williams
I write to entertain myself. So usually I sit down to find out "WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!" in any given story. Before I write, I might have a vague idea of what happens next, but when I'm in there putting pen to paper, I get to see scenes come to life--and they often surprise me!
But when it's a struggle to get to the page, I read this five minute writing pep talk and tell myself I only have to do five minutes (or three pages or whatever).
When that doesn't work I bribe myself with treats.
But when it's a struggle to get to the page, I read this five minute writing pep talk and tell myself I only have to do five minutes (or three pages or whatever).
When that doesn't work I bribe myself with treats.
Danielle Williams
I like the flexible scheduling (having what Paula Prober calls a rainforest mind, I never fit in to a traditional work environment). Monday can be laundry day. I can still do piano lessons. I can work in waiting rooms.
Maybe it's better to say I like the autonomy.
My mom stayed at home to raise me. I did correspondence courses and homeschooling as a kid, and after my dad retired from working for the city, he started a second career in real estate that let him choose his schedule. So time autonomy is very appealing to me.
The second greatest thing about being a writer is that every experience is valuable. "It's all grist for the mill!" is my motto--from mundane stuff like jury duty to amazing experiences traveling...it all feeds into the well and could show up in a story someday!
Maybe it's better to say I like the autonomy.
My mom stayed at home to raise me. I did correspondence courses and homeschooling as a kid, and after my dad retired from working for the city, he started a second career in real estate that let him choose his schedule. So time autonomy is very appealing to me.
The second greatest thing about being a writer is that every experience is valuable. "It's all grist for the mill!" is my motto--from mundane stuff like jury duty to amazing experiences traveling...it all feeds into the well and could show up in a story someday!
Danielle Williams
I'm now following the Dean Wesley Smith method of writing, which means I have a lot of irons in the fire.
Besides final FINAL edits on Steel City, Veiled Kingdom, I'm finishing an unofficial Armello novella about Thane the wolf prince, plowing my way through a talking French Bulldogs novella, and writing the first chapters of The Greatest Nosferatu Love Story of All Time which is a standalone prequel novel to Steel City, Veiled Kingdom.
These are just things I'm actively thinking about, there's a necromancer novel on hiatus and some short stories I ought to finish...and two more unofficial Armello stories in the works!
Besides final FINAL edits on Steel City, Veiled Kingdom, I'm finishing an unofficial Armello novella about Thane the wolf prince, plowing my way through a talking French Bulldogs novella, and writing the first chapters of The Greatest Nosferatu Love Story of All Time which is a standalone prequel novel to Steel City, Veiled Kingdom.
These are just things I'm actively thinking about, there's a necromancer novel on hiatus and some short stories I ought to finish...and two more unofficial Armello stories in the works!
Danielle Williams
After I read Julia Cameron's book THE RIGHT TO WRITE, my productivity shot up permanently. So if you are totally new to writing, I say grab that book and follow her advice. Granted, the advice boils down to JUST DO IT but along the way she addresses all the fears and things that keep us from the page.
Other tips: Dreading making a big change or inserting a new scene? Save your current manuscript state as a separate file. If you need to come back to the branch, it'll still be there for you. You may never revert back to or pull any material from it, but sometimes you just need the reassurance that it's safely preserved before you go mucking around with things.
If the writing is telling you to put in this stupid goofy thing, just do it. The writing has a plan, and when it's executed you will be delighted.
Other tips: Dreading making a big change or inserting a new scene? Save your current manuscript state as a separate file. If you need to come back to the branch, it'll still be there for you. You may never revert back to or pull any material from it, but sometimes you just need the reassurance that it's safely preserved before you go mucking around with things.
If the writing is telling you to put in this stupid goofy thing, just do it. The writing has a plan, and when it's executed you will be delighted.
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